Tribeca Jacket
by Inphorm
Jacket ($98), shown here with Inphorm’s rouched bottom legging ($55).
inphormnyc.com

Down Blazer
by Nau
This jacket features Teijin Ecocircle recycled polyester that can also be recycled at the end of its life. (It is both recycled and recyclable polyester.) With an asymmetrical 4 button front, it’s filled with 850 fill goose down. $215
nau.com

Riding Jacket
by Nau
A modern take on the classic blazer made from recycled polyester with DWR finish. $225
nau.com

The design details throughout the Inn take their inspiration from these artifacts and are subtly reflected throughout: the guest rooms (shown below) are painted a rich terra-cotta, the noteworthy restaurant Luminaria, a soothing charcoal, and the guest corridors are white-washed with black Native American stenciling. “We were trying to build the remembrance of these people and the beauty they held,” says Zimmer. “As well as the sacredness they held of the Mother Earth in this area. We put down a foundation of re-calling their work in the earth with clay and pottery by the colors and palettes we built on in the renovation.” The end result? A contemporary and authentic space that recalls the rich tradition and history of this very special city. www.innatloretto.com

Who

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Why: Because for the past 15 years, he has helped develop new massage therapies and topnotch treatments, such as The Himalayan Rejuvenation treatment and the Chakra Balancing Massage, and because one of his goals is to help people participate more with their spa experiences.

How, and why did you get started?

When I was in college in 1991, I was doing well but I was bored by what I was studying. I met an acupuncturist and started getting treatments, then I started studying Taoist and Chinese medicine. Then my mother mentioned a massage school advertisement that she was looking at for herself, and a big bell went off in my head. I left the university to go to massage school, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

What are the signs of a good therapist?

One who knows how to listen and communicate. The most important aspect I look for is how much focus and intention they bring to their work. I think 90 percent of every massage is intention, while only 10 percent is technique. I look for someone who is focused and present, rather than the technique.

What was the first treatment you developed?

The Himalayan Rejuvenation Treatment, a two-hour Ayurvedic detoxification treatment. That was back in 1995, and it was one of Aveda’s first [explicit] spa treatments. Before that we had standard treatments. This really put us on the map.

What was the last treatment you developed?

The Charka Balancing Massage, my favorite of all time. It debuted this year and incorporates everything I’ve been studying on my own. The goal of it is not to magically make chakras be open or balanced, but rather to help people get in touch with these energetic centers. I also like it because it’s a participation where guest gets to do a meditation and true healing. One of my favorite Walt Whitman quotes is “not I nor anyone else can travel that road for you, you must travel it for yourself.” The chakras are the road map, but people have to travel it themselves.

How often do you get massages?

Usually three to four times a month, but sometimes it might be two, sometimes six. I just had one of the best I’ve ever had from one of my trainers, who combined chakra with deep tissue. I’m not worried about getting a full-body massage, I much more enjoy it when I share with the therapist what my particular needs and goals are with the time I have and then customize my time with them. For example, I’d much rather have my back and arms done.

What advice would you give to consumers who don’t know the lingo?

Tune in to your bodies and be able to describe how you feel, what areas of the body you want to have massaged the most—and pay attention. Some days you might want to relax, some days you might want to focus more on legs, or arms. It’s not about techniques it’s about how people listen to their bodies and share that. You have to be able to let go and trust your therapist.

Any tips for readers on how to achieve balance, resist stress?

Breath is the best tool you can use. It’s such an unusual function because it’s controlled by the involuntary nervous system, which means you don’t have to think about breathing, you have to do it all day long. But what makes it different is that you can tell your body to take a deep breath and it will. It’s the best link between mind and body. It’s not about the quantity of breath, but the quality. It’s all about getting more oxygen in your body. It’s again that link between mind and body. Keep your mind focused on that breath to help keep your mind and body focused as one, which is our natural state—as opposed to when our body does one thing and our mind another. One of big challenges we have today is that we’re not very body aware. We only pay attention to our bodies when we have pain, that’s not the best way to go about it. We lose touch with the body, even though it gives us a lot of signals as to what it needs. If people learn to listen to their bodies—take that five- or 10-minute break when you need it—it will help eliminate the stress and be more focused.

Where do you see the future of spa headed?

