In Time for 'Movember,' Top Spa Pro Offers Tips for Men Looking to Make the Most of a Spa Visit
Oct. 30, 2024
AS WE MOVE into Movember, menâs mental health is a big topic. In fact, men can get a lot of benefit, both mentally and physically by taking advantage of everything a spa has to offer. LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa, has the answers
How does Escape Spa cater to men? We designed Escape Spa to ensure both men and women feel comfortable and welcome. From our earth tones to our luxury brown unisex robes, this is not a pampering palace but a rejuvenation destination.
Tell us about athletic recovery and why itâs important? Athletic recovery is a must for anyone who's active, whether a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete. It's about helping your body bounce back stronger, repairing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility so you can avoid injuries and keep doing what you love. Being married to a pro athlete â former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson â has really opened my eyes to how important recovery is. It's not just about physical performance, it's about overall well-being too.
Do you offer treatments for physical stress, such as muscle tension or joint pain, related to recovery? Tell us about them. Weâve curated an entire lineup of treatments designed to melt away stress and help your body recover:
The Trifecta combines heat therapy to increase blood flow and relax muscles, deep tissue massage and percussion to target knots and trigger points, and active stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion.
Consider Massage Therapy. Choose from a wide range of massages to help ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and target specific issues.
In Normatec Compression Therapy, air compression is used in this unique treatment to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and help muscle recovery.
Our infrared HaloIR Salt Sauna is like a magic eraser for stress and pain, helping detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle and joint pain. Plus, the added salt therapy boosts respiratory function and does wonders for your skin!
Can you provide services to help manage emotional stress and anxiety associated with recovery? How? We know that recovery isn't just physical; it's mental and emotional too. That's why we offer services to help guests unwind and de-stress. These include Guided Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions, as well as Aromatherapy, using pure essential oils. Also, Quiet Transitional Spaces help prepare mind and body to make the most of your spa treatment experience.
Are there any treatments that can help with sleep disturbances common in recovery? Which ones specifically and how do they help? Yes! Recovery Relaxation Massage with Arnica and Magnesium is like a lullaby for your body and mind, enhanced with arnica â a natural anti-inflammatory that soothes sore muscles and magnesium â to relax muscles and promote better sleep.
CBD Enhancement can really help. The proven calming and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help ease anxiety and promote tranquility, making it easier to drift off to sleep.
Unique to our day spa experience is our Escape Ritual Bath Circuit â sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower circuit. This kind of contrast bathing experience has been proven over centuries in a range of cultures to relax muscles, reduce stress, and promote better sleep.
How do you create a welcoming and comfortable environment for male guests? First, it's a matter of Ambiance. The spaâs refined aesthetic feels sophisticated and inviting, without being overly feminine or fussy.
Also, we pride ourselves on Personalized Service. Our therapists are not only experts in their respective fields, but theyâre also skilled at putting clients at ease, and tailoring treatments to individual needs and preferences.
We Focus on Results. We understand that men prefer a results-oriented approach, so Escape treatments are designed to deliver specific benefits, whether alleviating muscle tension, reducing stress, improving sleep, or enhancing overall well-being.
Do you have any specific policies or procedures in place to ensure privacy and comfort for men? Beyond separate changing areas for men and women, our therapists are trained to be discreet and respectful of personal space and privacy.
How do you address any concerns or discomfort a male guest may have about receiving spa treatments? Our therapists are trained to discuss any concerns a guest might have before and during their treatment, making sure they feel comfortable, relaxed, and renewed.
The sauna at Escape Spa
The Escape Ritual Bath Circuit includes sauna, jacuzzi, and revitalizing chiller bucket shower.
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âYouâre the Inspirationâ: Generous Donors Give $6.2 Mil to Kidsâ Charity as Famous Band Takes Stage
Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group
Oct. 31, 2024
THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.
The gala, overseen by HCC CEO and longtime philanthropic leader Laura Ward, was staged at HCC co-founder and board chair Tilman Fertittaâs Post Oak Hotel, drawing in hundreds of supporters and revelers. The millions raised will âdirectly fund programs that improve the quality of life for Houstonâs underprivileged, abused and disabled children who have been otherwise left behind,â said a rep for the nonprofit.
A slew of notables took the stage at various times to spur giving, give moving testimonies of the good HCC does, and goose the elaborate auction. These include hip-hop star and mogul 50 Cent, football great Andre Johnson, Feritta, Mayor John Whitmire, HCC vice chair and longtime generous donor Gary Becker, and, calling in on remote camera, Hollywood star Jeremy Renner.
