| Spas in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo |
My sister Stephanie Goldman was visiting me in Zihuatanejo recently and I decided it would be interesting for us to research this article on Spas together. Stephanie being well versed in massage, she owns a Finnish sauna and goes off the beaten path for a Mediterranean bath or Hammam, was willing and able. I on the other hand have been on the receiving end of many massages and in my travels have come across some interesting techniques and of course the glorious baths, spas, Hammams of Europe and Morocco. I went to all of the spas in the Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa area to make appointments for the house specialties and unique body offerings. I was amazed by the variety, different settings and all out professionalism.
Get in a comfy chair, relax and breathe, we are going on a spa journey.
Walking into the Casa que Canta to view their spa facilities I was met by Leanor LaValle Reyes who oversees The Center of Well Being or the Centro de Bienesstar. We walked through the hotel to the elevator and went down to the fourth floor. Upon arrival we stepped out to a cool breeze and turned the corner to see a panoramic view of the bay. As we enter the air conditioned spa and reception area I am greeted by two of the staff. Leo than leads me to the facial room with the usual facial chair, vapor machine, an electric wand with rotating brushes and “state of the art” electro magnetic wave machine which stimulates your nerve endings. They use Phytomer Products from France for most of the facial treatment. Some of the facials on offer are the Marine Facial, the Casa Que Canta Rejuvenating facial, Eye Firming treatment and a Gentlemen’s facial. All lasting from 40 minuets to an hour. We went on to the one of the two massage rooms, the first with two massage tables and a shower room and the second, with a massage table and shower and bath room just steps away. They offer 8 kinds of massages including La Casa Que Canta Special Massage using a combination of two techniques: reflexology and holistic massage lasting 90 minutes and a sports medicine massage using moderate to deep pressure that helps your muscles increase flexibility and prevent injury. Also there are body wraps including Nopal Anti-cellulite and detoxify wrap (which sounds intriguing), Sun Lover Seaweed and Paraffin wrap and Seaweed Body Gommage. All vary in duration and price. You can also make a reservation for a Dream Day that is a half day (3 ½ hours) of relaxing massage using essential oil extracts followed by a whole body exfoliation, a special facial and manicure and pedicure. I made an appointment for the Nopal Lymphatic Drainage Message and a Sun Lover Seaweed and Paraffin Wrap for Stephanie. We returned at 10:00 am the next morning ready for our treatments. Stephanie was whisked off first by Paula. She was first given a light exfoliation by using a jojoba gommage, followed by a shower. An application of warm seaweed and paraffin mask was applied to her body. The body is than cocooned. She was left to meditate and rest for 30 minutes. The mask is than removed with a spatula and a long moisturizing massage is the grand finale.
I went with Carmen to the one table massage room, where I was lightly exfoliated with a brush and then painted with a Nopal Cactus mixture. I was wrapped in foil sheets and than cocooned in an electric heated plastic blanket and was given a face and head massage during the half hour baking. When finished, I was unwrapped, sponged off and was handed robe and slippers and sent off to shower. On returning, I had an excellent one hour long lymphatic message finished off with a cold nopal and pineapple drink. I enjoyed the whole experience and had good results. For appointments call 555-7030 ext. 207.
Our next destination is down town Zihuatanejo on Nicholas Bravo #41. There you will find the bright yellow, just opened Renaissance Spa. This is the twin spa to the Renaissance spa at the Rivera Beach Resort in Ixtapa. The Proprietresses are Marilu Arnabar and Silvia Sotelo. At the Zihuatanejo location they offer a Diagnostic Facial using a Microscope type wand connected to a computer, to have a good look at your skin. Facials are my favorite here. They offer a Hydrating Facial, Anti-aging Facial, Paraffin Facial, Collagen facials and a 10 session Acne Treatment. They have all the usual massages Relaxation or Therapeutic. Full body treatments involve an exfoliation a shower and a massage. There are 3 to choose from, Velo De Novia, Fango and Paraffin. Moving on to Combination body treatments they offer a 4 week anti-cellulite and reduction using a laser, ultrasound and endermology. Also on the premises is a capsule machine that you climb into for treatments for reduction and has therapeutic qualities. It is basically a sweat machine. Very detoxifying and rejuvenating. Dr. Yolanda Alfonso Fierro is also a part of the staff at both Renaissance Spa’s. She specializes in Obesity and Esthetic Medicine such as Botox, Resting Line, Fine lines and Perlane for your face. She also does permanent lip lines along with peelings. Spa hours are from 10:00 to 7:00. For appointments please call 544-6697.
At the Renaissance Spa in Ixtapa at the Rivera Beach Resort, the Spa is bigger and offers a few more treatments. In the facial room are all the usual appliances. There are Cleansing, Hydrating and Collagen facials. Marilu also demonstrates her Laser apparatus used to bring collagen to the surface of the skin. The massages are the usual plus Shiatsu, Thai and Ayuverdic. There is one room dedicated to the Vichy shower. This is a standard but luxurious water massage used with exfoliation, body polishes and enzyme peels. The latest addition is an Alpha Spa Capsule. Stephanie and I took turns trying this out. You get in and lay on your back. We found it was more comfortable with fewer clothes on than more. You pick what kind of treatment you want. Such as weight loss, Detoxification, Relaxation, stress reduction, etc. close the capsule and you are surrounded by a whirl of cool air on your face, soft tranquil music, aromatherapy, message vibrations and soothing back heat. I choose rejuvenation and Stephanie relaxation. We both felt great when we were finished and would recommend it especially if you are jet lagged, extremely tired or just need some tranquillity. There is a sauna and a steam room to complete the experience. Pedicures, Manicures and hair services are available as well.
