My own back door, so to speak, held the answer. The local Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort Hotel and Spa, only five minutes away, was waiting. At first it seemed strange, to plan an overnight stay in a hotel in my own city. But by the time I'd had a Himalayan Body Wrap with Ayurvedic Massage, a deluxe facial and a scrumptious dinner, it seemed only natural to veg out in my hotel room and let relaxation rule.

After checking in at the hotel and leaving my luggage in my room, I made my way to the Spa, just off the hotel's lobby. Soft lights and soothing decor, a low key and helpful staff put me right at ease. I was introduced to my massage therapist, and she led me to the wrap room. Across the dimly lit room, the scent of vanilla wafted on the air. I was instructed to disrobe and lie on the "wet table", a sort of plastic table with a waterproof mattress. After a light body buffing to remove dead skin cells, I got slathered all over with what looked like green body lotion but turned out to be highly refined marine algae.

Then I was covered in a paper blanket and two layers of regular blankets. This was to help me absorb the algae into my skin. While I lay there feeling a bit sticky and strange, the massage therapist used ayurvedic techniques to massage my shoulders and face. She rubbed a mixture of sweet almond oil, rose and lavender oil on my skin and methodically massaged my body from neck to toes. She explained that this treatment is to restore and balance the body, mind and soul.

I don't know about my soul, but when she left me for 30 minutes on my own with soft music playing, I fell right to sleep. I woke up warm and sticky, but after showering off, my skin felt like velvet. The next step was the best part of the Ayurvedic body wrap. As I lay back on the table, several shower heads (a Vichy shower) covered me with softly falling warm water as my body was once again massaged all over with warm oil. Heaven. My skin had never felt softer, my nerves were calmed and my muscles relaxed.

Wrapped in cozy terry robe, feeling completely pampered, I moved to the next item on my agenda, a deluxe facial. I was feeling a bit anxious about this, because my skin is dry and sensitive. Not to worry. My esthetician calmed my concerns by asking questions and explaining she'd match the treatments exactly to my skin from a variety of cosmetic lines. I liked the idea that each step was handpicked to fit my needs. First she used a gentle cleansing milk followed by a softening lotion. This, in itself, was enough to make my skin feel wonderful, but there was lots more to come. She used a very gentle touch with a vegetal exfoliant to slough off dead skin, then put on a soothing skin mask. All the while she gently massaged these into my face and neck while relaxing music played in the background.

The last step was a soothing cream and included a cream designed especially to go around the eyes. She massaged these into my neck and face. I can truly say this was the best facial I have ever had. I liked the way she informed me about the products, but didn't try to push any of them on me. I did ask for, and received, a booklet detailing the products used on me. By the time she had finished, I was so de-stressed, I wondered if my muscles could make it as far as my hotel room. Tomorrow morning, I decided, it would be room service for breakfast. Might as well take this pampering all the way.

Essential Information
The philosophy of the Spa at the Ocean Pointe is to make its clients feel relaxed and invigorated, to leave the Spa with a sense of well being and rejuvenation after being pampering. Their aim is for you to feel good. It is not a heath spa or a fat farm, nor does it have a medical slant. The spa's stress is on de-stressing only. There is a beauty salon on premises. The hotel has an exercise room, squash court, tennis court, small indoor pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi for guests' use.

Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa
45 Songhees Road
Victoria, BC
Canada V9A 6T3
Phone: 250-360-2999
Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-667-4677
Web site: www.oprhotel.com
Email: deltanet@deltahotels.com
Spa: There are a wide range of spa packages and treatments available. For full details contact them at
Phone: 250-360-5858; Reservation Line: 1-800-575-8882

©2001 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. All images by the author.

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