Banyan Tree Spa Experience

As a spa therapist, I like to forgo my frugal lifestyle once a year and indulge in a day spa to get ideas for what the trends are.  This year I chose the Banyan Tree Spa in Mayakoba.  When you walk into this luxurious hotel, you really feel like you are in Thailand - the architecture, the flowers, even the pink cherry blossom trees at the entrance with the lily pad pond reminds me of being in Asia.

As you make your way down to the spa, Thai receptionists will greet you with a sweet hibiscus flower juice, then your therapist will greet you at the glass doors where it opens into a little city of individual massage cabins, surrounded by water canals, and decorated with Asian-style pillows, blankets and decor.  "Aromatherapy of the Day" infuser is at the entrance of the cabin.  The Rainmist Romance package will pamper you with a welcoming foot bath with warm water and rose petals in a cast iron bowl.  The therapist releases an anti-bacterial ball of herbs into the water and washes your feet and does pressure points on your legs.  Beside you on the couch is a cold towel for face and hands, and a glass of water.

After the welcoming ritual, you will go to the change room where you will find a sarong to change into - no fancy slippers or robes here, you go directly to the room in your clothing, as each room has its own private humid area just for you, equipped with steam, shower and bathroom.  The sheets were so soft, like a bamboo feel.  The therapist starts with pressure points all over your body, then she gets up on the table and goes deeper up again on the legs, buttocks and back.  She then drizzles warm sesame oil with geranium over your body, applies warm herbal pouches, then performs a traditional Swedish massage.  After the massage, she leads you to the steam room fully equipped with a table with a Vichy shower overtop.  You lay down and enjoy the warm jets of water all down your spine and legs and feet, while steam comes out underneath the table and heats your body to prepare it for the honey, green tea and apple scrub.  The therapist applies the warm scrub to your body, it feels soothing and calming, but at the same time invigorating.  Once she has scrubbed you all over, she brings the Vichy shower back over your body, and washes all the scrub off with a warm touch of her hand.

After the treatment, which is 2 hours in total, they lead you back to a relaxing room called "Albahaca" where they serve you a fresh fruit plate and a hot ginger and honey tea.

The experience of being bathed by someone else is really incredible and something everyone should try once in their lifetime!