Harbour Inn Marina & Spa in St. Michaels, Maryland - a spa review at Discover Spas with Julie Register

Harbour Inn Marina & Spa in St. Michaels, Maryland
Julie Register visited this inn and spa on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in September 2005

The First Treat - The Location
St. Michaels is a charming, historic town on mouth of the broad Miles River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. On our drive in, we stopped at Gatsby's Collection, a large (40,000+ square feet) store with fountains, antiques, art and other handpicked merchandise from over 22 countries. I was looking for (and found) some inspiration for my garden. We drove down the main street noting which of the quaint shops we would come back to. Unfortunately, one of my favorites, The Mind's Eye Craft Collection, was closed. It was the day after Labor Day, and they were probably taking a deserved day off after the busy holiday weekend. We drove a few blocks to the water where there are a number of restaurants, including another of my favorite St. Michaels stops - the St. Michaels Crab & Steak House. We sat on the restaurant's deck on a beautiful, sunny afternoon, enjoyed delicious crab cakes, and watched a few boats come in and out of the harbor. Things were quiet and unhurried. We were told that just the day before there were so many boats in the harbor that it was hard to see the water, but they were a glorious sight to see at night when they were all lit up. After lunch, we visited the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a wonderful tribute to the area's unique past - the bay history, Hooper Strait Lighthouse, oystering on the Chesapeake, floating fleet, steamboats on the bay, waterfowling, small boat collection and the Waterman's Wharf. The museum volunteers were very helpful and informative. Everything in town is close enough to walk to, but bikes can be found at a number of locations, including The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa where we were about to check in. A water taxi is also available.

St. Michael's Crab & Steak House (on left)	Hooper Strait Lighthouse at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Bikes are a great way to get around St. Michaels	A Water Taxi is also available (Harbour Inn Marina & Spa in background)

The Second Treat - The Company
I was traveling with my parents. I usually travel alone, so it was great fun to be with them. I particularly wanted my dad, a lifelong hunter, to visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to see all of the old guns, decoys and boats. He was appropriately impressed.

The all-suite Harbour Inn was a wonderful place to be. We had two rooms on the third floor, but we could have easily shared one of the large two-room suites (#310 and #302). Both were close to the spa and the compact fitness room. I would recommend a third-floor room if available. They have soaring ceilings and decks with terrific views of the harbor. The decor was a bit tired, but according to Lynsey Roper, the Marketing & Public Relations Director and Spa Director, there were plans to freshen up all guest rooms over the winter with new slipcovers, paint and carpet. The mattresses have already been replaced with very comfortable pillow-top versions. Room 310 was very spacious, had a double Jacuzzi, and fabulous views from a long, narrow deck. Room 302 had a particularly large deck overlooking the harbor where my parents and I relaxed and watched all kinds of boats from kayaks to enormous yachts float in and out of Harbour Inn's marina.

Bedroom of Guest Room #310 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa	Living Room of Guest Room #310 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa
Bathroom of Guest Room #310 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa with double Jacuzzi	View of the Swimming Pool and Marina from the deck of Guest Room #310 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa
Bedroom of Guest Room #302 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa	Deck of Guest Room #302 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa
Bathroom of Guest Room #302 at The Harbour Inn Marina & Spa	Redecorated Room
Fitness Center	Spa Entrance

According to Lynsey, a significant number of the Harbour Inn's spa clients come from the boats moored in the Harbour Inn's 50-slip marina. That gives me a whole new idea for spa hopping. Apparently, the Harbour Inn is one of three spas at hotels with marinas and spas on the Chesapeake. I see a sailing trip in my future! Click HERE to see other spas near or at marinas. Which brings me to...

The Third Treat - The Spa
The Spa at Harbour Inn is long and sleek, designed and decorated by Lynsey with input from the spa's therapists. The entrance to the spa opens to the spa reception and retail area where SkinCeuticals and Naturopathica products used in treatments and logo merchandise are sold. Behind the reception is the nail room with one manicure station and one pedicure station. Beyond the far wall of the reception area is a short hall where a large wall fountain welcomes you to the spa proper. A short zig to the left leads you to the long hallway connecting all of the spa rooms. The decor in the reception, nail room and hallways is muted. Attractive random-width floors are under foot. Because the spa is on the third floor, it also enjoys soaring ceilings.

At the end of the hallway are four multi-purpose treatment rooms in deep, soothing dark colors. Light is controlled by wrought iron wall sconces. In each room, a floor-to-ceiling drape conceals the working area that holds equipment and supplies. Rather than invest in expensive cabinetry, Lynsey chose to invest in something that had a direct connection with the clients - high-end, very comfortable, adjustable treatment tables.

