Mount Airy Casino and Spa Review

One of the many reasons I love living in the Poconos, is that there are a variety of things to do. Since the area is a popular tourist attraction, especially now that the Jersey Shore is still being rebuilt, there’s not too much you CAN’T do in Northeast PA.

Back in 1998, Mount Airy Lodge was the location chosen for my honeymoon with my first marriage. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations when it came to cleanliness, activities and overall impressiveness (and I’m sure my ex-husband would agree.) Soon the Lodge became an eyesore and an undesirable place until the DeNaples family were given a gaming license and completely demolished the old Mount Airy Lodge and crafted an amazing luxury experience that is now Mount Airy Casino Resort. The transformation is amazing. The resort is continuing to transform as it adds outdoor cabanas and a pool to their luxury spa.

I recently had the opportunity to stay for a weekend with my fiance. This is my review: Read more

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Pocono Spas & Salons, salon, Spa, Travel Beauty Leave a comment

Caramel Kiss Package at The Spa at Hotel Hershey

Milton Hershey’s first successful candy venture wasn’t the chocolate he is most famous for, in fact, it was caramels. To celebrate this delicious treat, along with the opening of The Hotel Hershey’s newest restaurant, The Circular, The Spa at The Hotel Hershey is offering a 3-hour “Caramel Kiss Package.”

The Caramel Kiss Package ($352), which is available until May 30th includes:

Caramel Sugar Scrub
Caramel & Vanilla Facial
Caramel Kiss Pedicure
Lunch in The Oasis

One of the bath and body lines carried by The Spa at The Hotel Hershey and used in their Caramel Sugar Scrub spa treatment and Caramel Kiss Pedicure, is from local Lancaster company, Makes Scents. Their delicious and decadent Dulce de Leche Body Scrub ($30) is out of this world. It is so fragrant that if you close your eyes, you’ll feel like you are surrounded by salted caramels, caramel covered apples, and other sweet treats. This body scrub nourishes with essential oils, exfoliates with raw sugar and brings a renewed glow to your skin. Read more

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Shannon Nelson in bath and body, beauty, Spa 1 Comment

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Spa Ssakwa’q'n Review

Think Idaho is only for potatoes? Think again. Worley, Idaho has a gem with its Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and its luxury spa, Spa Ssakwa’q'n (pronounced sock-walk-in). Set on the massive Coeur d’Alene tribe’s reservation, this amazing resort is all about utilizing it’s natural resources, giving back to the local community (taking care of its own tribe as well as helping non-indians) and giving visitors a taste of what Idaho has to offer.

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort:

The resort and casino have undergone many expansions since it first came into existence in 1993. When I first approached the resort, I was in awe of how large it was. On the one side is the original casino and lodge, then an expansion, then the new Spa Towers and spa (which were added about 2 years ago.) It is beautiful on the outside with a great view of snow covered mountaintops.

I stayed in the new Spa Towers, which has a gorgeous lobby with a long horizontal fireplace. As you head to the elevators, you pass a second seating area which has beautiful tribal pieces set behind glass to browse. Past the elevators is a smaller, non-smoking casino that leads into the newly renovated Chinook Steak House. Down the hallway to the right is the second Spa Tower, fitness center, and Spa Ssakwa’q'n. Read more

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, salon, skin care, Spa, Travel Beauty 4 Comments

The Spa at The Hotel Hershey Review

If you are a chocolate addict, then there is nowhere greater to be than The Sweetest Place on Earth: Hershey, PA.

Now imagine being both a chocolate AND spa addict. That would be me and I got to mix both pleasures at The Spa at The Hotel Hershey recently. A chocolate lovers dream come true.

The Hotel Hershey:

The Hotel Hershey is a 4-star and 4-diamond hotel set atop a hill overlooking the town of Hershey. From the balcony that is off The Circular Dining Room, you can see the Hershey factory, amusement park and all that the town of Hershey has to offer.

When we pulled up the driveway to The Hotel Hershey, I was in awe of how massive the mansion-like hotel was. Upon check-in you’re asked which type of chocolate you like and the receptionist presents you with a complimentary Hershey chocolate bar (I chose dark chocolate of course!) The hotel layout is an intricate maze, so it’s very helpful that they provide you with a map…not to mention that the staff is very patient answering my countless questions of, “How do I get there again?” when referring to the Spa, the ice skating rink, dining options, etc.

The hotel rooms are well-appointed and simply beautiful. And they really thought of everything; from a sewing kit to cotton balls and Q-tips to a separate bag for recyclables. Read more

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, Spa 5 Comments

Red Carpet Spa Treatment: Iron Mask Facial

I’m always on the look out for new types of facials, especially ones that not only remove impurities and deeply cleanse, but that also lift and tone (like the NuFace Lifting and Toning Facial that I had at Woodhouse Day Spa.)

