September 2008
The Hotel (http://www.thehotelhershey.com/)Not bad, lovely garden and fountain area, good yoga class outside by Raymond, super staff and pretty comfortable bed, bath and room. The valet who greeted me, relayed my name along the way to other staff (love that), who all introduced themselves and offered further service personally if it was needed. Bellman Frank gave lots of advice, directions and help as he led me to my room on the 4th floor. At check in, I opted for the "dark" Hershey's Chocolate Bar as my choice of welcome gift and I munched on this before heading to the spa for the afternoon.
The Chocolate Spa:
The Good:
Check in was good except the girl who was going to show me around forgot to come back, but she did better later on and the next 2 days. The check in desk quickly found her when I asked.
The three lounge areas are quite nice, and the little porch that overlooks the fountains is nice. They have one to suit your tastes - the quiet room with a fireplace, coffee, pastries, view and comfy chairs; one with aromatherapy; one that earns a total BRAVO from me......the Silent Room!! Thank you thank you thank you. I frequently (if you read this blog, you know) find myself wishing for one of these since there are many spa visitors who feel it's ok to talk about your latest frustrations with their blackberries, bosses, or kids.....it's NOT ok and it's NOT ok to talk at full volume. So finally a spa has provided this. Thank you! This lovely room has signs around it asking people to refrain from speaking while inside. It has lovely comfortable furniture and a beautiful cross window and regular window that let light in and give a good view.
Hershey's Kisses (both dark and milk) are available throughout the spa.
First day, I had the Noche Azul water soak - lovely soak in a great Sanijet tub with blue lights. The Noche Azul Scrub - great, gentle scrub. Usually scrubs are so rough that I end up feeling all scraped up afterwards but this was a really nice gentle one, and 3 days after it, my skin is still feeling nice and soft.
The WOW!
The Noche Azul Massage - by Vixen. I don't think she deserves that name at all....not a trouble maker, not wild and crazy. THE softest, most calming touch I have ever felt and you know I've felt quite a few. I'm almost comatose after 50 minutes with her, although I really don't want to be since I'm sitting on the spa porch overlooking the promenade and fountain area. But really, she has tied with Michael at Skana for the best massage I've ever had award. Tied because it was a different type of massage than his. Vixen's was unique in that every time she started to lay her hands on me, it was done really softly and slowly and when her hands were leaving, it was also super slow and gentle.....that painting by Michaelangelo....the hand of God just leaving the tip of Jesus' finger? that's how it felt. And I had no idea it could make such a difference. But it does. I think I've never realized how the start and the end of a touch can make such a difference. Even when you know where the therapists hands are going to go, it can be a little jarring sometimes. But even if it's not jarring, there was something about Vixen's technique that made it really different. Totally relaxing, slowed down, fabulous, well done!!
Good things:
- Silent Room!!!!
- Chocolate muffins
- Staff - the decorum, quietness, professionalism (when they call you to your service, answering questions, getting you what you need)
Needs work:
(I'm going to be extremely nit picky on a couple of things, because it's good.)
- a little more attention to cleaning in the corners
- coffee, a little weak for my taste
- more/better magazines
- facial cleanser and moisturizer needed in the locker room
- foot rests are needed in the Silent Room
Dining
The Circular Restaurant
I had high hopes, ordering 4 appetizers as a sort of "tasting menu" for my meal but sorry to say, not the best. The chef had white chocolate scallops on the menu so I excitedly ordered those (remembering the to-die-for plate I'd had at Wildflowers at Turning Stone) but was disappointed. The scallops were cooked absolutely perfectly but the white chocolate sauce....I think it needed more white chocolate? some other flavorings? not sure but it wasn't that great.
The kobe beef with leeks was nice and the squash soup was good but a bit too much of it since it was so rich. Better to serve people a cup instead of a large bowl. I couldn't eat dessert that night.
Oh and the BEST - the chocolate cherry bread! Fantastic!