Located on the grounds of the Riviera Beach Resort is a special treat the TEMAZCAL or sweat house used in Mexican Traditional Medicine. The Temazcal is a detox therapy and is used for reaching a highly relaxed state both spiritual and physical. The Temazcal is dome shaped and made of adobe, is a special kind of steam bath with a blend of soothing herbs. It is recommended for muscles, joints, respiratory and psychosomatic problems, lasting for one hour inside and a half hour outside. You are guided by a Shaman with chants, meditation and cleansing. Massage treatments include aloe, seaweed and mud. For more information please call Marilu or Silvia 553-0966 ext SPA. The Renaissance Spa hours are from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. All services are by appointment.
Villa Del Sol Hotel located in the middle of La Ropa Beach, was our next stop. The Spa was completed last season and is where the reception area used to be. I was met by the Spa Director Debra Thomas from London, England. This is Debra’s second season with the Spa. She has been in the business for 15 years and has studied in England, Thailand and India. She is planning a trip to study Hawaiian message in Hawaii this summer. The spa is decorated naturally with bamboo, candles and water fountains. The first massage room has two tables and a shower en-suite and the other massage room has one table, both are air conditioned. There is a hair and facial room along with an area for pedicures and manicures. The Treatment menu starts off with massages and some of the more interesting ones here are the HOT STONE MASSAGE using smooth rounded river stones heated and placed on specific face and body zones. You can have 50 or 80 minutes. The INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE is from the traditional Bombay Barber Shop, this is my favorite kind of thing head, neck and shoulders. So Debra gave me a 10 minute one. She begins with a very invigorating scalp massage moving to my neck and shoulders using pressure points. She has strong hands and fingers. Debra ended with a gentle, relaxing facial massage that would have put me to sleep if I had been in the chair any longer. THAI MASSAGE is different from most. This massage you need to show up in loose clothes. Debra, using Stephanie to demonstrate, has her lie on the mat and puts her in a position while she applies pressure to pressure points to open them up. She than gently stretches her. This looks like it is good for over all flexibility and limber-ness. Next the BODY TREATMENTS. They offer an ANTI-SUNBURN treatment using aloe gel, lavender and chamomile to soothe the skin. Cold towels are than applied to draw the heat from the skin. Stephanie and I try the SALT SCRUB BODY SLAMMER! We go to the massage room with two tables and shower en-suite and get ready for Rosalba and Modesta. The room is lighted with candles and a small table fountain is whispering in the corner. They arrive carrying coconut shells filled with coarse ground salt, a shot of tequila and a squeeze of lime. This is rubbed on to our skin. If this does not take off the old skin and tighten your pores, nothing will. We both smelled like margaritas and if it had not been so early in the day we may have had one. We washed all that salt, tequila and lime away and we both agreed that our skin was soft and glowing. Debra is happy to customize a Spa Day package for your personal needs. The spa is open daily from 10 am to 6 PM. To make an appointment call 554-2239 ext. 123.
Lavender & Roses Day Spa and Beauty Salon is located in Ixtapa Palace Resort. Proprietress, Stylist and personal friend Kimberly Nicols has been in business here for 15 years. The Facials that are on offer are: The THREE MASKED FACIAL, includes three masks, therapeutic, surface peeling and calming that comes with a shoulder and arm massage. The CLEANSING FACIAL and the EUROPEAN FACIAL all lasting an hour and using Nu Skin Products. The power house behind the massages is Lynn Jarvis L.C.S.R. (Phys.) M.T.A.M. Lynn is internationally certified Massage Therapist. She specializes in REMEDIAL, THERAPEUDIC (deep tissue), SPORTS and RELAXATION MASSAGE. Lynn is very thorough and finds all those knots and pressure points. Lynn is by appointment only and be sure to specify if you want your massage at Lavender & Roses or at the Cabana on La Ropa Beach. Also under the heading of MASSAGES Leti or Lynn give Aromatherapy Massage, The Stone Massage and Reflexology. THE TREATMENTS given by Leti and Marie goes as follows: MUSCLE RELAXATION, DETOX TREATMENT and the SEAWEED BODY TREATMENT is for slimming and moisturizing the body. This starts with an exfoliation of the body and than a mixture of oils and seaweed is applied. You are than wrapped in blankets and given a gentle face massage. After showering it is back on the table for a moisturizing massage. Under the BODY GLOW category there is a Lavender Body Glow, Sea Salt Glow or a Cinnamon & Sugar Body Glow. I opt for the later, it makes me think of apple pie. Gently rubbed with cinnamon, sugar and olive oil, a shower and a message of hydrating crème by Marie was very relaxing. Don’t forget to ask about their weekly Body Treatment Specials. Marie likes the Margarita Salt Glow along with the Mocha Delight Mud Mask. For the rest of your body there are Manicures, The Hand Facial and the Spa Manicure. Pedicures, the Foot Mask and the Spa Pedicure. Don’t forget to get a bikini wax here. Kimberly has a variety of talents with hair. She cuts and styles Men’s and Women’s hair, Highlights, Tints and Perms. Lavender & Roses is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For appointments please ring 553-1945 or 553-1759 ext 754.
Although Hotel Melia Azul Ixtapa does not have a spa at this time, they do have a room set aside in their Health Club on the 12th floor, with two ENERVITA MACHINES. This is a physical therapy system that is based on the Chinese techniques that applies heat to acupressure points along the spine. Corrects spine problems, improves circulation and helps alleviate pain from sciatic nerves. Infrared rays and helio-neon light provide thermal physical light. Used for the following: Stress, Scoliosis, backache, Spinal problems, muscular pain, Costiveness, Colitis and Gastritis, Problems with blocked circulation, Headache, Insomnia, Tiredness, Arthritis and Rheumatoid diagnostic. Call 555-0000 ext 8161 to make an appointment. Open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
January 2004 |
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