Get Away...Without Going Away By KATHY A. GOOLSBY
and JACKIE BOLIN Staff Writers / The Dallas Morning News
Everyone needs an occasional
vacation to unwind and rejuvenate, but taking a trip isn't
always an option. A fear of flying, tight finances or a
lack of time are just a few of the reasons people are staying
closer to home these days.
But with plenty of day spas around the area, it is possible
to get away without breaking the bank – or even leaving
town. With our sampling of spas and some of their most popular
services, you can find the escape that's right for you,
whether it's a full day of pampering or just an hour or
two.
Dallas County
The Spa at the Crescent:
For a true Dallas experience, nothing beats an
afternoon at The Spa at the Crescent. Well-heeled ladies
have always walked the halls of the Crescent – from
the grand hotel's lobby to the adjoining upscale boutique
Stanley Korshak. The spa recently got a $4 million renovation,
so expect nothing less than spectacular. In between treatments,
make sure to hit The Juice Bar, which offers an assortment
of fruit and vegetable smoothies, as well as light dishes
for lunch (if it's not included in your package). There
are more than 70 treatments to choose from, such as the
Hotter 'n Texas Summer Rock Massage ($100), a 50-minute
rubdown based on Hispanic healing traditions in which the
body is rubbed down with smooth, hot stones. The Cowboy
Boogie pedicure ($75) is another Texas-inspired treat and
includes dipping the feet in moor mud, then placing them
into heated plastic bags. 400 Crescent Court, Dallas. 214-871-3200.
www.crescentcourt.com/spa.cfm
Avalon Salon
& Spa: Dallas' hottest spot for outdoor
dining, shopping and people-watching is also home to
one of the city's busiest spas. The Avalon Salon &
Spa in the West Village is the place for anyone who
wants to be pampered in true Dallas fashion. The full-service
salon is always buzzing with trendy, well-groomed men
and women of all ages getting cut, colored, dried and
styled. But open the door to the Aveda spa, and you're
immediately transported to a calmer place. The Asian-inspired
décor and trickling rock waterfall instantly
slow you down. Let your creative juices flow and customize
your own package. Any three or more spa services will
be discounted 10 percent. Or simply indulge yourself
with a Brazilian bikini wax ($60), which the spa has
become famous for. 3699 McKinney, Dallas. 214-969-1901.
www.avalon-salon.com
Tom Fox/DMN
Malinda
Dickey of Dallas reads under the heat lamps at Avalon
Salon & Spa
Aqua: Southern
Methodist University students flock to this University Park
salon and spa, but don't think it's just about the youngsters.
Aqua takes its skin care seriously and is one of the few
salons in Dallas carrying Sonya Dakar, the namesake skin-care
line of Hollywood's aesthetician to the stars. Ms. Dakar
targets skin types to achieve specific goals, whether your
needs are about aging, discoloration or scarring, and her
products are so sought-after they were featured in this
year's Oscar baskets. The Sonya Dakar Clinical Fitness Treatment
Facial ($100) is sure to shape up any skin type and is one
of the salon's hottest treatments. Aqua also has the popular
Fresh products, and its Fresh Brown Sugar Body Scrub ($60)
is a 25-minute treat that exfoliates the body with rich
brown sugar and a mix of oils. The scrub leaves the body
fresh, soft and smooth and ready for the summer sun. 6405
Hillcrest, Dallas. 214-443-0100. www.aquarx.com
Salon Pompeo:
It's all about relaxing at Salon Pompeo. This Uptown spot
wants you to leave your troubles behind while you're there,
and it even has a fully stocked bar to help you. Of course,
that probably won't be necessary with treatments such as
the exclusive Moroccan Cocoon with Rassoul body treatment
($85), in which you are rubbed down with Rassoul (a mud
from Morocco), then wrapped in a plastic sheet and space
blanket to keep heat from escaping. You are left to relax
for 20 minutes, then rinsed off and thoroughly massaged
with oils. Pompeo is also a full-service salon, offering
haircuts, conditioning hair treatments, color, party updos,
manicures and pedicures.
3227 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-979-0440
Tarrant County
Stone Dyer Salon
& Day Spa: This 3-year-old spa offers a lounge
room for groups of up to 12 people, where they can chat
and nibble on snacks while awaiting their turn in one of
three massage rooms, two facial rooms or other areas. Services
include hairstyling, skin care, facials, microdermabrasion,
peels, massage, waxing, manicures, pedicures, reflexology
and body wraps. Patrons of the Renew You package ($145)
enjoy a body polish with lavender or chocolate-cherry salts,
one-hour Swedish massage and pedicure. Some Like It Hot
($170) features a one-hour hot stone massage, warm moor
mud wrap and a hot paraffin pedicure. 4608 Bryant Irvin
Road, Fort Worth. 817-292-9475
The Pamper House:
Located in a 60-year-old renovated home, this day spa has
been pampering clients for 13 years. Services include massage,
body wraps, scrubs, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures,
hairstyling and makeup. The Full Day of Pampering ($210)
features a full-body massage, full facial, manicure and
pedicure with paraffin wax, and lunch. A Half Day of Pampering
($155) includes a half-body massage, minifacial, manicure
and pedicure. 900 W. Abram St., Arlington. 817-860-4415.
www.pamperhouse.com
Chris Hamilton/Special
Contributor
Sarah Bowman
gives a guest a massage in Elixir Spa's rustic log
cabin room in Colleyville.