I see people learning to participate more. I really am tired of, and I think people are tired of, the pampering and luxury aspect [of spas]. Spas are going to be a wellness model for the future and spa-going will become something you do on a regular basis to help maintain your health and sanity. We need to counterbalance the fast pace of life, and spas can really help you focus on being in the moment.

Where: David and Sandra divide their time between California’s Bay Area and Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Why: Because in addition to bringing eco-resorts to another level, they’re also tireless environmentalists who co-founded Rainforest2Reef, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the biological corridor that stretches from the rainforest of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve to the Mesoamerican Reef. Because one of their goals at Playa Viva is to “create long-lasting connections to family, friends, and the environment that enrich our lives.”

Tell us a little bit about your background. How did you two meet?

David Leventhal: Sandy and I met in San Francisco. She was going to school to get her masters in orthodontics. She’s from Mexico, and I had come to San Francisco from back East. We met through mutual friends. I met a girlfriend of hers who was visiting from Mexico, and when she returned, she asked Sandy, “Why haven’t you told me about this guy, David?” Sandy told her she’d never met me, and the friend said, “You’re going to marry him.” A few months later, we were engaged. When you know, you know.

You call yourself an “accidental environmentalist,” why is that?

DL: Sandra has been much more aware of the issues than I. Her mom is a major environmentalist in Mexico and founded a group called Guerreros Verdes, an environmental group that translates to “The Green Warriors.” They have a place in Acapulco, and she has been very involved in protecting the water table, saving trees, stopping a dam from being built, and trying to stop transgenic corn from coming into Mexico. If you ask Sandy’s mom how she became environmentally conscious, she’ll say, “Sandra.” They have a symbiotic relationship in that way.

First, you co-founded the nonprofit, Rainforest2Reef, then you built Casa Viva Troncones, a green home you turned into a successful B&B. Now, you’re working on creating Playa Viva, a sustainable community. What started you on this path?

DL: One of the catalytic events was meeting Dr. Gerardo Ceballos, a Mexican biologist. He invited us to to Cuixmala/Chamela (Sir James Goldsmith’s place near Puerta Vallarta) where he was the curator of the reserve, and after learning more about the different conservation projects he was involved in Puerta Vallarta, and after exploring the area and learning more, we ended up investing and creating Rainforest2Reef with our profits from the sale of a start-up company during the internet boom. A lot of this also had to do with having children. Before this, Sandra felt the world was a terrible place to have children, and we needed to make it a better place, so we founded the nonprofit and shortly after built Casa Viva in 2001. It was set up with a bunch of little casitas and a common area. We built it like that so if we came with our family members each could have his or her place. It worked out well, design-wise.

Did this influence your plans for Playa Viva?

DL: Yes, We created a “social architecture” that allowed the creation of community. We built green. We tried to leave as much of local flora and fauna on the spot. We used all dead wood or recovered wood, we set up edible gardens and a gray and black water treatment separation. We did solar hot water—we did a little bit of solar, but didn’t do it right, so we learned some lessons on that. We ended up with four casitas on 80 meters of beachfront. One lot (20 by 50 meters) will remain fallow for a bird sanctuary. We were looking to expand Casa Viva and an opportunity came up to buy what was originally 100 acres, then we ended up getting 200. Eighty percent of the land is set aside for protection. Turns out there was an archaeological site on the property, an estuary, and mangroves. We also wanted to reforest the area that had been turned into a coconut plantation in the 1920s. We found one of the few pieces of virgin coastal forest in the area, did seed collections, and set up a nursery with 7,000 trees. We hired a permaculture team to help us reforest the area, set up organic gardens, and really manage the land from a regenerative permaculture perspective. When you bring back the flora you get the fauna to come back with it.

What was your initial vision?

DL: It centered around creating a place that was regenerative. We wanted to create community. We wanted it to be a transformational experience. We wanted it to be healthy for people.

What is your hope for the property ten, twenty years down the road?

Sandra Kahn: Ever since we began, my idea was to make it a model that could be replicated. My three passions are environment, community development, and health. I want to have this space for the community that lives there, as well as for those who come and visit. The coast is very, very beautiful and we can resource it and have animals and plants and people enjoy it. We can enhance peoples’ lives, but also be respectful and help the environment.

