A Snapshot Of A West Palm Beach Resort Vacation

As we approached forty years of marriage, we discussed different options in celebrating this important milestone in our lives. We talked about taking a train trip up north to tour lighthouses, a cruise around the Caribbean or visiting Orlando. All are great places to commemorate an important event, but after our options were considered, we went with a totally different choice.

Given the cost of travel these days, we decided to keep it close to home and celebrate in style (our's is a simpler way of life) while keeping the cost reasonable. We made a decision to reserve a resort spa package by the beach. Our choice was a recently renovated Marriott hotel on Singer Island in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The resort is beautiful and offers guests many of the attractions visitors look for in a Florida vacation. This includes a beach front ocean view, great restaurants offering popular tropical cuisine and water sport activities.

The condo suite we rented was quite nice and we felt like it was a home away from home because of all the conveniences. Rather than share a vast amount of information on the delights of the suite, I felt a photo tour would give you a better description of the highlights.

Spas originate from the Turkish bath ritual of ancient Greece and Rome. The bath was meant to cleanse and relax the body. They became very popular during the Victorian era. The experience went something like this:

• Warm Room: heated, dry area where a person would sit while the skin's pores opened to release bad oils.
• Heated Room or Sauna: Additional heat would increase body's perspiration allowing the release of additional toxins.
• Cold Water Splash: This room would give the body a slight shock to increase the heart rate, which would then open veins for better circulation.
• Body Wash/Massage: Patrons would then bathe, usually in a large pool-like bath with others, to cleanse the body. This was followed by a full body massage.
• Cooling Room: Clients were then led to this room where they could relax in comfort before dressing.

The main reason we chose the resort was because we wanted to rejuvenate our bodies and enjoy a luxury spa experience. We have never done this before and thought it would be a fun post in our memoirs. Although spa treatments today do not follow such a detailed ritual, we found the options were similar in purpose. And, It does improve your overall well being as you enjoy the pampering!

Today spas offer clients health benefits such as aromatherapy with heated oil treatments that are meant to relax and soothe the body. Other services are yoga, pilates, mud baths and chemical peels.

It is highly recommended that you hydrate your body with plenty of water prior to your appointment. Arriving thirty minutes prior to your treatment allows you plenty of time to change into a robe and slippers and to store your personal belongings.

They do spoil you by providing you extras such as a sauna, whirlpool, sun deck, relaxation room, deluxe showers and tea and fruit bar. The spa and massage treatments are well worth taking your time to enjoy. I have posted the highlights of the spa treatment below so that you can get an idea of how the experience flows.