Century
Plaza Hotel
My
first impression of Century Plaza Hotel was lukewarm. The building
looked dated. The lobby was small. On one end, there was an old-fashioned
coffee shop. On the other, the entrance to the spa. In between was
a small necessities shop. I checked in and headed for my room. The
hall seemed very narrow. Then I entered room 2108. End of first impression.
My lasting impression: The room was lovely and spacious. It had obviously
been remodeled recently. The city views were fantastic! While I didn't
find an ironing board or robe in the closet, there was something better
- a foot bath!
The
hotel is located within easy walking distance to shopping or a park
by the water. It's a fun city to walk in - lots to do and see, street
musicians (I bought a CD from Jade after following his otherworldly
Andean flute music echoing in the tall buildings), and I felt very
safe walking around alone.
Back
to the Century Plaza - The coffee shop offered good food at a reasonable
price in a authentic retro atmosphere. The baked goods looked fabulous,
but I resisted. Then there was the spa...
Absolute
Spa at the Century
The
Absolute Spa at the Century is located off the hotel lobby. The reception
desk, the spa boutique, manicure and pedicure rooms, and a massage
treatment room are located on the entry level. The lower level houses
the locker room, relaxation room, more treatment rooms (total of 9),
and access to the hotel's ozonated swimming pool and eucalyptus steam
rooms. Lovely hand painted murals and accents adorn the walls and
ceilings.
The
relaxation room offers comfortable chairs and provides teas, juice,
and water flavored with sliced fruit. It is a very pleasant place
to wait for treatments or relax afterwards. I walked in and noticed
a row of silver domes on a shelf along the wall. These turned out
to be light spa meals that are served to everyone getting a spa treatment
- a most unusual, but very nice touch. If you are having a package
that lasts a number of hours, you will have two meals.
The
treatments I had at the the Absolute Spa at the Century were
fabulous! The first treatment was a Moor Mud Wrap by Natasha, a therapist
from Russia who has been at the spa for three years. She had previously
been a mechanical engineer but decided to make a career change - just
like me! Since I was having a facial and massage after the wrap, she
didn't do a facial while the mud was wrapped or rub cream on afterwards
as she normally would have. Instead, she gave me a scalp massage while
I was wrapped. Afterwards, I showered off in the private shower in
the treatment room.
I
then had an "Absolutely" personalized facial with Doina,
an esthetician from Romania. The facial started with massage at my
center where the ribs meet (chakra?). The facial that followed was
Paul Scerri Facial Care - customized using five different blends of
essential oils. Doina cleaned the skin, 
extensively
massaged it to remove dirt, etc. and stimulate the lymph system. This
was followed by a mask. While this set up, Doina massaged my scalp.
She then left me to relax for a while. When she returned, she washed
the mask off and applied a cream. It was one of the nicest facials
I've had. My skin felt great and I felt relaxed.
Continuing
my descent into total relaxation, I then had a 60 minute massage by
Peter, a therapist from the Czech Republic. He asked what needed the
mostattention. I replied the neck and shoulder. The massage can be
described in these words: wonderful, very thorough, fantastic, relaxing,
most enjoyable, great!
My
last treatment was a simultaneous Chocolate Indulgence Manicure with
Cathy and Chocolate Splash Pedicure with Nathalie in a pedicure throne.
What fun!
Absolute
Spa Group
The
Absolute Spa at the Century is one of a number of spa businesses created
by Wendy Cocchia, president of the Absolute Spa Group. Other ventures
include The Spa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Airport, Absolute
Spa at YVR - Vancouver Airport US, Absolute Spa at YVR - Vancouver
Airport Domestic, Absolute Spa Mobile, and Soluzione Spa Products,
Ltd..