Richard and Jana Fant, honorees for the evening, offered one of the big surprises of the night, pledging to by 30 vans for HCCâs program that offers specially equipped vans to families with seriously disabled and otherwise immobile children. Other big donors included auction winners Gary Petersen, Katie and Mike Lowenberg, Randy Hopper, Anthony Pusch and Chi Nguyen, paying $500,000 for a unique dinner party.
Another fun auction item was a Porsche all-electric Macan 4, donated by Porsche River Oaks and Porsche West Houston.
âFinally, the crowd rocked the night away as the legendary band Chicago took the stage, delivering an unforgettable performance of their greatest hits, including âSaturday in the Parkâ and âYou're the Inspiration,ââ noted the HCC rep.
VIPs spotted in the crowd included Supporters and notable guests included Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Michael Carr, Gaston, Kim Ogg, Bess and Rob Wilson, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Tom and Carol Sawyer and Sherri Zucker.
Kristen Cannon, Anna Reger, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Marie Taylor
Jana Fant, Richard Fant and Laura S. Ward
Gary Becker
Chicago performs.
Pam Ware, Gary Petersen and Stephanie Fernandez
Jeremy Renner calls in.
Edna Meyer-Nelson and Joe Mallon
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Mike Lowenberg and Katie Lowenberg
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Peppered with Meaningful Moments, the Riviera Mayaâs Original Resort Delivers Unparalleled âQuiet Luxuryâ
William Jess Laird & Lizzet Ortiz
Nov. 5, 2024
UPON ARRIVAL AT Maroma resort on Mexicoâs Riviera Maya, a beautifully dressed attendant, briefcase and tablet in hand, ushers guests to their respective rooms. âHereâs your welcome amenity,â she says, gesturing to ceramic vessels on the coffee table with one hand as she completes the check-in process with the other. âIt is tequila.â
Indeed it is. At Maroma, a Belmond hotel owned by LVMH, âluxuryâ does not mean flashy and extravagant. The entrance is unmarked; guests must drive past verdant jungles and areas where the tree roots rise six feet out of the ground and tangle together like spaghetti to reach the beachfront destination. The high-end touches here are thoughtful, subtle and steeped in convenience, like in-room check-in and check-out â and the well stocked mini bar which is, in fact, a full bar.
The 72-room resort reopened in 2023 after an extensive renovation; authentic Mayan elements and those paying tribute to the Mayan aesthetic â such as curved lines and minimal 90-degree angles â are everywhere. The white arches situated atop the two- and three-story buildings are striking against the bright blue sky, bringing to mind Santorini. Meanwhile, yellow striped umbrellas recall Capri, and a pool seemingly dropped into the middle of a jungle is giving Costa Rica.
Ocean-view suite
Maroma's main pool
Dining al fresco at Casa Mayor
But Maroma is distinctly Mexican. It was actually the first hotel on the now iconic Riviera Maya, which stretches south from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. As such, it occupies the most scenic portion of the bay. Casa Mayor, the resortâs main restaurant, was the first part of the property to open to the public, offering wealthy daytrippers fresh-caught seafood and, eventually, a place to stay overnight. Today, it serves authentic and shareable food on ceramic dishes handmade by local artisans. During the renovation, chef Daniel Camacho explored regional cuisine across Mexico, bringing back all the best flavors and cooking styles to Casa Mayor and also to Woodend, the resortâs Curtis Stone restaurant.
Breakfast is especially delightful, as Maromaâs Tia Olivia handmakes tacos and quesadillas in the restaurant foyer. Guests are invited to further explore the craft of nixtamal, the process of preparing corn for making tortillas; the Nixtamal Journey concludes with an extravagant spread of empanadas, machetes and other antojitos.
One of those luxuriously thoughtful touches is the Maroma âcoffee experience.â At a time of your choosing each morning, an artfully carved wooden tray is left outside the door, touting a pitcher of coffee from the state of Hidalgo and all the fixings, each in their own little compartment. Choose your time wisely, though, because youâll have to snag it before the coatis adorably rifle through your sugar packets.
Another is a personal favorite of this writer: The housekeeping staff is superbly detail-oriented, and will leave hand-painted bookmarks on top of any books you may have brought for beachside reading.
One aspect of Maroma that is conspicuously luxurious, however, is the spa by Guerlain, which âcelebrates both Mayan culture and the French maisonâs wellness expertise.â Scent and sound rituals, healing massages, hydrotherapy pools â itâs a fully immersive experience that should be given a full day of your itinerary. Exclusive treatments incorporate the honey of local bees, which is purported to heal cataracts and other ailments. Quite buzzy, indeed.
Bambuco, the lobby bar
Local fruit, juices and more at Casa Mayor breakfast
Maroma Spa by Guerlain
Maroma Spa by Guerlain
Maroma from above
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