Love your Momma

by Alysa Sullivan, May 04, 2007

It just dawned on me today why Mother's Day is in May. The whole world is coming alive again, the grass is green, the flowers are out and blooming, it all feels new and fresh. Hallmark, in its infinite wisdom, must have realized that Spring makes the more sentimental amoung us harken back to our own spring. Certainly our own springing forth into the world could not be possible without the one very important person to push us forth: M-O-T-H-E-R. So... why not take a day out of the year to offer homage to dear old Mom and fete her with the mandatory brunch and.... Oh Please! No more soaps and lotions -- I buy those for myself. Diamonds? A new car? Absolutely! But I don't think they are in the offing this year. Truth be told, I would be happy for some painted rocks and home made cards from my kids. But, the husband will go out and buy a token of thier esteem and well.. frankly I'm not so very interested.

Don't mean to sound like an ingrate here, but I am a mother of two children; 7 and 4 years old. What do I value most? Peace, privacy, and the hands of a stranger pummeling my body. All I want, all I truly want, is 2- 3 nights away from my adoring family in a room with black out curtains, a delicious bed, room service,a stack of books and trashy magazines and a spa less than 100 paces away.

Now, here's the hitch. I am a bit of a neurotic and would find it hard to relax in said heaven if I was too far from home-- a plane ride back home would undo all the wonderous work of the massures and driving too far away would revert me back to the harried housewife far too quickly. What I need is a spa getaway close to home. Lucky gal that I am living here in the Hudson Valley..I have quite a few to choose from.


THE GOLD STANDARD:

The gold standard within driving distance would certainly have to be Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Ma (http://www.canyonranch/resorts/lenox-home.aspx) Offering not only massages, bodywork,beauty and skin care the Canyon Ranch experience is about creating your perfect healthy holiday. Working with your program advisor you can create a stay that is about revitalization, personal exploration or even transformation.
The spa features a staff of integrative health specialists. You can consult with a board certified physician, an acupunturist,nutritionist, Naturopathic doctor, physical therapist, behavioral therapist and on and on.

All of this personalized attention does not come cheaply; a three night stay starts at $1900 per person.
(I told you it was the gold standard)

The Spa at Cranwell (http://www.cranwell.com), also in Lenox, Ma is one of the largest spas. Offering over 50 spa services including massage, facials, body treatments, detox wraps as well as a fitness center with a wide variety of classes, Cranwell can meet any harried mama's needs. The rates area bit easier to digest as well with 2 night spa packages starting at $525 per person. Check the internet specials as well, also if you can runaway during the week, you will save greatly.

The Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Trempor, NY (http://www.emersonplace.com) is NY's only Mobil Four-Star Spa outside of Manhattan. Offering over 40 treatment options, many with an ayurvedic twist, the Emerson offers holistic indulgence and rejuvination. They do not seem to offer any weekend spa packages but accomodations start at $190/night Mid week.

If Hudson Valley charm is part and parcel of your idea of the ideal spa getaway, then you have to consider the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House (http://www.mohonk.com). The rustic charm and ambling nature of this mountain top behmoth is transformed into a calming and peaceful spa experience. Many of the treatments feature local botanicals -- an outdoor whirlpool and a very extensive menu of services make this spa a local contender. Room rates start at $275/night. You may not believe that you have left the Hudson Valley but you will certainly emerge renewed.

If you are looking for a more modest yet still very rejuvenating experience consider a stay at Kripalu (http://www.kripalu.org). The retreat center offers many different packages to meet everyone's needs. Housed in what was once a Jesuit seminary, the accomodations retain much of the Seminary's simplicity. So, while your room will not feature feather duvets and thick terry cloth bathrobes, world class yoga and seminars on health, healing and wellness are on the schedule daily. There are treatments available as well, a very fullfilling massage or energy healing are just a few of the options available. As they say, the treatments are luxurious but not a luxury. The R&R packages will include room, board, seminars as well as fitness and yoga options. Spa services are available al a carte. Room rates start at $177/night, but be careful when booking, there are dormitory style rooms, semi privates rooms, rooms with shared baths etc... This is not lap of luxury but it is a wonderful get away for renewal and refreshment.

I realize that a spa weekend is an extrordinary luxury, but it is a gift that every good mother (and every woman for that matter) should be afforded at least once in her life. A day or two away from home with soft pillows to sleep on and strong hands near by to untangel those knots in your muscles is a perfect way to remember how much you love your crazy day to day life.

P.S. Rumor has it that the owners of Miraval, the amazing spa in Arizona are buying the Williams Lake Resort (of which we were members for 5 years are are still broken up about losing) in Rosendale, NY. Now, wouldn't that be a nice way to make up for losing our favorite swimmig hole?

Write me with thoughts, comments and suggestions at: the shoppinglist@hvc.rr.com