Spas Gain Popularity in Albuquerque
albuquerque, recreation, spas, tamaya resort & spa, world-class destination areas,
A salt scrub then a lavender oil massage, topped off with a paraffin pedicure. Might as well get an oatmeal mask facial while you’re at it.
Aah, spas.
Albuquerque is quickly becoming home to a number of world-class destination spas, where pampering and rejuvenation are the operative words.
“Everyone these days is looking for a little peace and tranquility in their busy lives, and spas supply a little relief,” says Janell Loving, public relations and marketing director at Betty’s Bath & Day Spa. “They are places where people can decompress and relax, as well as get their bodies into alignment.”
The spa at Betty’s offers massages, facials, full-body treatments, saunas, and private and communal hot tubs.
“We are a soak and relaxation spa that provides customers with amazing treatments in a truly tranquil setting,” Loving says. “I think one of our advantages is accessibility, meaning that customers can preview all of our treatments at our Bettysbath.com Web site. They can also purchase instant gift certificates and e-mail them to whomever they want.”
Loving says the most popular treatment for men visiting Betty’s is a 90-minute deep tissue, muscle relaxation massage that allows all body tension to be relieved. It sells for $115.
“For women, our divine head-to-toe package and our rejuvenation package are both two-hour treatments that sell for $155 each,” she says. “Those two treatments can include an herbal wrap, warm-oil scalp treatment and a foot treatment.”
Meanwhile, other local relaxation destinations in Albuquerque include La Bella Spa & Salon, which has two locations within the city; and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, which has earned several accolades in recent times. Those tributes include being named Among the World’s Best Places to Stay on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2008 Gold List.
“Massages, wraps and scrubs are what we specialize in, and the aromas we use are very earthy,” says Joe Herman, director of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. “Those aromas strike a nice balance that appeals to both men and women.”
The Tamaya spa is built on a 500-acre American Indian reservation, and Herman says the tribal culture is built into the resort.
“Our most popular treatment is a drumming method where massage therapists cup their hands and use a drumming motion to relieve stress on a customer’s body,” he says. “Small bags of flaxseed dipped in piñon oil are in the therapists’ hands, and the rhythmic drumming breaks up lactic acids. The treatment ends with an aromatic body salt scrub with blue corn flour, anasazi Aztec beans and pumpkin seeds that are all grown in the Albuquerque area.”
And as for Albuquerque itself, Herman believes spas are becoming especially popular in this city because the natural scenery tends to make people think about things on a more primal level.
“Our surroundings make people think of things that are more important than just their everyday routine,” he says. “Residents appreciate what is around them, causing them to reflect and realize what their true needs are. Living life to the fullest is why spas in Albuquerque are getting more popular every day.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
