Category — Spas&Retreats

What I wouldn’t give to be a turtle some days…to be able to retreat into my hard shell, to go within when the world is too demanding, to remain calm, peaceful, and happy…going along at my own pace. Well, being that that isn’t an option currently, the Turtle Sanctuary at Le Meridien Bora Bora is a haven for the little guys — and a whole new swimming experience for us humans

The Sanctuary’s main goal: to help save the magnificent hawksbill, green sea turtles. The hotel even offers educational presentations to teach guests about these beautiful creatures, and guests can swim with the turtles in the picturesque lagoon or even “adopt” a turtle and help in the quest to return these animals to their natural wild habitat as you track its progress online.

One of Green Spa Network’s Founding Seed Spas: Auberge Resorts,Mill Valley, California, www.aubergeresorts.com

There’s a new initiative currently under way as six leading North American spas look to form a network devoted to bringing environmentally sustainable operating practices to the growing spa industry. The Green Spa Network aims to help spas and spa professionals reap both the financial and social benefits of implementing environmentally friendly business practices. The intention of the organization is to synergise greening efforts among network members as a way to support spas in reducing their ecological impact, while improving energy efficiencies and reducing operational costs.

What a concept! With nearly 14,000 facilities generating $9.7 billion in annual revenues, spas are a leading leisure industry and naturally suited to be at the forefront of the green movement. According to Janice Gronvold, a longtime spa expert and founder of Spectrec, From day spas to destination resorts, the industry typically utilizes environmental resources for a myriad of water-based treatments, laundry services, pools, verdant landscaping, and golf courses, making it a major consumer of water, energy, and precious natural resources. Adopting green practices not only reduces environmental impact, but also supports spa marketing programs, raises environmental awareness among guests, and contributes to spa financial performance. Conservation is clearly a competitive edge, says Gronvold.

The Green Spa Network is registered as a not-for-profit trade organization and operates as a grassroots collective. GSN is fully committed to empowering the broader community of spa owners, operators, employees, contract practitioners, spa guests, and consultants, all of whom support the industry’s growth and are in a position to create a groundswell of interest in adopting Earth-friendly practices.

Anj

Unlike the image I’m sure you’ve conjured up by way of the title of this piece, Bikini Boot Camp is all about massages and is one of the many offerings at Amansala, the solar-power resort in Tulum, Mexico.

Amansala, (which translates to mean: “tranquil waters”), focuses on mayan clay treatments, power exercise classes that come complete with meditation, stretching and yoga.

The best thing about Amansala…the variety. You can opt to attend every single class, or pick and choose if and when the mood strikes you… Need more to inspire you: Amansala offers body sculpting, sea kayaking, bike rides, and my favorite — tribal dancing. Guests stay in huts that are built of native wood with stone floors and thatched palapa roofs; each complete with its own bathroom.

You’ll leave feeling pampered, relaxed and rejuvenated!

In the April issue of Conde Naste’s Traveller, they released their 2007 readers’ poll celebrating the top 56 spas in North America. Showcasing the best spas and highlighting the opinions of some very enthusiastic travelers/readers. “Readers raved about destination spas this year,” explains the magazine,” with more than twice as many high scorers as last year”.

Of the top nine awards, Destination Spa Group spas (a select, by-membership-only group) - received a total of seven awards, including their: Cal-a-Vie, Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Golden Door, Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Lake Austin Spa Resort, Rancho La Puerta and Red Mountain Spa.

Plan your spa retreat at DestinationSpas.com.