Inside Sonoma

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

I’m not really whining about wine or a chance to vacation in Sonoma’s wine country, but I’ve been on wine tours and wine tastings and wine pairings and wine with dinner and wine buying. Frankly, I’m sort of wined-out.

OK, that’s an exaggeration, but I decided it was time to acquaint myself with an aspect of Sonoma County that I haven’t explored in depth — the relaxing, pampering and healing source of spas.

I start my quest at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, in Sonoma Valley. I’ve had massages at day spas and from private masseuses, but I’ve never experienced a full-service spa. The Fairmont delivered beyond my expectations.

Small photo. Big spa.

My spa experience starts in a luxurious locker room, where I’m are offered spa sandals and a comfy terry robe – complete with the Fairmont insignia – for the duration of my stay.

You can change into your swimsuit or workout clothes. Stow your gear in a beautifully appointed wooden locker that contains wooden hangers for your clothes. Be aware: If they ask you if you want an upper locker and you are shorter than 5’8″, take a lower one. It’s quite a reach.

Once you book a treatment here, you’re a pampered guest for the day and can take advantage of the fitness room, classes, two outdoor pools and much more. Plan extra time beforehand to enjoy these amenities.

What’s the old saying, “Sometimes a massage is just a massage”? Well, here, the massage is the icing; the “cake” starts with the bathing ritual. This prepares and relaxes you for the treatment ahead. The bathing area is co-ed, so swimsuits are required. Make sure to glance at the clock from time to time. You’re responsible to be on time for your spa treatment.

The exfoliating shower’s hard pressure, coupled with a scrubbing bath gel, gets me ready for the soaking pools. The first pool is body temperature and invites me to lie back and float my cares away. (What cares? I’m on vacation in Sonoma County!)

After 10 minutes, I move to a hot whirlpool that, frankly, is bigger than some hotel pools I’ve seen. It’s a decadent, “I wish I lived here in this pool and I wonder if it comes with room service” kind of moment. With much regret – and anticipation of the treats to come – I move to the next phase of the bathing ritual.

I zip into a cool rain shower, drink a cup of water and then hit the herbal steam room. This gives the bathhouse its exotic aroma of spices and oils, primarily eucalyptus. I can feel my skin embrace the hot, scented steam.

After, I climb into the sauna, which has the kind of heat I feel all the way to the bottom of my lungs as I breathe deep and adjust to the dry heat. After a few minutes, it’s time for another cooling shower and another cool drink of water. Soon, I bundle up in my robe and relax in the lounge area until my massage therapist seeks me out for my treatment.

My therapist leads me to a therapy room that is lit with candles and has the soft scent of lavender. She leaves me to get undressed and climb onto the table under the sheet.

My therapist returns and it’s finally time for the treat, the icing, the massage! She works my upper back and shoulders, subjecting my body to the signature Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Massage, an eclectic full-body therapeutic massage that increases circulation, eliminates toxins and reduces stress.

As an added touch, when my therapist moves down to my legs, she covered my shoulders with hot towels, allowing the warmth to seep down into the muscles. She finishes with a facial and scalp massage. I’m relaxed and ready to face the world again.

You’re supposed to rehydrate after a massage, so I get a cup of water from one of several water coolers that are filled with iced water, sliced cucumbers and sprigs of mint floating in it. What is it about cucumber that makes water so much more refreshing than plain? It’s a puzzle.

Coming back to reality, I finish my spa experience where it started, in the locker room. If you’re buffed, rubbed and getting ready for a night on the town, this is the place for you.

In the showers hang dispensers stocked with the Fairmont’s signature Apricot and Cream toiletries: shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. On the wall outside of the showers is a dispenser of body lotion of the same scent.

That heavenly aroma will make you wish you had brought a zip-close bag to fill up with the stuff. Never fear, the spa store sells the toiletries in containers that are a lot easier to handle than bags, and won’t break in your purse.

The locker rooms are well stocked with combs, cotton balls and swabs, hair products, hair driers, deodorant and mouthwash. After dressing, you’re ready to step out to a waiting limo and have a night on the town, discovering the fresh, local Sonoma County cuisine and, of course, amazing wine to go with it.

Stay tuned for more spa experiences or discover them on your own.