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By Shana K. Wilson
Operating under the assumption that a good massage is like a mini vacation, those in need of rejuvenation would do well to have a quick getaway to downtown San Diego. There you will find a spa to take you away (mentally at least) to distant tropical isles…and without the need to amass airfare miles in advance.
Spa Tiki is newly
opened in the ground floor of the Harbor Club. And
to be frank the store on the entrance level was reminiscent
of one of the ubiquitous gift shops in Waikiki. Inside,
under a thatched-roof kiosk selling skincare products,
awaited a young woman who invited me to sit down
and have a cold glass of water. She pointed to an
umbrella, under which sat a flower-print chair.
Uh-oh,
I thought. This is going to be a corny take on
a South Pacific retreat. I braced myself to be prepared
for something amateurish. Then, another young woman
greeted me and took me upstairs in the elevator-
and my skepticism began to vanish.
Upstairs the
feeling was instantly calm and serene. I passed
several rooms for relaxing and meditating that were
attractively decorated in tropical motifs. The sound
of waterfalls and fountains added to illusion of
unwinding on a distant island. I smiled to myself
as I entered the large room where I was to have my
massage. The room was softly lit and smelling of
frangipani, and had as its centerpiece a massage
table with a….grass skirt!
My masseur explained to me that my Tiki Massage, which lasted for 90 heavenly minutes, was derived from a trip of modalities: Swedish, Pressure Point and Asian techniques, in order to achieve a full-body balancing. The natural oils used penetrate the skin and enhance physical and mental well-being.
I followed the massage with a Thai Fruit
and Flower Facial. This exquisite treatment used papaya,
tamarind and seaweed to exfoliate and remove toxins. For
75 blissful minutes I received a luxurious facial, plus
a neck and upper bodice massage.
The spa’s literature states: “Spa Tiki’s rituals and treatments originate from the exotic cultures of islands of the world. Numerous unusual, indigenous modes of massage and skin treatments, coupled with extracts of island flowers and spices, are combined with natural oils and sea minerals to uplift an transport the recipient from the stresses of everyday to an isle of enchantment.”
Between the massage and the facial, I can
attest to not only being enchanted, but also transformed…I entered as a slightly stressed, and capable woman. I left as a relaxed blob, incapable of doing anything more strenuous than floating. What bliss.
Spa Tiki is located at 200 Harbor Drive,
Suite 200. San Diego, CA 92101. For appointments please
call, (619) 231-4363
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