|
Near Escapes — Page 3
5. Darjeeling Express
Stark, clean, minimalist—Vida Wellness Spa is
the spa for the modern esthete. And while it’s
nearly impossible to have a bad experience here, the
spa’s ayurvedic treatments are the real treat.
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that
follows the basic principle that the body is dominant
in one of three constitutions, or doshas, and that specific
herbs and essential oils will help restore a more harmonious
balance among the three. Begin by checking off a series
of statements (physical descriptions, emotional characteristics)
that best describe you (i.e. prefer cool, well-ventilated
places; change your mind easily; think money is easy
to save) to determine which of your doshas is dominant.
If this sounds too much like work (or at least a heady,
introspective workout), relax—the cushy lounge,
serving herbal teas and nutty trail mix, offers distraction.
Go for The Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment
($175), which begins with an ayurvedic massage using
custom-blended aromatherapy oils that complement your
dosha. Vata (air and space dosha, for imaginative, insecure
people who suffer from rough or dry skin), for example,
uses eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, ginger, and almond
and sunflower oils as the base for the massage treatment.
After a 60-minute, full-body massage, a warm, steady
stream of oil is poured over the centre of your forehead
(or “third eye”) for 30 minutes; it trickles
down your scalp, like a feather-light head massage—the
slow flow of oil induces a near catatonic state. Sheraton
Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard St., 604-682-8432;
The Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St., 604-685-9764,
Vida-wellness.com
6. A Steamy Affair
Surinder Bains opened her Miraj Hammam (a Turkish steam
bath) eight years ago, inspired by the Parisian hammams
she would frequent on regular visits to the City of
Lights. These hammams, imported from North Africa, are
social gathering spots and a favoured escape for frazzled
fashion editors during prêt à porter. At
Miraj Hammam, find mums and daughters enjoying girl
time in the scrupulously clean space with beautiful
tile mosaics and ornate wrought-iron window coverings.
Go for The hammam and gommage ($109,
60 minutes). Wrap yourself in a cotton slip and move
between the low mist and high-intensity steam chambers
in the main hammam room. Then, lie back on a slab of
Jerusalem gold marble where a therapist gives you a
vigorous rubdown (gommage), using black Moroccan soap
infused with eucalyptus, to remove dead skin cells and
stimulate circulation. Finally, move to the silk-cushioned
Sultana Lounge where honey cake and tea are served on
silver platters under the watchful eye of Bains’s
mother, whose portrait hangs above the door. 1495 W.
6th Ave., 604-733-5151. Mirajhammam.com
|
SUBSCRIBE 
