I always try to arrive at any spa treatment at least 30 minutes prior to my appointed time to ease into “spa mode.” That is, I like to enjoy a steam, sauna or soak in a whirlpool, or better yet, all three – the marvelous “tri-bathlon.” At the Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, this pre-treatment experience is taken to an entirely new level with its Aqua Sanitas sanctuary. Access to the pools, steam room and rainshower are all included with any booked spa treatment. You’ll want to spend an entire hour in the sublime surroundings at this stellar spa, so arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Allegria Spa Facilities
The main draw at Allegria Spa is indeed the “healing waters” ritual, Aqua Sanitas. Again, it’s complimentary with any spa treatment, or you if you’re a guest of the Park Hyatt, pay just $20 to access the water sanctuary. The self-guided, five-step journey is modeled on ancient Roman baths, and involves soaking, steaming and showering in alternating hot and cool temperatures to invigorate and relax. Spa guests are given a laminated card with details to help guide them through the process that begins in the coed thermae pool — don’t forget your swimsuit! The water temperature is set at about 102 degrees Fahrenheit with cascading waterfalls (sit underneath to let the water pummel sore shoulders) and loungers built into the pool.
Co-ed thermae pool simulating a natural spring.
From there, its on to the men’s or women’s area for an even hotter caldarium mineral pool, infused with mineral salts to further relieve sore muscles, then a rainshower (with three different settings) to refresh under a cool or warm water flow. My absolute favorite step is the spruce-scented caldarium steam room, with small mosaic tiles throughout and twinkling lights above — it’s like resting under a starry sky, albeit stars that blink in red, gold, pink, purple and green. Your final stop is the tepidarium, a resting place infused with lavendar and featuring heated tile loungers. Close your eyes here or read one of the many magazines on the side tables. It’s a wonderful place to relax!
Caldarium mineral pool in the private women's area.
Heated loungers in the tepidarium.
Plenty of room to spread out in the women's locker room.
The women’s locker room here is quite spacious; I appreciate the floor to ceiling lockers with an interior key-lock safe to keep jewelry or other valuables secure (of course, it’s smart not to bring jewelry or watches anyway). All the standard spa locker room amenities are here, such as hair dryers, curling irons, hairbrushes, lotion, Q-tips, mouthwash and razors. Four showers ensure you’ll never have to wait to wash up.
Before your treatment you can rest in a comfortable co-ed lounge or single-gender lounge with dried fruit, citrus-infused water and hot teas available.
Allegria Spa Treatments
At my most recent visit to Allegria Spa, I enjoyed a 50-minute Swedish massage. I typically book deep tissue massage or other more vigorous treatments, and I was concerned this service might be too delicate for my tastes. However, my therapist applied some wonderfully firm pressure to achy muscles and used yummy-scented oil with a blend of lavender, geranium and ylang ylang. The massage ended with a invigorating honey foot scrub and rubdown with hot towels.
The treatment menu here is vast. In addition to your standard hot stone massage, you can sample restorative therapies, such as reiki, acupuncture, shiatsu and craniosacral therapy. I’m intrigued by the sound of barefoot massage — “very deep soothing strokes are applied using foot pressure, hands and stones to induce deep relaxation.”
Other lengthy, deluxe services include the decadent Colorado Wild Rose Cure: a rose oil and wildflower body scrub, lavender bath of essential oils followed by a full body massage with body butter and then a calming body wrap with foot scrub and scalp massage. Hello – talk about divine relaxation!
Mud and hot oil wraps, sugar and citrus scrubs, deep cleansing and hydrating facials, plus hair and nail services are also on offer. Men aren’t left out with sports massages and oxygen facials; couples can book romantic treatments that involve a bath for two; even spa-goes as young as 8 can get bejeweled nails in the salon.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Accommodations
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek sits right at the base of the Beaver Creek ski area, in the heart of Beaver Creek Village. In other words, the location is excellent — steps away from ski lifts in the winter and great hiking trails in the summer. It’s also super close to the plaza ice rink that’s open all year round, and many restaurants and shops in the pedestrian-friendly village. Rooms here are decorated in cozy “modern mountain lodge” style: dark wood with plush accents. Beds are wonderfully comfortable with soft linens and a down duvet; marble bathrooms are spacious. I’ve enjoyed some excellent meals at the on-site 8100 Mountainside Grill, especially items cooked on the exhibition’s wood-fire grill. Morning breakfast buffets here are plentiful, too. For still one more reason to book a room at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek: free s’mores at the hotels’ fire pit every day at 4 p.m. during ski season!
Bottom Line: Both the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and the Allegria Spa are top notch. I never hesitate to recommend both.
Learn More: Allegria Spa website; 970-949-1234 .
– Review & photos by Kara Williams, who last visited in January 2012.
As is common in the travel industry the author received a complimentary spa service.
