You have four days for a quick break. You love Sonoma County, but are a little “wined” out. What can you do?
Well, four days will give you four magnificent spa experiences. Let’s take a deep breath and enter the quiet, relaxing, tranquil world of spas.
Day One: Experience the waters
Start your quest at Sonoma Valley’s Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. In a luxurious locker room, you’re offered spa sandals and a terry robe. You’re then off to enjoy the bathing ritual to prepare for the treatment ahead. The bathing area is co-ed, so swimsuits are required.
The signature bathing ritual is simply delightful. One caveat, you are responsible for making it to your appointment on time, so be sure to give yourself enough time to relax and enjoy this important step.
The exfoliating shower will have you laughing at the pressure. This envigorating scrub gets you ready for the soaking pools. The first is body temperature and invites you to lay back and float. After 10 minutes, you move to a hot whirlpool.
Afterwards, zip into a cool rain shower, drink a cup of water and then hit the herbal steam room that gives off an exotic aroma of eucalyptus. After a few minutes in the dry sauna, it’s time for another cooling shower. Back in your robe, relax in the lounge area until your massage therapist seeks you out.
You’ll be led to a therapy room lit with candles and perfumed with the soft scent of lavender. After massaging your back, the therapist will cover your shoulders with hot towels, allowing the warmth to seep into the muscles while she finishes the treatment.
You’ll finish your spa experience in the locker room, which is well stocked with combs and toiletries. Soon, you’ll be buffed, rubbed and ready for a night on the town that includes fine local cuisine and, of course, wine.
Relax and Rejuvenate at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
100 Boyes Blvd.
Sonoma, CA 95476
(866) 540-4499
Nearby dining options
Sante Restaurant
100 Boyes Blvd
Sonoma, CA
(707) 938-9000 Ext 2415
This award-winning gourmet restaurant features fresh local produce, meats, poultry and seafood used to create elegantly simple dishes that let the natural flavors of the food speak for themselves.
The Big 3 Diner
18140 Sonoma Hwy.
Sonoma, CA
(707) 938-9000
A casual way to end your day. The lemon pancakes are a must-eat.
Day Two: The healing earth
While the Fairmont immerses you in Sonoma’s healing waters, your next experience came from the county’s fertile earth.
The Hyatt’s Vineyard Creek Spa’s lavender body treatment – a Swedish massage combined with a wrap – uses lavender shea butter produced from lavender grown at Matanzas Creek Winery, mere miles from the spa, in Santa Rosa.
A walk through the Hyatt’s elegant lobby into a sunny courtyard takes you to the spa’s entrance. After a steam bath, located in the locker room, don your robe and make your way to the spa lounge. Soon, your therapist leads you to the treatment room.
As you lie on the table, the languid sweeping motion of the Swedish massage begins on your leg, up your hip and back, and down your arm. Rhythmic motions mix with the aroma of the lavender shea butter. This heady combination created something I can only describe as intensely relaxing.
Just when you think life couldn’t get any better … you’ll turn over and realize all the accoutrements for a wrap are already draped on the table.
Your therapist lays a warm lavender-stuffed eye pillow over your eyes and tucks you up in plastic and warm blankets, allowing the shea butter to further penetrate your skin. As the wrap works its magic, the therapist massages your hands, feet, head and face.
Too soon, it’s over and you’re lying in bliss. From this moment on, any slight whiff of lavender will instantly transport you and, for a few minutes, you’re back there, relaxed and pampered.
Soothing body butter at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa
Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 284-1234
Nearby dining options
The Brasserie – Hyatt Santa Rosa
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 636-7388
Mere steps from the Spa, this restaurant is a great way to end your spa day.
Syrah Bistro
205 Fifth Street
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 568-4002
A couple of blocks from the spa, this local eaterie, specializing in the slow food movement, brings new meaning to relax and enjoy.
Day Three: A Zen journey
Your next spa experience will have you wondering if you’ve been transported to Japan.
Nope. You’re in Freestone at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, the only spa in the country to offer the Japanese cedar enzyme bath, a rejuvenating heat treatment.
