St. Thomas · Activities

Pampering in Paradise: A Look at the Spas of St. Thomas

Tourists seek quality services to enhance their tropical experience by way of massages, body wraps, facials and more

Visitors to this popular Virgin Island paradise seek relaxation, tranquility and indulgence with the help of professional treatments geared toward improving the look and health of their skin

Just as the calm and tranquil waters of St. Thomas offer a soothing quality, local spas offer visitors the opportunity to pamper themselves in paradise. Whether you are looking to relax with a professional massage session, attend private yoga classes or simply want to rejuvenate your skin through a series of body wraps, facials and more, the spas of St. Thomas are your ticket to pampering in paradise.

One of the most popular spa services is that of the body wrap, which begins with an exfoliation process to remove old skin cells so that the new ones can enjoy the benefits of the body wrap. Next, your entire body will be covered with seaweed, mud, clay, lotion, cream or other component as offered at the spa. After that, you will be wrapped in towels or sheets to keep your body warm during the treatment. After a certain amount of time, which is usually 20 minutes, the product will be rinsed off and you will then moisturize your skin with some type of lotion.

In addition to being a relaxing experience, spa treatments are beneficial for many reasons. Among them, ridding the body or skin of toxins and rehydrating or softening of the skin. Although some spas will incorporate certain massage techniques during a body wrap, this service is not an actual massage. On St. Thomas, private masseuses are available to provide custom massages at your hotel or villa.

When it comes to massages on St. Thomas, professional massage therapist David Hammon is one who offers a choice of a therapeutic, shiatsu, deep tissue and Thai yoga massages. According to Hammon's website, "Massage therapy helps to maximize muscular, skeletal and nervous systems." In addition to these services, acupuncture is also available in recognition of the 2,500 year old oriental health care approach designed with the belief that certain patterns of energy flow can be identified and corrected at the skin's surface for improved health.

If you are planning a vacation to the Virgin Islands and are looking forward to a visit to a St. Thomas spa, choosing a location may be easier than you think. You can research spas at vipages.com or inquire with the USVI tourism office by calling 1-800-372-USVI. If you are staying at one of the local hotels, you may also inquire within regarding local spa services. Sit back, relax and soak up all of the pampering that this island paradise has to offer.

For More Information

• Discuss your St. Thomas vacation
• Browse the St. Thomas business directory
• Sign Up for the VI Traveler newsletter

See you on the Island, John "Big Hat" Walsh