In Defense of the Spa-cation

For Christmas I gifted my mom with a Spa Day at the Four Seasons Baltimore. But this was also a gift for myself... of course it was a Mother-Daughter spa day, and I'd been dying to experience the Four Seasons spa since it opened just a few years ago. We'd leave that day wondering what took us so long to get there... and how soon we'd be back! So on a cold Sunday January morning, we bundled up and headed downtown for some post-holidays R&R.

You may be asking yourself... what were 2 self-respecting Ravens fans doing at the spa on a Sunday during the playoffs? Don't worry, the Ravens had already beaten the Steelers the night before.

The Spa at the Four Seasons Baltimore is a true urban oasis. You enter to first class facilities, a well appointed changing and locker room, with plenty of space and amenities to put yourself back together comfortably post-spa . Then you step into the Serenity Area (as I have named it). They have a brilliant Vitality Pool with individual seating compartments with personal jets... I spent about 30 minutes in there waiting for Deb and another 15 with her, so my body was thoroughly relaxed and loosened up for my massage! There is, of course, a nice sauna, steam room, ice bath, and huge multi-function rain shower. Finally, we relaxed on the heated tile spa loungers to warm up those muscles.

My advice to you is to arrive at least 1 hour prior to your treatment time in order to take advantage of the spa facilities. When you book a treatment at the spa, you have access all day, so you could book an afternoon treatment and come in the morning for hours of relaxation and even order a spa lunch. In the summer time, this is an even richer opportunity because spa access includes pool access... so you can take plenty of time to come early for your treatment and enjoy Baltimore's best outdoor pool with expansive views over the harbor.

Our treatments were five star. I considered getting the creative Seasonal Spa Treatment: the Baltimore Beer Treatment. This includes a scrub, which is a blend of iconic Baltimore staples –Natty BOH beer and Domino Sugar. How fun!  Tempting, but instead we both got hot stone massages. It was my first hot stone, my mom always gets hot stone, and we were equally impressed. We were so pleased with our massages that we basically couldn't speak as we spent another 45 minutes in the relaxation room regaining our composure. I felt like zen jello the rest of the day... now that's the way you want to feel after a spa experience. 

Now all we wanted to do was stay in our robes, ghost up to our room, and order room service. Unfortunately it was a Sunday and I had to be back In DC for work in the morning, but if you have the time, it is so worth making your spa day a staycation and spending the night at the Four Seasons. Book a room with a harbor view and you'll have the best hotel room view in all of Baltimore. Once you've recovered from your spa treatment (and rehydrated) head downstairs to the bar for a cocktail. You can lounge on their fun leather chairs and ottomans and take in the view from the floor to ceiling windows facing the harbor. Top off your staycation with dinner at Michael Mina's Wit & Wisdom, one of Baltimore's best restaurants. If you're there for the weekend, remember the Four Seasons is right in the heart of Harbor East with great restaurants within walking distance, and shopping from South Moon Under to Under Armor... and a favorite boutique Handbags in the City.

When you book your stay with a Four Seasons Preferred Partner like McCabe World Travel you'll receive the following benefits with our compliments:

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Food and beverage credit of $100
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites)
• Complimentary basic Internet (up to 2 devices) in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet (up to 4 devices) in all suites.