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Overwhelmed by Austin's spa choices? Relax already.

The list of Austin's day and destination spas is growing. Find out which spa treatments suit your desires

By Marques G. Harper
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Finding the ideal spa is like selecting a fine wine or hunting for that perfect scrumptious cupcake.

It can take time, but you know when you've found a winner. Whether your spa setting is drenched in zen, something out of an Edith Wharton fantasy or a salute to modernism, a true spa of any kind serves two real purposes: Relaxation and renewal of the body and mind.

We can thank our scented candles that Austin isn't lacking on the spa front.

Just as the city's number of fitness stores has increased in the past year, so has Austin's varied options for day spa retreats.

Second locations for Viva Day Spa (on South Lamar Boulevard) and Milk + Honey (at the Hill Country Galleria) have popped up; a revamped beauty bar has come to Bô Salon on South Congress Avenue; and a round of newcomers including Signature Touch Day Spa in East Austin, Belvederes Men's Day Spa on Congress Avenue and Spa Réveil, which will open in the fall at the Domain, are joining the relaxing mix.

If you're planning a fall spa retreat or are a spa newbie, check out Spa Week, a national program to promote the virtues of spa set for Oct. 13-19. Select Austin spas will offer two to three treatments for $50 each. Participating spas, treatments and other information will be available on www.spaweek.org on Sept. 15.

For this package, we're not ranking Austin's growing list of spas — why should we, when others are doing the not-so-dirty work for us? Example: The über-luxurious Lake Austin Spa Resort, which soon will offer a refreshed treatment menu, was named the No. 1 Destination Spa in North America by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Poll 2008 and won Best Vacation Spa 2008 by Allure magazine.

Guided by spa menus, phone calls and visits, we offer a roundup of treatments from spas throughout the Austin area. (However, this list doesn't cover every spa, and spa menus are subject to change.) We aimed to highlight unusual, new and natural treatments in typical spa categories including massage, facials, body treatments and hair removal. We also added selections for decadent treatments, men's options and quick lunch-time spa retreats.

Here are 45 spa treatments ranging from simple and subtle to luxurious and nearly edible. All are perfect escapes if money is too tight for actual getaways.

mharper@statesman.com; 445-3974

Decadent treatments

1. Lake Austin Spa Resort.Treatment: Fruits of the Shore. A fig product used for a full-body scrub followed by a hydrotherapy bath and an oil application before a body wrap. Includes scalp and full-body massages. 130 minutes. $365.

2. Horseshoe Bay Resort.Treatment: Hill Country Envelopment body treatment. Skin is exfoliated, smoothed and softened using rosemary and pecans from the Hill Country and essential oils along with a massage. 80 minutes. $155.

3. Halina European Skin Care and Day Spa.Treatment: Vitamin C Face Mask. Skin tone is normalized and exfoliated to detoxify and minimize the appearance of fine lines. Masque, steam with oxygen, facial massage, moisturizer, Vitamin C ampule plus hand and foot massage with mitts. 1 hour. $85.

4. Jackson Ruiz Salon Spa. Treatment: Signature Body Facial Exfoliation. Salts or polish are used on the skin along with a massage with a detoxifying blend of oils, a private steam shower, and application of a warm hydrating lotion. 2 hours. $180.

5. Spa at the Four Seasons. Treatment: Signature Lavender-Lemongrass Journey. Texas Hill Country lavender and fragrant lemongrass are used for a lavender sea salt exfoliation followed by a lavender-lemongrass body butter hydration wrap before a full head-to-toe massage. 110 minutes. $240.

Facials

1. Spa at the Four Seasons.Treatment: Rejuvenating Enzyme. A hot cinnamon peel, toning protein mask and rejuvenating enzyme serum stimulate cellular regeneration, repairing and improving the skin. 50 minutes. $115.

2. Jackson Ruiz Salon Spa.Treatment: Stone Fusion Facial Experience. Traditional North American plants fused with the sensation of smooth stone massage. Includes warm stones on neck, shoulders and arms and cool stones on your face to balance, soothe and invigorate the body. 50 minutes. $115.

3. Ann Kelso Salon and CitySpa.Treatment: Yam and Pumpkin Facial. Purée of yam and pumpkin to accelerate the exfoliation process and peel away dead skin cells to reduce pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. 1 hour. $110.

4. Viva Day Spa.Treatment: Viva Vital Ultimate Facial Package. Smorgasbord of skin care treatments includes a thorough skin analysis followed by dual cleansers, exfoliation, steam, enzyme mask, extractions, a custom masque, Vitamin C serum, intense moisturizing and sun protection. Also, lip and eye treatment, full face microdermabrasion, hand hydration treatment and neck and shoulder massage. 11/2 hours. $150.

5. Milk + Honey Day Spa.Treatment: BioGenic Facial. Raw, natural botanicals and antioxidant plant extracts to nourish and create healthier skin through deep cleansing, exfoliation and detoxification masking process using nutrient-rich ingredients. 1 hour. $95.

