By Shannon McNeely
Updated: November 13, 2019
It is time to come out of hibernation and shed that layer of winter skin. The frosty weather has taken a toll on your body and mind. You deserve to be spoiled in absolutely every aspect. Invest some time in the care and keeping of you—visit some of these local spas that truly pamper and will treat you like royalty. With everything from exclusive spa services to plush waiting rooms and delicious lunch menus, this is one experience that is guaranteed to rejuvenate the body and leave you feeling reborn, refreshed and ready to face a new day.
Lorien Hotel & Day Spa
1600 King St., Alexandria; 703-894-5130; www.lorienhotelandspa.com
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m
Located in Old Town Alexandria, this full-service spa creates a serene setting that invites you to “unwind, relax and replenish.” Bask in the candlelight, and take a seat in the lavish waiting room, which produces a soothing atmosphere—a plush seating arrangement, calming colors, peaceful sounds and complimentary teas and snacks.
The lush facilities cater to all individuals’ needs with both his and hers locker rooms, steam rooms, bathrooms and showers, which can be found in the spa as well. Guests will feel comfortable and at ease in Lorien’s secluded rooms, which provide maximum privacy for the implementation of treatments and services of all types.
Guests who reserve any type of spa appointment will also be given access to the eco-friendly, on-site fitness center, located across the hall. Guests are welcome to partake in gym activities before their scheduled spa appointment.
Although an array of exclusive services are offered, spa director Lisa Markovich says the Lavender Dreams Ultimate Experience is one of the most beneficial treatments because it is “both a scrub and a warm cocoon of towels.” Infusing the gentle effects of lavender, this specific technique allows you to reap all the same benefits found in two separate treatments for a lesser price. Also included is a full foot and scalp message for an experience that will completely envelop the senses ($200 for 80 min).
Massages
Manicures
Pedicures
Facials
Body Treatments
Waxing & Tinting
Steam Rooms
Spa Packages
Other notable exclusive services include the Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy Massage. This massage incorporates organic aromatherapy body oils, and nourishes and conditions for healthier-looking skin.
Also, the Rejuvenating Caviar Dream Crème Facial gives immediate results by hydrating and firming with exclusive caviar products. Frown lines will be diminished, and skin texture is guaranteed to look radiant and renewed ($110 for 50 min; $200 for 80 min).
Spending all day at the spa can entice a feeling of hunger, but not to worry. The extensive lunch menu at Lorien provides an assortment of selections that will keep customers feeling satisfied and calm. Appetizer portions may include anything from smoked salmon to fruit parfaits. The food is gourmet and prepared fresh by the hotel’s own chef.
Also, Kerstin Florian products are available for purchase. This product line is used by Lorien in many of the featured treatments.
Shapes Salon & Day Spa
2435 Centreville Road, Herndon; 703-713-0222; shapessalons.com
Monday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Come experience relaxation at its finest.” At Shapes Salon and Day Spa, you are welcome to “relax,” “rejuvenate” and “renew” at what was recently named “One of the Top Salon and Day Spa Chains for North America.” The comfortable spa inspires a level of coziness similar to that of your own home; and the spa’s enthusiastic staff, as well as the wonderful services it offers, will make you feel extra special.
At Shapes you will truly find your experience to be one that improves how you look and feel. The staff at this pleasant spa takes great pride in building a personal relationship with everyone who schedules an appointment. The clientele is very discriminating at Shapes Salon and Day Spa, and there is something for everyone. Whether services involve a simple haircut, or a full day of spa treatments, the staff has developed a very personal system of pampering each guest. The idea that each employee knows the specific needs of each customer is something the spa takes prides in and advocates.
Waiting is never fun, but at Shapes Salon and Day Spa, a pleasant and homey waiting room is provided. Guests don’t mind spending a few minutes in this plush area decorated with warm colors and floral patterns, and stocked with complimentary cookies and drinks.
Massage Therapy
Facials
Hair Salon
Nails
Hair Removal
Water Therapies
Some of Shapes’ most highly sought after services include the Alpha-Vital Skin Resurfacing Facial and the Shapes Ultimate 80 Massage. The Alpha-Vital Skin Resurfacing Facial is a fruit-acid treatment that organically improves skin texture by restoring the cell renewal cycle. A smooth surface and glow will be noticeably restored to the skin ($140 for 50 min). The Shapes Ultimate 80 Massage will relax you by focusing on specific areas of concern as well as major muscle areas. For an additional cost of $15, aromatherapy may also be included with the massage ($125 for 80 min).
