Take It Easy Upstate This Weekend, Yeah?

  |  January 9, 2015
spadays

Oh my dear Upstater Friends and Fans — are you as tired as I am?

Good tired — tired from so many parties and drop-ins and stop-ins and drive-bys and P-H-U-N. I want a massage and a facial and a nap, maybe all three at the same time.

Choices, choices, choices. Lucky for you, I’ve sussed out the best in spas and wellness services. But let’s do this by type, shall we? What type of Spa Gal or Guy are you?

Type 1. I want it just the way I have it in The City.

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You love your NYC spa and you bemoan the fact there is nothing sophisticated and hip upstate when you wanna get your facial on. Wrong. You’ll love Angela Kim’s Savor Spa, the Woodstock branch of her popular West Village spa known not only for her super services beloved by every urban fashionista, but also for her all organic, all natural Om Aroma products (which are actually made here in the Hudson Valley). The vibe is eco-chic pretty and I really love some of the add-on services, like the killer hand massages. And her aromatherapy yoga classes are legendary!

Type 2. I want it nothing at all like the spas I go to in The City.

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Traipse on down to Stone Ridge and discover Simhara, a holistic spa and healing sanctuary. Facials, massage, bodywork and more await you in this gorgeous historic Dutch stone house, set on acres and acres of rolling hills with streams and ponds. Founder Simone Harari’s calling card is mind and body wellness, and if you are curious about trying the only crystal light healing bed in the Hudson Valley, as well as a number of intensely wonderful energy healing treatments, you have come to the right place. Bonus: this truly gorgeous property is available for weddings, bridal events and other gatherings.

Type 3. I want one practitioner to do it all.

Debbie Dougan launched her own aesthetics practice, Glo, less than a year ago after working for some of the best spas and salons in the area. Facials, waxing and peels are all truly amazing and Debbie is one of my favorite women with whom to get giggly, on or off her table. A treatment with Debbie is like girls’ night out, minus the hangover the next morning. (What? You’re not hung over after your girls’ night out? Ok. Sure…)

Type 4. I’m a man. Or I’m married to a man. And we both want massages. And he’s not going to a spa!

Two words: Vanessa Vera. For starters, she comes to your home with her table and oils and creams and she’s an absolute delight and a monster (and by monster, I mean she packs a wallop! Her massages are deep without being painful and she’s equally at ease with both boys and girls). I know at least a dozen men and women who are going to be FURIOUS that I’m giving you her number, but here it is: (347) 351-8294. And be smart: call as far in advance as possible!

Feeling all pretty and slinky and sexy and fresh as a daisy? Well, keep it going! Little Apple in the heart of Woodstock is the place to go for organic, raw, cold pressed juices; organic, gluten free, kosher frozen yogurt; superfood smoothies and vegan snacks like their crazy good Krazy Kale chips. Feeling particularly healthy? Try a cleanse. I went into one kicking and screaming and I came out feeling like a million bucks!

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Have a glorious weekend, my dears. Next week, we’re tying on our feedbags again, with a secret address for TDY (total dessert yumminess), a peek inside my favorite gourmet shop and the story behind a really exciting musical experience.

About Abbe Aronson

Abbe Aronson is the grande dame of PR, marketing, media, event planning and “artful schmoozing” here in the Hudson Valley. AbbeDoesIt.com for more of her hijinks!

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