It's a Spa World After All

By Sarah Markel / Photography by Anastasia Chernyavsky

Day spas, those havens from the stresses of modernity, are no longer the preserve of the pampered few. Yet with new spas opening weekly in Northern Virginia, it is easy to become overwhelmed by selection. So we waded through the spas, non-spas and wannabe spas to find places where we would send our girlfriends, our mothers, our daughters and even the guys in our lives—Who knew research could be so relaxing? The criteria were two-fold: the spas had to offer full-service facials, massage and waxing, and also be hip to the latest trends in detoxification, anti-aging and wellness. So here is the run down on the rub down: Twenty great spas. You choose which is right for you.

HEALTHY AGING
More than wrinkles come with age. As collagen in the skin breaks down, cells regenerate more slowly and the result is dull, sagging, often mottled skin. All spas provide anti-aging treatments these days, but these spas elevate growing old gracefully to an art form.

Fountains Day Spa
422 S. Washington St., Alexandria; 703-549-1990; www.fountainsdayspa.net

Fountains Day Spa

This Old Town spa is easy to miss if you are not looking—and their high-profile clientele prefers it that way. Owner Susanne Olsen keeps the faces of area celebrities camera-ready and advises on everything from nutrition to relaxation techniques. The Guinot Hydradermie facials are often combined with reflexology for what amounts to a full body intervention. Loyal customers bring their teens for skin care education and treatment. Boys have been known to sneak in the back door for their facials. They know Susanne won't exfoliate and tell. Acupuncture and craniosacral therapy are also available.

Circe
123 N Washington St., Alexandria; 703-519-8528; www.circedayspa.com

If you can't get what you need at Circe, it is because you haven't asked. Circe is a gem of a spa with a hip, but attitude-free, staff. The atmosphere is sociable. Owner Sheila McGurk is hugely into building relationships and teaching clients about the importance of mind/body wellness. The spa offers just about every form of massage therapy, including osteopathy, in addition to a full menu of anti-aging facials. Circe also provides creative extras such as a mobile spa for brides. This is the only area spa that uses the KineLase Non-Surgical Facelift, the photo-rejuvenation system that keeps Oprah and Jennifer Anniston looking gorgeous.

Sugar House
111 N. Alfred St., Alexandria; 703-549-9940; www.sugarhousedayspa.com

You feel noble just walking through the heavy doors of this breathtaking 1795 mansion. The Sugar House provides all the amenities of a large spa in a friendly, intimate atmosphere. Clients trust Sugar House to keep them looking polished and feeling peaceful. It is the home away from home for hundreds of women who book standing appointments up to a year in advance. On Mondays and Tuesdays Sugar House holds a medi-spa clinic with Gerrish & Associates, PC. Medi-spa services include Botox, Restylane, Fraxel, laser hair removal and Thermage skin tightening treatments. Sugar House also sells Obaji (by prescription only) and Philip B products.

PR at Partners
2900 S. Quincy St., Arlington; 703-998-6500; www.pratpartners.com

Need expert skin care—fast? Head to PR at Partners in Shirlington. This salon has two treatment rooms for facials and massages. Lots of salons do that, right? But two things make Partners special: They give lavish G.M. Collin facials, those pudding-like collagen masks that leave your skin baby-plump, and for hair removal they offer sugaring. Sugaring is your only option for last-minute hair removal because it doesn't leave those embarrassing red streaks on your face (or worse). This friendly spa is a no-brainer for high-quality beauty reparations that won't take all day.

MEDICAL SPAS
These days medi-spas offer a whole lot more than doctor-supervised injectables and peels. They combine compassionate support with centuries-old natural medicine in a soothing setting. Take control of your well-being.

The Medical Spa at Nova

The Medical Spa at Nova
21785 Filigree Court, Suite 100, Ashburn; 703-554-1100; www.novamedspa.com

This is what a medical spa should be: Traditional medicine meets alternative therapy in a doctor-owned day spa. Because this beautiful spa is housed adjacent to a medical practice, patients can book services their doctors recommend without having to independently search for a therapist. Physicians and wellness practitioners collaborate in an effort to help patients improve their wellness. What could be more soothing than that? In addition to the usual medi-spa menu, Nova offers acupuncture, photo-rejuvenation and houses a naturopathic pharmacy.

Lofty Salon and Wellness Center
354 W Maple Ave., Vienna; 703-242-0609; www.loftysalon.com

Thinking of having a little work done, but don't know where to start? Call Lofty. Owner Mona Harb has partnered with the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, to create a medi-spa/salon that provides everything from hair styling to massage therapy to surgical consultations. But beauty is more than skin deep at Lofty. This warm-hearted spa has a whole host of wellness services designed to help clients feel happy and healthy, including personal trainers, yoga classes, belly dancing, and life-coach consultations. The hand-holding is free.

GIRLS NIGHT IN—BRIDES AND SHOWERS, TOO!
Spas are fun—and what better way to relax than to reconnect with the people you love? One of the biggest trends in the spa industry is the spa party. Most spas accommodate groups, but these spas make it their business to help you party pretty.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door

Elizabeth Arden Red Door
Pentagon Row, 1101 South Joyce St., Arlington; 703-373-5888; www.reddoorspas.com

Now that Tiffany & Co. sells affordable silver, the Holly Golightlys of the world go to Elizabeth Arden for that princess buzz. When they do, they bring their girlfriends. Arden does more spa parties than anyone and they have it down to a fine art. These "sparties" are so seamless that even the hostess can relax. The Red Door in Arlington, a relatively small spa for Elizabeth Arden, has hosted corporate sparties for up to 80 (using mini-treatments). For full-service treatment parties, consider eight to 10 guests. On Monday evenings at this location, sparty guests can have the spa to themselves at no additional charge.

MODERN DAY SPA
Tysons Corner Center Mall, 7856 Tysons Corner Center; 703-356-6995; www.modernco.net

For a spa with numerous locations, the customer care at Modern Day Spa is second to none. Don't let the waiting area deceive you—this is an expansive spa with a huge pedicure treatment room designed to host large groups. Modern serves wine and champagne to guests as they get pretty in comfort and style. They have an equally large relaxation room where tired mall shoppers are invited to sample products, drink tea and relax even without booking a spa appointment. You'll come out smiling since Modern offers Zoom teeth whitening performed by a dentist in the spa.

Natural Body Spa + Shoppe

NATURAL SPAS
The trend these days is toward natural healing using essential oils, organic products, recycled materials and detoxification. Here are two spas that offer all that and then some:

Natural Body Spa + Shoppe
4100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-243-4015; www.naturalbody.com

Relax with a clear conscience at these earth-friendly spas in Ashburn and Arlington. The Ashburn shop has only been open two months, but is already generating buzz because of its environmentally conscious building design (they've applied for LEEDS certification). Everything is recycled. The floors in the treatment rooms were school bus tires in a former life, which keeps the rooms warm and quiet. It's the only wind-powered spa in the area. The retail shop sells an array of natural beauty products including Jurlique, the bio-dynamic line of rose-infused products from Australia.

Comfort and Joy
9514A Main St., Fairfax; 703-425-8800; www.comfortjoy.com

Open the door to Comfort and Joy and enter a restful world of chemical-free beauty. Owner Julie Smalfelt has created a spa that appeals to the general public and is safe for those with immunological issues or severe allergies. Even the water is triple-filtered. This is the place to go for formaldehyde-free manicures (that actually last), henna dyes and detoxifying wraps. Comfort and Joy also offers energy medicine, Thai yoga massage and Ayurvedic healing. Shop here for Suki products, and Amrita essential oils.

(May 2007)