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South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2016

IMAGINE GETTING PAMPERED WITH NINE SKIN POTIONS, FOUR BEING CAVIAR-INFUSED FROM KERSTIN FLORIAN, AN EXCLUSIVE SKIN CARE LINE. 80 South Bay Accent suites include four-poster beds, raw wood walls, high ceilings, and wood-burning fireplaces. Comfortable and functional amenities include soaking tubs, patio hammocks, refrigerators, flat screen TVs with DVD players. and private hot tubs in select rooms. Under new ownership by Geolo Capital, the resort will soon undergo a multi-million dollar enhancement and “re-imagining” to elevate your experience. But while venerable, Ventana as it stands at the moment is not outdated or past its prime. As always, the three Rs—rejuvenation, reflection and reconnection—are the cornerstones of its mantra. Leave the kiddos at home, for Ventana is exclusively for adults, ages 18 and above. AURA The main building, a two-level spa sanctuary, houses ethereal paintings of the sea and channels the essence of Big Sur. You enter through the vine-covered arbor, into the lobby, and migrate to the living room anchored by a flickering stone fireplace. This is not a mega-spa, but an intimate space with six treatment rooms. The changing room is only big enough for one. But don’t let the size fool you, says director Donna Shoemaker. The entire inn reflects the spa ethic of relaxation and well-being as guests gad about in white hooded robes. Essential to the spa is the adjacent clothing-optional swimming pool and Japanese soaking pool. Daily yoga and tai chi classes are held in another building. On another trail is a second pool, swimsuits required, with a similar Japanese soaking area, open until 2 a.m. In keeping with customer’s requests, the spa offers a slate of facial treatments that focus on anti-aging. At least ten facial strategies target wrinkles, deep set lines, and myriad issues associated with (sigh) growing older. “We are results-driven, using products that combine nature and science,” says Shoemaker. APPROACH A prime experience for many is the Caviar Facial, $245 for 80 minutes. Decadent? Absolutely. Imagine getting pampered with nine skin potions, four being caviar-infused from Kerstin Florian, an exclusive skin care line. Nothing fishy going on here, by the way—the caviar lotions and creams are whitish in color and have no discernable scent. Ask for spa manager Karena Kalinuk, a pro trained for every synchronized step of this complex process. As an added bonus, your arms, neck, hands, décolleté, scalp, and feet get When the door hanger of your guestroom reads “Relaxation in progress,” and a caviar facial sits atop the spa menu, do we need further proof? A memorable respite beckons, along with a few welcome adventures in self-renewal. We know that Silicon Valley thrives on innovation, and we applaud it, so we’re delighted to broadcast that these three spa hotels adapt the same approach to smoothing our wrinkles, firming our skin and rebooting our weary souls. Each dream-escape resort provides fabulous dwellings with surprising amenities and unique body therapies. VENTANA BIG SUR BIG SUR l this four-star resort merges the splendors of coastal wilderness with the satisfaction of experiencing exceptional services augmented by architectural excellence. Throughout the property, Adirondack chairs are strategically situated to capture perfect vantage points of the briny Pacific while wild turkeys strut about the nearby plantings. Many of the 60 spacious guest rooms and COURTESY OF VENTANA BIG SUR; OPPOSITE AND PREVIOUS SPREAD: KODIAK GREENWOOD (2) VENTANA BIG SUR The Pacific Ocean beckons from the terrace at The Restaurant at Ventana.


South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2016
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