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Riverside Relaxation: Eagle Ridge Resort and Stonedrift Spa by Kate Koziol -- Galena, IL
While the masque nutrients are working, the therapist focuses on a scalp and face massage and the crowning glory of the session is the seven-headed shower arm that cascades a pulsating flow of water from head to toe.
he Stonedrift Spa is fairly new to the spa scene, opening in June of 2004, but it has been developed by experts who have carefully assembled a wonderful selection of services. The Spa facility is tucked into the conference wing of the Eagle Ridge Resort, making it visible to conference goers in need of a bit of downtime and giving easy access to resort guests who want to incorporate a bit of pampering into their getaway.
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa was first built in the 1970s and is set on 6,800 acres of rolling hills surrounding a 220 acre lake in northwestern Illinois. The nearby town of Galena, site of the home of America's 18th President U.S. Grant as well as many other fine historic houses, is a charming river town complete with a Main Street shopping district offering the latest collectibles and one-of-a-kind memorabilia.
The Stonedrift Spa is named for the local outcroppings of loess stone that punctuate the landscape. The spa has five massage rooms, a wet room with Vichy showers, a couples suite with twin treatment tables and a two-person soaking tub, three facial rooms and a four-station nail suite. My own experience started in the relaxation room featuring a fruit, water and tea bar with a glowing fireplace wrapped in the native stone and accented with warm honey-toned hardwoods.
My first treatment was the Hydra-Quench Wrap, which uses Phytomer's marine-based products and aromatherapy to literally wrap you in a full body masque. While the masque nutrients are working, the therapist focuses on a scalp and face massage and the crowning glory of the session is the seven-headed shower arm that cascades a pulsating flow of water from head to toe. My therapist, Christy Pickle, told me that I might feel a bit "dewy" after the treatment and dewy I was, refreshingly so. The key ingredients in the treatment include Ylang-ylang, sage, sandalwood, basil, and lavender to provide a stimulating, energizing and refreshing session.
Next I experienced the spa's Swedish massage. My therapist, Kim Walters, was not always a masseuse. She finished her massage training a few years ago, but the strength in her hands was developed over years of work in a factory and in her spare time answering the call as a volunteer firefighter. The lightly heated massage table pad was draped with a cozy Kashwear blanket and it started to relax me the moment I lay down. Walters used a selection of Phytomer body products and firm pressure to help loosen several deep seated knots. She was even able to stretch and loosen some tight rib muscles that had shortened from years of slaving over a computer keyboard. A pleasant cap to the session was a trio of foil-wrapped chocolates waiting for me on a petite dish at the counter.
To maximize my spa time, I stayed overnight in one of the nicely appointed and comfortable 3-bedroom villas with a fireplace and a view of the woodlands. The overnight stay also allowed me to enjoy not only the spa, but also some of the resort's other facilities, including the swimming pool and restaurants.
On the following day I enjoyed a Stonedrift Deluxe Manicure that began with a tea tree exfoliant to the arms and then they hydrated the cuticle while they painted on a nutrient rich mask to the backs of the hands. After my hands were wrapped in warm towels, a heated neck and shoulder wrap was brought in and I was left to enjoy the calming music for a few minutes while the heat did its work. When my manicurist, Michelle Roskom, returned, she brought me some fruit-infused water that is specially created for the spa by Chef Randy Hoppman. The OPI enamel was applied and dried and I was off to shopping and lunch in town at a great little Galena bistro named Vinny Vanucchi's "Little Italy".
The Spa has its line of Stonedrift products which include lotion and body wash infused with a refreshing lavender orange scent. Many of the products used at the spa are available in the Spa Boutique. Products available include the nail and facial product line Jurlique, the body product line Phytomer, and Kashwear, a sumptuous, velour-soft chenille robe, sweater and blanket line.
The Spa is still in growth mode and is continually updating its offerings and spa packages. "We offer a popular ladies' weekend where, in addition to the spa services, we have specially selected movies, yoga classes, wine tastings, shopping and other fun activities," said Megan Mooney, Operations and Special Events Manager. "Throughout the year we try to have special offerings tied to the season or to the holiday."
The Spa offers eight types of massage and eight treatments in the Vichy or Wet room including firming, bronzing, wraps, muds, slimming and exfoliating. They also offer two soak treatments that can be coupled with massage or facials. Facials include eight treatments, plus three manicure and two pedicure offerings. The price for a 50-minute Swedish massage is $75 and a Great Skin Basic Facial is $85. The Vichy treatments are all 50 minutes and run $90.
"We are also seeing an increase in the number of male guests. Many of our male guests are experiencing spas for the first time and once they get used to it, they don't want to leave," added Mooney. "We're always looking at new services and currently have a kids' program under development."
For those who venture outside the spa, the Eagle Ridge Resort has 80 guest rooms in the lodge, and spread across almost 7,000 acres are 400 condominiums, villas and executive homes, 63 holes of golf, restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis, boating, fishing, bike riding, hiking, volleyball and hot air balloon rides. That's enough of a workout to make you want to head back to the spa!
More information is available by calling (815) 777-2444. Web site: www.eagleridge.com.
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The Stonedrift Spa is named for the local outcroppings of loess stone that punctuate the landscape. The spa has five massage rooms, a wet room with Vichy showers, a couples suite with twin treatment tables and a two-person soaking tub, three facial rooms and a four-station nail suite. My own experience started in the relaxation room featuring a fruit, water and tea bar with a glowing fireplace wrapped in the native stone and accented with warm honey-toned hardwoods.
The Spa has its line of Stonedrift products which include lotion and body wash infused with a refreshing lavender orange scent. Many of the products used at the spa are available in the Spa Boutique. Products available include the nail and facial product line Jurlique, the body product line Phytomer, and Kashwear, a sumptuous, velour-soft chenille robe, sweater and blanket line.