As I’m getting older, I’m definitely beginning to see a loss of elasticity in my skin. I recently came across Susan MacPherson, founder of Beaute Therapies Medical Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida who brought back a unique facial that she learned about in Italy: Maschera Al Ferro aka the Iron Mask Facial.

Used by celebrities to get that “red carpet look”, the exclusive facial is offered at Beaute Therapies Medical Spa – the Iron Mask Facial uses advanced magnet technology and magnetic fibers to deep cleanse, lift and firm skin. I asked Ms. MacPherson some questions to get a better understanding about this facial. Read more

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment

Spa Review: Canyon Ranch Spa Miami Beach

Receiving an invitation to visit the largest spa in South Florida (70,000 sq ft to be exact), was definitely one of the highlights of my year in Miami and it just happened to materialize when a visit to the spa was very much needed…at the tail end of the moving process when I was sore, running low on energy, and anxious about fitting a studio apartment’s worth of stuff into a minivan to go across the U.S. So the invitation to visit The Spa at Canyon Ranch Miami Beach was a very welcome diversion from the moving process. As soon as I checked, in the staff was very welcoming and friendly…something that was rare during my year in Miami. The Canyon Ranch Miami Beach property is impressive and absolutely breathtaking to say the least. The service I received from the spa is called Yatra. Yatra, as explained to me by my service provider, is a Sanskrit word that means journey. The treatment is a journey through the senses and is intended to unwind every sense, relax every nerve and melt every muscle. Read more

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Gail Lewis in beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment

Spa Review: Blue Harmony Spa, Orlando FL

What’s the best way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter) in Orlando, FL? At the spa of course! And that is exactly where I found myself on such an afternoon, at the amazingly beautiful and tranquil Blue Harmony Spa at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort.

Upon checking into the spa, I was immediately offered a beverage and opted for a glass of water mixed with PURE Inventions Blueberry Antioxidant Fruit Extract (which is also available for purchase at the spa). I was then taken on a brief tour of the facility which includes indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, Relaxation Lounge, outdoor spa garden, outdoor hot tub, full-amenity locker rooms, men’s and women’s steam rooms and chromotherapy experience showers, Couple’s suite with side by side soak tubs, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

I also learned that each Blue Harmony experience reminds guests of the nourishment provided by the great blues of the world, water and skies. After the tour I could’ve honestly just hung out in the serene relaxation lounge for the rest of the day indulging in healthy snacks, sampling the other flavors of the PURE Inventions Antioxidant Fruit Extracts while curled up with a magazine. I was then taken to the women’s locker room where I slipped into my super soft spa robe in preparation for my massage. Read more

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Gail Lewis in beauty, Spa 2 Comments

Winter Weather Skin Care Tips from The Spa at Ravella

Guest post from The Spa at Ravella located at Ravella at Lake Las Vegas:

Cooler weather can lead to dry, flaky skin. Here are two tips from The Spa at Ravella, one for a spa visit and one for at home, to help keep skin soft and supple until warmer weather returns!

Next time you splurge on a spa treatment, The Spa at Ravella recommends choosing a facial treatment that uses serums or enzymes. You can talk to a spa professional when booking a treatment and discuss further with your skin therapist once you arrive. Serums provide a powerful dose of nutrients and bioactive ingredients that penetrate deep into the layers of your skin much farther than moisturizers can, and work intensely to bring oil and hydration into balance, strengthen your skin, increase visible firmness and give a youthful glow. Enzymes help slough away dead skin cells and encourage cellular growth, leaving the skin feeling great and looking dewy and bright.

For similar results at home, The Spa at Ravella suggests creating a pumpkin enzyme mask â€“ just mix left over pumpkin pulp with an egg, apply to face and let sit for 6 â€“ 8 Â minutes. Tingling is normal but if feels strong, less time may be needed. Pumpkin is a strong exfoliant that brings the blood to the surface of the skin creating a detoxifying effect. The lecithin from the egg yolk will tighten the skin while the enzymes in the blend will stimulate cellular growth, allowing skin to look its best.