DL: We wanted to create a legacy. People think about going to Esalen or a similar place…it’s thought of as a great community where great thinkers come together and great action comes out of that. That’s what I envision for Playa Viva. SK: Not only great thinkers, but the moment you arrive you’re in a completely different life-changing experience. When you leave, your life is forever changed.

Where is the heart of Playa Viva?

SK: It’s evolving. It centers around the communal space, the common area that becomes the heart. Spiritually, I think it comes from the community and nature.

DL: I would say the heart is the water. That’s the essence of it, the ocean and the estuary. Sea creatures come in and lay their eggs and go back out to the ocean. In September the estuary flushes out and the whole place goes through a metamorphosis. That physical draining and filling is the physical heart of the area.

How would you define an eco-resort?

DL: There’s a lot of greenwashing about. Just because someone asks you to place a card on the sheet that says “don’t wash,” doesn’t make you an eco-resort. It’s really about being conscious about your impact on the planet and making a conscious effort to make the tough choices and still not try to compromise the experience of the guest. More than anything else, it’s the consciousness of the people who run it that those details are taken care of—from composting to water conservation, energy conservation, community engagement to looking at transportation issues. If you have a consciousness about it, it will show through. www.playaviva.com

Who:

Where: Red Mountain Spa, Ivins, Utah

Why: This award-winning author and spiritual guide is known for her Shaman Spirit programs that explore personal writing, healing, sound, and the rediscovery of our personal and planetary soul.

How would you describe what you do at the spa?

I offer spiritual guidance for those on the path of rediscovery of their personal and planetary soul. Whether it is healing sound, soul retrieval, or a life path reading, Shaman Spirit is for those who are looking for balance, harmony, and peace in their lives. For example, “Writing Your Life” is a three-day workshop adventure on how you became the person you are. We walk the spiral of experience where you create a timeline of your life so you can step into your destiny to bring healing and beauty to yourself, to your loved ones, and to the world. You might be walking your destiny, but are you aware of it?

Are your offerings popular with guests, and if so, why?

Yes, I so enjoy the guests who come to my sessions. They are spiritual explorers who want to bring balance to the body, to the soul, and to the earth.

What is the most spiritual offering you provide?

In a trusting environment, I pass on what has been passed on to me from the ancient healing lineages, energies that support us to live protected and free of fear in our transcendent natures.

What do you think spa guests are looking for these days from services such as yours?

I feel they are looking for sustainable spiritual ecology that supports a sane and healthy human community.

What’s the best part of your job?

Hands down, the resilient, gifted people I have met! You might not know what a shaman does. It is those who have the courage to find, heal, and change what is not working. The people I meet are the earth keepers, the wisdom keepers, and the creators that envision their selves and the world as healed. These are the shamans!

How does what you do complement the spa and vice versa?

Shaman Spirit is a spiritual adventure where we not only climb rocks…we listen and talk to them…now that is complementary!

Perhaps I should have been thinking luxe, luxe, luxe, because I was on my way to the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua to check out its new spa and environmental program. The property’s located on 54 verdant acres and is a part of the historic 23,000-acre Kapalua Resort, complete with a pineapple plantation and certified organic farm. Originally built in 1992, it recently underwent a lavish $180 million dollar transformation. Out went its traditional buttoned-up East Coast vibe and in came a more laidback, warm Hawaiian sensibility, thanks to San Francisco-based SB Architects.

Home to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment program (the property partnered with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean futures Society, a nonprofit organization), this is where expert naturalists teach children of all ages (and grown-ups, too) the intricacies of nature and local ecosystems. They do this through hands-on activities like underwater photography snorkeling lessons near coral reefs, seasonal whale-watching excursions, mangrove kayaying, and hiking through the Kapalua rainforest. (It was outside of this center that I also discovered a small solar oven, a very neat gadget that I am determined to find, buy, and use.) Located behind the center is a large organic garden with a huge selection of fruits and vegetables—15 different types of lettuce, 16 varieties of tomatoes, and 15 selections of peppers grow in the soil here that’s produced from the Ritz’s new compost. There’s also an organically managed chef’s garden where 18 different types of basil and 10 varieties of mint grow. Between both of the gardens, there are 100 selections of vegetables, 35 fruit trees, and 70 varieties of herbs. The vision behind this project belongs to Chef Marc McDowell who offers interactive chef’s tours every Monday afternoon. They’re well worth it. Not only do you learn a lot, you’re rewarded at the end of the tour with one of his raw food smoothies.

