Girlfriend time at the spa

A few weeks ago, my friend Susi texted me with a Travelzoo Deal for a day at a spa, including a 60-minute relaxation massage and a glass of champagne, that we couldn’t pass up. Since a girls’ getaway was long overdue, we jumped on the deal and made reservations for the 24th of April, which was Friday.

Susi and I met up early at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Mission Inn in Sonoma, CA. It’s about half-way between our respective homes and seemed like the perfect place for a getaway. I know, the destination alone might evoke envy in some of you (and I can’t blame you), but the Spa itself could have been anywhere and it would have been fantastic by itself. But going to a spa in Wine Country sounds extra fancy, doesn’t it?

We both left early and arrived at the Spa at 8:30 a.m. to get an early start and take advantage of the day. Our morning began with an hour of water yoga. I had never done water yoga before and it was a pleasant experience, especially the relaxation at the end (where we were floating on two of these pool noodles with underwater music soothing our ears).  I might or might not have asked Susi to come get me three hours later! Ha.

Next up, champagne in the hot tub. The epiphany of a spa day, right? It felt indulgent and marvelous (and definitely well deserved) and some good conversations were had.

Our 60-minute relaxation massage was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and, OMG, it was the most glorious thing. I can’t even remember if (or when) I had a massage in the past and I kept saying that this is definitely something I could get hooked on.

Diane, my masseuse, was wonderful. She knew where to apply the pressure and could tell from my tight spots that I work a desk job (yes!) and use the mouse a lot (also correct). Amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the massage and I felt completely relaxed afterward.

We had lunch poolside and just enjoyed the beautiful and relaxed atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we explored the Bath House and used the Bath Ritual. The Willow Stream Spa sits atop an ancient mineral spring and all the pools are all filled with the mineral waters. The Bathing Ritual features an exfoliating shower, two mineral water soaking pools, an herbal steam room, a dry sauna, and cool down showers.

The facilities are supposed to be a gadget-free zone and we (mostly) appreciated and stuck to that rule, but obviously I had to make an exception to snap some quick pictures for my scrapbook blog. You’re welcome.

The Spa was wonderful and luxurious and it took me a little while to not feel completely ‘out of place’ since I had never been to a spa before. But, by the end of the day, we were basically ‘spa-pros’ and Susi and I decided that we absolutely have to do this again. The day went by way too quickly (as good times do!) and we finished up this amazing day with some coffee in the hotel lobby.

I had a wonderful time unplugging from the daily grind in some lovely company (what could be better than catching up with your girlfriend?) and highly recommend it to everyone.

Surprisingly, I was dead tired by the time I got home and felt like I had run a marathon or something. I went to bed at 9 p.m., slept like a rock through the night and woke up sore the next morning. Comfortably sore, I might add. I guess my body had (passively) done more over the course of the previous day than I thought.

If you ever get the chance (especially if you find a good deal online – spas are not cheap, especially in this country, or so it seems), I urge you to enjoy a spa day some time, if you haven’t done so before (please tell me that I am not the only one who has never indulged in that kind of way!?). Either way, it was totally worth it and just a great experience all around and the only question I have left is ‘When can I do this again?’