Spaddiction

Hello, my name is Stephanie and I'm addicted to pampering. As you know I went to the spa at the Four Seasons back in April to celebrate my 30th birthday. I have been keeping in the loop of all the events happening there as they maintain a very active Facebook page and I came across a spa promotion that they were having for the month of June. You could get 3 spa treatments for half the price if you booked the services Monday-Thursday. Things at work had reached a level of stress that I could no longer comprehend so you didn't have to beg me to take a day off work.

I jetted out of town early last Wednesday morning to head to my sanctuary. Unfortunately I got stuck in some traffic once I reached the city which put me nearly 30 minutes behind schedule but still 20 minutes early for my first appointment. I was scheduled to have my first treatment at 9am but I had planned on getting there at 8:15am so I could spend approximately 20 minutes soaking in the whirlpool then 10 minutes relaxing in the sauna followed by 15 minutes thumbing through Vogue magazine in the relaxation room while waiting for my masseuse to come retrieve me. I have yet to reach a level of comfort with my body that allows me to appear in a swimsuit in front of other people so I always book the first appointment of the day knowing it is highly unlikely that anyone else will be there an hour before services are even rendered so I can enjoy the whirlpool without judgement from other spa ladies. I know this sounds ridiculous but this is how my mind works. While I was pulling up to the hotel all I could think about was the fact that I would now only have 10 minutes to soak in the whirlpool which would put a damper on my pampering plans but all that changed when a handsome bellhop came to open my car door.

"Good morning and welcome to the Four Seasons! What brings you in today?" cried the bellhop. As he helped me out of my car I told him I was here to go to the spa and he told me I would have a wonderful time which I knew to be true. I walked into the glass doors past some businessmen and women rushing off to some big meeting I imagine since they can afford to spend the night at the Four Seasons while on business while I was going upstairs to forget all about work. A very chic looking woman checked me in, verified the services I had scheduled, then showed me to the locker room. I quickly changed into my swimsuit so I could savor my 10 minutes of soaking in the whirlpool and thankfully no one was in there. After my time was up I got out of the pool and draped myself in a towel only to find two other spa patrons coming through the pool area. I smiled at them but I could feel the look of panic on my face. I was completely covered but my shoulders were most certainly exposed. Gasp! I'm pretty sure they didn't notice a thing so I stowed away my wet suit, put on the giant robe the receptionist left for me, and walked to the relaxation room where Nancy was waiting to whisk me away for a massage.

Nancy my masseuse for the day was great. Last time I was there I had Robyn who was amazing and I actually saw her on my way to the massage room with Nancy and I started to wonder if my experience would be as pleasant and it definitely was. I had a 30 minute massage and for my second treatment she spent another 30 minutes applying a body polish to my entire body which was very sticky and gritty but it was clearing away all the dirt in my pores and any other general yuckiness that tends to cling onto the skin. She then walked me back to the showers so I could rinse off and I emerged a bright and shiny new woman! Next up was my facial. A bubbly curly-haired woman named Emily came out to take me back for my facial. She had me disrobe and get comfy under the very high thread count sheets that covered the bed. I had never had a facial before so this was a real treat. She started with letting some steam engulf my face and had lavender aroma filling the air. She then applied two different concoctions to my face. She told me what they were and how they were good for my skin but I honestly can't remember because I was so relaxed. After she was finished she allowed me to stay in the room as long as I wanted so I could continue to relax.

I didn't stay too long because I was starving and wanted to see what lunch specials they were serving for the day. I fixed myself up in the locker room and went up to the next floor where the hotel restaurant and bar was located. Note the executive chef is from Italy and I had read countless reviews of how good the food is there. They offered $15 lunch specials during the week so I was enjoying quite the reduced price fancy experience. They have a beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the pool but I opted to stay inside since it was very hot that day. The waitress who looked like a supermodel sat me right by the window so I could look out onto the terrace at all the sunbathing beauties who were being spritzed with Evian water. I'm not kidding the waitstaff at the pool actually spritz you with Evian water if requested in addition to bringing you any beverage you could imagine & a special menu of appetizers. I really regret not going out there now.

My server was handsome, smiley, and very attentive. I had the soup of the day which was a delicious onion soup served with bread and some type of delicious oil concoction for dipping. Then I chose the Cobb salad as my entree which included grilled chicken, diced eggs, spinach, tomatoes, avocado, feta cheese, & yogurt-limoncello dressing. It was by far the best Cobb salad I've ever had in my life. I'm not a world traveler so no I haven't tasted several Cobb salads; however, this one was amaze! To finish off my meal cute server guy brought over a tray of tiny desserts that are made fresh everyday and only offered during the lunch hour. Apparently offer a different selection of desserts everyday so I was excited to see an offering of strawberry semifreddo, tiramisu, lemon cake, and cheesecake. I honestly wanted to take all four but I appeared the gracious patron and took only the cheesecake. It was delectable!

I left my sanctuary feeling completely refreshed and retrieved my car from the valet who gave me excellent directions of how to get completely around all the construction on the highway that was causing the traffic. Another remarkable experience at the Four Seasons. Yes it is pricey and no I certainly cannot afford to go there as much as I would like but it is worth every single penny I spent. I love the diversity of people who go there. I saw men in Prada suits and families casually dressed having lunch. Everyone I have come in contact with that works there is so friendly and all have interesting personalities. When I'm there I feel like the person I've always wanted to be. Respected, chic, adventurous....unfortunately I am now addicted to spas which really puts a cramp in my fabulous shoe fund.