Dan's Papers - July 27, 2007 - Heaven at La Bella Vita Spa

The East End is known for its relaxed lifestyle, beautiful beaches and always seems to move at its own pace. But we all know the summer months can get crazy and it's easy to forget to take a moment for ourselves. Located at the Montauk Yacht Club, La Bella Vita Spa provides a quiet retreat from the constant hustle and bustle. Just seconds from Lake Montauk and tucked behind a beckoning hedgerow, this serene spa offers a full menu of therapeutic and rejuvenating facial and body care treatments. Last weekend I made time to escape my hectic summer schedule for some pampering and visited the spa for their "Almost Heaven" treatment, which did in fact turn out to be 90 minutes of heaven just like the name suggests.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by my massage therapist, Bailey, and shown to a private room lit only by tea candles. Soothing music played and before the treatment even started, I felt the relief of any stress I had.

To begin my journey to "heaven," I laid face down on the massage table and Bailey placed hot, smooth river stones along my back. The stones, which were heated in a crockpot immersed in moisture, immediately melted my muscles into relaxation. Then, Bailey continued with a soothing full leg massage, using her gentle but strong hands to stimulate the circulation throughout my legs. The river stones were then incorporated into the massage as Bailey glided them smoothly across my legs and back - resulting in an invigorating kneading of the muscles. If you've never experienced a stone therapy treatment, make an appointment now because you absolutely owe your body this indulgence. The stones create warm and comfortable sensations as the heat penetrates the muscles, which allows for a more intense massage because the muscles are so deeply relaxed. This treatment went beyond any traditional massage I've ever had, as it induced me into a deeper state of relaxation in mind and body.

Then, I flipped over and the warm stones were placed in the palms of my hands. Bailey continued with a reflexology treatment, which focuses on the feet. The therapists at La Bella Vita Spa believe that the feet are a mirror image of the body, and that stress in other parts of the body can be relieved through this treatment. Bailey performed a rejuvenating foot massage, followed by deep moisturizing and exfoliating. To finish the treatment, Bailey wrapped my feet in a mask. Because I spend so much time barefoot on the beach, I desperately needed this regimen.

While the mask penetrated my feet, Bailey massaged the rest of my body. Steam gently flowed to my face and at this point, I was in a state of euphoria. Bailey unwrapped my feet and my treatment was (unfortunately) complete. I laid there for a few minutes, delaying my trip back to reality. When I finally stood up, I couldn't believe how baby soft my feet felt from the spa reflexology treatment. The rest of my body felt incredible as well, almost as if my muscles had been "healed," as all my physical stress had been lifted. Like many jobs today, mine requires me to spend an extended amount of time sitting in front of a computer, which often leaves my shoulders hunched, my neck stiff and my muscles tired and cramped. I no longer think of a visit to the spa as a luxury, but as an antidote to the repetitive stress my body endures. La Bella Vita Spa's professional staff is attentive and dedicated to their client's full revitalization. Take the time to visit because you will leave, as I did, feeling like you went to heaven and back.

La Bella Vita Spa is located at Montauk Yacht Club at 32 Star Island Road, Montauk. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call 631-668-7736 or visit www.montaukyachtclub.com.