While I’ve received the star treatment at other spas, it’s definitely rock star treatment at the Rock Spa, located in the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs.
Pulling up to the lobby entrance of the hotel, the valet dashes over to the car, greeting me with a warm welcome and smile. As he whisks my car away, the bellman opens the front door and I’m ushered in to the lobby. I should mention – this is the treatment every guest receives.
The lobby of the hotel has a funky, retro vibe to it with furnishings reflecting the rock and roll theme as well as a nod to the mid-century modern influence of the Palm Springs locale. Musical memorabilia generously adorns the walls and the lounge is vibrating to a beat while bartenders are mixing colorful cocktails and chatting with guests. Couples are lounging comfortably on the sofas. The atmosphere is casual and fun.
The Rock Spa is tucked away on the lower level of the building but the concierge provides directions and even offers to guide me there, if I prefer.
Upon arriving at the spa, I chuckle as I’m reviewing the spa menu. The spa is small and intimate with just four treatment rooms available for massage and body treatments, facials and waxing. Despite the diminutive size, it’s big on attitude! The treatment names are clever and fun – Sexy Back for a back treatment, Rock On for hot stone massage, Smooth Operator for dry brushing and body wrap and Face The Music for their signature facial.
After completing a medical form, I’m whisked away to the change room, where plush robes and slippers await. With my belongings tucked away in a locker, I venture out to be guided to the lounge.
Walking down the hall, I’m checking out the treatment rooms. The music theme continues as I see an electric guitar casually leaning against the wall in the corner of a room. Then I spy an odd, clear, bowl-shaped apparatus suspended over the bed. Ah ha! This is where I’ll experience my Rhythm and Motion massage!
The bed is specially designed to create an innovative, musical spa experience. As I lie down I feel the bass vibrations of the music pulsating through the bed while the treble sounds are delivered via the dome above my head. And the music isn’t your typical spa music. Instead, it’s recognizable rock tunes but nothing too jarring. I find it a rather welcome change from the instrumental new age music that has become synonymous with spas.
What I find most interesting about this unique bed is how the music envelopes me, much more so than in a normal spa setting. With the dome above my head delivering sound, I’m oblivious to the usual hushed sounds of the therapist quietly rustling about the room, retrieving warm towels, getting additional oil, and even their movement beside the bed. I find it quite peaceful.
And the massage is wonderful. I started the day with a 15 kilometre run in the sun, so the massage therapist’s hands expertly easing the muscles in my legs and working out the knot at the back of my neck feels exquisite.
As the stress dissipates and I’m melting into the table, all I can think is, “give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away…”
Rock Spa’s motto is “Live Hard, Purify Harder”. Sounds perfect for a wannabe rock star – and me.
Tips:
Rock Spa at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs also offers a range of couples experiences, including one aptly named, Your Body Is A Wonderland, which is an intimate mud treatment where you and your partner paint one another’s bodies with mud, then shower before your duet massage. The massage therapists are discreetly absent from the room for your mud painting and showering. The treatment is capped off with champagne.
~ Wanda Love, Spas of America. Wanda is a fervent traveler, spa fanatic, lover of wine & food, crappy golfer and mediocre runner. She also works as a marketing & pr specialist for a range of luxury lifestyle companies. You can follow her blog at www.wandalove.com.