Arrive early, change into your robe and have tea in the Japanese garden. As you sip and enjoy the garden, you notice everyday concerns slip further away. Soon, you’ll be led to a private room that has a large tub filled with cedar shavings, rice and active enzymes, creating an intense woodsy aroma.
A body-size hole is dug into the shavings. After your bath attendant leaves the room, remove your robe, sink into the depression and cover yourself. Your attendant will return to dig down deep to pile on even more shavings. The deeper the attendant digs, the hotter the shavings.
Your therapist will create a “pillow” of cedar and invite you to lay back and relax. And feel the heat. Every five minutes or so, your therapist will return to offer a drink of cool water and to wipe your brow.
You’ll be amazed at the intensity of the experience. The heat gets deep within your muscles where it works its magic.
A vigorous brushing, and then showering, removes the cedar shavings. At this point, you’ve had a fabulous experience and can finish up with a walk through the meditation garden.
Or, pull on your robe and a borrowed pair of garden shoes and walk through the grounds to a pagoda for a massage. Lying on the massage table, you’ll be serenaded by birds chirping. If you go in the late afternoon, early evening, the pagoda is awash with that golden, magical light that inspires artists and poets.
Osmosis’ trademark massage is the Swedish/Esalen. The long, flowing full-body strokes creates a rhythmic massage that focuses on relaxation. It works. I don’t know how you’ll do, but I fell asleep on the massage table.
After the massage, I’m led to the meditation garden. I feel hyperaware of my surroundings. Whether or not you meditate or pray on a daily basis, Osmosis offers a respite from a busy life and a moment of solitude.
Meditation Garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
209 Bohemian Highway
Sebastopol, CA
(707) 823-8231
Nearby dining options
Bistro Des Copains
3782 Bohemian Highway
Occidental, CA
(707) 874-2436
Enjoy a taste of Provence with dishes created from local fare.
Negri’s Original Italian Restaurant
3700 Bohemian Highway
Occidental, CA
(707) 823-5301
Step back in time and sample authentic Italian fare, while nestled amidst towering redwood trees.
Day Four: A wine-soaked experience
If you’ve had a glass of Sonoma County Zinfandel or Chardonnay that was so bold and luscious that you wanted to climb in and wallow in it, then the Kenwood Inn & Spa is a good choice for you.
You’ll embrace the power of the grape, as you sink into your wine bath. Relax in an oversized jacuzzi tub overlooking the vineyards before your treatments. This aromatic bath will soothe the senses and help to relieve tired muscles. You’ll feel floaty and relaxed, ready to immerse yourself further into the healing power of wine.
Next, choose a wine wrap and you’re in vino heaven. The treatment starts will a full-body dry brushing, followed by a hydrating application of grape seed lotion. Consisting of Chardonnay and Riesling oils, as well as red-wine extract, this is heady enough to drink. A combination of clays is smoothed onto your body and you’re wrapped in as a tight, wine-soaked cocoon. This treatment includes a neck, shoulder and scalp massage.
If you can stand even one more second of heady pleasure, treat yourself to a therapeutic grape seed oil massage. This full-body Swedish-style massage will increase circulation and promote relaxation.
Healing waters at Kenwood Inn & Spa
Kenwood Inn & Spa
10400 Sonoma Highway 12
Kenwood, CA
(707) 833-1293
Nearby dining options
Kenwood Restaurant & Bar
9900 Highway 12
Kenwood
(707) 833-6326
Ecclectic menu with a focus on regional California cuisine.
Cafe Citti
9049 Sonoma Highway
Kenwood
(707) 833-2690
Transport yourself to an Italian trattoria with traditional comfort food at a reasonable price.
For a listing of all Sonoma County spas, visit www.sonomacounty.com.
Updated January 20, 2010
Comments...
One CommentThanks so much for including Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in this itinerary of top-flight Sonoma spas. We have so many good spas here, it’s an honor to be included on this list. Just a note that The Inn at Occidental is a great place to stay during a visit to Osmosis, only 3 gorgeous miles away. We often create special packages with them.