For guests who want a full spa day, a minimum of three services, a spa lunch will be provided. You can pick from an assortment of various salads and drinks, which are sure to satisfy your hunger pangs while you indulge in your day of pampering.
Windsor of Old Town Salon & Day Spa
107 S. Union St., Alexandria; 703-836-7330; www.windsordayspa.com
Monday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Providing excellent spa and salon services for over 30 years, Windsor is a hidden gem located in Old Town Alexandria. With an atmosphere that feels refined, yet welcoming, Windsor pledges to provide clients with a “most pleasurable and relaxing experience as possible.” Upon entering the spa, guests will immediately feel the warmth and welcoming spirit of the highly trained and personable staff. Clients are encouraged to work with the staff to determine the precise type of treatment and services desired.
Once you enter the upper level of the spa, separate sections for both men and women can be found on opposite sides of the floor. The Gentlemen’s Quarters is Windsor’s way of truly catering to the male guests. Entering into this section of the spa, you will find complimentary drinks and snacks, which are served in the seating area for anyone with an appointment to enjoy. Private changing rooms are available, and male guests will feel completely comfortable in the secluded rooms, which provide ultimate privacy for treatments to take place. This part of the spa is fully dedicated to providing products and services specifically tailored for the gentlemen, as well as a comfortable environment for the men to feel secure throughout their experience. Grooming parties in this area are also available for booking, for the soon-to-be-married and such.
Hair Design
Skin Care Therapy
Waxing
Body Treatments
Massage Therapy
Nail Treatment
As far as treatments go, male customers often seek out the customized Full Body Message. This high-in-demand service is ideal for relieving tension and recharging the body ($80 for 60 min; $120 for 90 min).
For the women, the Deluxe Four-Layer Facial is a unique type of treatment that incorporates the beneficial properties of the sea. Sure to “rehydrate” and “rebalance,” this service is appropriate for all skin types ($90).
Although advanced spa treatments are popular, many women also seek out Windsor for manis and pedis ($40). Co-owner Donna Windsor says their exclusive Shellac process “allows no dry time and no chipping for two weeks.”
Eternal Med Spa
8988 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton; 703-339-1214; www.lortonmedspa.com
Tuesday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m; Friday & Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m
Want a pampering spa experience in a place where anti-aging skin care technology is at your disposal? Well, look no further.
As soon as you enter Eternal Med Spa in Lorton, you will feel an immediate sense of ease, greeted by a friendly and welcoming staff. The spa provides an unmistakable ambiance of comfort, as well as a remedy for all skin care needs. Guests will feel right at home in the quaint, domestic-style waiting room. Wonderful colors embellish the room, complemented by floral accents. The room accommodates even the most skeptical spa-goer by providing a tranquil setting ideal for relaxation.
In addition to offering the typical spa services, Eternal Med Spa is one of few places in the area to also offer many “medical aesthetic” treatments, which take place under the supervision of a licensed physician. Spa manager Jennifer Greenfield says that the IPL Photo Facial treatments are “the most beneficial in combination with our peels. They are really good for anybody’s skin type.” The IPL Photo Facial allows collagen and blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the appearance of redness and aging ($350 for full face; $575 for face, neck and décolleté).
Laser Hair Removal
Injectables
Fractional
Resurfacing
Facial Treatments
Lash and Brow Tinting
Waxing
Massage Therapy
Custom Spray
Tanning
Corrective Peels
IPL Photo Facial
There are a number of chemical peels to choose from as well, which vary from gentle to deep-penetrating. The Illuminize Peel is the gentlest and suitable for any skin type. Guests who have mild skin conditions should consider this specific peel ($115). The most popular chemical peel is the Vitalize Peel, which aids in the treatment of moderate skin conditions, and produces immediate results without irritation ($165). The Rejuvenize Peel is the deepest and most penetrating, and alleviates severe skin conditions by providing significant results ($245). All chemical peels supply numerous benefits. Lines are diminished, acne is improved, changes can be seen right away, and the procedure is non-invasive.
Another particularly beneficial treatment is the Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Infusion. This dramatically enhances skin hydration and targets fine lines as well as wrinkles by providing oxygen pressure and sealing in skin nutrients with the use of a serum that combines vitamins and antioxidants. Eternal Med Spa is one of the few places you will find this treatment. Guests should see a consultant for pricing.
