DASS Salon/Spa Lenox Mall, the JW Marriott Buckhead Atanta and the Peachtree Road Race 2005
Julie Register visits the Buckhead area of Atlanta to volunteer at this annual 4th of July race, watch the fireworks at Lenox Square and experience a body treatment at a new spa

"It's that time of year again. Every 4th of July my husband, Jeff, and our friend since our Georgia Tech days, Frank, celebrate by running the 10K Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Georgia. Their prize is a coveted T-shirt given to those who finish the race. Every year they say they will get in shape and run to prepare for the event. Every year the event sneaks up on them and finds them poorly prepared. Every year they run. Every year they can hardly walk for a day or two after the event." Sound familiar? I wrote this in 2000. It is as true this year as it was five years ago.  

Fortunately, the morning of the 4th was overcast and cool - almost misty. Linda and I were at our volunteer stations at the end of the race at 6 am. From there, we saw 55,000 runners finish the race, including our husbands.

After the race, we headed to the JW Marriott in Buckhead which is close to place where the race began. Our room was on the 25th floor, and the view of Atlanta was terrific.

JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta	Guest Room #2512 on the Concierge Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta
Guest Room #2512 on the Concierge Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta	View of Atlanta from Guest Room #2512 on the Concierge Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta

Jeff's legs were sore. While he iced his knees, I explored the hotel. Our floor was the Concierge Floor. The Concierge Lounge was next to our room and served breakfast in the morning, hors d'hoeurves in the evening and coffee, soda, juice and snacks all day long.

Concierge Lounge on the 25th Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta

Concierge Lounge on the 25th Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta

The pool and fitness center were on the third floor.

Fitness Center on the 3rd Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta	Whirlpool on the 3rd Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta
Pool on the 3rd Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta	Fitness Center / Pool Locker Rooms on the 3rd Floor of the JW Marriott Buckhead/Atlanta

I walked down the hall that connects the JW Marriott to Lenox Mall. DASS Salon / Spa was located at the mall entrance. I went in to see if they could take Jeff for a massage that afternoon. Unfortunately, they couldn't. However, they could schedule him for the next day, so I made an appointment for him (right after mine!).

Hall from JW Marriott Buckhead Atlanta to DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square	DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square
DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square	Spa Reception in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

I returned to the JW Marriott where we met our friends again. We walked a block or so to the Lenox Mall parking lot where we found a great spot to watch the fabulous July 4th fireworks. It was just fabulous to have a room waiting for us at the JW Marriott after the celebration! No long traffic lines. No long drive home.

The morning of July 5, Jeff and I worked out in the JW Marriott's fitness center. Jeff concentrated on upper body and I used the elliptical and strength circuit. We showered and enjoyed breakfast in Concierge Lounge, then I headed for DASS Salon/Spa.

Waiting Area in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

Spa Entrance in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square Spa in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

I checked in and was led through two sets of secured glass doors. The first led from the retail area to the nail and waxing area. The second led into the spa area. Sylvia, DASS's owner (as in Don And Sylvia Shaw) and my therapist, explained that clients appreciated the security. Sylvia started my treatment with a thorough dry brushing of my entire body. She explained the brushing served two purposes. The first - exfoliation. Five days after the treatment, my skin is still soft and smooth. The second - stimulation of the lymphatic system to help move toxins out of my body. It also made my skin tingle and feel alive. After the dry brushing, she gave me a massage using jojoba oil. Sylvia said that jojoba oil is closest to the natural oil of our skin. The massage was very relaxing.

Wet Treatment Area Lounge in the Spa in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

Wet Treatment Room in the Spa in DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

Jeff's massage was next. He also found it very relaxing and it helped his legs feel a bit better.

Syvia suggested to each of us that we have the moles on our bodies checked. Sylvia lost her adult daughter to melanoma. She crusades against this disease with gentle reminders to her clients and educational pamphlets, Play it Save with the Sun - A guide to Protecting Yourself from the Sun and Skin Cancer, throughout the spa.

Treatment Room in the Spa in
DASS Salon / Spa in Lenox Square

Other services DASS Salon/Sa offers include: