September brings excitement, yes, but along with that brave-new-start feeling comes a wallop of stress. It’s easy to feel like there’s just way, way too much to do and not enough time, money, energy, and attention to get it all done.
When you feel you’re about to lose it — or ram someone who’s going 50 in the fast lane — that’s when it’s time to go on vacation and retreat for a few hours to a wellness spa. If you’re headed to San Francisco, which boasts a strong Asian heritage, you can visit Japan, India and Thailand without any more hassle than hunting for a parking place. While the City is chock-a-block with luxe day spas, these three stand out for their atmosphere of retreat and reflection – and the chance to infuse your life with the influence of another culture and perspective. Whether you’re in San Francisco for work or play, a few hours of self-imposed isolation will bring the fall back into focus.
1. Kabuki Springs & Spa, Japantown
Created to follow the strict ritual of Japanese communal baths, Kabuki Springs has the almost austere simplicity of a Zen monastery, softened with the comfort for which the Joie de Vivre brand has become known. Chip Conley’s beloved local brand also brought in a bit more color and zing, while preserving the space’s sense of timeless tradition. The best value is to get a massage; my favorite is the Shiatsu. The communal baths are just $15 more and you can stay as long as you like. One thing to keep in mind: Women get the baths Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; Men have their turn Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tuesdays are co-ed and clothing is required.
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The Wellness Spa at Canyon Ranch
Florida’s spa industry is over-saturated with its fill of cheese and low quality fillers. However, a handful of notable hotel spas provide consistent excellence and the full experience of desired bliss. Below are some of Miami’s most memorable spas.
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Entrance to the Four Seasons New York, near Shobha beauty salon
Whether you have a romantic weekend ahead or are planning a beach getaway, removing unwanted hair leaves skin feeling smooth (and you feeling sexy). One of my favorite places to go in the city is Shobha on Madison Avenue right next door to the Four Seasons.
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Patrons enjoy some fresh air and tea at the GemVie Medispa in New York
The Lost Girls and I recently dropped by GemVie Medispa in Midtown Manhattan, right around the corner from the Morgans hotel. The spa was like an oasis of calm amidst streets clogged with taxis and tourists. Once you’re escorted to the relaxation area, you’ll find a quiet stone patio with chairs for lounging. It offers everything from laser hair removal to chocolate body scrubs. And while most medispas are more apt to mirror a sterile doctor’s office than pampering retreat, GemVie lets you curl up with a cup of herbal tea and soft music in the backdrop to help soothe nerves—whether you’re going for a Swedish massage or chemical peel.
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Kate Winslet
Shampoo by Philip Kingsley
To get your hair so glossy that you’ll even turn heads among the fashionistas strolling New York’s Fifth Avenue, you might want to visit Philip Kingsley’s clinic – a quick walk from The New York Palace, Omni Berkshire Place and Hotel Elysee in Midtown East. Kingsley, the man who coined the term “bad hair day,” has worked with Hollywood legends such as Audrey Hepburn. Today, he helps keep the manes of starlets such as Kate Winslet and Renee Zellweger camera ready.
Though the space feels a bit more like the sort of medical clinic that it is rather than an ultra-luxurious salon, most clients don’t come to Kingsley for a spa experience. Instead, they’re looking for his expert advice on thinning hair or scalp problems, or on how to give their style a boost to keep hair looking its best.
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View of Madison Avenue on New York's Upper East Side
Manhattan’s Upper East Side is known for its Museum Mile, the luxury shops lining Fifth Avenue, and historic hotels offering white-glove service like The Carlyle. You don’t have to be part of the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City to know where to go in the neighborhood to get pampered. Here are three of the best-kept secret places to help you keep looking your very best:
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