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By Barbara Penny Angelakis
Photography by Manos Angelakis
Reflections Spa at Grand Cascades Lodge, Crystal Springs
Three Wild Turkey Way
Hardyston, New Jersey 07419
www.crystalgolfresort.com
973-823-6550
Mia Culpa – I must admit it – I have been neglecting New Jersey! They say no prophet is well received in his own land and so it is with living in a place… anywhere else seems more romantic and exotic. But, I hope to rectify this oversight in the coming months starting with this review of a resort development in northwest New Jersey very near the Delaware Water Gap and the adjoining states of New York and Pennsylvania. I am talking about Crystal Springs, a relatively short drive from anywhere on the megalopolis northeast corridor.
The resort complex has two major hotels and spas, Grand Cascades Lodge & Spa and Minerals Resort & Spa; the unique Biosphere, a 10,000 square foot complex  of free-form heated pools including a water slide, in a tropical setting that was designed to provide year-round tanning – providing the sun cooperates; 7 world-class golf courses, plus driving range and putting green; access to year round outdoor activities either on property or within a short distance; proximity to mineral museums, farms and markets, wineries offering tours and tastings, and outlet shopping; and of course fine dining opportunities on site. However, the focus of this review is on the newly opened Reflections Spa in the Grand Cascades Lodge. For information on the abundance of vacation opportunities at the development visit www.TheCrystalSpringsResort.com or call 973-827-5996.
What Reflections Spa lacks in space, it more than makes up for in decadence. Conceived and designed by Mark Kibutu of New World Design Builders in New York City, you will find no cool calm reflecting here; this spa is hot and sexy, with every design feature a treat for the senses. Exit the elevator on the spa floor and you find yourself in a dimly lit waiting area exuding a rosy color and scent while the entrance to the spa is a crystalline patterned, shiny, hot-red wall. The beautiful young attendants are dressed in simple black and those two colors are repeated throughout the spa… red and black. The atmosphere is dark and dramatic, just right for allowing the fantasy your imagination can conjure, to activate. Red is for passion and the desire to indulge your passionate self, while the abundance of quartz crystals keeps the body in balance, your mind is pulsing with delight.
 After changing into the plush robe and slippers waiting for you in your assigned locker you are ushered into the waiting room and offered a selection of designer herb teas, an antioxidant essence to be mixed in water or tea, and invited to help yourself to an ingenious devise filled with spoon sweets. The tasty treats are devised by the pastry chef of the award winning Restaurant Latour located on the upper floor of the hotel and sporting a dazzling view of the surrounding countryside.
Primed for the signature Chai-soy detoxifying facial, I relaxed into the more than capable hands of Elizabeth Hartwick. Ms. Hartwick is a pretty, young woman and her looks belie the expertise of her touch. She analyzed my skin and selected potions that would work best on my face to give me the desired results. Her t ouch was so light that I did not expect to see the results that she achieved in balancing and soothing my mature and imperfect skin and so was delighted when I recovered from the stupor into witch her gentle touch had put me. After the facial, Elizabeth guided me into the “recovery” room, past the red backlit wall of running water into a black marble room with a ceiling of hanging quartz crystals and candles strategically placed at floor level. The sound of running water along one entire wall and the quartz influence added to the snug security of the womb-like room. Along three of the four walls was an extended pool of water, fed by the running wall, in which red rose petals were floating. Positioned at intervals along the pool were high-back red patterned swivel chairs, lined up to corresponding wells in the pool. In front of each chair was a basin of sea salt so that once seated you dip your feet in the salt and an attendant stands ready to swivel you around to your individual warm water well to soak off the salt. All this while you sip Champaign and nip at the chocolate truffle balanced on the edge of the glass.
Least you think this spa is limited to the distaff side, think again. Reflections has yummy appeal to men as well, and many of them were having couple treatments or were there on their own, but all had a dreamy look in their eyes. I couldn’t help but think that with Father’s Day coming up what a special treat this would be for the man in your life.
Well there you have it, an ode to a unique spa experience and it exists right in my own back yard.
© June 2009 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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