With the beginning of a new year, health and wellness is top of mind for many people. In response, resort spas are rolling out a variety of services and amenities to provide total mind-body refreshment. Turning Stone Resort Casino, owned by the Oneida Indian Nation and located in Upstate New York, offers these amenities and more, with unique accommodation packages and soothing amenities readily available. We explore the luxurious options available from this indulgent establishment, one of America’s Top 50 Most Outstanding Hotels & Spas.
For a tranquil, rejuvenating escape in 2017, The Lodge at Turning Stone, a prestigious Forbes Four Star-rated all-suite hotel, is the ideal destination. With spacious rooms, soothing décor and incredible views, The Lodge embodies a sense of calm and peacefulness. Recently rated the Best Countryside Hotel in North and South America by Condé Nast Johansens, the Adirondack-style hotel offers privacy and space to unwind and enjoy while still providing easy access to the excitement and endless entertainment offered in the main resort.
Within The Lodge, guests can enjoy a variety of world-class amenities, including a recently reimagined dining experience at Wildflowers, one of Turning Stone’s signature restaurants and AAA Four Diamond Award winner, serving a menu of contemporary American cuisine with the finest fresh ingredients, fresh catch seafood and perfectly prepared steak.
The resort within a resort experience at The Lodge also includes Skʌ:nʌ́: a luxurious spa inspired by Oneida and American Indian culture and healing techniques. The Oneida word for peace, Skʌ:nʌ́: has been named on multiple “Top Spa” lists, including Spas of America’s 2016 Top Spas in the World, where it took the third place slot. With an extensive menu of treatments ranging from restorative to invigorating, and world-class facilities that include steam rooms, mineral pools, saunas, and an intimate café, Skʌ:nʌ́: is designed to bring lifestyle, nutrition and fitness into perfect harmony.
As the cold and snow of winter begin to set in in many parts of the country, hot stone massages are increasingly popular at Skʌ:nʌ́:. The award-wining spa has added powerful Himalayan pink salts to their hot stone massage treatment, providing both relaxation and detoxifying benefits.
The use of pink Himalayan salt stones, as opposed to standard black basalts, has been shown to reduce inflammation, reduce muscle cramps by improving hydration, aid in balancing blood sugar and induce deep relaxation. With the 84 naturally occurring minerals and elements, mined from the Himalayan Mountains, Skʌ:nʌ́:’s new Himalayan Salt Stone Massage soothes tired muscles and releases tension, reduces inflammation, balances the central nervous system, nourishes depleted cells in the body, stimulates circulation and improves the quality and length of sleep.
The treatment itself begins in one of Skʌ:nʌ́:’s tranquil treatment rooms, each designed with Oneida Indian culturally themed elements, including a unique dreamcatcher and native-inspired music. Warmed Himalayan salt stones are massaged over the body in a specific sequence to balance the body’s meridians, or energy channels. As the salt stones heat, negative ions are released into the air, which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress on the body. Drawing upon traditional Chinese medicine therapy, the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage grounds and balances the body’s electromagnetic field, and the pressure, motion, and thermal effects used during the treatment work to replenish nutrients in the connective tissue, reducing muscle tension, while creating deep relaxation.
Always an industry leader, Skʌ:nʌ́: has also focused on treatments designed with men’s specific needs in mind. The Skʌ:nʌ́: for Gentlemen menu, introduced last year, provides several customizable treatments specifically targeted at the ailments that men are often faced with, including tight, sore muscles, dry skin and achieving a smooth, clean shave. The menu features muscle-repairing massages, skin-brightening facials, custom-tailored pedicures and a gentlemen’s haircut.
The men’s skincare treatments at Skʌ:nʌ́: use Organic Male OM4 products, a four-step regimen designed to address the specific needs of men’s skin. The OM4 line includes shaving cream, resurfacing serum, cleanser and moisturizer that account for the gender-specific grooming realities of men and leave skin feeling fresh and healthy. OM4 products can be purchased directly at the Skʌ:nʌ́: shop.
With every treatment, guests at Skʌ:nʌ́: are offered full-day access to the spa, including the soothing mineral pools, steam room, sauna, hot tubs and more. While enjoying a day of pampering, guests can also order a healthy and delicious meal from the Skʌ:nʌ́: Café’s new menu. The café, located in the main waiting area of the spa, allows the healing effects of the treatments to continue with nourishing and delicious food.
Featuring a fully customizable menu, guests can select a nutritious entrée, three sides, a dessert and a beverage for only $15, which includes tax and gratuity. Each item is made to order by the talented staff at Wildflowers restaurant. Options include heart-healthy smoked salmon, quinoa salad, orange-garlic kale chips, fresh berries, and more. The menu also offers options for those who require gluten-free or other dietary restrictions, from meat-free to dairy-free. Calorie and macronutrient counts are also provided, making building a truly healthy meal simple.
Ultimately, relaxation, longevity and a refreshed sense of focus can go a long way towards creating mind-body wellness for a successful start to 2017.
A tranquil getaway, complete with soothing spa treatments and amenities, like those offered at Skʌ:nʌ́: can boost productivity, elevate mood and create deeper relaxation, while nourishing the body to operate at its very best.
