You never forget your first spa – like your first love. For me it’s Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa.
It’s been many years since that first massage but the grand dame still offers the best spa experience with world class therapists in everything from massage to esthetics.
I had booked the seasonal massage and facial, which happened to be pumpkin-based products from Farmhouse Fresh. When I arrived it was just weeks before Christmas and was advised that my package would be the Merry Seasonal with scents of vanilla, forest woodlands or cranberries. Nah, nope, ain’t gonna happen. The front desk was accommodating and found out they did, indeed, still have the pumpkin products in stock. My spa ahh day could proceed as planned.
I’m not a spa princess but it’s very difficult to find a spa which truly knows the benefits of pumpkin enzymes on the skin and body.
The day started with a Pumpkin Radiance Facial for 50 minutes. Vee was the esthetician and was a pure delight, understanding my skin and offering amusing dialogue throughout the experience. The enzymes in the pumpkin pulp gently exfoliate while providing antioxidative super-powers to regenerate your tired lines…and we all have them!
A brief stop in the not-so-relaxing relaxation room, where phones are presumably banned but some self-absorbed individuals can’t seem to understand spa etiquette and disconnect from social media for a brief spa visit! Oh, I digress! Ohm!
A Harvest Massage was next on the list, again oiled in pumpkin, under the strong but gentle hands of Sa. The Thai massage therapist kneaded me for 50 minutes, erasing the world and guiding me into such relaxation that I slept for the next day and a half!
My spa adventures have brought me a serious beating by an intensely strong therapist in Athens, guided me through a water rebirth in Bath, and stretched my taut limbs under Haki Flow in Tuscany. However, there is nothing I’ve experienced that comes close to Disney’s top-notch team of therapists to make your world just right at the most magical place on Earth. Now, if they could just add a Watsu room, the Grand Floridian Spa would truly be spa heaven.
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿out of 5
Lisa Fantino is the author of the Detective Flynn Mystery series. Her best-selling travel memoir, Amalfi Blue – Lost & Found in the South of Italy, about life, love and living la dolce vita went to number one in five countries, including Italy!