Gone are the days when sitting on the beach with a good read was all one needed for a restful and relaxing vacation.  For many travelers, spa treatments have become a requisite vacation component for achieving total wellness and staying healthy - mentally, physically and emotionally.  Genuine harmony and balance can best be achieved at a destination that nurtures rejuvenation—a place like St. Lucia. 
In addition to some of the Caribbean’s top-rated spas, St. Lucia provides an abundance of natural resources and holistic attractions, which perfectly complement spa treatments and therapies.  Indigenous banana leaf, volcanic minerals, papaya and rainforest plants are often incorporated into treatments, while the island’s natural waterfalls and sulfur springs are rumored to have healing qualities.
State-of-the-art spas are located throughout the island.  Here is a sampling of the most popular spas on St. Lucia:

In the Northern region of the island near the capital city of Castries:
The Oasis at the The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT resort was recently named one of the top destination spas in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveller U.K.  The tranquil spa is set on a hill overlooking Cariblue Beach at the northern tip of St Lucia.  The Oasis provides a serene sanctuary, with 39 treatment rooms for various types of massage as well as facials, salt loofah, and Thalasso wrap treatments.  The Oasis offers four Ayurvedic therapies, including the “double massage,” which uses unique herbal oil applied by two therapists working in complete synchrony with the other so that the four hands feel like one.  Another Ayurvedic treatment has warm, soothing aromatic oil gently streaming on the “third eye” area of the forehead. The Oasis also provides a sauna, sun deck, meditation temple, aqua tone pool, Swiss needle shower, jet massage, hydro massage and plunge pools, a nutritionist and shimmering reflective pools. An on-site Clarins Salon provides supplemental beauty and skin care treatments. One treatment daily is included for all guests, with additional ones at a nominal cost.  For more information visit www.thebodyholiday.com or call 1-800-544-2883.
The Pavilion Spa at the couples-only Rendezvous Resort is located within in seven-acres of tropical gardens on Malabar Beach near Castries.  All treatments are done in two open-air gazebos, next to the sea and lush foliage.  Treatments included various types of massage, sea salt treatments and facials.  The Pavilion spa also offers aromatherapy treatments, using aromatic plants for healing and maintaining vitality.  Log on to www.rendezvous.com.lc or call 1-800-544-2883 for more information.
The Royal Spa, located at the Royal St. Lucian Hotel, was renovated in 2001 and offers beauty and massage treatments in the spa, guest rooms or the new beachfront cabana located on St. Lucia’s most beautiful beach.  Renovated in December 2001, the spa offers invigorating and relaxing treatments such as Thalasso baths, Spirulina wraps, body scrubs, hydrotherapy baths and Kur packages.  Eucalyptus steam room, whirlpool, sauna, reflexology, Swiss showers, pool, Jacuzzi and salon treatments are all available. Go to www.rexcaribbean.com or call 1-758-452-9999 for more information.
The Serenity Spa is located at the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort set on 55 acres overlooking Labrelotte Bay. The spa recently completed renovations—doubling its size.  The Serenity Spa features a eucalyptus steam room, a deluxe massaging pedicure chair, a treatment room overlooking a tropical garden and a state-of-the-art wet room with a Vichy Shower.  Treatments range from hydrating and anti-aging facials to body wraps incorporating black mud, algae or local fruits.  Guests can choose to have their massage on the beach, by the pool, or opt for a couple’s massage in the privacy of their own villa. Treatments for children eight to 14 years old are 10% off of standard rates. For more information visit www.windjammer-landing.com or in the U.S. call 1-800-345-0356 or in Canada 1-800-267-7600.
The Ultra Spa is located at the new, couples-only Sandals Grande, which opened in Fall 2002.  The full-service European spa offers several types of massages including a Massage Duet, which provides couples with instruction from a professional masseuse and allows them to practice on one another in the comfort of their own room.  Couples can also retreat to the Ultra Spa’s tranquil, candlelit couples massage room and indulge in packages such as “Champagne and…Chamomile,” or “Sage, Rosemary and Time.”  Reflexology, aromatherapy, facials, body wraps, mud masques and hydrotherapy are also available. Visit www.sandals.com or call 1-888-Sandals for more information.
In the Southwest coast of St. Lucia near Soufriere: The Jalousie Hilton Resort & Spa, recently included on Conde Nast Traveler`s Gold List, is nestled between St. Lucia’s famous Piton Mountains.  The resort’s world-class spa uses St. Lucia’s indigenous plants and local rainforest ingredients in several treatments, including the honeysuckle body scrub, solar bronzing, sea botanical aromatic wraps, the Solar Soother and more.  Incorporating local volcanic soil, the spa’s exclusive sulfur mud baths are therapeutic and extremely popular. Exclusively for men, the spa’s Pour L’Homme is a two-hour treatment that includes a therapeutic, Caribbean Massage; a Gentleman`s Facial; and a Manicure Sportif to groom rough hands and nails.  Additional treatments offered include massages, facials, polishes, wraps, scrubs and hydrotherapy. For more information log on to www.hiltoncaribbean.com or call 1-800-HILTONS.

The Kai Belte Spa at the Anse Chastanet Resort was recently expanded and now includes seven treatment rooms and a hair salon.  Named “Most Romantic Hotel” by readers of Caribbean Travel & Life, Anse Chastanet has developed treatments specifically for couples, including a simultaneous in-room massage and a Couples’ Massage Course.  Newly added treatments include the resort’s own version of the La Stone therapy called Wosh Cho, patois for hot stone, and shiatsu.  The spa also offers “Natural Treats” which use a combination of local flowers, fruits and vegetables for facial treatments and sunburns.  Kai Belte, or “house of beauty” in Creole, is located directly on the beach and offers beauty products made exclusively for the spa.  Guests of the award-winning resort are treated to a complimentary treatment upon arrival.  For more information on the Anse Chastanet Resort and Kai Belte Spa visit www.ansechastanet.com or call 1-758-459-7000.
About St. Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, St. Lucia (pronounced LOO-sha) is nestled between Martinique and St. Vincent, halfway down the chain of the eastern Caribbean archipelago. Known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton mountains, a tropical rainforest and the world’s only drive-in volcano, St. Lucia’s culturally-rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual St. Lucia Jazz Festival. St. Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class, five-star resorts, all-inclusive properties, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. For information on the island of St. Lucia, please call (888) 4- STLUCIA, or visit www.stlucia.org on the Internet.

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