No Longer Waiting to Exhale

So, I just got back from a conference trip to Santa Monica, CA. It was good trip. Weather was pretty good. I learned a lot and got in a lot of good networking time. I spent an afternoon at the Getty, which I highly recommend.

But, of course, the highlight of my trip was a visit to the Exhale Spa. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Santa Monica version of Exhale is located at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, which was several blocks from where I was staying. As it turns out the LA Marathon's finishing line was in Santa Monica, and it was wrapping up right when I was trying to get to my spa appointment. There were a ton of people milling around and a lot of barricades up, but I managed to make it to the Fairmont. No rain, nor sleet, nor crazy marathoners will keep me from pampering myself. I did feel a little bad when the folks working at the spa asked me if I ran the marathon. Are you kidding? I woudn't run around the block unless someone was chasing me.

But anyway, I managed to get over my guilt and enjoy my spa visit. The facilities were very nice. The locker rooms included both a dry sauna and a steam room, plus showers and lots of complimentary shampoo, lotion, etc. My massage therapist did a great job. Her name was Sherrie, and she was very nice without being chatty. I hate a chatty massage therapist. I was kind of surprised that she didn't ask me more questions about what I wanted, but I certainly can't complain because she did a very good job. The massage included a heated massage bed, some great aromatherapy and some OK (but kind of weird music.)

All in all it was a good experience. I wish I had time to take in a yoga class and some more spa treatments. Maybe next time.

Have any of you visited an Exhale spa? What did you think? Does Exhale live up to the hype in your humble opinion?
Daily Randomness: It's allergy season here in the Midwest. Ugh! Here's some info from Dr. Weil about allergy tests.