They were calling for a big snow storm on the East Coast of the U.S. so we headed up a day early, which made it even more relaxing. From the moment the valet opened the car door until he closed it three days later, it was nothing but total relaxation.
After checking in on Monday evening, we took a walk around the hotel, enjoying its 1930s architecture. After a cocktail in the bar and dinner in one of the restaurants we went back to the bar for dessert. We each had a signature Hotel Hershey Coffee - Kahlua, cognac, Hershey's chocolate syrup and coffee all topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. To round things out we shared a serving of orange chocolate angel food cake, which came with a beautiful winged cookie and fresh mandarin oranges.
Tuesday morning we both ordered the Spa Breakfast from room service to set the mood. It included a great muesli, these really tasty high fiber muffins, fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Then it was off to the gym, followed by a swim in the huge indoor swimming pool. Since it was a weekday in early February the place was practically abandoned. The absence of other guests and the minimal spa visitors just added to the overall relaxation. I spent over an hour in the pool just hanging out all by myself.
That afternoon we started our spa treatments. I had a great sea scrub followed by a soothing hydrotherapy bath. I met my Mom back in the room and we had champagne and snacks that I had packed for our cocooning in the room.
Wednesday was the major spa day. After a light room service breakfast of fruit, juice and coffee we were off to the spa. I relaxed
with a long steam before heading to the quiet room to enjoy some homemade hot cocoa. The kind made with powdered cocoa, milk, sugar and a pinch of salt...all you can drink...along with coffee, tea, lemon water, etc. My first service was a mojito body wrap with a vichy shower. After some relaxation time it was off to the Oasis restaurant for lunch.Lunch at the Oasis must be the height of spa decadence. The food, a delicious and abundent buffet, included shrimp, several salads and pork loin. Even though I didn't have any, the lamb and barley soup, which my Mom ate, looked and smelled wonderful. For dessert there was an incredible array of little chocolate things. I really enjoyed the mini chocolate pecan pie in particular. And you get to do all this in your spa robe as only spa patrons eat here. The views of the hotel gardens, the sound of the water fountain add to the relaxed atmosphere, but alas, there is a pampering schedule to be kept.
As we were getting ready to leave, the hostess came over to our table and with a look of abject horror on her face apologized to my Mother, her 2:30 service had been pushed to 3:00. The hostess invited her to linger over lunch a little longer and assured her that the rest of her day would go as planned. This was the kind personalized attention we enjoyed throughout our stay.
After lunch I had an 80-minute chamomile relaxation massage and then a fun 75-minute private pedicure that included exfoliation, massage and paraffin. No polish, just a nice natural buff.
That night we ate left over snacks and had room service dinner. The room service waiter had inquired about our stay and we told him we were celebrating my Mom's birthday. When he returned to pick up our table he brought a lovely plate of chocolate petite fours for her. On our last morning I arranged for a late checkout as my Mom had a salon visit scheduled and I wanted to go to the gym.
The first contacts to make the plans and schedule the services set a standard of attention to detail and service that carried on throughout the entire trip. The recently renovated (and upgraded - big flat screen TV, fridge, sheets, pillows, etc.) room was wonderful and the relaxation hard to beat. The only thing I found disappointing - and I knew in advance - was that you need a jacket, and they prefer a tie, for the main dinning room. I did get to see the architecturally famous dining room though, and it is beautiful. The menu didn't look too bad either. Maybe by the time I get back they'll have loosened up a little.
