At Ease: The Great Twin Cities Spa Guide 2009
We’ve been waxed, sculpted, softened, and primped (life is hard) in order to bring you this essential bit of knowledge: You don’t have to venture far to escape. We’ve rounded up the most innovative and undeniably relaxing day spas to put you on the path to bliss. How you get there—fanny facial, anyone?—is up to you.
(page 2 of 3)
Sunbear Spa
2207 Third St.
White Bear Lake
651-426-5884
sunbearspa.com
This luxe medi-spa in an expansive renovated theater near White Bear Lake makes an idyllic setting for a girls’ getaway or personal pampering.
Great For: organic facials as well as more serious skincare, including photofacials, peels, and microdermabrasion.
Top Service: Prepare for your big day with a bridal beauty plan, customized for you by a special events coordinator. (Price varies.)
The Refinery
321 SE 14th Ave.
Minneapolis
612-331-9055
therefineryonline.com
Coeds and grownups in the know flock to this unfussy Dinkytown institution, where three floors are dedicated to salon and spa services.
Great For: repeat relaxation. Purchase packages of six Swedish, Thai, shiatsu, or hot stone massages at deeply discounted rates.
Top Service: The 15-minute, no-nonsense Brazilian waxes are legendary. Notice we didn’t say painless ($30).
Spot Spa
401 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, 612-331-4182
1600 W. Lake St.
Minneapolis, 612-823-7768
spotbodywork.com
The emphasis is on well-being—not bells and whistles—at this intimate spa, an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Great For: gentle but effective holistic facials, and exotic bodywork like Ashiatsu, an adaptation of an ancient form of barefoot massage.
Top Service: The customized Spot massage combines deep tissue, Swedish, Esselen, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, shiatsu, and acupressure techniques ($45 and up).
The Marsh
15000 Minnetonka Blvd.
Minnetonka
952-935-8905
themarsh.com
The spa here is just one component of this venerable health and fitness center, which tends to attract an older clientele.
Great For: staff-created integrated wellness plans, which can include everything from acupuncture to glycolic acid peels.
Top Treatment: Watsu, a floating water massage based on Shiatsu, leads to deep relaxation, pain relief, and increased circulation ($49 and up).
Juut Salonspa Southdale
Southdale Center
Edina (and six other metro locations)
952-925-4343
juut.com
Though you can find a half-dozen Juut spas around the metro, we’re partial to the sleek, two-story Southdale location, where mod white leather benches, meditation crystals, and loads of natural light have a cool and calming effect.
Great For: nail services, massages, and hydrotherapy treatments that balance the body’s chakra system.
Top Treatment: Add the new Perfecting Plant Peel, a non-irritating, natural glycolic peel to any facial for only $25.
Phresh Spa Salon
937 Grand Ave.
St. Paul
651-227-6371
phreshspasalon.com
You’ll feel right at home in this family-run spa, located in a Victorian house with uncommonly spacious rooms.
Great For: manis/pedis in the sunny room overlooking Grand Avenue—perfect for bridal parties and group events.
Top Treatment: customized facials using the Eminence organic skincare line, microdermabrasion, and peels ($50 and up).
Fusion LifeSpa
18142 Minnetonka Blvd.
Deephaven
952-345-3335
fusionlifespa.com
Owners Tim and Donna Duffy, a designer and aesthetician, respectively, seamlessly integrate beauty and wellness at their Asian-inspired, holistic health spa.
Great For: time-honored treatments, such as facial-rejuvenation acupuncture and private bathing rituals in a Japanese soaking tub.
Top Treatment: The two-hour revitalizing Red Flower Nature Ritual includes a steam shower, organic exfoliation, body wrap, deep-tissue massage, and therapeutic bath ($185).
Sanctuary Salonspa
1201 Harmon Pl.
Minneapolis (and three other metro locations)
612-333-0300
sanctuaryspa.com
At the sunny downtown Minneapolis location of this Aveda lifestyle spa, double doors lead to a newly remodeled treatment area—and bliss.
Great For: a well-deserved break from cubicle land. Nip in over lunch for a 25-minute massage or express facial.
Top Service: Endermology, a non-invasive, high-tech treatment that’s Heidi Klum’s choice for body-shaping and cellulite-smoothing (from $80).
