Top Spa Trends 2006

Feng Shui'd gyms, McSpa, off-menu spa treatments, lots more traditional water treatments, men-only spas, spa virtual communites (???)… Leave it to SpaFinder to survey the industry and forecast the trends. And some are a little bizarre, to say the least. Massage table in the bedroom, anyone? (The "home-spa integration" thing is going to be BIG.)

What’s Hot: New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles

For over fifty years, the Hotel Bel-Air has been synonymous with Beverly Hills elegance. An urban oasis with 12 acres of gardens and fountain courtyards, just minutes from Century City, Beverly Hills and Westwood, the hotel is prestigious and exquisitely luxurious, while retaining an understated glamour. After all, this is a Mobile five star award winner. 91 guestrooms and suites feature private entrances, fireplaces, French doors, and tiled courtyards with private outdoor spas. Toast 2006 at the event of the year: Hotel Bel Air's New Year's Eve Cabaret Gala Dinner. Enjoy a five-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings, imbibe plenty of champagne, and dance the night away to live music. $375 per person.

Hotel Bel-Air, Official Site

Hotel Bel-Air, Five Star Alliance

Christmas on the Cape at the Chatham Bars Inn

Space available at the inn for Christmas?! Could it be? Indeed, New England's premier oceanfront resort and historic landmark is all spruced up for the holidays, with a few rooms available for a last-minute getaway. In addition to the 205 luxurious guestrooms, there are 34 Cape-style cottages situated around the 25-acres of gardens. Heated pool, full-service spa, heaps of children's activities: this is the perfect spot for a family retreat. The halls are decked, and full of good cheer; enjoy afternoon tea, holiday music, and lots of hot chocolate and cookies by a cozy fire. Christmas day itself is marked by a stunning feast, ice carvings, wine tastings and culinary demonstrations, and pastries from an award-winning French chef.

Chatham Bars Inn, Official Site

Chatham Bars Inn, Five Star Alliance

Say Hello to the New Hotel Place d’Armes in Montreal

Hotel Place d'Armes has recently added 39 new rooms and 48 suites, as well as a chic spa with four treatment rooms. Housed in an historic building, the boutique hotel sits in the heart of Old Montreal. The 83 rooms and 42 suites are the essence of elegance, some with jetted baths, fireplaces, home theater systems, original brick walls and city views. The new full-service Rain Spa—with private atrium and Vichy shower room—boasts Montreal's first hammam. Additionally, the hotel just opened the bar Suite 701, the newest destination for the city's trendsetters.

Hotel Place d'Armes, Official Site

Hotel Place d'Armes, Five Star Alliance

Auberge Does It Again, With Southern Charm

Text and photo by Alex Rose

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff is Auberge's newest addition to their family of luxury resorts. It fits in quite nicely with the Southern charm and hospitality of the people and the region. It's located on 20,000 acres of Carolina Lowcountry in Bluffton, South Carolina. The residence cottages come with a beautiful view of the May River and its dolphins. There's a wide variety of activities including an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and the Spa, known for its Relaxing Bath and the Pumpkin Peach Body Peel packages.

The tradition of Auberge cuisine excellence continues with the River House Restaurant; the stand-out menu includes She-Crab Bisque, the Butter Poached Lobster, and the Crème Brulee Trinity (with chocolate-Grand Marnier) for dessert. Be sure to get a golf cart and take in the resort's marsh and wetland area, which includes alligators and abundant wildlife.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Official Site

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Five Star Alliance

Angkor What? The Allure of Cambodia’s Khmer World Heritage Site

Monkeys giggle above in the trees. The sun is scorching hot overhead. From the road, the jungle overgrowth suddenly parts to reveal the majestic domes of ancient Angkor Wat. Fragrant orange blossoms hang from the trees, matching the brilliant robes of the Buddhist monks who are seated around the temples. Welcome to the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia. Spread out over 400 square kilometers, Angkor's Archaeological Park includes hundreds of temples of the Khmer Empire, dating from the 9th to the 15th century. Watch the sun set (or rise) over the magnificent Angkor Wat (the largest and most celebrated of the temples), gaze at the huge stone heads at Bayon, and walk through the mysterious calm of Ta Prohm, where trees' gnarled root systems are slowly overtaking the temples. (And after all, this was where Angelina Jolie's Laura Croft toted those big-- um-- guns on the set for Tomb Raider!!! Sweet.) Where to stay? Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor, of course. With 60,000 sq meters of tranquil gardens, Cambodian art and architecture, and superb restaurants and spa.

Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor, Official Site

Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor, Five Star Alliance

Jamaica Hangs the (Half) Moon

Half Moon, Montego Bay is celebrating the big 5-0 and has thus come up with some pretty sweet packages. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and space is available for the winter holidays, so why not book the "Take Me To The Moon" package? From $589 a night, includes swank accommodations, sumptuous food and—could it be?—unlimited beverage, unlimited use of the fitness center and tennis courts, a welcome gift with champagne, and round trip airport transfers. Chill on the palm-dotted beaches or in your choice of 50 freshwater pools, unwind at the spa, partake in the water sports, or challenge yourself on the world-class tennis courts and golf course. The dining options? For a self-contained little paradise, the restaurant choices are almost (surprisingly) limitless.

Half Moon, Official Site

Half Moon, Five Star Alliance

Spotlight On: THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

Though it's beyond gimmicky (who was the big brain behind this name?), THEhotel is anything but corny. In 43 stories rising above the Strip, it's got the largest standard rooms in Vegas (a measly 750 square feet). The place is a playground packed with cosmopolitan fun: the 1,117 one-bedroom suites with wet bar, marble bathroom, plasma TV; the Bathhouse Spa with its pools of different temperatures, baths and flowing waterfall; and the swank Lounge (with delish cocktail concoctions) on the very top floor. Don't be fooled by December's ridiculously low rates; THEhotel is a sizzling Vegas destination.

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Official Site

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Five Star Alliance

Special Offers: Casa Del Mar Beach Golf and Spa Resort, Los Cabos

Think Mexico for pre- or post-holiday recuperation! With 56 ocean view rooms, Casa del Mar is a hacienda-style resort set in lush gardens overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Play a round of golf at the Robert Trent Jones II designed championship course. Head to the spa for an outstanding signature treatment like the Tropical Exfoliation, where the skin is buffed with fine milled coffee and dried coconut, and then massaged with coconut massage oil. In the evening, dine under a poolside palapa. With the Relax 33 special package, save 33% off regular rates, starting as low as $269 a night for a Deluxe Oceanview Room. Offer good December 1-20, 2005, and January 2-15, 2006. Minimum 2 night stay required.

Announcing the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Scheduled to open on December 15, the new Ritz-Carlton is the most talked-about news of the season. This resort is destined to set new standards for luxury hotels, with an all-star cast contributing to the resort's conception: Greg Norman designed golf course, Tennis by Nick Bollettieri, two restaurants by Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, NYC, the world's first spa inspired by La Prairie's Silver Rain (did I mention that this is one of the Caribbean's largest?!), and an aquatic education program run by Jean-Michel Cousteau. The best part? There is still availability for December holidays! But hurry; book those rooms fast!

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Official Site

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Five Star Alliance