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
4210 Fairfax Corner W. Ave., Fairfax Corner; 703-968-2922; www.reddoorspas.com
Monday, Tuesday & Saturday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m
Be whisked away to an enchanting and therapeutic environment that encourages “beauty,” “harmony” and “well-being.” Warm, welcoming and offering treatments that are an absolute must, this delightful little spa, celebrating over 100 years of service, can be found in Fairfax Corner.
Apart from the many wonderful services offered, Red Door Spa carries Spa 7/52, Esolutions and Villa Floriani, three exclusive product lines utilized throughout many of the spa’s treatments and procedures. The products inspire confidence and provide healthy hair, skin and nails.
Spa manager Pamela Medlin says, “Our signature services are definitely our most popular.” One of the most requested treatments is The Red Door Signature Facial. It includes the use of the organic product Villa Floriani, imported from Italy. This particular facial will truly give you noticeable results, and is customized to fit your specific needs. It is guaranteed to awaken skin radiance ($120).
You can expect the much-sought-after Red Door Signature Message, meanwhile, to “restore balance to the body.” The message integrates the use of rose oil, shea butter cream, facial acupressure and foot reflexology for the ultimate in body relaxation. Options include light to medium touch ($120 for 50 min; $170 for 80 min).
Facials
Massage Therapy
Body Treatments
Nail Care
Waxing/Threading
Hair, Makeup
Medi Spa
Spa Packages
The spa includes 13 treatment rooms; however, in case there is a small wait, step into the lounge area, which is adorned by bamboo and candlelight. Let loose, and take some time to catch up on your celebrity gossip with provided reading material. The room is set to a black and red décor, and the arrangement allows for essential comfort. Embrace the calm surroundings and indulge in the complimentary teas, coffee and variety of different snacks. Try the delectable cucumber water, which quenches thirst and provides refreshing effects.
Also, if you find yourself needing something extra, don’t worry about finding a tasty meal. Red Door has a partnership with California Pizza Kitchen in order to offer a delicious lunch option to spa-goers.
Choose from an array of appetizing assortments, dining on anything from pizza and pasta to soups and sandwiches. The food will be delivered to you directly at the spa. This way you won’t miss out on a single minute of pampering time, and won’t leave hungry.
Spa World
13830 Braddock Road, Centreville; 703-815-8959; www.spaworldusa.com
24 hours, seven days a week
Bade Pool
Body Scrub
Body Massage
Facials
Foot/Hand Massage
Manicures & Pedicures
Poultice Rooms
Arcade
Sauna
Fitness Center
Restaurant/Juice Bar
Men’s/Women’s Lockers
From the moment you step through the door, you will feel as though you have emerged into an alternate world, one devoted solely to the preservation and care of the body. Customers feel completely detached from outside worries here and find comfort in gaining a comprehensive spa experience while spending just $35 for a 24-hour visit. The only spa of its kind in Virginia, Spa World, located in Centreville, advocates “health, beauty, leisure and long life.” The spa is open 24/7 enabling long-lasting and enriching sessions that will truly cater to the body’s needs.
Upon entering, begin the relaxation process immediately and lounge in a waiting room arranged like a palace hall. In a room filled with numerous cushioned chairs, guests are encouraged to remove their shoes right away and be swept into a state of ease. Designated locker rooms with essential storage and sitting space are available to all. The spa also offers rest areas for each featured floor, where you may relax and nap in between treatments.
During your visit, allow the body to rejuvenate within the seven different poultice rooms exclusively found at Spa World. These special rooms generate heat from differing earth elements associated with removing dangerous toxins from the body. The Amethyst Gem, Red Clay, Red Clay Ball, Oak Wood, Blue Onyx and the Salt and Ice Room are all available and ready for use. The most popular poultice is the Red Clay Ball Room which utilizes hot red clay balls and yellow jade to produce an acupressure and massaging effect. Accounting Manager Amy Kim says that these dry sauna rooms are highly sought after by customers because they “produce beneficial energy for the body.”
Also, this spa features several different massages, available at a separate cost on top of general admission. The Shiatsu message is the most popular, delivering psychological and physical relief by addressing certain pressure points ($80 for 60 min).
Hungry? No need to leave the spa. You will find a restaurant conveniently located inside, offering a selection of 24 different plates of delicious Korean food. Also, juice, light snacks and fruit can be found at the snack corner.
(May 2011)