Spas

Oasis of Calm

Seek solitude and sanctuary at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. BY KIMBERLY KROL INLANDER

Time Out:

Relaxation room

PHOTO: © FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO

THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT 10100 Dream Tree Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836 tel 407 313 7777 fourseasons.com W hile in Orlando, Florida, for the Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention, I decided to sneak in a little relaxation pre-trade show kick-off and sought a few hours of calm at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. As the convention center is not located on Disney property, this also gave me my one and only chance on that trip to get a taste of Disney.

Just the right taste, that is. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World boasts many of the Disney amenities and proximity travelers crave without the in-your-face design and Disney mania some travelers want to avoid. And it also boasts the only adults-only pool on Disney property, as well as a kids club. Parents with children on a trip to Disney might think they can’t seek a moment of solitude from the little ones, but Four Seasons ensures that possibility, in more ways than one.

Guests can also see all the parks without leaving the property limits, as all Disney parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom — are visible from the resort, and select guestrooms offer views of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks.

But you’re not here for Disney, and neither was I. I was here to bring myself back to center before a busy week of conventiongoing — for the first time in almost two years! And I definitely found it at this gorgeous sanctuary in the midst of one of the busiest U.S. cities for attractions and conventions.

In addition to being relaxing, The Spa is also high-tech. While not typically a word associated with spas, this one is on the cutting edge of the newest and latest in innovative treatments. Alongside classic treatments like massages and facials, The Spa menu also boasts therapies like cryotherapy, Vitality Drips, vibrational sound, oxygen facials and the Sleep Ritual Massage.

Upon its reopening after pandemic-related closures, with health and wellness top of mind, The Spa introduced a collaboration with Dr. Olga Ivanov to offer Vitality Drips, intravenous hydration and vitamin injections administered by a registered nurse. Different IV blends have a variety of benefits, like Dr. Ivanov’s signature blend of vitamins B, C and gluthathione. Also in line with some of the changes following COVID19, the Vibrational Sound Therapy massage uses actual vibrations from metal bowls to perform the massage, rather than the therapist’s hands. Only available at Four Seasons locations at Walt Disney World and Westlake Village, the Sleep Ritual Massage, offered since 2018 and developed with Robert Michael deStefano, co-founder of wellness company Longeva, incorporates breathing techniques, sleep-inducing botanicals and ultra-relaxing touch therapies. This treatment is ideal for late afternoon or early evening. Three cryotherapy treatments — utilizing cold and thermal shocks — include Cryoslimming, Cryotoning and Cryofacial.

Back to that Disney element quickly: I found these three treatments at The Spa that cater to children in a way very befitting its destination worth mentioning. The Magical Moments for Kids include Shining Knight, with groomed hair, a crown, a sword and a shield; Royal Treatment, turning kids into a princess of their choice with the appropriate hairstyle, dress, tiara, wand, makeup, manicure, fairy dust and more; and Belle of the Ball, which is similar but excludes some elements like the princess dress.

With so many options, it was almost impossible for me to decide what treatment I wanted to indulge in. I finally settled on a treatment exclusive to Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World: the Sticks and Stone Massage. My therapist utilized sculpted basalt stones and birchwood massage sticks throughout the treatment to target areas that ailed me for a variation on the traditional hot-stone massage. The therapist’s combination of massage movements and muscle release techniques ensure tension relief, tissue purification and relaxation.

Just being at The Spa makes one feel like an exclusive VIP at a secret hideaway. Its aesthetic is luxurious, with no detail overlooked. The locker rooms are spacious, the amenities plentiful, the bathrobes lush and the lounge waiting area indulgent. Any amount of time spent here, away from the chaos of the bustling city and the sensory overload of Disney parks, guarantees to soothe.

It felt like the time flew from when I first settled myself on the massage table to the massage therapist’s gentle tap on my arm to alert me of the treatment’s end. What did linger, however, were the benefits, the feeling of calm and overall body reset I felt as a result of the massage. They were all that was needed to conquer the trade show floor at Orange County Convention Center. I was more than poised to welcome back business travel with my colleagues and friends from the travel industry.

Stress Relief:

Sticks and Stone massage

PHOTO: © FOUR SEASONS RESORT ORLANDO