If there ever was a group of stressed-out Northeasterners, it’s Bostonians. The best universities, biotech companies, sports teams, and hospitals are all fueled by quick-thinking, quickly-moving, people on the go. So where DO these people go, to refuel themselves? The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, is a great place to start, where the new M.O., is simply being Zen.
A 16,000 square foot oasis nestled within the hotel’s center on the 4th floor, this tranquil, meditative “den” embraces all with the gentlest touch, making one feel as though you’ve escaped to another world upon entry. Supremely tranquil, talking and shouting are traded for quiet whispers. The aroma of eucalyptus, clean rain, and fresh wood refreshingly fills the air, beginning to penetrate your inner core with a sense of calm. The bamboo flooring and rough stone features and lit crystals throughout, transport you to a place that is both old and new… but altogether, natural.
Upon entry you’ll notice low-level lighting, with an expansive welcome desk and friendly greeting. You’ll first be offered a cup of hot tea and a warm towel, with a fresh orchid on your bamboo tray. These flowers are seen throughout the Spa, and add to its appeal as a vibrant, living, breathing space. Keeping with Oriental tradition, I was offered a pair of spa slippers. My street shoes were whisked away: a symbol of leaving the outside world behind. I was given a Signature Treatment, which begins by analyzing my mood, my health, and my spirit. I filled out a questionnaire asking me questions such as whether I’d had any digestive issues, where tension or pain may lie, and what kind of touch I find most welcome.
As Harvard College has “concentrations” and not “majors”, offering an A.B. versus a B.A., the Mandarin Oriental uniquely uses Time Rituals as its gauge of what an individual should receive: guests are encouraged to allocate at least two hours for any given treatment. Each ritual is customized for each guest, and I was to be no exception. The idea being, there is no rush: this is the moment to take a moment and relax. A simple one-hour appointment just will not do. Utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques and aromatherapy, oriental meridian massage and custom essential oils yield an exclusive experience for everyone.
After my cup of tea, I was given a brief tour and escorted into the changing room. A lounge, really, I left my remaining “outer world” vestments behind, trading them in for a spa robe, and an entrée into one of the spa’s pre-treatment relaxation options. (Guests are encouraged to arrive 40 minutes prior to their scheduled treatment, to allow ample time to “check in,” and utilize some off the spa’s additional services.)
I began with the “Experience” shower, which offers four light/sound therapy options. Tropical Rain mimics the large droplets of water you’d experience in the Amazon, while the Arctic Chill sends cool misty blasts throughout. With multiple jets and an easily programmable reset button, it’s hard to leave, but made easier, knowing that my next, personalized experience will be even more satisfactory.
While I’ve had many, many, massages in my lifetime, none even begin to come close to what I was about to enjoy. I was greeted by my therapist and taken to one of the Spa’s nine treatment rooms for the Mandarin Oriental Spa Signature Treatment. First, I was given a soothing foot soak and bath, with warm water and hot stones, gently massaging my feet. After reviewing my “chart,” my therapist and I discussed which of the five Chinese elements I was most in need of balancing and improving: fire, water, metal, wood, or earth. She then provided a few essential oils by Aromatherapy Associates, asking me to smell each one, to ascertain which would be the best blend for my body, mind, and spirit. We decided on Bloom Body Oil and Bath Concetrate, because Bloom relates to the Chinese element of Fire, inspiring a capacity for love and intuition. Apparently my Fire element was out of whack, as evinced by shoulder and back pain, insomnia, and forgetfulness. As my recommendation sheet suggested: “Sensual and generous, it brings feelings of sincerity and joy, and allows for deeper communication. A person with a balanced fire element will be happy, light, and playful.”
My therapist then began her treatment, using acupuncture meridians related to the fire element, including the heart and small intestine. She engaged in a soothing blend of meridian massage, pressure point massage, and frankly, much needed deep tissue massage around my neck and shoulders, and lower back: no point of my limbs or back were left untouched. Relaxing in the middle of the day is no easy task. One nearly thought impossible, in my harried world. Yet, I was truly transported into another realm. I allowed myself to be fully cared for, and my body and spirit were deeply connected to my heart and mind. I was at peace.
After the treatment, I first entered the Spa’s Crystal Steam Room, a blended combination of heat and water lit through delicate crystals, subtly changing in color and light. Pin-pricked throughout the ceiling, it’s a modern constellation of sorts, and interior whose expanse extends into the infinity of the “stars” above. Audio therapy compliments the visual and thermal experience. After warming up my body and mind, the tensions began to slip away. I exited the Steam Room and was treated to a change in temperature from the ice fountain, before entering the Vitality Pool. Much more than a hot tub or whirlpool, it is a thermal water conditioning treatment, where hydrotherapy jets reach my feet, neck, shoulders, and back, yielding a gentle massage with pressured pulsations. So very nice.
Each experience is tailored to each guest, and nine treatment rooms - each with its own natural light - caters to diverse needs. The Sanctuary Suite gives couples a private vanity area and personal shower, plus tandem treatment area to enjoy Time Rituals and massages. The Mandarin Suite offers a private spa oasis with its own vitality tub, stone sauna, two luxurious treatment tables and a day bed. There are special massages for new moms and moms to be, as well as custom treatments for New Englanders. The Commonwealth Comforter and New England Retreat aim to aid ailing “Blackberry” muscles, using local herbs, while also focusing on upper back stress, eye strain, and leg circulation.
Additional massages include the Signature Experience (4 hands) with Shiatsu and Tui Na techniques: the focus includes stretching, jostling, and range of motion. Swedish, Theraputic, Aroma Stone, and Aromatherapy massages are available, as are Body Wraps, Aqua Massages, Coffee and Frankincense scrubs, Facials, Manicures, and Pedicures. If you’re feeling truly indulgent, book the half-day or full-day treatment, which offer an array of fitness, relaxation, and beautification elements. The Spa Café also offers a healthy menu, located right inside the premises.
There are few ways to “get away” while living or staying in Boston. The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, however, is a sure-fire escape, no plane ticket required.
