The Global Wellness Institute reports “wellness tourism has become a US $494 billion industry whose growth is expected to continue.” In fact, “four out of five wellness tourists integrate healthful activities and habits into their trips to counteract interrupted routines that affect sleep, diet, and exercise.”
In keeping with this trend, the Lodge at Pico Bonito, named one of the top 50 eco-lodges by National Geographic Traveler, invites guests to melt away all tensions, boost their immunity and soothe their senses in a new 3,675-square-foot spa.
The new outdoor spa will have three circular cabins on stilts to maintain balance and harmony with the natural energies of the environment. Spa will have one cabin for individual massage, one cabin for couples massage, one cabin with a Vichy shower, one Temazcal (a Maya-style sauna), and a nearby plunge pool.
Steeped in pre-Hispanic indigenous healing culture and traditions, the new spa uses all natural ingredients and essential oils in the aromatherapies, facials and massage therapies. The eco-loge offers the spa rituals listed below.
Aromatherapy Synergies
Aromatherapy, also known as Essential Oil therapy, is a holistic approach of using extracts from plants to balance, harmonize and improve the mind, body and soul. The eco-lodge entices spa lovers with the following aromatherapies.
• Balancing promotes relaxation, peace and harmony by using essential oils such as spruce, rosewood spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy.
• Stimulating reduces physical and mental fatigue, as well as boosts energy by using peppermint essential oil to invigorate and awaken the body and mind.
• Detox relaxes muscles, improves circulation and relieves joint pain by using essential oils such basil, grapefruit, cypress, marjoram, mint, and lavender to drain and remove toxins.
Massage Techniques
Research reveals massage therapy helps to reduce anxiety and stress while improving energy, sleep and the immune system. Spa goers should indulge in the massages listed below.
• Deep Forest alleviates stress and muscle tension in the back of the neck and shoulders. Guests can indulge in this deep massage for 30-minutes at US $35, 60-minutes at US $70 or 80-minutes at US $90.
• Guatusa incorporates herbs to eliminate tiredness from your feet, as well as a deep rhythmic technique to stimulate the lymphatic system to reduce stress and strain on your legs and feet. Massage is available for 35-minutes at US $35 and 60-minutes for US $65.
• Comprehensive Therapeutic Chiromassage incorporates two healing techniques – physical therapy and chiropractic – to align bones, improve sleep, and relax the central nervous system. This massage also incorporates a relaxing massage and reflexology to give guests multiple restorative benefits. The 50-minute massage costs US $85.
Facials
Facials – steam, exfoliation, extraction, facial masks, peels and massages – often remove impurities and regenerate and revitalize the skin tissue. Here are some of the eco-lodge’s facials.
• Organic Fruit Facial fuses seasonal fruits, cocoa, clays, cucumber, honey, melon, banana, lychee, papaya, pineapple and passion fruit to relax and refresh your face. The 50-minute facial cost US $45.
• Men’s Real Parrot Facial reduces acne and removes blemishes with key ingredients such as mint, rosemary, aloe (vitamin A and C) and oleic acid. The 50-minute facial cost US $45.
• Tissue-Repairing Purifying Facial uses bromalina, a natural exfoliant to dissolve oils and cleanse pores, as well as passion fruit, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and energizer, to purify the skin. The 50-minute facial cost US $45.
Lover’s Treatments
The following couples’ treatments enable loved ones to reconnect their mind, body and soul.
• Romantic Rio Coloradito treatment starts with a lavender-fused massage to ebb away back and neck tensions. The treatment continues with a warm foot purification scrub using honey and flowers for her and herbs for him while sipping on a delicious tea from local fruits and aphrodisiac spices. The 80-minute treatment cost US $90 per person.
• Energetic Rio Corinto begins with an aromatherapy massage incorporating ingredients such as basil, grapefruit, cypress, marjoram, mint and lavender. Then, couples indulge in a purifying facial and natural rehydration. The 90-minute treatment cost US $95 per person.
Temazcal
Temazcal, which comes from the Nahuatl Word tem-calli, means ‘house of heat.’ This tradition of purifying the body originates in the pre-Hispanic indigenous culture in Mesoamerica.
Legend has it, the dome shape of the steam house represents Mother Earth’s womb, the beginning of life, and participants experience a rebirth from this experience.
Here are some of the steam house rituals.
• Gentle Toucan improves cell regeneration by combining aroma-filled steam bath with therapeutic lavender-infused mud wrap. Price is US $25 for 30-minutes per person.
• Revitalizing Cotinga begins with an aromatic steam therapy in our Temazcal to oxygenate the pores of your skin. The treatment continues in our Vichy shower with a pineapple exfoliation and a therapeutic anti-inflammatory chamomile mud wrap. Price is US $85 for one hour and 40-minutes.
Note: Temazcal rituals need two people per session.
The new spa will rejuvenate guests who stay in any of the eco-lodge’s 22 private standard and superior cabins, approximately 400 square feet in size. The spa compliments The Lodge at Pico Bonito, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™, five-star amenities set on the edge of Honduras’ second largest National Park, ten miles from La Ceiba.
More Information
For more information about the eco-lodge’s new spa, please visit www.picobonito.com or call (888) 428-0221.
