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Talisker Spa at Tuhaye

Monday, January 28, 2008


Talisker Spa: an oasis set in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains


It seems hard to believe that a week ago I was luxuriating inside this new spa facility designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern. Talisker Spa at Tuhaye is headed up by Angel Stewart, who previously served as opening Spa Director for Spa at Las Ventanas in Los Cabos. Talisker is an exclusive residential development in Park City,Utah, offering a new lifestyle of luxury home ownership through its beautifully designed collection of golf and mountain communities and access to private membership in Talisker Club. Set among 10,000 acres of pristine land in the Wasatch Mountains, Talisker offers a selection of homes and homesites within the picturesque golf community at Tuhaye or the desirable ski-in, ski-out communities at Empire Pass and Red Cloud, located at Deer Valley Resort.

Being driven up the snowy mountain bundled up in a heavy coat and gloves, I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the moment I arrived, it was magical. After taking in the spectacular view on the first floor and peeking into the gorgeous cafe, I was led downstairs. Talisker Spa features lavish, private men’s and women’s changing suites, including steam rooms and whirlpool areas.





Prior to any spa treatment, guests are invited to spend a few minutes in the plush lounge where they can connect into a personal biofeedback program. Healing Energy Rhythms, developed by Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish, and Andrew Weil, is designed to relax the body and mind while guiding guests through breathing and meditation techniques that encourage balance and healing.





As a beauty editor, I've visited many top spas, and it did not take long to surmise that Talisker Spa at Tuhaye offers a level of truly exquisite luxury. Surrounded by the gleaming teakwood marble from Pakistan, Jerusalem gold limestone, black granite, Venetian plaster and quartzite floors, I was instantly enamored with this vibrant enclave. The whirlpools, finished with a white pearl pebble tec surface and trimmed with aqua and green Ann Sacks glass tile, are scalloped to create five personal seating areas, each with its own set of jets. Beside the whirlpool is a luxurious glass-tiled shower with five soothing showerheads.





There is something incredibly relaxing and healing about sitting on one of the white granite boulders in the steam room. The black granite floors have white granite footrests, which stay cool amidst the steam and two grand amethyst geodes glow from backlit crystal niches recessed into the walls.





The decadent "Cold Room," is chilled to 60 degrees and offers members a refreshing blast of water from the 12-inch showerhead and showcases the hand-carved, white granite "Giving Bear," which holds refreshing ice chips in its paws.

After a luxurious time in the whirlpool and steamroom, I was led into a peaceful massage room. The spa offers an array of treatments that blend Native American traditions, herbal apothecaries and holistic, energy-healing modalities with international, cutting-edge spa concepts and the final touch of brilliance is a treatment room which reflects the care that has gone into the overall concept of the spa. Each treatment room has a custom made Pendleton blanket on the heated massage table. My room had a gorgeous lavender blanket and a blue stone Indian prayer mandala on the pillow, lifted before my treatment began. The story in the textile is actually the name of each treatment room. After reclining, I noticed that the room is curved and beautifully paved with brick--the overall effect is of being inside a healing cocoon.





I chose the 80 minute Lakota Raindrop Ritual. Inspired by a Native American tradition, 10 pharmaceutical grade essential oils were dropped along my spine in sequential order, encouraging the body's structural and electrical alignment. The rolling massage techniques of Tibetan reflexology, a precursor to acupuncture, help the osmosis process and encourage the body to heal itself. Excellent for boosting the immune system, releasing muscle spasms and reducing inflammation, this treatment leaves you feeling renewed and rested and is perfect for anyone who is tired or travel-weary.

After my treatment I was given a cool elixir and time to enjoy the whirlpool and steamroom again before returning to my private dressing room. Heaven!

This haven is said to be equally beautiful in the summer and I look forward to returning when the weather is warm! Be sure to check out the Talisker website, Patrick Demarchelier did a beautiful photo spread featuring Lauren Hutton.

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posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at Monday, January 28, 2008

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