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Nice
Touch! Awards 2003
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I visited almost 50 spas since the last Nice Touch!
Awards were announced in December 2002. Here are my choices from
the spas I visited since then. The criteria for selection is that
the spa has something that made the visit extra special, something
extraordinary - a unique or outstanding treatment, a gesture, a
touch, a program, location or a feature of the facility. To these
spas, I present the Third Annual Nice Touch! Award from Julie Register.
Here are those spas in the order I visited them:
(Please bear with me while I publish the spa reviews on this
site. As they go live, you will see the "Read Review"
become blue links.) |
1) The Lodge
at Chaa Creek Adventure Centre, Rainforest Reserve and Spa in Belize
 Imagine
finding a modern hydrotherapy tub, Vichy shower, and pedicure throne
in the middle of the jungle! That's what you'll find at this ecological
wonder in western Belize set in the midst of Mayan ruins. The spa
sits on top of a hill and offers a fantastic view of the Mayan Mountains.
Have a massage on the verandah, in a massage hut or modern treatment
room. Nice touch!
Read Review |
2) Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun in
Uncasville, Connecticut
 The
Purification Ritual Treatment, like all Elemis signature services,
was a ritual journey beginning with a "Welcome Touch"
to get me in the spa frame of mind and ending with "Awareness"
to gently bring me back from my "travels." A dry float
bed, shoulder bolsters, high quality Elemis essential oils and soothing
decor that honors the Mohegan tribal culture make this a spa worth
visiting. Nice touch!
Read Review |
3) Mandarin
Oriental, Miami in Downtown Miami, Florida
 Excellent
E'SPA products and treatments (including the Welcoming Foot Ritual
and the Time Ritual). Six spacious, split-level, self-contained
spa suites feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Biscayne
Bay, private marble showers and a relaxation area. Includes a Thai
massage suite and couples suite. The Steam Rooms are infused with
E'SPA's wonderful aromatherapy blends. Nice touch!
Read Review |
4) Turnberry
Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Florida
 Shiatsu
Massage Chairs in the spa waiting room, a huge selection of quality
treatments and classes and Suite Serenity (a guest room furnished
with unique spa touches such as aromatherapeutic candles; iWellness
Music™; a Shiatsu massage chair; eye mask; ion tower air filtration/oxygen
room system; whirlpool bath with filtered water and aromatherapy
essential oils; luxurious robe and slippers; Tempur-pedic mattress
and pillows; gentle-wake alarm and more) make this spa & resort
stand out. Nice touch!
Read Review |
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5) The Spa at Nordica
Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland
 I
had a great massage at this lovely new spa. However, it was the
spa's wet area with steam, sauna and whirlpools that took me by
surprise. As I sat in the whirlpool, a massage therapist asked if
I would like my neck and shoulders massaged while soaking. This
is done for everyone in the whirlpool. What a Nice touch!
Read Review |
6) Blue
Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland
 While
spa treatments are offered here, I didn't have any. Instead, I did
a self-service full-body exfoliation with the mud provided at the
lagoon. That combined with a long soak in the warm, thermal mineral
water made for extremely soft skin and a memorable experience. Nice
touch!
Read Review
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7) Mountain
View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire
 I
had a number of nice treatments at the spa at this grand hotel,
but the soak in the Japanese-style Ofuro Tub high in the colonial
revival observation tower was a definite highlight. While relaxing
in the tub, I had a 360 degree view of tens of thousands of unspoiled
acres and 57 mountain peaks. This is particularly nice for couples
since a treatment room is in the tower just beneath the tub. Nice
touch!
Read Review
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8) Daufuskie
Island Resort and Breathe Spa on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
 It
was here at Breathe Spa that I had my best facial experience to
date. It was so much more than just a facial! Hand massage, warm
mitts, foot reflexology, warm towels, and facial massage with heated
and chilled river rocks complemented the wonderful Essensa®
facial. To top it off, Paige is one of the handful of treatment
providers I've experienced that has what I consider "healing
hands." Well worth the 12-hour drive it took me to get there.
Nice Touch!
Read Review |
9)
Spirit One Spa at the Radisson SAS, Galway, Ireland
 Wonderful
Elemis treatments and a fabulous Thermal Suite with Sabia Med, Hammam,
Rocksauna, Laconium (my favorite!), Aroma Grotto, Tropical Rain
Shower, Cold Fog Shower, Ice Drench and Heated Loungers make this
hotel spa worth taking the time to experience. Nice Touch!
Read Review |
10) Delphi
Mountain Resort & Spa in Co. Galway, Ireland
 This
holistic adventure spa in a beautiful, remote valley in Co. Galway,
Ireland is one of my all-time favorites. Reflexology, boating on
Killary fjord, a facial, a sunrise hill walk, a relaxation class,
yoga, ear candling, tai chi, watching the sunset from an indoor
whirlpool, fabulous food and more - all designed to create a finely
tuned balance between mind and body by combining fitness and activities
with relaxation and spa treatments. Nice touch!
Read Review |
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Nice Touch!
Awards 2002
Nice
Touch! Awards 2001
(Please bear with me while I publish the spa
reviews on this site. As they go live, you will see the "Read
Review" become blue links.)
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http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=*EJTVpauQ/0&offerid=61746.10000013&subid=0&type=4
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