Visiting Stillwater Spa

Stillwater at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, Bonita Springs, Florida

I’m often asked how I got into wellness or specifically why I became a massage therapist. I can tell you the exact moment I became seriously interested in massage therapy: it was about five minutes into what I recall as one of the best massages I’ve ever experienced, in the spa of an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. For my birthday in 2016, I’d booked myself a seven-day luxury experience complete with extra credits for plenty of self-care time including a facial, body treatments, and massages. The day after arrival, I began my series of massages with the expectation of an “average” but relaxing experience… only to be met by a therapist who would live forever in my mind as a singular and stunning memory, fueling my desire to provide the exact same treatment for others.

The spa was situated off the beaten path, a peaceful respite hidden deep in tropical landscaping. My therapist was an older woman who appeared to be in her sixties. She was pleasant and warm, but brief and efficient in her introduction. I remember being draped in a way that felt immodest, and I felt exposed, but the moment she touched me I knew I was safe and in great hands. That first sixty-minute session went by in such a way that it felt like forever yet not nearly long enough. I remember her flow feeling strong, fluid, and connective. I lapsed in and out of consciousness, occasionally waking myself up with a little snort. That week, I would go on to see her twice more, each experience as sublime as the last.

I’ve never forgotten her, her touch, her hospitality, or how centered and relieved I felt each time I sat up on her table, and I chase that high anytime I have the opportunity to visit a new resort spa, wondering if the experience can match those sessions. She, a massage therapist who likely sees hundreds of clients annually, has no idea she created such a lasting impression on me, but that is the beauty of life and the importance of massage therapy. Massage is human contact that reverberates through our body, mind, and spirit long after the touch is gone.

This year for my birthday, I wanted to keep things low-key and local; I’d just completed esthetician school and had a lot of work to do for the office in anticipation of receiving my license. For the occasion last year I was at Secrets Akumal enjoying another Pevonia branded Dreams Spa (just like the first one in 2016; I absolutely love and favor Dreams & Secrets resorts), but this year I knew I didn’t have the time or a real interest in taking off just to say I was going somewhere. The beauty of Southwest Florida is that we live where others vacation; even the very practical decision of doing a staycation in our backyard is a luxury many people only dream of. A few searches and a few reviews led me to the Stillwater Spa and Salon located inside the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Booking for a massage, body exfoliation, and facial was a breeze; self-parking and arrival were super easy. When I checked in, I was informed that my massage therapist and facialist would be Maria A., and I was given ample time to rest in the relaxation suite with tea and explore the facility, including a steam room, sauna, and indoor heated pool. My time with Maria was incredible, with a much-needed medium-pressure massage, the best part of which was her incredible neck and shoulder work, with the isolation and holding of my SCM muscle (sternocleidomastoid) being a standout moment. I have a strong preference for silent massages, and so it was as quiet, meditative, and relaxing as I needed it to be… but we chatted throughout the facial.

The facial was performed with Eminence Organics products, a brand I am familiar with through my Eminence certified school and use in my own office, and I excitedly asked about each step. Maria flawlessly treated my face. The products she used that I enjoyed most were the Barbados Cherry Cleanser, the Kombucha Serum, and the Arctic Berry Moisturizer, which had an incredible cooling effect. I asked if she’d used a specific protocol, and I was impressed when she said she just analyzed the skin and did what she thought best. She provided me with a wonderful recommendation card for suggested retail and home use, and off I went for a steam and a dip to complete my relaxation for the day before dinner.

This is a straightforward spa without all of the bells and whistles of an ultra high-end or destination resort spa, and I enjoyed it. The massage was technically excellent and more than the perfunctory bodywork some resort spa massage therapists phone in; it felt like an actual treatment for my very tense and neglected body (at this point, I hadn’t had a massage since April, which is absolutely crazy, but in my defense, it was a busy summer). The classic European facial, sans tools or devices, left me glowing and lifted by the Hungarian style massage. It was a wonderful experience with an incredible woman who, much like that therapist in 2016, provided therapy to me with mature and knowing hands, with a touch that felt nurturing and fortifying. I will return.

Elysian Palms Massage & Spa Suite is my little peace of paradise, my private haven for us to share. There is no pool, no sauna, no fancy seating area, only a warm table, ultra fresh linens, a stock of excellent products and tools, and a massage therapist and esthetician who truly cares for you and your well-being. I don’t mind sharing my thoughts or recommendations about other spas because I’ve never had a scarcity mentality when it comes to business; we visit different places for different experiences. Some days you may want the full resort experience, complete with check ins and relaxation spaces and water therapies. Some days you may walk into a chain last minute. But my office is here for you when you want personalized care that is calm, easy-going, and intimate… and I can only hope that I bring even a fraction of the comfort given to me by the therapist who inspired me a decade ago.

To schedule an appointment with me, visit the Appointment Book.

Warmly,

Gaye