Marcia Abramson
Five Towners and Eastern South Shorites to the Merrick and Massapequa borders have found Capellini's Salon & Day Spa the perfect answer for luxurious pampering and stress relief. This is usually only to be found far away from home at Resort and Cruise Spas. I found that Woodmere's Capellini's Day Spa, at 964 Broadway, offers a good number of the body treatments from seaweed body wraps to papaya body scrubs, shiatsu massage in addition to the
other massages and treatments. Some of the spa day of beauty pack
ages start at $295 a day and include a spa lunch. There are a few other Day Spas on the North Shore. Roslyn has Bogart's with another Bogart's on Old Country Road in Westbury.
The renowned Greenhouse Spa of Texas is coming to Manhattan this month at 122 East 57th Street, located in the epicenter of New York's most glamorous retail district. The famous architect, Russell Groves, who conceived the design for Giorgio Armani, Takashimaya and the Coach flagship stores on the upper East Side of Manhattan, has been charged to create the NYC Greenhouse beauty and wellness sanctuary. Well worth a visit if just for breakfast or lunch of double latte and seared tuna salad while having collagen injections, laser treatment or sclerotherapy for leg veins. Dermatologists provide the medical treatments while masseurs, hair stylists and beauticians complete the staff of this all purpose house of beauty and good health. From my experience with the Greenhouse Spa in Texas, this NYC establishment should be worth the short trip to the East Side of Manhattan.
Just 61 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in Famington, Pa., there is the Woodlands spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. This spa features "stone therapy" with a hot stone massage and a most unique stone pedicure. I saw a guest fitted for stones. The appropriate size stones are placed between the toes after the stones undergo a good soaking in warm water treated with essential oils. Then a foot massage focusing on reflexology points is administered. During the 80-minute treatment, there is callous removal, paraffin wrap, aroma leg and foot exfoliation and mail nutrition for a mere $110. The resort offers water rafting, a 30-mile bike trail, an equestrian center, a 36-hole PGA-rated championship golf course and a ski facility for both downhill and cross-country aficionados. A private airfield is also available with a 3,900 foot airstrip for those who fly.
A particular favorite Spa of mine is the Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires at Lenox, Massachusetts, easily reachable by car or plane. This is the 10-year-old offshoot of the original Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Mel Zuckerman, the CEO and founder of Canyon Ranch, also opened its first day facility at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, called the Canyon Ranch Spa Club. It incorporates fitness activities for all levels "away from the gaming tables," massage and body treatments, wellness services, spiritual growth opportunities, exercise physiology, physical therapy, movement therapy, nutrition counseling and skin care and beauty salon services. Some of the medical services may be covered by health insurance. I found a four-day visit at the Berkshires Canyon Ranch an ideal pampering yet healthful experience. Of course, the walking and hiking in my Timberland Outdoor shoes was just a break-in for the more extensive hiking trails in Tucson. But then again, the latest endeavor by Mel Zuckerman to be completed in the year 2002 will be two luxury Cruise vessels, the Canyon Ranch at Sea, Quest I And Quest II. They will focus on the value of salt air as a health and healing benefit with a bit of adventure added to the mix. What a great way to spend a vacation with all the good health blessings!
Not to be missed is the PGA National Resort & Spa at Palm Beach Gardens, Fl., where Donald Trump and his former wife, Marla Maples, were spotted in happier times. At this spa, sports nutrition will be emphasized. Nicole Haislett, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer and graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute, will be the Chef de Cuisine. Her menus will focus on improving endurance, increasing energy while meeting all aspects of an active lifestyle. This in addition to all the fitness and wellness programs at the spa.