During my stay, I especially enjoyed hiking through the rainforest in the company of guava trees, acacia trees, something called an octopus tree, and pua kenikeni trees. I came upon Chinese ground orchids and Christmas berry and spied Hawaiian honeycreepers, a native bird. I learned about two of Hawaii’s endangered mammals, the round hoary bat, the only land mammal endemic to Hawaii (in one night, it’s capable of eating up to its own weight in insects) and the sweet-looking, but very solitary Hawaiian monk seal, known to Hawaiians as Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough waters.” These seals are on the critically endangered list, and in an effort to raise awareness, were declared the official State Mammal in the summer of 2008. Here’s another piece of info I was told that stuck with me: Maui is five times the size of Manhattan with only 120,000 inhabitants. It does, however, attract about 2.2 million visitors annually. And many of those who do visit, do so to restore mind and body at one of its many spas (turn to page 56 for our extensive round-up of Hawaiian spas). The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua bases its philosophy on the healing waters of Waihua, which the ancient Hawaiians believed was the most pure form of water, captured by the leaves of the taro plant. Interior designer Jonathan Staub played upon this concept throughout the space: wood panels carved with images of taro leaves and a dry stone river bed grace the entry, while the curved walls throughout the spa are meant to subtly represent water movement. (There are also lava rock walls that were a little too Fred Flintstone for my taste.) The spa is spread out over 17,500 square feet and has 15 treatment rooms, two of which are outdoors, as well as outdoor shower gardens.

Indigenous ingredients are used in many of the spa treatments. There’s Hawaiian sea salt, of course, plus kukui oil, coconut, pumpkin, and ginger. Natural and organic skin care lines include Naturopathica, Eminence, and Mama Mio products.

I had a very good Lomi Lomi massage with a heated lavender lotion from Epicuren, and tried the gentle Bamboo-Lemongrass exfoliating body treatment. One of my favorite spa touches didn’t have anything to do with the treatments or the decor, but everything to do with those small and unique details that come from the heart. While relaxing in the waiting area at the spa I discovered delicious organic scones and lavender biscuits that had been set out on a counter by the tea selection. They had been baked by Megan, one of the spa’s lead estheticians. “I make them with love every day,” she told me. And I could taste it. www.ritzcarlton.com

If you’re looking for a romantic green getaway, pack your bags and head to Yountville. This is as high-end eco as it gets when it comes to luxury hotels. Just opened a year ago this February, Bardessono is raising the bar. The LEED Platinum-aspiring destination was designed by eco-developer Phil Sherburne whose holistic vision for the property shines through in every detail of the five acres that Bardessono covers. This is a hotel that was created with a deep understanding of the earth’s design—and its natural limits and supply.

Simple, sparse lines—imagine box-like buildings covered in corrugated steel—combined with a smart and stylish use of reclaimed materials— recycled stone and salvaged orchard Walnut, Cypress, Redwood, and California Bay woods—are just some of the reasons why this property stands apart. I especially loved the handsome signage monuments crafted from rammed earth and the wild, water-saving tillandsia wall in the main reception area. (Tillandsias are plants with roots that grow in the air instead of the soil and require a simple weekly mist). The exterior of the property is tastefully landscaped with drought-tolerant foliage, organic herb gardens, and vineyards, and 82 geothermal wells naturally heat and cool the 62 suites that double as your own private spa (more on that in a minute). In addition to this, all grey and black water are treated and recycled for irrigation uses by the Town of Yountville.