Elixir Spa:
Each room is decorated to resemble an exotic destination,
including the French wine country, a Caribbean beach
and a rustic log cabin, popular with male clients. There's
also a reading library for relaxing before, after or
in between visits to the various locales. Services include
hairstyling, massage, facials, body wraps, manicures,
pedicures, microdermabrasion and makeup. Transform yourself
into Queen/King For the Day ($260) with a one-hour massage,
customized facial, eye zone wrap, manicure and pedicure
with paraffin wax, Aveda mask and gourmet salad. The
Escape ($145) includes a one-hour aromatherapy massage,
a 45-minute essential facial and paraffin for hands
and feet. 85 Village Lane, Suite 150, Colleyville. 817-427-9700.
www.elixirdaymaker.com
B.J. & Co. Salon
and Day Spa: The spa is part of The Grapevine House,
a replica of a nearby 1880s Victorian house complete with
a fireplace in the adjoining gift shop. Services include
hairstyling, electrolysis, manicures, pedicures, massage,
reflexology, facials, waxing and microdermabrasion. The
Special Touch ($178) includes a whirlpool bath, one-hour
massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and lunch. Or pamper
yourself with the Texas Classic's whirlpool bath, salt glow
massage, anti-aging facial, cut and style or condition and
style, manicure, pedicure, paraffin dip, lunch, choice of
$25 gift or product, and a chocolate mint ($350). 110 S.
Barton St., Grapevine. 817-488-7351
Serenity Day Spa:
The spa has a tearoom for its clients. Services
include hairstyling, massage, body wraps, facials, waxing,
manicures and pedicures. Try the Day of Serenity ($255)
– a body scrub and massage, European facial, manicure,
pedicure, glamour makeup, hairstyle and lunch in the tearoom.
The Morning Retreat ($145) features a pedicure, manicure,
shampoo and style, massage or facial, and lunch in the tearoom.
7286 Glenview Drive, Richland Hills. 817-284-5352
Denton County
Davanti Salon:
This Aveda concept salon has been doing business for six
years. Services include hairstyling, microdermabrasion,
waxing, ear candling, body bronzing, European facials, manicures,
pedicures, makeup, and lash and brow tinting. In a Day of
Luxury ($255), you'll get a facial with makeup, spa manicure
and pedicure, shampoo, haircut and style with scalp massage,
and lunch. The Quick-Change Artist ($115) features a make-me-over
hairstyle, manicure and makeup session. 121 Piner St., Denton.
940-380-1196. www.davantisalon.com
Spa Mecca:
Its location in Flower Mound's Parker Square gives Spa Mecca
a homey feeling. Services include hairstyling, facials,
waxing, massage, manicures and pedicures. The Great Escape
($240) features a manicure, pedicure, aromatherapy massage,
four-layer facial, complimentary gift and lunch. The Sampler
($130) provides a half-hour massage, half facial and basic
manicure and pedicure. 950 Parker Square, Flower Mound.
972-410-1005. www.spa-mecca.com
Collin County
Eco
Salon & Spa: This retreat will do walk-ins
if the room is available, but it's still best to call for
an appointment. Services include hairstyling, manicures,
pedicures, massage, body wraps, hot rock treatments, scrubs
and polishes, facials and waxing. The all-over package ($183)
features a one-hour massage, one-hour facial, manicure and
pedicure. The body package ($150) features a one-hour massage,
body scrub and body wrap. 5964 W. Parker Road, Plano. 972-422-8332.
www.ecosalonspa.com
Elliz Salon &
Spa: These folks have been pampering clients for
three years with hairstyling, massages, facials, manicures,
pedicures, waxing, body scrubs and body wraps. The Half
Day of Beauty ($175) includes a half-hour facial, half-hour
massage, manicure, pedicure, haircut and style. Or indulge
in the Full Day of Beauty ($290), with its manicure, pedicure,
one-hour facial, haircut and style, eyebrow and lip wax,
one-hour massage, makeup and lunch. 3305 Dallas Parkway,
Plano. 972-378-5551. www.ellizsalon.com
Rockwall County
The Heath Hair Co.:
Don't let the name fool you. Though it has seven hairdressers
on staff, the 3,000-square-foot Heath Hair Co. is known
for its terrific spa treatments, particularly chemical peels
and microdermabrasion. One high-powered treatment with a
machine that shoots out tiny crystals to smooth your face
costs $129, but a special package of 10 can be purchased
at a lower per-treatment price. The spa also features a
double massage room, where couples or girlfriends can de-stress
together. 201 Hubbard Drive, Heath.
972-771-0688
