Relax & renew with these soothing spa treatments - Boston Herald

[Gretta Monahan]

This year has been intense, which means this is the perfect time to amp up your self-care before the holiday season kicks in.

Here are some of my favorite and spa treatments in the area — all of them as relaxing as can be, while also delivering great results from nurturing your skin and relieving muscle pain to soothing your nerves.

I don’t feature a treatment at my spa, Grettacole Beauty in Wellesley, unless I absolutely love it. So if you find your stress is showing up on your face lately, I’d like to introduce you to the Signature HydraFacial ($169; book on gretta.co). It delivers a deep cleanse and hydration thanks to super serums filled with antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Best of all, the service is only 30 minutes, so if the notion of finding a big chunk of time out of your busy day is causing you extra stress, you can cross that off your list of concerns.

At this point, the relaxing effects of CBD are well known. But the Balancing CBD Massage at the gorgeous Spa at Encore Boston Harbor is in a category all its own. The 90-minute experience includes a medium-pressure massage using a powerful blend of 400 mg of water-soluble, broad-spectrum CBD (which is THC-free), full of active botanical ingredients, blended nutrient oils and therapeutic plant extracts. Expect it to relax your nervous system and help provide immediate relief from aching muscles, arthritis, and inflammation. (It’s $310 Monday through Thursday; $340 Friday through Sunday; book on encorebostonharbor.com.)

If you haven’t tried Thai massage yet, it’s time you did. It’s a combination of gentle stretching and acupressure, and it can work wonders on an exhausted body. The Traditional Thai Massage at Viyada Thai Spa ($150 for one hour or $210 for 90 minutes on weekdays; $175 for an hour or $240 for 90 minutes on weekends; book on viyadathaispa.com) employs the massage therapist’s fingers, thumbs, elbows, arms, and feet to target muscle tension and pressure points. The results promote energy balance, relieves muscle tension, reduces stress, and enhances blood circulation.

The toll our crazy lives take on our feet is enormous. So undo all of that damage with a Pure Pedicure ($65; book on exhalespa.com) at Exhale Spa. Part exfoliation (delivered via an organic lavender scrub) and part moisturizer (by way of a ginger mask and hot towel wrap), the 45-minute treatment includes a natural callus remover and organic heel balm to smooth skin. Top it all off with either an organic or traditional polish.

Even if it weren’t one of the most beautifully scented body wraps out there, the Nourishing Rose Radiance Wrap at The Spa at The Mandarin Oriental ($310 Monday through Thursday and $340 Friday through Sunday; book on The Spa) is also one of the most nourishing and skin-enhancing treatments around. The 80-minute service starts with a gentle exfoliation, which preps your body to get enveloped in heavenly rose- infused oils, gels, and creams. On top of that comes a hydrating wrap that renews skin, followed by a scalp massage so relaxing, you shouldn’t be surprised if it whisks you off to dreamland.

Our busy lives can wreak havoc on our feet – soothe them with a luxurious pedicure. (Photo Metro Creative Services)

Originally Published: November 10, 2024 at 12:26 AM EST