While the property itself is cool and contemporary in design (this could come off as a bit cold to some), the concept of the spa is one that cocoons. The two women behind this, Loma Alexander and Peggy Francis, created a spa menu and personal experience (spa butlers prepare the way for estheticians and massage therapists in-room) that I have rarely experienced in the States. Your own spa in your own space is a popular concept that’s executed extraordinarily well throughout many of the spas of Asia. Here, you can be cocooned in-room with a gargantuan bathroom that has been outfitted with air-jetted soaking tubs for two, massage tables hidden behind paneled banquets, and ample vanity and armoire space. Outdoor showers as well as dual indoor shower-steam rooms were added to more than half of the garden level suites. I loved the choice of organic amenities: Coyuchi towels and linens, comfortable, lightweight robes by designer Matt Dick, and an array of beauty products from In Fiore. Other high-end organic lines like Om Aroma, Tara, and Dr. Alkaitis are used in spa treatments. (Bardessono is also planning on using seasonally harvested herbs in the spa.) A spa treatment to try is The Organic Way Couples Body Treatment. This is a two-hour service that begins with a Manuka Honey Body Polish to gently exfoliate. After showering that off, a Lomi Lomi-style rhythmic massage ensues using Chardonnay Grape Seed Oil, and at the end of the treatment, you’re refreshed with a facial treatment that includes a spritz of honeysuckle toner. This is a property that’s intent on not only restoring the spirit and energy of its guests, but also of its environment. www.bardessono.com

The shells that Eva is holding out to me are beautiful. They’re finely polished Tiger Clam shells that have been given a new purpose: to serve as massage tools. Eva Simpson, an experienced and knowledgeable therapist at The Tides Spa, is explaining the property’s signature spa treatment to me. Aptly named “Lava Shell Therapy,” this is akin to hot stone massage, as it uses heated shells with which to massage.

“I love how the heat penetrates the muscle and tissue and allows me to go into it with my hands,” she says. “The heat is so comforting, it allows the person to really relax. “  I was the lucky recipient of this hour-long therapy that succeeded in soothing my achey jet-lagged self. First, a massage oil made of basil, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, and my favorite, jasmine, was applied. Then came the warm shells that felt like silk as they glided up and down my back and over and under my shoulder blades.  Silk, as I was soon to find out, held special meaning at this secluded beachfront resort.

Located on the Pacific coastline, amid 600 private feet of Playa la Ropa, or “beach of silk,” The Tides Zihuatanejo is a peaceful resort with some of the best service I’ve experienced in Mexico.  Its setting is one of ease and elegance—a landscape ripe with rainbow-hued bougainvillea and gorgeous hibiscus, waterfalls and a picturesque palm-studded beach. An ideal spot for couples wanting to escape from it all, this is also an ideal place to reconnect with yourself, to take that necessary breather we all need on occasion.

“The Tides story is all about connecting—couples reconnecting and connecting with nature,” says a spokeswoman for the company. And the accommodations support this. There are 35 guestrooms and 35 suites—each cheerful and chic in design—that house a variety of artisanal Mexican crafts. If you’re into water sports, there’s a bunch of options to choose from, including windsurfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving. If you’re a foodie like I am, you’ll enjoy the interactive organic cooking class, led by Executive Chef Paco Isordia Dorantes. He takes you to the market in town where you’ll learn about indigenous herbs, fruits, and vegetables before purchasing the food that’s brought back to the resort for the class. The session ends with an elegant Chef’s lunch on the beach. The two restaurants here, I’m happy to report, are noteworthy. I was pleased to finally find a resort that caters to a largely American crowd, but that isn’t afraid to experiment with spices and herbs. La Marea, open for lunch and dinner, offers gourmet Mediterranean seafood dishes (always on the lookout for the perfect ceviche, I sampled one here that I loved—a tangy combination of scallops, shrimp, and octopus), while the romantic La Villa offers delicious Pacific-Mexican cuisine. For tequila lovers, there’s the Coral Bar that boasts over 110 varieties of tequila, and of special note is the in-room menu that has some organic offerings.

If you’re a yoga enthusiast, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are a variety of very good classes and workshops, and there’s a small but just-right fitness center that was recently renovated. The Spa itself is also intimate in size, but very welcoming. I loved the exotic and colorful lanterns that hung in the co-ed lounge area and Osea, the all-natural seaweed-based skin care line that the spa uses. I tried the Tides Signature Facial by Osea, a customized treatment that stimulated my skin and left it not only hydrated, but noticeably brighter.

The perfect ending to this little piece of paradise was the Sense of the Night event. A pristine piece of beachfront was transformed into a chic bonfire beach lounge complete with DJ, cocktails, and small bites.  It was the ideal way to ease back into the real world. —www.thetidesresorts.com