Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

On May 1^st, Spa Luce celebrated its first year anniversary, having ushered into Hollywood a new level of sophisticated pampering and relaxation, and already the spa is making waves. Each year, Condé Nast Traveler, the world’s top travel magazine, highlights the newest and most relaxing spa retreats on earth, and this year, the magazine has awarded Spa Luce a place on its Hot List Spas for 2009.

“We are very excited to have Condé Nast Traveler recognize Spa Luce for its 2009 Hot List,” says Bruce Gorelick, General Manager at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. “All of our cast members are proud of what we have built with Spa Luce. We believe it offers one of the absolute spa experiences in all of California, and we look forward to serving the people of Los Angeles and Spa aficionados from all over the world for years to come.”

The 13^th annual Hot List awards recognize the top new hotels, restaurants, nightspots, and spas from all around the world. Spa Luce is among only five spas honored in all of California and only 29 throughout the entirety of North America. Read Condé Nast Traveler’s review of Spa Luce here and see all the Hot List Awards for 2009 right here.

The 6400-square-foot, state-of-the-art spa features personalized treatments, celebrity-inspired pampering and top-of-the-line beauty and health products. Committed to the power of restoring the mind, body and spirit, Spa Luce provides the ideal setting for true Hollywood glamour rejuvenation. Clients are invited to enjoy indulgent skincare and body treatments using elite product lines including Sonya Dakar Skincare, the Somme Institute, and Red Flower.

The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, located at Hollywood & Highland Center, a shopping and entertainment mecca and home to the Academy Awards® ceremonies, offers 632 distinctive guest rooms, 33 suites, and the unforgettable 3,500 square foot Panorama Suite. Awarded the ENERGY STAR® Label from the EPA in 2008, the property is well known as being a favorite of major production companies and business travelers alike, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa embodies modern luxury accented by classic Hollywood charm, featuring the distinctive restaurant Twist, an outdoor pool overlooking the Hollywood Sign, world-class fitness center, catering by Wolfgang Puck, the new Spa Luce, and outstanding service savvy travelers have come to expect from the Renaissance brand name. Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, 1755 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA90028, (323) 856-1200, www.renaissancehollywood.com.

Enjoy a week of wonderful walking, sight seeing, and yoga while appreciating a real sense of history spanning the ancient Etruscan and roman eras through the medieval, Renaissance periods and beyond.

Relax and explore some of the much less known treasures of this area.

The yoga classes will take place on the estate in the Sala di Accoglienza which is a large, airy building with a vaulted veiling located near the Villa, our accommodations for the duration of the trip. Donna will develop classes according to the level and needs of the participants. Most days will include a 3 to 6 mile walk usually leaving from the Estate or returning to the Estate on foot. We will explore trails of old hunting roads, some recently blazed trails, fields, gardens, and little known hill towns. We will enjoy a picnic lunch along our daily adventure, and return to the Castle in the afternoon for a daily 2 hour yoga class, with the remainder of the day being spent in the way that best suits each individual’s desire on the vast Spannocchia grounds. The day will end with local wine and dinner of organic locally grown food served family style. For more information: http://www.spannocchia.org/education/program.cfm?id=17

Guests at South Africa's Best Spa Can Add Botox and Laser Hair Removal to Their Spa Treatments

The award-winning Pezula Spa at the Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna, South Africa, has launched a medi-spa facility that features a comprehensive menu of specialist treatments. With a unique treatment menu and experienced staff, Pezula is offering the newest and most effective treatments on the planet.

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Among the cutting-edge therapies offered by the Pezula Medi-Spa's herbalists and specialists are:

New Dynamix Hydrating Treatment: Uses cutting-edge hydrating and myo-relaxing ingredients to achieve suppleness and elasticity.
Light Therapy - LHE (Light and Heat Energy) System: The LHE treatment for the skin is completely non-abrasive and relatively painless. There is no recovery time and simple walk-in/walk-out procedures make the treatment comfortable and convenient.
Skin Rejuvenation: The LHE initiates a natural wound-healing process that causes the rebuilding of new collagen, tightening the skin and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
Cranial Sacral Therapy: The gentle, non-invasive manipulative technique by which therapists, through light touch, bring balance to the body and healing of trauma in the cranial bones, limbs, organs, neck, spine, back and coccyx.
Eporex Mesotherapy: This treatment delivers a blend of vitamins, minerals and other natural products directly beneath the skin using an electrical wave, known as Isophoresis, which pushes them painlessly through the skin without needles or damage to the skin tissue. Product can be introduced from a depth of 0.1mm to 10cm - a technology that has won a Nobel Prize for Chemistry!
Anti-Aging Facial Lift: Lines and wrinkles are smoothed and sagging jowls are tightened.
Eye Treatment: Improve skin around the eyes, particularly puffiness and dark circles.
Breast Firming Treatment: This treatment is aimed at toning, lifting and tightening breast tissue.
Pigmentation / Scar / Stretch Mark Treatment: Suitable for anyone who wishes to reduce the appearance of stretch marks or scars.
Targeted Fat Reduction / Body Sculpting / Cellulite Treatment: Reduce areas of fat from around the body.

The Pezula Medi-spa team is headed by Joan Maré-Reid, a qualified nurse and beauty therapist, and includes two respected members of the medical profession and a medical herbalist. "Each member of the team brings with her specific expertise and experience," says Maré-Reid. "We understand that new technologies in the beauty industry are constantly being introduced. By staying on the cutting edge of the medi-spa world, we are able to offer Pezula Spa clients a choice of treatments for many different conditions."

For more information and the full spa menu, please visit: www.pezularesorthotel.com.

Spa Season 2009 launches at 14 award-winning Willow Stream and Fairmont Spas around the world. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offer their best rates and plenty of spa extras including a complimentary room upgrade at time of reservation for a two-night stay and a $25 spa credit per person for any spa experience during their stay. Spa guests are invited to shrug off the stress of winter and prepare to look and feel better this summer as a Spa Coordinator helps them choose their experiences and book their appointments. Willow Stream and Fairmont robes and slippers offer the most comfortable lounging experience and a special spa gift from Kerstin Florian International awaits each spa guest’s arrival. Room rates begin at $204 per night in the US.

With personalized signature experiences that guide spa enthusiasts to find their energy, Willow Stream spas have distinguished themselves from other resort spas by customizing every spa experience. Willow Stream has created a menu selection of energizing, authentic and lifestyle inspired treatments that speak to the passions of each Fairmont guest.

Spa Season offers guests a chance to enjoy the entire spa facility along with the best deals of the season. Spa Season officially begins on May 15th with offers running through August 31, 2009.

Participating spas and hotels include ten Willow Stream spa locations –Fairmont Scottsdale (Arizona), The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club (Florida), The Fairmont Banff Springs (Alberta, Canada), The Fairmont Empress (Victoria, British Columbia), The Fairmont Southampton (Bermuda), The Fairmont Acapulco Princess (Mexico), The Fairmont Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Fairmont Mayakoba in the heart of the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace (Montreux, Switzerland) and Fairmont Singapore (Asia) as well as The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa (California), Fairmont St Andrews (Scotland), The Fairmont Orchid (Kohola Coast, Hawaii) and Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello (Quebec).

Spa enthusiasts and travelers can choose a destination to book online or call their preferred travel professional. Visit www.willowstream.com.

SPA LUCE NAMED TO CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S HOT LIST FOR 2009