I came to aLaya with a girlfriend for a self-indulgent afternoon of pampering, relaxation and girl talk, and the spa delivered, right from the start. The aLaya spa may belocated on the grounds of The Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, but it is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the resort.
I entered the spa through a Zen bamboo garden that leads to their grand lobby and I was overtaken by a sense of serenity. You are welcomed inside by the warmth of the hardwood floors, the striking wood-paneled ceilings and the Asian inspired décor, which continues throughout the facility.
What struck me immediately was the quiet. The aLaya spa feels like a shrine or a church, a hushed space where everyone speaks in whispers so as to not risk disturbing the calming tranquility. Once we were checked in, a greeter escorted us to the locker room. Here, all of your needs have been anticipated. Within the locker room you will find sauna, steam room, indoor Jacuzzi, showers and a vanity area with everything a girl could need: Q-tips, hair dryers, razors, hairspray, etc.
Once we donned the fluffy spa robes and sandals and tucked our belongings away in elegant wooden lockers, our greeter returned to guide us to “The Tea Room.” This lavish waiting area is for clients to relax before or in-between services. The room is fashioned with plush couches, a selection of magazines, flavored ice water (lemon and cucumber), sesame snacks and fresh apples. And, of course, tea.
Our masseuses soon came to greet us and ushered us off to our private treatment rooms. Once inside, my masseuse Yarlin asked about my preferences and then combined a mix of techniques and aroma therapies to create a massage tailored just for me: A hybrid of their Signature Massage and Hot Stone Massage, along with Relaxation Aromatherapy (using Lavender and Eucalyptus).
Taking my preferences into consideration, Yarlin applied the perfect combination of strength and gentleness. I was in a deep and dreamy state by the time she placed the hot stones down the spine of my back. The warmth and weight of the stones took my massage to the next level.
After the massage, we groggily made our way over to the salon for manicures and pedicures. This is where our relaxing spa day turned into “Girl’s Day.” As we soaked our feet in the spa pedicure chairs, complete with massage feature and a jetted basin, we chatted away while enjoying a cheese platter, fresh fruit and champagne from the spa cafe. I ‘m pretty sure it doesn’t get better than this.
After we had been scrubbed, trimmed and filed, our feet were treated to a paraffin wax treatment infused with essential oils, then finished off with the Essie polish shade of our choice. Reluctantly we departed our massaging chairs and made our way over to the manicure stations where our hands were treated to the same pampering. Keep in mind this is not your average nail salon where they pull you in and push you out at a rapid pace. The pace here is languid.
In fact, there is no rush at all. As a guest of the spa, you are welcome to enjoy the facility’s amenities for the entire day. These include the sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, private heated outdoor pool, and workout facility. ALaya also offers fitness classes and a number of specialty yoga classes including hot yoga and their unique Yoga on the Green, which takes place on the newly renovated 18-hole championship East Course at the Bonaventure Country Club.
I was not in the state of mind for a workout, but I did extend my day at aLaya by detoxifying in the sauna and relaxing by the pool. I left aLaya spa in a state of bliss, I may not have been in the actual state of Zen, but it felt pretty close to me.
Bonaventure Resort & Spa 250 Raquet Club Rd. Weston, FL 33326 954.389.3300 www.bonaventureresortandspa.com
BROWARD SPA MONTH
Bonaventure is just one of Broward’s leading spas that are participating in Lauderdale Spa Chic, a special month-long discount program (Sept. 1-30) that lets you sample Greater Fort Lauderdale’s top spas with a full Spa Chic treatment.
Participating Spas
Spa Atlantic at The Atlantic Resort & Spa
aLaya Spa at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa
Diamante Day Spa
Spa 950 at the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa
The Spa at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Spa Q at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
Spa 66 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six
The Spa at Lago Mar Resort and Club
Le Spot European Day Spa
Planet Massage
Spa Ocean Sands at the Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach/Oceanfront
The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
Bliss Fort Lauderdale at the W Fort Lauderdale
Heavenly Spa by Westin at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale
Heavenly Spa by Westin at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
Go to https://www.sunny.org/hotels/spas/spa-chic for more details.
