Marcia Abramson
In the course of my travels, I came upon The Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for the Historic Preservation of 50-year-old hotels. They also must be recognized as having historic significance, faithfully maintaining their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. Many of these resort hotels have on-site spas and offer such unique treatments, utilizing chocolate, red wine, oranges, honey, milk and other ingredients to help you relax, moisturize your skin or rejuvenate a tired soul. Some even offer recipes on relaxing children and cleansing men's skin. Going back to the Romans, the Mayans and various Native American tribes, these forebears have always sought healing waters. Hotels and resorts have touted their natural spring waters like the Homestead in Hot Springs, Va.; The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. and the Inn and Spa at Berkeley Springs, W.Va. and were built to accommodate people seeking "the cure." Saratoga Springs in New York state offers their unique naturally effervescent mineral waters for the patrons of the Gideon Putnam Hotel and the Lincoln Mineral Baths and Spa. The healing water is just one of many ingredients offered by the various spas. Mountain laurel and honeysuckle are ingredients used in the Allegheny Mountain area's Homestead Spa. The spa at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pa. offers cocoa treatments. The Carolina Mud Pie Wrap at the Spa at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. uses a mélange of goat butter, plant extracts, mud and warm stones that end up melting into your skin for a delightful euphoria. Then there is the Equinox in Manchester Village, Vt., where pure maple sugar is used in a scrub for moisture restoration to the skin and the state flower "red clover" lotion is a natural antidote for sore muscles. I was introduced to my favorite "hot stone" massage in Santa Fe, N.M. at the La Fonda Spa. There, perfectly matched heated basalt river rocks were administered to the body for the most soothing massage imaginable. The Historic Hotels of America has the following recipes for relaxation and at-home spa treatments:The At-Home Whipped Cocoa Bath from the Spa at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa. that is like sitting in a warm cup of hot chocolate. Add to the bath:1/8 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder1/3 cup instant non-fat dry milk1/2 cup Whipped Cocoa Hershey bath product or any unscented bubble bath.Also recommended, but not necessary is a whirlpool tub for the best frothy, foamy effect. The Red Wine and Honey Bath from The Grove Park Inn Spa at Asheville, N.C.Add to the bath:4 cups of the cheapest red wine available1 cup of honeyTogether the wine and honey act as clarifying and moistening agents.The Buttermilk and Honey Bath from The Grove Park Inn Spa at Asheville, N.C. Add to the bath: 1 quart of buttermilk1 cup of honey (save a little honey to put on your face)5 drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender or baby oil will due)Together the milk and honey exfoliate and moisten the skin.The Kohler Waters Spa at the American Club in Kohler, Wis. has a great tip for soothing children. They suggest trying aromatherapy for stressed out children at bedtime. A few drops of essential lavender oil on their pillow should put their mind and body at ease for a good night's sleep. The tip for men's faces from the Spa at the Francis Marion Hotel at Charleston, S.C. is the basic admonition: "Don't use soap on your face. Instead, choose a professional skin cleanser and moisturizer specific to your skin type. And avoid unnatural scents and colors."For information on the members of the Historic Hotels of America you can call (800) 678-8946 or visit historichotels.org on the Internet or call your local travel professional.
© Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
