Spa Experience: Sunday in the Springs
With the convertible top down, two stressed-out
ladies in search of tranquility sail along Palm
Drive, that farside-of-the-moon thoroughfare
linking Desert Hot Springs to the rest of the
Coachella Valley. (Living amongst the manicured
greenery of Palm Springs, we sometimes forget
what the desert really looks like. This place is
an inspiring reminder.) |
| We're heading for a Sunday Spa Getaway at
Miracle Springs Hotel & Spa. The resort sits
high up on a hill overlooking the valley —
providing some amazing panoramic mountain views.
San Jacinto never loomed so large. A little
serenity is already starting to seep in. The
lovely lobby, decorated in peaceful earth tones,
doesn't break the mood. Nor does the friendly and
accommodating spa supervisor, Helen Alexander,
who greets us and sees that we are properly
checked in. We've booked a hotel room for
"day use" — a handy option offered
by the resort. |
| After a quick trip to our room, we make a
beeline for the Sunday buffet brunch. One of us
opts for the extensive selection of roasted
veggies. The other loads up on crisp bacon,
delicious sausages, scrambled eggs served in a
pastry cup, and assorted Danish. The temptation
proves too strong for spa-goer number one,
however, and she's soon hitting the sausage
chaffing dish and the dessert table. We
decide to walk the long way back to the room to
aid digestion. |
| Supervisor Alexander has suggested a good
soak before we begin our spa treatments. This is
a must at the appropriately named Miracle
Springs. Eight pools are scattered around the
property. The largest, good for laps and family
play, is kept at about 80 degrees. The smaller
pools, however, bubble and percolated at about
104 soothing degrees. All of the pools are fed
directly from the mineral waters of Desert Hot
Springs (again, no misnomer). Naturally heated by
magma deep inside the earth, the water actually
comes out at an overly toasty 140 degrees. The
resort cools the water before it goes into the
pools. The relaxation we sought has been
achieved. But we are off, nonetheless, to gild the
lily. |
| The spa itself, charmingly decorated with
Victorian antiques as accent pieces, is hopping
with activity. A good-sized platoon of therapists
ministers the many treatments offered. I've
chosen the Paraffin Body Therapy and the
Combination Massage. The paraffin treatment,
ideal for aching muscles, arthritis and poor
circulation, begins with dunking hands and feet
(very quickly) into rather warm wax. While
baggies encase one's feet and hands, sheets dipped
in a lavender-scented paraffin are draped over
the rest of the body. All wrapped up with no
place to go, you can only lie there, for about
twenty minutes, and let the effects take hold.
After showering off the wax, you'll be impressed
with the softening properties of the wax —
especially on dried-by-the-desert heels and
sun-damaged décolletage. |
| The day finishes up with the Combination
Massage — a sort of hedonist's sampler. A
little Deep Tissue (depending on how much of a
wimp you are), lots of Swedish, some Reflexology,
and a touch (you should pardon the expression) of
Shiatsu. It's all about ancient Chinese beliefs,
meridians, pressure points and such. Pressing the
thigh, apparently, has a positive effect on the
spleen. But all you'll really care about is how
limber, loose and light you'll feel. |
| The top is up for the drive home. (We didn't
want to float out somewhere near I-10.) Day Room,
$45; Brunch, $10.95; Paraffin Body Therapy, $75;
Combination Massage, $65. — Sarah
Hagerty |
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