Hosteria Las Quintas
Technology - do we control it, or is it the other way around?
The classic TV commercial high-stress scenario - telephone ringing, dog barking, children crying, and the doorbell ringing - now features the added delights of cell phone caroling, pager beeping, fax machine running out of paper and computer crashing. No wonder so many of us feel the need to slow down and reconnect with ourselves. Accomplishing that often requires a complete break from high-tech communications.
Consequently, most Destination Spa Group spas have on-property "disconnect" policies for the comfort of all guests and as a way of encouraging "fully wired" guests to temporarily tune out. Spas suggest that guests leave their laptops, cell phones, PDAs, and other connections to the outside world at home. Those guests who must stay in touch are asked to restrict the use of such devices to their rooms and, at some spas, to other limited areas.
Destination spas are responding to the need for a healing break from contemporary life by offering more mind/body classes, and by instituting spirituality and stress-management weeks. While yoga and meditation classes have always been a part of the destination spa experience, most Destination Spa Group member spas offer many other paths to serenity, including tai chi, Pilates, martial arts, power yoga and meditative walking.
Other noteworthy stress-reducing offerings include a fencing class at Golden Door, Feldenkrais® bodywork at Lake Austin Spa, a sweat lodge ceremony at New Age Health Spa and a quiet room at Birdwing Spa.
In a quest to offer enduring help to guests, destination spas also are expanding take-home life-management offerings. Classes in journaling, sleep ecology, gardening and Oriental healing arts are just a sampling of the possibilities. The Hills Health Ranch even offers a unique package for the horse enthusiast, "Connecting With Horses."
Not everyone is going to find peace by communing with horses of course, but guests have a wealth of choices at destination spas - once they make the decision to disconnect, de-stress and reconnect with their emotional and physical health.