Massages

1. Spa at JoyMoves. Treatment: Pregnancy Rose Massage. A tranquil massage using Swedish techniques and soothing rose massage oil to address and relieve discomfort associated with pregnancy such as back, neck and hip aches, fatigue and swelling. 1 hour, $90; 11/2 hours, $130.

2. Lake Austin Spa Resort.Treatment: Thaiyurveda Massage. A holistic Asian massage with reusable herbal compresses. 80 minutes; $210.

3. Spa Django at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa.Treatment: Seasonal Rhythm. Massage combines aroma, intention and Austin-style music for a personalized sensory experience. 1 hour, $125; 11/2 hours, $175.

4. Milk + Honey Day Spa. Treatment: Table Thai Massage and Steam. Hybrid of traditional Thai bodywork and Western-style Swedish massage with 75-minute massage followed by 15 minutes of body steam using traditional Thai lemongrass aromatherapy. 90 minutes. $145.

5. The Woodhouse Day Spa. Treatment: Volcanic Stone Massage. Volcanic stones are used to deepen the state of relaxation and enhance circulation as the therapist glides the stones over the body. 11/2 hours. $165.

Hair removal

1. Viva Day Spa.Treatment: Leg (full) and Brazilian. $120 waxing; $135 sugaring.

2. Milk + Honey Day Spa.Treatment: Brow shaping. $25.

3. Spa at JoyMoves.Treatment: Waxing sideburns. $12.

4. Aziz Salon & Day Spa.Treatment: French bikini. $45.

5. Belvederes Men's Day Spa.Treatment: Back or chest waxing. $50.

Lunchtime retreats

1. Spa at the Four Seasons. Treatment: Rapid Results Facial. A pick-me-up facial to achieve results in a short amount of time using an AHA-intensive exfoliation and deep moisturizing to bring clarity to the skin. Includes lunch. 25 minutes. $80

2. Jackson Ruiz Salon Spa.Treatment: Express Facial. A condensed version of the custom aromatherapy facial. 30 minutes. $55.

3. Viva Day Spa.Treatment: Peaceful Peel Facial. A Viva Express Facial with the addition of a glycolic or salicylic peel formulated with Mediterranean apple vinegar, apricot and peach extracts. 30 minutes. $85.

4. Signature Touch Day Spa. Treatment: The Touch Up. An aromatherapy minifacial and a buff and color change on your hands and feet. 1 hour. $55

5. Joie de Vie Salon & Day Spa.Treatment: Skin Brightening Treatment. A face brightening treatment using a blend of 11 botanical skin lighteners layered into your final masque with a brightening rice powder exfoliation to lift off dull pigmented cells. 1 hour. $95.

Men's treatments

1. El Rey.Treatment: Ashiatsu Massage. A massage therapist suspends from the ceiling on wooden bars, using feet to massage and apply pain free strokes along the body for this non-surgical technique for the treatment of chronic lower back and neck pain. 1 to 2 hours, $130 to $264 (nonmembers).

2. Horseshoe Bay Resort.Treatment: Executive Sportsman. A gold clay wrap and scalp and neck massages followed by a full-body Swedish massage using ylang ylang and orange essential oils to help calm nerves and stimulate the skin's natural balance. 11/2 hours. $175.

3. Spa at Four Seasons. Treatment: Gentlemen's nail buff. An energy-balancing hand massage, a cuticle and nail shaping and a brisk buffing. 25 minutes. $35.

4. Milk + Honey Day Spa.Treatment: Manly Pedicure. Warm milk foot bath, exfoliation, paraffin dip, aromatherapy foot massage and hot towel compress. Includes plenty of foot massage. 60 minutes, $65.

5. The Woodhouse Day Spa. Treatment: Gentleman's Hot Towel Facial. Traditional barber hot towel techniques are incorporated with aromatherapy. 1 hour. $95.

Foot and hand treatments

1. San Saba Spa at Lakeway Resort & Spa.Treatment: San Saba Spa Manicure. Classic manicure with warming paraffin dip and soothing hand and arm massage. 50 minutes. $65.

2. Bô Salon.Treatment: Bô Signature Pedicure. Thick slices of oranges, lemons and limes and a wrap are used to exfoliate and calm the feet and lower legs. 75 minutes. $47.

3. Spa at the Lake. Treatment: Bella Manicure. A seaweed soak, alpha-hydroxy acid cuticle remover, exfoliation, antioxidant and age spot lightening with a manicure, hand massage and nail strengthening application. 1 hour. $45 minutes.

4. The Woodhouse Day Spa.Treatment: Seaweed Foot Facial. Seaweed and essential oils help reduce swelling and fluid retention along with volcanic stones, which are massaged on the lower legs and feet to enhance circulation and reduce stress and tension. 1 hour. $70.

5. The Crossings.Treatment: Thai Lemongrass Coconut. A hand and foot massage with Kelapa lemongrass and coconut scrub. 50 minutes. $85.

