Party Time: Spa Week at The OUT

We kicked off Spa Week (starting today!) with a bang last week, thanks to some help from our lovely friends at The Spa at The OUT Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. Media attendees got to sit back and relax for the evening at this chic new spa:

Until we witnessed The OUT for ourselves, we would have never believed that such a stunning, serene resort spa could exist within the hustle and bustle of the busiest city in the world. But oh, were we wrong. The OUT is swankier and more impressive than we even imagined. And our guests shared the same sentiments!

Guests came out for one reason: to get pampered. In true Spa Week fashion, The OUT helped us to raise the bar — instead of the typical chair or shoulder massage that would be offered at this type of event, they went all OUT offering full-on table massages with the legendary Savas, one of the city’s top rated massage therapists. See the below and you’ll understand why…

Others delighted in hand treatments in one of the spa’s luxe cabanas.

And all enjoyed the light spa-bites and prosecco being passed around!

Fabulous Spa Director Christopher Drummond chatted up the guests and gave them the low-down on Spa Week at The OUT and more…

Spa Weekers, as always were active on social media helping us spread the word about $50 treatments! Three attendees even won $50 gift cards for tweeting…so their Spa Week treatments are on the house!

And of course, a great time was had by all. Not even the thunderstorm could stop our fun!

We hope all who were in attendance enjoyed their preview of The OUT and Spa Week! Until the next event…

Elements Therapeutic Massage

Spa Week is the ideal time to get a massage. Not only can you set yourself up with a reputable spa location and enjoy an awesome service, but it all happens at a fantastic price.

When a location solely focuses on massage therapy, you know you’ve found an especially great spot to treat yourself. That’s why if you’re going to be in Illinois this Spa Week, we’d suggest heading to Elements Therapeutic Massage. The specific type of massage being offered varies based on location, but the choices include trigger point, deep tissue, sports, Swedish, hot stone, prenatal, and some locations even have add on hand and foot treatments!

Check out the eight Elements Therapeutic Massage locations participating in this Spa Week scattered throughout Illinois for a stress-relieving, pain-soothing, total body-rejuventating Spa Week experience!

Are We Dreaming or Spa-ing?

Dashama and Michelle Joni Dream Hotel

What a day for a daydream! On my first day in Miami, after a delicious breakfast buffet of flavored fish oil, I took Dashama to The Dream Hotel in South Beach, home of the brand new Shala Spa. We ordered a light lunch and a few cocktails in our cozy cabana, then drifted into a dreamlike state with two truly incredible spa treatments. If you love poolside treatments, body scrubs with a dose of massage, and organic spices and essential oils, you must get your spa booty down to south beach and experience Shala Spa’s Beauty Bar. Another reason to visit is the facial line they use: Shankara, named by Spa Magazine “the most deserving skincare line to bring to the attention of spa goers.” It was one of the best facials of both mine and Dashama’s collective lives. As the hours passed, we couldn’t tell if we were awake or dreaming… until we realized we got this video. A perfect poolside spa day like this does, indeed, exist:

We spa’d, we swam… but no day is complete without stretching!

Dashama Dream Hotel

michelle joni legs

Dashama yoga

Michelle Joni Stretching

Dream Hotel South Beach

Treat Yourself to Spa This Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! You don’t need to have a hot date tonight to partake in the celebration of love – show some romance to yourself at the spa! Top spas nationwide have created dreamy packages to soothe, nourish and pamper you this month. Lure body and mind into the lull of total relaxation with the sweet scents of chocolate, roses and champagne, while also enjoying the benefits of a luxurious massage, facial or body scrub. Move over Hallmark and Hershey’s, we’ve found a new way to celebrate!

Book yourself one of these sweet spa deals as a pick-me-up tonight or over the weekend:

$120 120 Minute Package with Massage and Sweetheart Facial at A Better Body Salon and Day Spa in San Diego, CA (was $155)

90 Minute Love Me Chocolate Facial Scrub and Massage from Angel’s Touch Skincare & Wellness in Greenbelt, MD (was $180)

$160 120 Minute Sweetheart Package: Including Hot Stone Massage, Foot Reflexology and Lunchtime Facial at Aveda Red Bell Spa in Hicksville, NY (was $210)

$150 60 Minute Romance Massage: Including Champagne and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries at Hotel Valley Ho – VH Spa in Scottsdale, AZ (was $222)

$75 Chocolate Lover’s Massage at Jamachi Medi-Spa in Silver Spring, MD (was $100)

$40 75 Minute Organic Chocolate/Roses Facial at Mammina’s in San Clemente, CA (was $110)

$75 February Chocolate Peel at Mari’s Skin Care Salon in Dallas, TX (was $105)

$75 45 Minute Queen of Your Heart Treatment: Choice of Facial or Massage at Parma Wellness Spa in Vienna, VA (was $95)

$56 30 Minute Chocolate Raspberry ‘Sugar Kiss’ Body Scrub at Da Noi on Fifth Salon & Spa in Brooklyn, NY (was $80)

$35 Champagne and Chocolate Pedicure at Serenity in the City Salon & Spa in Medford, MA (was $49)

$69 50 Minute Custom Valentine’s Massage and Artisanal Cookies at Soulstice Spa in Santa Rosa, CA (was $89)

$155 Wrapped in Love Body Treatment at The Spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (was $186)

$138 105 Minute Best Valentine Ever: Includes Hot Stone Massage, Crystal Mud Lavender Pedicure, Spa Manicure, Champagne & Chocolate at Faina European Day Spa in New York, NY (was $232)

$65 55 Minute Deluxe Champagne and Chocolate Pedicure at Synergy Spa in Raleigh, NC (was $85)

$75 Very Berry Valentine’s Facial with Lip and Eye Treatment at The Spa at Boncaldo’s in Quincy, MA (was $75)

For more sweet spa deals in your hometown, visit SpaWeek.com!

Live Better: Dashama’s Challenge #6

As a part of January’s big “Better You” Giveaway, we are challenging our readers to put our five ideals for improved well-being into action. To help you “Live Better” we’ve enlisted our resident Joyology expert, Dashama, for some valuable advice.

This month, we’re sharing ten of her best happiness tips with you to help make 2013 your best year ever – and challenge you to incorporate them into your daily lifestyle! Check out Dashama’s last tips here.

Tip #6: Massage and Energy Healing

When we go to a spa for a massage, we escape our normal routine and invite a new energy into our being. A good therapist or healer can transfer positive energy into us and even take away or help to release negative energy, pain, stress or disease. I try to get a massage every week or every other week at least. Even a facial or mani/pedi with a partial massage will help. And don’t underestimate the power of massage chairs if you don’t have access to a therapist on a regular basis. These work wonders to shift moods in between live sessions with healers.

Check Spa Week Daily for a new happiness tip from Dashama every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the month of January! You’ll also find some tips from other experts on how to eat, look, feel and sleep better this month – so stay tuned!

From now until January 31st, enter to win one of five great prizes in the Better You Giveaway!