In honor of the first Thanksgiving feast, which was held in Plymouth, Mass., in 1621, it seems only fitting to check out a nearby spa. After a bit too much eating and drinking on Turkey Day, it’s nice to spend your long weekend being pampered and catered to. Certainly if you were the one in charge of the big feast, you deserve some relaxation time. There are many great spas in Plymouth that fit the bill and will help you recover from all the cooking/cleaning/hosting, and get you ready for the busy holiday season. The John Carver Inn & Spa is one that offers a truly luxurious escape.
Stay and Play
This is the place to stay in Plymouth if you need to get away from it all. The John Carver Inn & Spa is located in historic downtown Plymouth and is within walking distance of all the waterfront tourist attractions. In fact, it sits on the original Pilgrims’ settlement and is next to Burial Hill, where many of the first settlers are buried. Just across the street you’ll find Brewster Gardens, where you can take a nature walk to Plymouth Rock. Talk about taking a walk through history!
John Carver Inn is decorated in a Colonial theme, which the original settlers might have felt was quite luxurious but is what would be expected in a top-class facility. It’s the perfect mix of historic and modern. There are 80 spacious rooms and suites with fireplaces to take the chill off those New England nights. Enjoy “Suite Dreams” here and get your choice of pillow, luxurious 300-count sheets and a relaxing whirlpool tub, among other wonderful amenities.
Enjoy a meal at the Hearth ‘n Kettle Restaurant, which focuses on Cape Cod cooking. Offerings include seafood entrees like Baked Stuffed Scallops and Nut Crusted Salmon, and offerings for landlubbers like Beef Pot Pie and Chicken Piccata. Don’t forget to try the Clam Chowder!
You can also enjoy drinks or dinner at the Inn’s WaterFire Tavern, featuring a stunning fire fountain. Try some craft beers and special cocktails, like a Cranberry Smash or a Maple Cider. Sample tapas, slider or grilled pizzas. This is a great, casual place to unwind and spend a relaxing evening.
Beach Plum Spa
The John Carver Inn’s Beach Plum Spa is a full-service facility that features eight treatment rooms and all-natural, organic products. It’s named after a fruiting shrub native to the northeastern U.S., which was used by colonial settlers in making preserves and jelly. In fact, the spa incorporates the fruit into its product lines and treatments.
Spa guests can enjoy a lap pool, whirlpool tub and saunas. Exercise equipment is also available if you really want to work up a sweat. I’d prefer getting sweaty in the sauna, however! There’s also a steam shower available in the locker room.
You do not need to be a guest of the Inn to visit the Beach Plum; it is open to the public.
The Beach Plum Spa offers a wide variety of services catering to nearly every need. Choose a Day Spa Package, like the Cape Cod Bliss or the Mini Interlude. Most of the packages come with a Cranberry Martini. Cheers! You can also try one of the spa’s Treatment Series, such as the Signature Ultrasonic Facial or the Cape Cod Spa Pedicure, which offers discounts on multiple treatments.
Need a massage? Beach Plum Spa offers a wide variety, including the Warm Seashell Massage, in which smooth, warmed shells are glided over your body. So relaxing. There’s also a wellness massage that incorporates warm towels to promote circulation and stress relief. Try a holistic massage, like an Ayurvedic massage or Reiki treatment, to sooth stress and injuries.
To get glowing, healthy-looking skin, choose from a wide variety of facial treatments. The Sea “C” Spa Facial is a facial massage with Vitamin C and seaweed, followed by an organic mud mask. If you have a specific skin concern, try the Seasonal Facial, in which the aesthetician will analyze your skin and recommend the best treatment for you.
If you want to relax and soak, try a Himalayan Salt Soak, Chakra Dead Sea or Moisturizing Milk Bath. There are many other options at this comprehensive spa, including body treatments, manicures and a hair salon. Several return visits may be required!
Spa Packages
Several package deals are available if you want to take full advantage of your stay here. If you want to get away with your friends, try the Girls Overnight Getaway. Escape for two nights with dinner and some pampering at the Beach Plum Spa. Enjoy Cranberry Spa Pedicures, massages, facials and makeup applications. It’s a perfect and rejuvenating escape for you and your friends.
Chocolate lovers can indulge in the Suite Deal Package. A sweet, chocolate welcome awaits you in your room to get your weekend off on the right note. Dinner and massages are included in this truly soothing escape.
If you need some special alone time with the special person in your life, try out the Beach Plum Romance Package. Start things out with a bottle of champagne, and enjoy a $60 dinner allowance at either restaurant. You’ll also have a couples massage, get to take home complimentary Pure Love Oil, and have Himalayan Salt Wraps. This package is sure to rekindle the romance!
Whether you stay for the weekend or just for the day, the John Carver Inn & Spa is a great Colonial escape for all your senses. A bit of history, a bit of relaxation – what more can you ask for?
*Feature Image Credit: Beach Plum Spa