When I take the time to look back at previous Valentine’s Days, I discover how many fun memories I have of this holiday. When I was younger, I made cards by hand and enjoyed exchanging them with classmates. Later on, I often opted for a more gal-entine’s style celebration with a night in with friends. And recent years are filled with new traditions, like attending sporting events, with my husband. Curious to see what stands out in the spa world on Valentine’s Day, I asked spa directors to share their most successful Valentine’s Day specials and romantic treatments, and here’s what they had to say.
The Idyllic Couples’ treatment has been our most successful because of its display of authentic Costa Rican culture. The treatment is a full body massage with a natural oats and milk mask for the face and a hot mud mask for the feet followed by a love chant in Maleku (Costa Rica’s indigenous language), and finished with a milk bath in a private Jacuzzi with fresh fruit and Champagne.—Mónica Sanabria, spa manager, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
The most popular romantic treatment is our Mandarin Suite Experience that entails a personalized 1 hour and 50 minute or 2 hour and 50 minute Time Ritual. The suite experience includes 1 hour of secluded relaxation time to enjoy a private vitality soaking tub, sauna and a rain shower together. To finish, couples share a platter of fresh fruit and herbal tea in the comfort of their suite.—Virginia Lara, director of spa, Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Our Mountain Love Journey is by far our most successful and profitable treatment (2 hours 15 minutes, $700 per couple). The couple will have exclusive use of one of our couples’ treatment room, which has its own tub for two, steam shower for two, and a fireplace. The service begins with a full-body exfoliation removed with hot compresses. Next the couple will go into the aromatic steam shower and explore with sensual mud and a hydrating cleansing wash. Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and Gem Water are served throughout. After the steam, the couple will soak in a luxurious custom mineral bath. To finish, the couple receives a therapeutic massage for 50 minutes.—Tricia Avery, spa director, M Spa at Madeline Hotel and Residences (Telluride, CO)
Our Love Is package includes a treatment for two in one of our couple’s suites. Guests are invited to relax on our warmed couches, where they both enjoy a 55-minute Aromatherapy Massage to help unwind. Without moving a muscle, the couple will then receive an Aromatherapy Associates Rose or Refinery Facial.— Sally Pedder, spa director, The Dorchester (London)
The View for Two is an 80-minute treatment specially designed for couples. It is an indulgent spa treatment allowing couples to take in the spectacular countryside views from the spa’s double suite while their legs and feet are bathed, soothed, and exfoliated. Guests then enjoy a full body massage and a relaxing scalp and facial massage. The treatment is finished with a glass of Champagne whilst they recline in our relaxation room.—Gabriella Beard, assistant spa manager, Coworth Park (Ascot, UK)
Our most popular treatments is The Hibiscus Couple’s Escape. Our guests can luxuriate in their own private Jacuzzi for 30 minutes, sipping a glass of sparkling wine and then melting away for another hour with their choice of Swedish or Aromatherapy Massage. The popularity of this treatment is due to the fact that you are experiencing the gift of ultra-luxury with the one you adore.—Yarlin Faurer, spa director, Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
The most romantic experience I have seen is when a client created his wife’s dream. They spent the night at Hotel Plaza Athénée and enjoyed a couples treatment at the Dior Institut, followed by a glass of Champagne. When she came back to her suite, she found Dior products in the bathroom for her to continue the experience at home. This was a great success because we worked on customizing the customer and their desires ; we are very attentive to customers and wanted the client to feel unique and recognized.—Melina Pourcel, spa manager, Dior Institut at Hotel Plaza Athénée, Paris