It seems like every time I turn around, a new spa is opening in New England. Now, New England has its first island spa--the Spa at Wentworth by the Sea, the restored grand hotel that reopened on New Castle Island off the coast of New Hampshire in May of 2003.
As the number of spas has expanded, so has my willingness to try new and exotic treatments. I always enjoy a spa massage, but during my stay at the Wentworth by the Sea, I decided to try something a bit different-a Warm Stone Massage.
Since the spa had just opened, the locker rooms weren't quite ready, so I was escorted to the Relaxation Room. My therapist, Phyllis, was a bit delayed in meeting me for my appointment-as it turned out, this was a good sign. Her previous client had felt so relaxed and rubbery-legged after her massage that it had taken her a bit of time to get moving again.
The warm stones positioned under me at strategic locations along my spine were hotter than I anticipated-interestingly enough, they were heated in a GE Roaster. Still, a warm stone massage is probably not something you'd want to try on your own at home. In fact, I complimented Phyllis on her technique, since I know that if I tried to hold hot, oily stones in my hands, they'd go "fwwp!" and crash to the floor instantaneously.
The hand-harvested stones were so smooth that at first I didn't even consciously realize that Phyllis was rubbing rocks on my face. A warm stone massage has all of the tension-relieving and calming powers of a standard Swedish massage, with the added benefit of penetrating heat to sooth tight muscles. It was, indeed, difficult to return to reality following this warm and melting massage.
The menu of spa services at the Wentworth by the Sea runs from the traditional-massages, facials, manicures and pedicures-to the somewhat more exotic, such as a Pumpkin Peel, Organic Mud Therapy, Rose Envelopment and Reiki. Spa services are available not only to hotel guests but to those in the Portsmouth area seeking a day spa experience. Several spa packages are available, including escapes tailored to men, brides-to-be and expectant mothers. Many treatments are available in guests' hotel rooms, if requested.
The 8,500-square-foot spa facility, which occupies the entire East Wing of the Wentworth by the Sea, also features an indoor pool and whirlpool, along with an exercise studio and fitness center.
For more about the Spa at Wentworth by the Sea, turn to About.com's Spas Guide, Julie Register, for a detailed review and additional photos.
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