Inner City Sanctums
Don't get hammered, get pampered: Holiday spa treatments to cure any case ofhumbugs
Forget the booze this Christmas. Sure you’ll need some sort of stress relief for the upcoming onslaught of overspending and endless family dinners. But there are already enough toxins to deal with during the season. So don’t get hammered. Get pampered. Convince yourself — or others — to fulfill your Christmas bliss wish list with the holiday packages offered by some of Austin’s best spas. Consider it your new guilty pleasure.
The Spa La La La Holiday Relaxation Package ($179, 2 hours), at Viva Day Spa, is the ultimate winter alleviator. And I mean ultimate. Every step of this all-encompassing package serves to detoxify and revive winter-weary bodies — from an infrared sauna session, ginger steam towel treatment and full-body Swedish massage to a sugar cookie back scrub and body wrap with a hydrating, holiday body blend of orange, vanilla and ginger. You’ll even receive a complimentary chai tea and gift bag to keep you warm and cheery long after you leave. Also available at Viva: Organic Festive Facials — perfect for a quick pick-me-up before a weekend full of holiday parties.
The Pumpkin Oatmeal Body Scrub ($200, 100 mins) at theSan Saba Spa at Lakeway Resortis another treatment that will help soothe all of your seasonal aches and pains. Unwind in front of picturesque lake views as all-natural apricot seeds gently scrub your skin and vitamin-rich pumpkin and oatmeal work together to build up the skin’s natural defense barriers. It’s an incredibly relaxing treatment — followed by a full-body massage — that makes one feel impervious to this dreary winter weather. Not to mention, the organic extracts smell just like a warm pumpkin pie. Mmmm. Also available at San Saba: a Peppermint Mocha Scrub and Spiced Stone Massages.
In addition to custom holiday packages — like AWAY for the Holidays ($325) and the Wrapper’s Delight,including a half-note massage, facial and pedicure ($200) — AWAY Spa at the W Austin is celebrating the W Austin’s first birthday with special services and treatments from December 9 – 30. Anyone who books a treatment — not just the holiday packages — will receive one of several surprise perks, like a free treatment upgrade or assorted spa products.
Just being in the tranquil setting of the Three Springs Spa at Barton Creek Resortis enough to cure the holiday humbugs. But you'll feel even merrier after a soothing Hot Buttered Rum Stone Massage ($140) or a Wassail Holiday Pedicure ($75).
AZIZ Day Spa is getting in the spirit of lifting spirits too, with tasty sounding treatments like The Sugar Plum Fairy ($180): an exfoliating sugar scrub, European herbal body wrap and therapeutic massage. You can even bring your favorite partner in Christmas crime to indulge in the Naughty List ($324), which includes a couples massage, two spa pedicures, manicures and paraffin hand treatments.
Or just give your man a spa day of his own at Travaasa Austin. Their exclusive Men's "What Ales You" Package ($265) includes an Energetic Edge massage, Peppermint Zenergy foot treatment and a big pint of organic Texas ale to top it all off. Maybe he'll get hooked on the concept of spa days by the end of his beer and decide to pamper you with a treatment every month. Christmas miracles can happen, you know.