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Insider Information

Services: 

body treatments, facials, fitness instruction, hair, makeup application, massage, microdermabrasion, nails, waxing, aromatherapy, acupuncture, balenotherapy, bindi, microdermabrasion, lymphatic drainage, total body reflexology, foot reflexology, hydrotherapy, labyrinth walks, vichy treatments, shirodhara, makeup artistry, cranial sacral therapy, reiki

Amenities: 

boutique, lockers, sauna, showers, steam, whirlpool, 25 treatment rooms (including six facial rooms, two vichy shower rooms and one couples room with waterfall shower), relaxation rooms, complimentary tea, salon, and full access to the health club, pool and cafe

Attractions: 

Just minutes from upscale shopping and fabulous eateries at The Shops at Gainey Village.

Pricing: 

$66 to $100 (average price of 50 or 60-minute treatment)

Size: 

80,000 sq ft

Hours: 

Mon-Fri, 9am to 8pm, Sat and Sun, 9am to 7pm

Payment: 

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Products: 

Sothys, DDF, Physicians Choice, Bumble and Bumble, The Spa Line, OPI, Get Fresh, Tend Skin, Farmaesthetics, Native Botanical Company, Sensi

SpaGirl Review: 

The Spa at Gainey Ranch wins the wow award hands down. In front of this almost intimidating building was a not-so-little fellow glazed in bronze, sittin' fit and lookin' relaxed. Possibly a sign of my fate for the day. Not a bad outlook, I decide.

First item in order is a tour, and not just because I'm writing a review. This place is so huge you don't want to miss out on any bit of it. Afterward, I set up temporary camp in the gym locker room. I purposely arrived a little early so that I could get in a good workout (thereby justifying my later indulgence). And I'm glad I did because this is a locker room a girl could live in. They've gone beyond the standard issue stuff, like television monitors at every vanity station so that you can watch the Today Show while you primp. I pretended to not be excited.

I eventually make my way out of the locker room and set out for my guilt-preventive workout. After reviewing the many choices (and they've got all of 'em), I settle on the treadmill followed by stretching and strength training. That's where I got my first chance to observe the main ingredient for any gym -- its members. And from what I can tell, this seems like a place for everyone. There's a touch of every kind of crowd you might find at a gym -- families, retired couples, singles and even preteens hangin' out. The balance of community seems to work well here, everyone looks like they are comfortable with who they are, even as they work on who they are striving to be.

After my workout, I pack my bags, checked my messages at one of the courtesy phones (which are everywhere), ate a piece of fruit and headed over to my final destination -- the spa! It's amazing what a drastic change could occur in the matter of a few feet as the spa lobby was cozy, warm, inviting and peaceful. I did notice later that people in suits, I would assume administrative staff, walked in and out of a door behind the check-in desk. They did so quietly but drat, I was reminded of the work I ought to be doing! I walk back to my locker, get over it and transform Superman-style into SpaGirl mode with a quick change to a silky robe and comfy slippers. I had another two hours before my appointment, again by design. I tend to want to jet after my treatment, so I purposely arrive early to lounge, sit in the sauna, skim the magazines and take in the luxury of doing nothing.

11:00 a.m.: enter food. The lunch menu display was staring me in the face, begging to be tried, so I went for it. It was a little early, but I dare not be hungry in the middle of my treatment, which was scheduled at the lunch hour. The menu offered a good variety of healthy and delicious choices, not leaving out indulgent goodies like cookies and ice cream. I ordered a tuna sandwich with fruit and chips on the side (they were the baked kind!), which was served in the spa lounge, allowing me to continue my quiet time.

The noon hour strikes, and my therapist escorts me to the second floor where the treatment rooms are located. As always, my first pit stop is to get my eyebrows tamed. I am delighted to find that my aesthetician will also be my hydrotherapy massage therapist. She is also a doula, physical therapist and all-around healing kinda gal. I feel comforted to be in highly qualified hands. After a very proficient brow waxing, we're off to the hydro tub. The dimly lit room lined by terra cotta tiles, sets a relaxing tone, something not all wet rooms achieve easily. The hydrotherapy treatment starts with a tub program designed for lymph drainage. But the fun really starts when the therapist takes a water-spouting wand and makes her way around my (bathing suit clad) body. Those of us who have had serious muscular injuries will especially appreciate this therapy. About 10 years ago, I pulled the right side of my groin muscles and ripped the left side, leaving me in pain that was extremely hard to relieve through massage, ultrasound and other such traditional physical therapy methods. Boy, I wish I knew about this back then, because this water pressure could go much deeper without irritating the skin or damaging the already delicate groin area (don't go thinking bad things, this was all clean, people!).

My day at The Gainey Village Health Club & Spa was fabulous. If you're looking for a good gym with diverse offerings, this is the place for you. Day spa goers would be equally impressed with the complete offering of amenities and services. With the best of both worlds at your fingertips, you can't lose at The Gainey Village Health Club & Spa.

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