We've been to Mandara Spa at Portofino Bay (Universal) twice and we've been to Mandara Spa at the WDW Dolphin twice. The only treatment we've had at the Dolphin is the couples treatment, officially called the Time for Two Massage. You get to spend 30 minutes alone together in a private hydrotherapy jacuzzi tub and then have 50-minute aromatic massages side-by-side in another treatment room.
It's bliss! And the best thing is that you can hang out there all day once your treatment is done (should you so choose) and enjoy their relaxation rooms and sauna and whirlpool.
Oh wait ... I just remembered! I did have a manicure at the Mandara Dolphin. It was called the Exotic Hand Ritual and is described thus: this ritual is pure indulgence for your hands and nails. Warmed aromatherapy oils nourish and condition while the sublime sensation of a milk bath lavishes its richness and healing action on your skin. Includes a traditional manicure - total treatment time 45 minutes.
Treatments that we've had at the Mandara Spa Portofino Bay include the following:
Brenda - Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy ... a fancy way to say Hot Stone Massage. Hot, oily stones used with Swedish massage techniques ... best massage ever. So good I went back and had another one six months later.
Brenda - Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap ... first the therapist exfoliates you with this mixture of spices and oils and coconut, and then she lathers you up with milk lotion and wraps you up with sheet and blankies and leaves you to sleep for about 30 minutes. Then you are taken to a lovely warm shower to wash it all off, and when you're part lizard like me you ask if you can bake in the sauna for about 10 minutes to finish the treatment out on a hot, dry note.
Brenda - Elemis Oxygen SkinCalm Facial ... a 50-minute facial and eye treatment designed to soothe and calm fragile, sensitive skin. Lemme tell you, when you're taking pills all the time for IBD and your hormones are freaking out simultaneously your skin shows it. Sometimes I think people think I'm younger than I am because middle aged women aren't supposed to have acne! Anyhoo ... I don't normally do facials on vacation because my skin is so sensitive, but this was a wonderful, calming treatment and it did wonders for my skin. I highly recommend it!
Jason - Elemis Urban Cleanse for Men ... a 50-minute facial for the man in your life who's never had a facial, never knew he needed one, and now proceeds to ask when the next vacation spa treatment is going to be scheduled!
Jason - Elemis Deep Tissue Muscle Massage ... a fancy way of saying Sports Massage! Either way it's 50-minutes of bliss for your man, so why not let him have some fun at the spa, too? Jay always likes to say that he's comfortable enough with his masculinity to be in touch with his feminine side!
So those are the treatments we've had and they've all been terrific - but the setting at the Dolphin is just incredible. They've decorated the entire spa to look like a Balinese temple ... well, that's what they say. I wouldn't know since I haven't been to Bali. What I can say is that every time I've visited there the beauty and the detail take my breath away. It's simply stunning.
The following pictures are from May 29, 2007; our anniversary! We spent the morning at the spa and then had dinner at Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table ... ah, does an anniversary get much better?
I'll let you know!
WDW Dolphin
Front entrance to the Spa
The Tea Garden is where you will wait for your therapist after being checked in at the front desk. An attendant will lead you to the appropriate locker room where you'll be given a robe and slippers and a locker. There are shower facilities here as well should you decide to indulge in one before leaving the spa after your treatments are complete. The Tea Garden has long settees with plump silk pillows for you to loll about on while you relax and wait in a dim, hushed environment. There are treatment rooms that open directly into the Tea Garden and that's one reason it's so quiet - you don't want to disturb anyone else while they're trying to attain Nirvana. There are also cool pitchers of citrus waiter available to drink as well as hot teas.
The Tea Garden I
The Tea Garden II
The Tea Garden III
The Tea Garden IV
The Jacuzzi tub for two!
This was above our door and we just thought it was so cool that we had to take a picture. Look at that detail - and it's all wood!
The door leading from the jacuzzi room into the massage room...
When your treatment is complete you'll be led out into a second relaxation room - this is called the Meru Temple. This area leads off onto a balcony that overlooks the lake and boat launch area outside of the Dolphin - you will see the Swan directly across from you at this vantage point. It's a gorgeous light-filled room and there are chairs and loungers scattered all about. They encourage you to drink some more water or tea to help flush your system, and you can stay as long as you like. I've seen people sleeping in there!
This picture is only one shot of a vast room, one wall of which is nothing but glass.
The Meru Temple
In conclusion, if you have a chance to splurge on one spa this year, go to the Mandara Spa at the WDW Dolphin. You will be amazed and energized by the entire experience.
I'll make it easy for you by providing a link to the Mandara Dolphin:
http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/spa.html
Take a look and pamper yourself - you deserve it!
And just for fun ... here's the link to Mandara's actual website:
http://www.mandaraspa.com/
3 comments:
Oh man, another place for me to part with my money at Disney. :) Guess we'll just have to go again. Darn.
Thanks Brenda. Maybe I'll ask for some treatments as a late Mother's Day gift.
Hi Brenda! I found you over here! Just catching up on your posts...I love the blog!
I was just reading through some of your Vegas posts -- the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay is great. The 'dessert' burgers are out of this world -- make sure you save room!
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