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There are nine types of massage available including a Cinnamon Hot Stone Massage. There is also a Bamboo Massage using warm flat bamboo disks and bamboo rods. There’s a Kittian Signature Massage which begins with a dry brush exfoliation and then a full body massage using aromatic kukui nut and coconut oil. In addition to massages there are Vichy Shower treatments using pineapple and papaya scrub and lotion. Or you can choose a cinnamon and brown sugar scrub and lotion to complete your Vichy Shower experience.

The spa offers many other treatments, including a sun recovery treatment, a detoxifying body wrap, pedicures and manicures. For a more extensive treatment consider the The Emerald Journey, a five hour treatment that allows guests a combination of treatments and includes a spa lunch. After your visit to the spa you can complete your pampering with a salon cut, color or even a make-up or massage lesson.

The spa offers a private couples treatment room where couples can experience the luxury of a shared massage experience. Included is the use of a private jacuzzi after their treatment. In addition guests can order lunch from a spa cuisine menu. Along with spa treatments guests have the use of the stream room, sauna and soak tubs. These are all found within the private changing areas for women and men respectively. I particularly enjoyed the steam room with it’s steamy eucalyptus scent. I left feeling cleansed and refreshed.

For guests that would like a spa experience in their room there is the Spa in Room Bath Package. This private experience is set up by a spa butler in your own guest bathroom. It includes a chocolate scented bubble bath run by your own private spa butler, chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of champagne. Tea lights and tropical flowers are included to set the mood.

The Emerald Mist spa decor is simple, yet beautiful. Muted floor lighting lines the halls between treatment rooms, changing areas and the private waiting area. Plants and lighting add touches of peace to the spa atmosphere. Treatment rooms are comfortable and roomy with touches of the island in the form of flowers and colors.

The spa offers a selection of Epicuren products including one that is native to the island of St. Kitts, Noni. The Noni fruit is highly regarded on St. Kitts for its healing properties. When I spoke to women at the resort and spa about the Noni plant they all praised it’s homeopathic healing abilities for skin, hair and detoxifying the body. They all agreed the Noni fruit smells and tastes offensive. They drink it by holding their nose or mixing it into a glass of juice. It is recommended to drink the juice of one noni fruit once per week to improve the look and feel of hair, skin and for its detoxifying nature.

A Noni Fruit

In order to get the full amount of juice from the Noni fruit the women recommended allowing a single Noni fruit to decompose in a sealed glass jar for four to six days. The juice is then drained into a glass. Kittians either drink the juice alone, while holding the nose or add it to a juice. This helps disguise the taste. When you look at the women of St Kitts it’s clear that Noni fruit has healing benefits. The island women have beautiful skin and hair. What better way to get it than with a natural fruit from the island.

I enjoyed my massage experience at the Emerald Mist Spa. I had the Bamboo massage which was thoroughly relaxing and deeply soothing. This treatment is performed by rolling warm bamboo rods over the body and using smaller flat bamboo disks in areas such as the shoulders or upper back that need extra attention. The warming heat and the pressure of the bamboo, along with the expertise of the therapist make this treatment exquisitely relaxing. No matter what your preference the Emerald Mist Spa offers a treatment to suit every taste.

Emerald Mist Spa
St. Kitt’s Marriott Resort
1-869-466-8841
US Reservations 1-800-223-6388

Spa Photos Lisa Overman
*This press trip was provided by Marriott Resorts and the St. Kitts Marriott

Noni Fruit Photo Credit Makuahine Pa’i Ki’i

Okeanos Spa offers an inviting and deeply relaxing island experience. The spa decor is calming and includes the lush colors of the island. There are gorgeous shades of green, blue and calming creams that reflect the Aruban beaches. Your pampering begins with the thoughtful and friendly staff; it continues with the beautiful vases of bamboo and the ultra modern touches throughout the spa.

Spa Lounge at Okeanos

The spa lounge is decorated in contemporary Asian style. It offers plush seating, candles, orchids, calming modern art and soft lighting. There’s a view of the Oranjestad marina and a small private patio for spa guests. In the spa lounge visitors will find complimentary beverages and fruit to enjoy.

Massage Room

Okeanos Private Spa Showers

Okeanos offers a wide variety of spa services for it’s guests. At the main spa there are six types of massage offered. There’s swedish massage, a mommy to be massage, a make scents of it massage, a why knot massage, a japanese shiatsu massage and a sabai hot stone massage that also includes aromatherapy scents. Finally guests have an option of a reflexology foot massage. Besides these massage services there are facials, wraps, manicures and pedicures. There’s also Menu 22, which is a menu of treatments with Aruban aloe known for it’s healing and restorative properties.

Okeanos offers a wonderful couples massage that includes a private dinner outside overlooking the Caribbean sea served by a private butler. There’s an “all about you package” that includes a facial, massage, body wrap and then lunch on the private deck. This is followed by your choice of a manicure or pedicure and finally hairstyling at Brushes Hair Salon.

Spa Cove Treatments are another option at Okeanos Spa. These serene outdoor spa treatments take place in a secluded pavillion at the edge of a lagoon overlooking the sea on Renaissance Island, Marriot’s Private Island.

Renaissance Island Lagoon View

Cove Spa Pavillion

Caribbean Morning Couples Package/Sunset Romance Couples Package: These couples treatments include the use of the private spa pavillion for two and a half hours in the morning or afternoon as well as champagne or frozen drinks and a fresh fruit platter. Water floats and towels are provided after the couples massage.

Seascapes Package: Is an individual indulgence package which includes an open air massage with either a frozen drink or lunch and a frozen drink. Complimentary water floats and beach towels are provided after the Spa Cove treatment.

Along with these listed spa massage packages there are also a limited number of additional treatments available at Spa Cove for couples and individuals.

During my stay I was treated to an aromatherapy massage. Gloria, my massage therapist did an excellent job. I found my massage and massage room relaxing. I particularly liked the muted lighting in colors of the caribbean. I took advantage of the ladies steam room and then completed my treatment with a shower in one of the private showers equipped with multiple body sprayers which feel amazing.

• Of note neither the spa nor the fitness center offer a whirlpool. In addition I found the private patio overlooking the marina and street to lack the calm atmosphere I would expect of a spa experience. I realize the hotel has space constraints that are unavoidable being on an island. This is probably reflective of these missing elements. Okeanos Spa gives a high quality treatment and I left the spa refreshed and renewed. I will definitely return to Okeanos on my next visit to Aruba.

Photo Credits: Lisa Overman