Relaxation Room at the
Spa at Harbour Inn

Spa at Harbour Inn
Couples Treatment Room

On the first day of our visit, I had two spa treatments - a Custom Facial (which turned out to be a Deep Pore Cleansing Facial) and a Spa Pedicure. I arrived at the spa in time for a steam and shower. The seven jets were fabulous. I wonder how much that would cost to do at home? I put on the generous robe and mine-forever sandals and headed to the Relaxation Lounge to wait for my facial. At the appointed time, Denise, an esthetician and massage therapist, came to escort me to a treatment room. I settled in on the heated table. Denise adjusted the table to support my knees and asked if the temperature was OK. It was. I was very comfortable. Denise asked about my skin and decided that a SkinCeuticals facial was in order. She said it was a line developed at Duke University that focuses on anti-aging and sun damage prevention. She went through a number of steps. She cleansed and steamed my face and massaged my neck and décolleté then checked my skin with a Woods lamp. She applied a clay mask to remove impurities and open clogged pores. While the mask worked, she massaged my feet. She used a hot towel to remove the mask and did a few extractions. This was followed by a Vitamin C mask for cell renewal. While that mask worked, she massaged my hands. This was followed by a moisturizer and Vitamin C lip treatment. For me, a good facial is an equal combination of technique and effective product. At the end of an hour - yes, a full hour (none of that 50-minute nonsense here!) - I was relaxed and my skin felt great. I had a very good facial.

I returned to the Relaxation Lounge to wait for my pedicure. My mother was already waiting in the lounge. She was about to have her first spa experience - a facial. She had experienced all of the issues identified in ISPA's 2004 Consumer Trends Report (Initiation into the World of Spas). Mom had been apprehensive and a bit anxious about the whole thing. She had a robe on but was still wearing her slacks and socks. I suggested she might want to take the socks off so she could have her feet massaged during the facial. She replied, "They told me that I didn't have to." So I let it go. Bonnie came for me, and I told my mom I would meet her back in the lounge.

I selected a color (OPI's Grand Canyon Sunset, I think) then settled into the chair while Bonnie filled a tub with smooth glass rocks and warm soapy water. Rose petals floated on top of the bubbles. My feet soaked then Bonnie massaged and exfoliated them and my lower legs with Naturopathica's Lemon Verbena Scrub. There was also a peppermint product to liven them up. The nails were trimmed and polished and sealed with Seche Vite. My toenails, two weeks later are just as shiny as the minute I left the spa.

I went back to the lounge where I met my mother, who was very happy (and probably a little relieved) after her facial. She admitted she needed it and asked how often she should have a facial. I noticed that she didn't have her socks on and asked if she had a foot massage. She said she had. Denise just removed her socks and massaged her feet. I mentioned to her that sometimes during a facial, the esthetician will leave the room while a mask works. Fortunately, they didn't do it at this spa. They do it the right way, in my opinion, and stay with you the entire time making good use of the time with the foot, hand and neck/shoulder massage. I also told her about the 60-minute vs. 50-minute treatments - another very nice touch.

That evening, my parents and I shared a bottle of wine on their deck and watched the goings-on of "The Lady Pat," a very large yacht moored at the marina. We had a delicious dinner at The Shore, the restaurant on the second floor of the Harbour Inn overlooking the harbor. I had a truly fantastic Alaskan Salmon with Asparagus and Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto. My parents were equally impressed with their meals of filet and bouillabaisse.

The next day, I returned to the spa (wearing my new sandals!) for a Body Polish and Naturopathica Wild Lime Scalp & Body Massage. I repeated the pre-treatment routine from the day before. Izzy came to get me in the lounge and escorted me to a treatment room. I got comfortable on the table and Izzy started the body polish using Naturopathica's Lemon Verbena Scrub which has tiny Jojoba beads in it. On extra tough areas like elbows and knees, she used Naturopathica's Bamboo Lemongrass scrub which uses ground bamboo and is a bit courser. The purpose of a body scrub is to slough away dead skin cells, increase circulation and deliver brighter softer skin. Izzy is a trained Esalen massage therapist. She used a number of massage strokes during the polish, which made it one of the best body scrubs I've had. When she was done, I was escorted to the shower so I could rinse off the excess jojoba beads and ground up bamboo. My skin was very soft. (A side note here, I love Naturopathica products. I have tried them at home, but this was the first time I had them in a spa treatment. They lived up to my expectations!)

My final treatment was the signature Naturopathica Wild Lime Scalp & Body Massage described as "A zesty, aromatic scalp and full body massage treatment that relieves exhaustion and fatigue." The treatment started with warm lime oil being slowly drizzled on my scalp. The massage that followed started with the scalp and turned into a full-body massage. It was fabulous. The warm oil and scalp massage is a very nice touch.

There are also day spa package and two great overnight spa packages available (more information at http://www.spaatharbourinn.com/maryland-spa-package.htm:

Spa Escape Package for Lovers - One nights lodging in an Admiral or Jacuzzi Suite. Champagne & Strawberries in room upon arrival. Continental Breakfast delivered to your room. Gourmet picnic basket with beverages. Sailboat Cruise for Two. Romantic Couples Massage.

Plan Your Perfect PJ Party - A unique girlfriends getaway. Enjoy overnight accommodation in a waterfront suite, relax with your choice of Spa Services and allow The Harbour Inn to plan your perfect pajama party. An array of music, movies, games, snacks and drinks of your choice will be put in your room with your pajamas for your party! Buffet Breakfast.

A special note about the Harbour Inn - In September 2003, the Harbour Inn was devastated by Hurricane Isabel. The first floor was under several feet of water, and there was a lot of damage to the property. Refurbishment was just completed in the Spring of 2005. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Bob Pascal, owner of the Harbour Inn, was quick to respond. He sent furniture, linens, bedding, etc, that were being held in storage on a truck to the people who lost their homes. He also donated 50% of the midweek hotel proceeds during September 2005 to the American Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Fund.