In addition to these tips, The Spa at Ravella is offering two seasonally-inspired treatments designed to keep skin in tip-top shape throughout the next few months:

Scrumptious Spice Wrap

Enjoy this aromatic concoction of fragrant fall spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are mixed with organic brown sugar and vanilla to gently polish your skin. Relax with a soothing scalp massage while your body is enveloped with deeply hydrating body butter for ultimate smoothness and hydration. 50 minutesâ€¦$89

Pure Results Facial

This active organic facial uses high performance herbal enzyme peels such as pear fig, pumpkin or sweet cherry to target signs of aging with proven ingredients to deeply repair and hydrate the skin, Ideal for all sin types, including sensitive. 50 minutesâ€¦$99

Have you tried their at home treatment? Let us know in the comments!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment

NuFace Lifting and Toning Facial at The Woodhouse Day Spa, Kingston PA

I am a big believer in monthly facials. I wasn’t gifted with perfect skin and in order to keep a younger looking appearance sans plastic surgery, taking care of my skin is a priority. I love going to The Woodhouse Day Spa in Kingston, PA (and there are others around the country too) and have had their Four-Handed Massage and Minkyti Facial before, so I was all for experiencing something new. As I just turned 37, I became most interested in a new facial they are performing there involving the NuFace toning device. I’ve heard a lot about NuFace and I’m familiar with microcurrent technology, so I was ready to see if it would work for me.

This facial starts off like any other facial at The Woodhouse Day Spa, using products from Amala skincare to cleanse and exfoliate (from the Rejuvenate collection), then NuFace’s Conductivity Gel is applied. As the esthetician smoothed the NuFace device on the right hand side of my face and under my chin, I felt absolutely nothing. I even began to wonder if it was on, assuming I was supposed to feel my skin tingling. However, once she got near my hair line, especially my eyebrows, that’s when I began to feel a tinge here and there. Whenever you are getting a facial (or any spa treatment) it’s good to speak up if you feel any discomfort so that the treatment can be adjusted. Once I told my esthetician that I was feeling small pin pricks, she applied more gel and that remedied the situation.

The esthetician moves the device with the contour of your face and the microcurrent is delivered to lift and firm the skin. As we age, we lose about 1% of our skin’s elasticity each year. So if you want to avoid going under the knife, this is a great way to reprogram your muscles. (I asked if it would work on my chest too, but she just laughed. I was serious though!)

After about 10-15 minutes of using the device, she then spritzed my face with the Optimizing Mist and applied Amala’s Rejuvenating Face Cream. I was told that it takes about 8 treatments to see a complete difference, then maintenance with the device about 1-2 times per week. However, I did notice that my skin felt a bit tighter, especially above my eyebrows and in between them. I had the esthetician take a before and after picture and you can see that the wrinkle I have between my eyebrows is much less and that the skin above my eyebrows does appear to pull them up slightly.

While I didn’t purchase NuFace (the kit is about $325) I was still happy with the results. The facial itself is $70. What do you think? Have you tried NuFace for yourself?

If you are local here in Northeast PA, please visit The Woodhouse Day Spa via their website or Facebook fan page. If you happen to book a spa treatment, let them know you heard about them from A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Not local? You can still find The Woodhouse Day Spa nearest you by visiting their corporate website.

Ps. They sell Farmhouse Fresh products in their boutique! I’ve tried their Honey Heel Glaze….AMAZING.

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, Pocono Spas & Salons, skin care, Spa 6 Comments

Considering Prenatal Massage? Hand & Stone Explains How the Service Alleviates Aches & Pains

There is no better time to be pampered than during pregnancy (I should know–I had 4 boys!) For nine months, your body is changing and growing, which can add some unexpected aches and pains. But many women donâ€™t realize that prenatal massage can be an effective way to reduce anxiety, stress, and the aches and pains caused by poor circulation during pregnancy.

Colleen Bryan, of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, has offered A Girl’s Gotta Spa! readers several pointers on what pregnant women should know concerning prenatal massage:

Wait until your second trimester. As a rule of thumb, you should wait until the first trimester is over before coming in for a massage. The second trimester is typically when the belly begins to grow and the body is changing, anyway, so thatâ€™s usually the time that women are experiencing stress or discomfort.

Itâ€™s more than just relaxation. Although relaxation is a large part of a prenatal massage, there are also many health benefits associated with the service. As a woman begins to carry excess weight, her posture changes and she can have back aches, headaches, shoulder aches and neck aches. A massage can decrease those pains, as well as pain in the pelvic and hip area. It also increases circulation, improves digestion and can reduce fatigue.

Massage therapists will adapt to your needs. Therapists trained in prenatal massage know how to accommodate the body of a pregnant woman. The entire massage is conducted in the face-up position, and the woman can be turned on to her side while propped up by pillows. A massage therapist trained in prenatal massage will work the entire body, just differently than how they would with another client.

More massage = better results. As with any form of massage, the effects are cumulative. With a pregnant woman, I would recommend receiving a massage once a month throughout the second and third trimesters. In addition to the health benefits, receiving regular massages helps a woman learn how to stay calm and focus on their breathing, which can in turn help them in the delivery room to stay relaxed.

Find a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa near you at www.handandstone.com.

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Shannon Nelson in Spa Leave a comment

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