Today’s Elegance: The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.
by Alys Bohn -- Washington DC
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"We're intensely protective of people throughout the spa," says the director, meaning much more than such features as thick white terry robes enveloping enough for the most modest visitor to the nation's capital. Whether it's Vernon Jordan, Jenna Bush or Jane Doe from Dubuque, there are no stares or overt notice taken."
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or a died-and-gone-to-heaven sojourn in our nation's capital, strap on your designer sandals, grab your platinum card, check into the Four Seasons Hotel-Washington, DC, and spend a sybaritic day in its subtly elegant spa.
My own experience started with a treat accessible to all÷a stroll through the hotel's lobby, gorgeous with exquisite seasonal decorations and Raymond Mason sculpture. It would be tempting someday to linger, sampling its ambience over morning coffee or a wickedly lavish afternoon tea. But it was time to cross the complex's sheltered, sculpture-dotted courtyard to the Four Seasons Spa Salon.
Back in the mid-90s, the savvy Four Seasons Hotels surveyed current tastes, including a growing fitness consciousness, of its guests in the context of the tri-level space adjoining its D.C. property. Clearly, a spa was a better match than the nightclub Desiree then occupying the tri-level site. Working in landmark-conscious Georgetown, the spa's talented designers used the space superbly. Its foyer off the Four Seasons Courtyard looked and felt exactly right--low-key, glitz-free, fragrant with eucalyptus candles and subtle taste.
Subtle also describes the spa's substantial expansion that coincided with the arrival last year of director Caitrin Garrett, who is concerned with the philosophy as well as the practicality of spa visits. The new moves at the Four Seasons integrate peaceful areas for life and reflection as well as additional treatments.
"Among our changes here, we have expanded our individual treatment rooms from five to eight, added a totally new line of facials, and are creating a new lounge concept," she stated. "It includes a private women's room, a charcoal gray men's area with art from the hotel's Louis Dreyfus collection and a larger section for reading, sipping tea and relaxing. Paired seating is perfect for quiet conversation."
To their left from the spa's reception desk, new arrivals glimpse a wide-windowed fitness area overlooking Washington's C & O Canal with its adjoining towpath. Hotel guests and the spa's limited number of local members get in their cardiovascular workouts here, cycling or jogging away, perhaps to CNN's Wolf Blitzer's reassuring voice on their individual TVs. (He, in turn, has praised his therapeutic massages in the spa's treatment area.) There's a weights area on the level below, and a 3-lane lap pool under that.
Meanwhile, after checking in with reception and perhaps browsing shelves (where candles, Îkashwere' robes, green apples and other objects are arranged as wall art), spa guests head right. My first stop was the women's changing area, bright with good lighting and lavish use of oak. The central locker room is open, but extra thought has been given to privacy÷a Four Seasons as well as a Caitrin Garrett priority.
"We're intensely protective of people throughout the spa," says the director, meaning much more than such features as thick white terry robes enveloping enough for the most modest visitor to the nation's capital. Whether it's Vernon Jordan, Jenna Bush or Jane Doe from Dubuque, there are no stares or overt notice taken.
Separate sections help ensure privacy in the changing areas, where self-conscious patrons can duck into a toilet cubicle÷roomy enough to change clothes in÷or shower stall, lavishly equipped with shampoo, shaving cream and body scrub and even seats. Eight individual stations contain brushes, spray and other products for anyone not headed for the nearby salon.
I especially enjoyed the stacks of abundant towels in every area, especially the chilled eucalyptus-soaked version to enjoy in and after the sauna. I also appreciated the sealed packets holding black paper bikini bottoms, to be worn by the faint of heart or body during treatments. For some body-wrap treatments or baths, indeed, District of Columbia health regulations require them.
 My first treatment was the 80-minute ÎCherry Blossom Champagne Body Treatment'. I met practitioner April Wright in the comfortable women's lounge, and her reassuring approach and solicitous professionalism put me at ease as we settled into the candle-scented room. She arranged some large rolled towels to lie on (a back problem rules out lying flat on my stomach), expertly draped me with strategically placed sheets and exfoliated my skin with a long-handled, dry brush.
Wright next filled a deep soaking tub with warm, swirling water. After a relaxing interval I climbed onto a waterproofed table for an invigorating champagne salt scrub. Then with the salt showered off, a champagne-soaked wrap followed in this now-stimulating, now-relaxing luxury treatment. The last procedure was coating my totally pampered body with Îbody butter', laced, of course, with champagne.
Spas around the world offer facials. But in my experience the Four Seasons' 80-minute version at the hands of Catherine Layrle leads the pack. The basic components such as cleansing, steaming, toning and exfoliation are traditional, but the extra features built into this ÎFour Seasons Hotel Washington Signature Facial' plus the evident professionalism and t. l. c. in the delivery, put this one in a class by itself.
 Like the all-natural Anne Semonin products, recently chosen for the spa by Caitrin Garrett and exclusive in Washington, Layrle is consummately French. Her English is perfect and she explained the procedures on request. As I relaxed into deep enjoyment, she began with a liquid toner preparation, then removal of makeup (and everything else) via a cream cleansing followed by more toner. For my dry skin, she used an essential oil with vitamin B-1 ("to lighten dull, gray complexions, I discovered later) as groundwork for an exfoliation mask.
She also provided a high-frequency instrument to enhance circulation, massage with tissue serum and a period with hot towels. After the 80 minutes of this ultimate facial, I haven't even wanted to try anything less.
George at the Four Seasons
I opted for a haircut at the spa's salon, George at the Four Seasons, which had a sophisticated ambience of black, white and walnut. George himself showed what a world-class stylist does. It's not just the gifted wielding of scissors, it's also head tilting, assessing, asking about expectations (I wouldn't be back for months) and lifestyles (I swim), and more. Half an hour later, I left with the best haircut of my life, and enjoyed looking at it every day for three months.
Check-Out Counter
- 80-minute Signature Anne Semonin Facial: $150
- 50-minute facial: $95
- 80-minute Cherry Blossom Champagne Body Treatment: $210
- 50-minute massage: $110
- Hair stylist cut: $60, with blow-dry $90.
- "Head-to-Toe" spa package: 50-minute massage, 50-minute Naturopathica facial, manicure, pedicure, spa lunch: $310. With Signature Facial, $365.
- Anne Semonin French botanical products: body milk $40, eye serum $70.
- "Kashwere" micro fiber robe $145, baby cap and blanket $60, bed socks $15.
Contact the Four Seasons Washington
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington DC, 20037
Telephone: (202) 342-0444
Fax: (202) 944-2076
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