Daycations

1. Spa at the Four Seasons.Treatment: Daycation. Breakfast or lunch in Trio, choice of 50-minute massage, facial or body treatment and access to the spa's relaxation lounge, eucalyptus steam rooms, locker and fitness facilities and heated outdoor pool. Weekdays only. $150.

2. Lake Austin Spa Resort.Treatment: Half-day or full-day packages. Half-day includes two 50-minute treatments of choice, lunch and facility use ($325). Full day includes two 50-minute treatments of choice, facility use and lunch plus an 80-minute treatment ($495).

3. Horseshoe Bay Resort.Treatment: Ultimate Spa Experience. Includes one 50-minute body treatment, a 50-minute custom facial and manicure and pedicure. $295.

4. Spa Django at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa.Treatment: Day of Awakening. Includes lunch, healing hand treatment manicure (45 minutes) and foot facial pedicure (75 minutes), herbal spice percussion scrub (30 minutes), hydrating body wrap with scalp treatment (1 hour), rhythmic Austin massage (1 hour), and aroma transformation facial (1 hour). $675.

5. Spa at the Lake.Treatment: Mom's Day Hideaway. A Vichy shower cleanse to soften the skin before a Swedish massage and European facial. Includes a manicure and pedicure and lunch. $410.

Body treatments

1. Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Treatment: Mexican Chocolate Cayenne Scrub. A gentle exfoliation of crushed chocolate, cayenne pepper and vanilla coffee beans to make a vanilla body butter. Chocolate and cayenne pepper are used to alleviate pain and discomfort. 50 minutes. $130.

2. Aziz Salon & Spa.Treatment: Fanny Facial. A salt glow to dissolve surface debris, an endermologie treatment to tighten the skin and reduce cellulite and a hydrating glycolic cream is applied to the area to continue lifting, toning and conditioning the skin. 45 minutes. $75.

3. Lake Austin Spa Resort.Treatment: Pumpkin Body Wrap. A body masque, wrap, shower and massage including an aromatic masque of vitamin- and mineral-rich pumpkin, cinnamon and clove with botanical extracts and essential oils. Includes a 70-minute massage with a pumpkin-rich body butter with a blend of shea, mango and cocoa butters plus grapeseed, avocado, sesame and sweet almond oils. 110 minutes. $295.

4. The Crossings.Treatment: Java Lava Clay mask. An Indonesian-style massage with a refreshing volcanic clay body mask to cool and purify your body. 50 minutes. $120.

5. Bô Salon. Treatment: Mud Blend. A rich seaweed paste with natural essential oils to soothe the skin. 75 minutes. $100.

The spas

Ann Kelso Salon and CitySpa

1400 S. Congress Ave.

467-2663, www.annkelso.com

Aziz Salon & Day Spa

Downtown: 710 W. Seventh St. 476-4131

South: 5400 Brodie Lane. 891-0420

www.azizsalon.com

Barton Creek Spa & Resort

8212 Barton Club Drive

329-4000, www.bartoncreek.com

Belvederes Men's Day Spa

920 Congress Ave.

478-4247, www.belvederesaustin.com

Bô Salon

2004 S. Congress Ave.

448-0060, www.bosalon.com

The Crossings

13500 RM 2769

258-7243, www.thecrossingsaustin.com

El Rey

311 W. Fifth St.

472-5858, www.elreyclub.com

Halina European Skin Care

and Day Spa

North: 5359 Burnet Road, 452-3500

Round Rock: 7720 O'Connor Drive, 246-9700

Steiner Ranch: 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd.,

266-9060

www.halinaeuroskin.com

Horseshoe Bay Resort

RM 2147, Horseshoe Bay

800-252-9363, www.hsbresort.com

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Resort and Spa

575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road

308-1234, www.lostpines.hyatt.com

Jackson Ruiz Salon Spa

500 N. Lamar Blvd.

478-7744, www.jacksonruiz.com

Joie de Vie Salon & Day Spa

713 E. Sixth St.

542-9220, www.joiedeviesalon.com

Lake Austin Spa Resort

1705 S. Quinlan Park Road

372-7300, www.lakeaustin.com

Lakeway Resort & Spa

101 Lakeway Drive

261-6600, www.dolce-lakeway-hotel.com

Milk + Honey Day Spa

204 Colorado St.;

12901 Hill Country Blvd.

236-1115, www.milkandhoneyspa.com

Signature Touch Day Spa

6604 Berkman Drive

452-5500, www.signaturetouchspa.com

Spa at the Four Seasons

98 San Jacinto Blvd.

478-4500, www.fourseasons.com/austin

Spa at Joy Moves

2501 S. Capital of Texas Highway

328-4440, www.joymoves.com/spa

Spa at the Lake

Lakeway Commons Shopping Center,

900 RM 620 S.

263-7611, www.spaatthelake.com

Viva Day Spa

Midtown: 1811 W. 35th St., 300-2256

South: 215 S. Lamar Blvd., 472-2256

www.vivadayspa.com

The Woodhouse Day Spa

3600 N. Capital of Texas Highway

306-1100, www.austin.woodhousespas.com