NEW SPA TREATMENTS AT MONASTERO SANTA ROSA FEATURE THE SOOTHING PROPERTIES OF MANUKA HONEY

CONCA DEI MARINI, Italy- Monastero Santa Rosa (MSR), the ultra-luxe hotel on the Amalfi Coast, is introducing a new body treatment and a new facial in its extraordinary Spa for the 2013 season.  In addition to featuring the sublime oils, creams and lotions of Santa Maria Novella, the new products will incorporate Manuka Honey, a special honey from the crisp white flowers of the Manuka bush found in remote areas of New Zealand.  Ideal for healing and soothing, these honeys have a unique antibacterial activity not found in most honeys.

The Aloe Coulis Body Wrap is especially beneficial for sun-exposed skin and for the release of tension caused by heat.  Cooling marble stones are placed over the face and soothing Manuka Honey is applied all over the body. Nurturing Aloe Gel is slathered on beneath a gentle body wrap to enable the aloe to work its magic.  Compresses of natural salts and chamomile further relieve the skin of stress. At the same time, crushed ice eye presses with a floral fragrance help massage away tenseness.  The Aloe Coulis Body Wrap lasts 60 minutes and is €120.

Restoring Aloe Refresh stimulates and enlivens facial skin with a delicate touch. A Manuka Honey polish hydrates with antibacterial and brightening properties.  The Santa Maria Novella products, created especially for damaged skin, help restore energy to the complexion.  Calming Camomile eye presses and a deep contouring facial massage create a perfect resolution to several skin concerns.  Restoring Aloe Refresh is a 75 minute facial and is €140.

The Spa, like the hotel, is an excellent example of adaptive re-use:  it has been built within a 17^th century monastery*, preserving the vaulted ceilings, ancient walls, and exquisite architectural details of the historic building. Throughout the conversion of the space, the goal was to draw upon the convent’s unique character – not to follow a pre-determined formula that a branded spa would impose upon the space.  A focus on enhancing the ‘integrity of place’ allowed the building to show what suited it best. Thus, spaces were joined together to form a seamless flow.

The Spa is designed for extraordinary experiences and suffused with a spiritual dimension in keeping with the building’s heritage. The Italian tradition of bathing within a series of thermal rooms is re-created within the Spa.

Thermal Suite, a sequence of historic monastic spaces interconnecting the various warm rooms via arched openings, comprises:

• A double-heighted, vaulted Tepidarium with pomegranate-infused foot spas and heated mosaic loungers
• Aromatic Steam Room
• Rock Sauna
• Crushed Ice Fountain to refresh between thermal bathing
• Hydro Pool
• Emotion Showers. 

Spa Suite, an exceptional private double suite (a Spa within a Spa), boasting a magnificent

861-square-feet double-heighted vaulted space includes:

• Rasul
• Steam Room
• Double Wet and Dry Treatment Couches
• Manicure/Pedicure Relaxation Lounge
• Private Dressing and Grooming Space
• Garden Terrace

 

Outdoor treatments are available under the shade of a pergola within the privacy of the Treatment Garden or within a single Treatment Room.

Santa Maria Novella treatments draw upon the ancestral traditions dating back to the 14^th century of Italian monastic herbalists, who used local plants and flowers renowned for their healing powers. Treatments range from Santa Maria Novella facials (including back facials and facials for men) to honey hair and scalp treatments, and from massages, aromatic scrubs and wraps to manicures and pedicures. Prices vary depending on the selection, but an average 60-minute treatment costs €120. Some additional treatments:

Candle Massage uses an aromatic powder scrub of iris or bitter orange to soften and prepare the skin for a deeply-focused, relaxing massage with Santa Maria Novella candle wax made of pure plant oils and prime emollient butters.

Iris Drizzle Hydrating Body Wrap Warm iris oil is drizzled on to the body and blended with iris powder.  The idrasol body mask deeply enriches the skin during a scalp massage and layers in moisture and fragrance.

Polline Hydration Deep hydration with Crema Polline, a regenerating cream formulated with pollen and extra virgin olive oil to improve the appearance of a flat, dry, non-reflective surface and to inject skin lustre.

Amalfi Blue offers no fewer than 3 3/4 hours of treatments – Pomegranate Foot Bathing; a 60-minute Santa Maria Novella facial; Aromatic Powder Scrub and Spa Life Massage for 60 minutes; and a choice of a Manicure or Pedicure treatment.

The aromatics of Santa Maria Novella range from summery oils of lemon, bergamot, petitgrain and iris to such sweet-smelling herbs as rosemary, lavender, sweet orange as well as the special fragrance of pomegranate created for Catherine di Medici. 

The Spa is open seven days a week from 9 am until 7:30 pm.

Email bookings:  spa@monasterosantarosa.com

Or visit: www.monasterosantarosa.com

*In the English language, “monastery” usually refers to a building for monks.  But the broad sense of “monastery,” used by Italians, refers to a community of people, whether male or female, bound by vows to a religious life.