Oconee Mud Wrap at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Georgia
Julie Register visited this resort spa 75 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia in October 2002

2004 UPDATE
The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is the Only Spa in Georgia to Receive Prestigious Mobil Four Star Award

The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is named one of America’s top spas in the Mobil Travel Guide’s first edition of “America’s Best Hotel & Resort Spas.” Starting with a list of 300 spas, Mobil inspectors narrowed the list to 160 and then included only 48 in the new guide. “This is wonderful recognition after less than two years of operation, and underscores the exceptional treatments, attentive service and comforting surroundings we’ve created for our guests,” said Liz Hutto, spa director. “We enjoy welcoming resort guests and local residents to our beautiful lakeside retreat to enjoy this truly serene setting and discover the superb services we offer.” According to Mobil, the winning spas met criteria to “provide thoughtful, helpful, anticipatory and personalized services in environments that are unpretentiously luxurious and allow for an experience that can transport a guest from daily stresses; offer treatments that are expertly executed with a high degree of respect guest comfort, privacy and well being; and offer a well-balanced selection of health, fitness and pampering regimens that can be arranged conveniently.

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*Ellen and I were floating in the infinity pool, appreciating the lovely view of Lake Oconee, and catching up on the months that had passed since we had last seen each other. With the exception of two other women, we were the only guests in sight. The sun, the air, and the water were warm, but the color of the leaves were just starting to change and it would soon be fall. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation was a lovely setting for a "girls' getaway."

I was in Georgia to attend Spacifically 2002 and flew into Atlanta a few days early to spend a little time with my friend and visit the Native American-themed Ritz-Carlton Spa. I got my rental car, picked Ellen up, and headed east on Interstate 20 for 75 miles - an easy ride that passed quickly. We followed the signs for the resort which is located next to Reynolds Plantation, a gated, lakeside community of high-end, luxury homes. We passed Linger Longer Road (love that name!) and a few of the 81 holes of golf* available to the resort guests.

We checked in and decided to have lunch at Georgia's*, the hotel's signature restaurant, before enjoying the pool. Ellen is a vegan - no dairy, eggs, or meat. The menu had a lovely selection of entrees enhanced by regional ingredients such as pecans, peaches and Vidalia onions but nothing vegan. Ellen asked if the chef could make something with the vegetables that were offered on the menu. The server said, "Certainly!" and shortly brought Ellen a vegan meal that looked fabulous. 

A request for anything at The Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation elicits a response of "My pleasure!" or "Certainly!" from the well-trained staff. It is the same for all Ritz-Carlton properties I have visited (most recently The Ritz-Carlton Cancun and The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park). What never ceases to amaze me is the response is always sincere. According to Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer, "Every employee has the business plan of The Ritz-Carlton in his or her pocket - constantly reinforcing that guest satisfaction is our highest mission." I'm sure there is more to it than that. Whatever it is, it works!

The Spa 

I got up early the following morning to work out in the gym and take a Pilates class before my 9 a.m. spa treatment. The 26,000-square-foot spa building is connected to the main lodge by way of a long, covered walkway. The main level houses the spa reception, retail shop, 19 treatment rooms, one spa suite, and separate men's and women's changing areas each with a dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge pool and relaxation room. The lower level houses the fitness center (1,700 s.f. cardio area with flat screen personal televisions, circuit training, free weights and an aerobics studio (700 s.f. with spinning equipment and audio/visual capabilities and offering classes in Pilates, Power Hike, Spinning, Resistaball, SimplyCardio, Body Sculpt, and Yoga), salon (hair styling, manicures and pedicures), café, and indoor swimming pool and whirlpool. 

I checked in at 6, spent a half hour on the elliptical and another 30 minutes circuit training. The Pilates class started at 7. I was the only one there, but Elaine held the class anyway. It was a great private lesson. When it was over, I headed to the locker room, showered, relaxed in the lounge and waited for my 90-minute Oconee Mud Wrap. Amy came to get me at the appointed time and escorted me to a treatment room with a private shower. Soft Native American music was playing. I asked Amy to keep the room on the cooler side and not wrap me too tight in the wrap when the time came. She said it was no problem since each room's temperature is individually controlled. The treatment started with a full-body exfoliation. Amy rubbed a lotion containing ground apricot pits and palm kernels on me to loosen the dead skin then rinsed it off. She then massaged in a yellow Phytobiodermie clay that represented Indian Summer - very relaxing. She loosely wrapped me in sheets and blankets. While the mud was working, Amy massaged my scalp and then did reflexology on my feet which put me even deeper into a relaxed state. When the time was up, I was told to go into the shower and rinse off then put my robe on and meet Amy at the door. She was waiting with a glass of water and a paper instructing me how to do this treatment at home with products available in the retail shop (Ritz-Carlton Spa Fresh Scrub, Phytobiodermie Yellow Clay, and Babor Ace Body Cream). She then escorted me back to the relaxation lounge. I felt like I needed a moisturizer after the wrap, so I immediately went to the shower and rubbed body lotion all over (something I think would greatly enhance the treatment). After that, I relaxed in the women's wet area.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa was influenced by the Creek Indians, the first inhabitants of the Lake Oconee area. Specifically, John Winterhawk, Spiritual Leader of the Muskogee tribe of Creek Indians, consulted on the development of authentic spa treatments. Winterhawk created treatments corresponding to the seasons of the year, incorporating indigenous herbs and flowers used for generations by the Creek Indians for their healing and soothing properties. Creek Indian culture believes the year is divided into four seasons represented by the colors red, yellow, black and white, each signifying and enhancing specific thoughts and emotions. Fall is a time of reflection, thought and understanding. Represented by the color black, the fall embodies the wisdom that grows from the storms of life. Red, the color of spring, signifies the warmth of sunlight, new beginnings and the rebirth of all that is natural. Summer is represented by the color yellow, signifying the power of the heart and is the time to teach care, responsibility and good will.  White is the traditional color of winter and symbolizes rest and rejuvenation and preparation for the journey ahead. These beliefs are incorporated in the spa's signature treatments:

• Fall Body Buff  - The Fall Season comes from the West and brings the darkening, black skies that announce the end of the summer. It is a time of preparation for the upcoming winter- Nourish and repair delicate skin after the summer season. Sweet Orange and Patchouli warm the senses while Pumpkin seed and sea salt sooth and enhance a velvet skin texture. This exfoliating treatment includes a 30-minute massage using essential oils to instill well being and relaxation.
• Spring Body Polish  - With the rising glow of the red sun and lengthening days, arrives the Spring Season from the East. This soothing exfoliation treatment blends Blessed Thistle and Peru Balsam to help balance and restore irritated sensitive skin. This experience concludes with a hydrating 30-minute massage.
• Summer Body Glow  - The Summer Season brings the yellow of abundant flowers and herbs with the sunshine from the South. An invigorating blend of lemon grass, grapefruit seed and Sassafras Root will exfoliate the skin, promote a healthy summer glow and enhance a golden skin tone. This exfoliating treatment includes a nourishing 30 minute massage with essential oils.
• The Winter Body Buff  - The Winter Season brings white winds of cleansing from the North. This specialty treatment is designed to exfoliate the coarse outer layer of the skin leaving it clear, silky and smooth. Evening Primrose, Eucalyptus & Rosewood are combined to rejuvenate and stimulate. This experience includes a 30-minute hydrating massage with essential oils. 

That may be how the spa started out, but I really didn't see anything in the spa that would tell me that it was in any way connected to Native American culture (other than the music and I specifically requested that). Even my own treatment, the Oconee Mud Wrap, was basically a Phytobiodermie treatment, yet the spa literature description described it as "Indigenous clay from the Oconee area...combined with Wild Yam, Elderberry, Juniper and Sage." On the positive side, Phytobiodermie does base its products on the seasons, and that is in keeping with the original intent. 

After my treatment, I met Ellen in the Spa Café for lunch. The menu was the same as Georgia's - sadly, no spa cuisine. We chose fruit and granola from the breakfast bar that was being dismantled for lunch and ate out on the terrace overlooking the cottages and golf course. 

[TIME OUT: I will get on my soapbox here and lament the fact that not a single resort or hotel spa of the 30+ I visited this year offered anything close to spa cuisine (imaginative, delicious, low fat, low salt, high fiber meals). Maybe I am the only spa-goer who wants this!?!]

Despite my grumbling above, I did enjoy the Ritz-Carlton Spa. It is a lovely facility that, between the pool, spa treatments, and quiet areas, I could easily spend more time at.

The Resort

The resort is located on Lake Oconee. The main thrust is golf and the spa. Many of its visitors are from Atlanta, and many of those are there for business meetings. And why not? It's close and offers a lot for the meetings and families of those that attend. While the resort itself does not offer any lake-related activities, it can arrange for a local company to provide boats and skiing or fishing outings as well as nearby sporting clays.

The Lodge has a total of 251 guest rooms which feature:

• Feather beds with duvets

• 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets

• 100% goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows

• High-speed Internet access

• Dual-line telephones with private voice mail

• Computer and fax outlets

• Granite and marble bathrooms

• Separate tub and shower

• Terrycloth bathrobes

• Guest room vanities

• Luxury bath amenities

• Iron and ironing board

• Custom-designed furniture

• Full-sized desk

• Fully stocked honor bar with refrigerator

• Laptop compatible in-room safes

• CD player/radio (CDs also available)

• Private terraces

• Complimentary morning newspapers

• Turn down

• Twice daily maid service

• Bath Menus - A bath butler will draw a special bath in your room for $35 (at the time of my visit). You have a choice of one of four seasons: Winter which brings the white winds of cleansing from the North (evening primrose, eucalyptus and rosewood); Spring with the rising glow of the red sun and lengthening days from the East (blessed thistle and Peru balsam); Summer which brings the yellow flowers and herbs with the sunshine from the South (lemongrass, grapefruit seed and sassafras root); and West from which comes the Fall with darkening skies preparing for the end of Summer (sweet orange, patchouli and pumpkin seed).

Separate from the main lodge are six two- or three-bedroom cottages and one Presidential House located on the 18th hole of The Oconee Course.  They offer spectacular views of the Oconee Course and Lake Oconee.

Covered Walkway Connecting the Ritz-Carlton Lodge to the Ritz-Carlton Spa at Night	The Ritz-Carlton Spa	Spa Cafe
Reception Desk	Sitting Area Near Reception Desk	Indoor Pool
Entrance to the Women's Changing Room in The Ritz-Carlton Spa	Lockers in the Women's Changing Room	Steam Room and Sauna in the Women's Changing Room
Whirlpool in the Women's Changing Room	Cold Plunge Pool in the Women's Changing Room	Outdoor Relaxation Area in the Women's Changing Room
Relaxation Lounge in the Women's Changing Room	Relaxation Lounge in the Women's Changing Room	Hallway to Treatment Rooms
Wet Treatment Room	Couples Treatment Room	Couples Treatment Room
Salon Waiting Area	Salon Retail	Salon Pedicure Stations
Salon Manicure Station	Salon MakeUp Station	Guest Room Bathroom
View of Lake Oconee From Guest Room	View of Infinity Pool and Lake Oconee From Guest Room	The Ritz-Carlton Lodge - Lake Side
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge - Lake Side	Gaby's Restaurant	Oconee Lake