The Best Local Spas in Portland: The Cream of the Crop

Every woman that I know (and a man or two as well), loves to be pampered. In our busy day to day lives, every bit counts, and maybe that is why we so often indulge ourselves every chance we get with chocolates and yummy drinks. Or at least that is why I do. And every once in a while a facial, a foot treatment, a massage, an entire blissful day soothed by music and enveloped in warmth, is the prescription needed to lift our sagging spirits and calm our tired bodies.

Why not spend a couple of hours or a day at a local spa? Yes, the economy sucks, and our pocketbooks suffer. Yet, this is not an indulgence; it is an investment in our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our families. If we are happy, they are happy, if we are sad, well you get the picture: cranky mommy, cranky baby, cranky daddy. All of which makes mommy even crankier.

The following local spas are the best spas in my opinion because to some extent they each pertain to a certain point in a woman's life. When I was single, I used to think of myself as the busiest girl around, running from place to place, function to function. After I got married and had children, I realized that my life had been a piece of cake up until that point.

Spa Chakra at the Avalon Hotel and Spa is just the place for the sort of busy girl that I was. The setting is modern and conveniently located just minutes from downtown Portland in the South Waterfront district. Inside it is sparkly clean and shiny and hushed. The customized therapy treatments work wonders and when you leave, you certainly feel refreshed, even if all you had was a pedicure.

http://www.avalonhotelandspa.com/
0455 SW Hamilton Court, Portland, OR 97239
503.802.5800 / 888.556.4402

Aequis Spa is undoubtedly one of the most romantic local spas. Very nicely decorated (for me the interior architecture is immensely important as all my senses need to be involved, otherwise I cannot fully relax), it is almost sinfully rich in color and texture; whenever I go, I can barely restrain myself from fondling the fabric and materials used. This is the absolute best place to go for couple time together. They have all sorts of packages that range from 65 minutes to 24 hours. Yes, that is right! Twenty-four hours of pampering for you and your significant other! Romantic drinks and nibbling (of chocolate), candlelit rooms, rose petals, massages, dinner, entertainment, soaks in scented baths, even breakfast in bed the following morning.

http://www.aequisspa.com/
422 NW 13^th Ave., Portland, OR
503.223.7847

Dolce Vita Day Spa is my current favorite spa as a mother. It is located in a private residence and as such each client is thoroughly screened, but the screening is worth it. Alina, the aesthetician, has a room set aside for facials, chemical peels, sugaring, and body treatments and a separate space for the kids (and it's really a convenience to know that you can take your kids with you and you don't have to pay a sitter). She is knowledgeable in all kinds of skin aging issues, as well as diets and ways to detoxify the body in a healthy manner. She also sells Jane Iredal mineral make-up.

Email: dolce.vita.spa@hotmail.com
503.449.8590

Go on and book yourself a treatment at one of these locations. Your body (not to mention kids and spouse) will thank you.