Sometimes the best splurge you can take is the one you do for yourself. I needed a spa break and figured I would draw a radius map around my zip code and see where I landed. Thanks to Wanderlust Women’s new “Map a Deal”™ tool that is easier now than ever and since New York is the center of my world, that left me with at least four states to pick from. The winner was Aetheria Relaxtion Spa in New Canaan, Connecticut. I don’t know why except that a local day spa had great reviews on at least two sites.
Often with reviews of anything, your individual experience will leave you wondering whether you and the reviewer attended the same venue or traveled to the same location but they are sometimes good for a guide. In the case of Aetheria in New Canaan, I thank each lady in cyberspace who lured me to this daycation. It’s housed in an old Victorian mansion and the services are top notch. Now, don’t go there expecting to find luxurious saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis to soak in; this is not a resort but a neighborhood gem. There is no hard sell for anything, be it products or services and the laid back approach helps with their theme – “relaxation.” Beth, who owns the spa, was so pleasant and helpful with area tourist info and therapist Alissa had hands of gold.
For Wanderlust Women looking to break free of New York City for the day, New Canaan is an easy reach from Manhattan with a 70 minute train ride. The New Canaan train station is centrally located and everything, including Aetheria, is within a 5 minute walk.
Dining – plenty to pick from along Elm and Main Streets. I stopped for an organic burger (name your own topping) at the new place in town, “The Filling Station.” Great burgers, hot dogs and fries and everything is organic (perfect in keeping with a healthy spa day!) However, avoid “Crumbs” bakery. It is such a rip-off. At nearly $4 for either a cupcake or cookie, you would expect manna from heaven and this was far from that.
Shopping - there are the typical J.Crew, Ann Taylor and Jos. A. Bank shops in town but there are also many home design and gift shops. My new favorite is Pennyweights, which sells great silver jewelery at affordable prices in a town where Maseratis and Ferraris are parked on the corner.
