I first saw one last year in a spa in Las Vegas and was very disappointed that I didn't have time to try it. When I discovered that Avanti Salon & Spa in Manalapan, New Jersey had one, I contacted them immediately to arrange a visit. What is it that captured my imagination for the last year? Razul! 

The Razul Chamber is something right out of the setting for the Arabian Nights - domed roof, beautiful tile, thrones to sit on, starry sky,..  In fact, the Razul spa treatment was inspired by the rituals of the ancient harem. I'll explain later. I guarantee once you've seen it, you'll have to try the spa treatment that it is built for, just like I did. 

*The Razul Treatment at Avanti met all of my high expectations. I went alone. However, up to four at a time can be accommodated. It is absolutely perfect for a couple. I checked in at Avanti's main salon entrance and was escorted past the espresso bar and waterfall wall, over the bridge, and through the doors to the very separate spa. After checking in at the spa reception desk (I could have entered the spa directly from outside but didn't realize it), my therapist, Inna Tsiren, took me through the large wooden doors that completely shut out the world from this private oasis. 

*Inside the spa, everything was muted in color, light, and sound - the first step in a very relaxing experience. The women's dressing room was beautifully decorated, as was the entire spa thanks to the taste and skill of owners, Luda and Victor Conti. The sinks themselves were pieces of art. I showered, leaving my skin wet for the Razul treatment as instructed. From there I was taken to the Razul Signature Room, a candlelit room containing two treatment tables draped in exotic fabric, a huge slate-lined, glass-enclosed Swiss Steam Shower, and a keyhole motif glass door leading to the Razul Chamber. I removed my robe (you are completely undressed for this treatment) and entered the Razul Chamber where there were bowls of multi-colored mud waiting for me. Inna explained the procedure, applied a brownish mud to my back, and then left. I scooped and smeared mud all over the rest of my body. The lightest was the least gritty and went on the face. The darkest was very gritty and went on the bottoms of the feet - it probably would be good for rough elbows and knees, also. In between, was a yellow mud for the chest and stomach and a reddish mud for arms and legs. (This is where it would be great for a couple. Each could apply the mud to the other and enjoy the rest of the treatment together.) The lights dimmed and only the starry "sky" of the domed ceiling provided light. I sat down on a warm tiled seat and relaxed. Over the next 30 minutes, the furnace (the tall, interesting structure at the end of the room - see picture at right) supplied increasing amounts of steam to the chamber. This steam was warm, but not hot like a traditional steam bath, and pleasantly scented with lavender, rosemary, and thyme. At the end of the half hour, it started to rain. No kidding. The ceiling provided a gentle rain to rinse off the mud. While I was still in the Razul Chamber in the steam and rinsing off, Inna had discreetly entered the outer room, turned on the Swiss Steam Shower for me, and left. Four shower nozzles on each wall and a hand-held shower head got rid of the rest of the mud. I patted myself dry and knocked on the door to let Inna know I was ready for her to come in and start the rest of the treatment.

The purpose of the mud treatment was to exfoliate and remineralize the skin. The final part of the treatment would moisturize the skin. Inna led me to a table called the Soft Pac that turned out to be like a dry floatation tank. She peeled back layers of plastic and finally opened the wet sheet I was to lay on. I was surprised that the surface was firm when I laid down on it. Inna applied a cream containing goat's milk and wheat germ, lavender, jojoba, jasmine, and chamomile essential oils all over my body, wrapped the sheet around me, then the layers of plastic. The firm surface beneath me was slowly lowered until I was free-floating. I relaxed for 25 minutes snugly wrapped in this warm cocoon listening to soothing music. When the time was up, the firm surface elevated me to the top of the table. Inna  blotted me off and told me not to shower again that day in order to get full benefit of the moisturizer. 

If a couple was having this treatment together, one would be in the Soft Pac while the other would have a massage on the other table. This could be part of a the Romeo & Juliet package that, in addition to the Razul treatment, also includes the Avanti Delight Facial, Ambrosia of Fresh Fruit Pedicure and Manicure, and a gourmet lunch in the Tranquility Room with Champagne or wine.

Before opening the Avanti spa, owners Luda and Victor Conti visited spas all over Europe looking for just the right treatment to inspire a signature service for Avanti. They found Rasul at a spa in Austria and knew it was a perfect fit for their spa. According to Luda, the inventor of the Razul Chamber, Dr. Haslauer, based this treatment on ancient rituals where the women of the harem would be cleansed before spending the night with the sultan. This cleansing ritual involved the application of mud and extended rinsing in order to create smooth, baby-soft skin. 

*Luda and Victor worked with architect Bob Henry to create a wonderful and unique spa environment. Together they designed the space and Luda and Victor decorated it. The spa treatment rooms are in season themes (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), and clients receive treatments in the room corresponding to the season of their zodiac sign. Most of the products used in treatments at Avanti are created at the spa with natural ingredients. Even though the new spa has only been open since February 1999, Luda and Victor already have plans for physically expanding the spa to make room for new services such as Endermologie, Photofacial, and Epilight.

Avanti Salon & Spa is one of a handful of spas in the United States that has a Razul Chamber. That alone makes it special and worth a visit. But it has so much more to offer. Avanti's extraordinary spa services menu includes a large selection of massages, facials, hydrotherapy baths, Vichy Shower treatments, treatments using the Soft Pac, paraffin treatments, special treatments for men, special treatments for pregnant women, and wonderful packages combining treatments. It also offers all of the salon services - manicure, pedicure, hair, makeup, and waxing, and a retail area, The Avanti Promenade.

Avanti Salon & Spa is 50 minutes from New York City, less than 90 minutes from Philadelphia, and about 2 hours from Atlantic City, NJ or Wilmington, DE (my home town). Limousine service is available. Avanti has already gotten the attention of more than a few celebrities and NYC socialites looking for a quiet, first-class retreat. You never know who you might see there.