Body and Sol, page 2:
Opened in September of this year, the 23,000 square-foot, $4.5 million
Spa La Quinta is a perfect match for the rest of the 1920's-style,
tile-roofed resort buildings. The courtyard fountains, vivid talavera
tile decoration and deep archways are La Quinta signatures. A sign of
welcome, red pepper ristras -- braided strings of bright peppers -- hang on
every door in the spa. Health and beauty treatment rooms are open to
garden patios with close-up views of the sheer, rock-faced mountains.
Lounging in the Inhalation Room, I readied my body and my spirit for my
first treatment, a Grape Seed Crush Glow exfoliating rub, which was
followed by a Celestial Shower -- an invigorating traditional Swiss shower
in a private tiled room open to the desert sky.
Among valley spas, only La Quinta offers Sacred Stone Therapy, where
heated, smooth black stones are expertly manipulated over the chakra
points on the spine and neck. Sounds like it might hurt, but, in fact
it's Spa Director Mary Jo Jackson's favorite indulgence, a soothing
relief for tense muscles and sore joints.
International golf star, Greg Norman, will be here in 1999 to open a
new course which he designed for PGA West at La Quinta. Perhaps he will
repair to the spa for a Just for Guys facial and the Sports Pack Body
Wrap, where warm mud is sensuously applied and wrapped over a golfer's
hands, arms, lower back and shoulders.
I finished off my pamperings at La Quinta with a Solar Body Bronzer,
emerging (artificially) tanned and (really) relaxed.
It's hard to beat the weather here, with an average year-round
temperature of 88 degrees. Snowbirds from blustery climes arrive all
winter to play in the clear, dry air. Advance resort, spa and golf
reservations are absolutely necessary in the high season, January
through March.
page 3
|