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Appreciation Blast!
A Spa Vacation
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Strong
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You
And Your Lower Back
A SPA VACATION
By Lynn Allison
 When I heard
that the famous Canyon Ranch had arrived in Florida, I called immediately to make
reservations.
I’m a self proclaimed “spa baby” who
has visited many of these sanctuaries over the years. It’s been my humble opinion
that Florida spas aren’t nearly as professional as West coast or Northern spas.
However, if THIS one nestled in Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee is
labeled Canyon Ranch—then you know it’s got to be good.
Canyon Ranch is the gold standard for American spas but travel to
Tucson or the Berkshires where the original destination spas are located, is too costly
for many of us.
I easily located a traveling companion, co-worker Maria Peters, to
share my one night adventure in pampering and luxury.
It took us under three hours to arrive at the
–omigod!—most opulent hotel I’ve even seen in my life.
Gaylord Palms hotel is 4 acres of five-star magnificence under a
glass atrium climate controlled at 72 degrees. There are three sections—Key West, the
Everglades (my favorite) and St. Augustine.
 Our room in the
Emerald Bay section overlooked the dancing fountain that changed color and intensity with
the music played over the intercom.
But enough about the hotel which deserves an article by itself.
Let’s segue to the spa which Maria called “life altering.”
She had the Euphoria—an 80-minute journey that starts with a
sage oil scalp massage, followed by a botanical bath with essential oils and then a warm
oil massage to finish!
“I’m putting rose petals in my bath forever more,”
says Maria whose eyes glazed over after that experience.
 I stuck my all time favorite—the Canyon Stone Massage. It is such an
incredible experience to have all your body’s pressure points soothed and covered
with these smooth, hot stones. I cannot begin to describe the feeling of relaxation that
occurs as the therapist deftly manipulates these basalt rocks so that you get the maximum
benefit from the massage.
We also took advantage of their steam room and relaxing tearoom that
automatically calmed you with its Feng Shui inspired décor.
“I’m not going home,” Maria said the next morning as
we finished our stay with another massage for her and a seaweed, detoxifying wrap for me.
Our dinner, by the way, was awesome. We chose the buffet instead of
the steak house or seafood restaurant because for value, the food couldn’t be beat.
And Maria, who is on Weight Watchers, was able to stick to her
points. I, ever the glutton, stoked up on shrimp, mussels and clams and a great Greek
salad enhanced by an aromatic red wine.
I got a shot of Maria being serenaded by the strolling guitar player
to make her husband jealous but apparently it didn’t work.
In the evening we visited Disney’s boardwalk, which was 5
minutes down the road and then came back to the hotel to hear the dueling pianists—a
real blast!
En route home we stopped by the town of Celebration for lunch. Now
THAT’s a must see for retro fans! Million dollar Georgian style homes set in a retro
theme.
We both felt that we’d been away for a week—relaxed,
refreshed and energized—although we’d merely gone away for a night. No real
packing, no airlines to juggle—complete bliss and harmony. Works for me!
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