Many celebs, when they want to fling off the flab or just chill out, head to luxury spas, where they are wrapped, waxed, steamed, cleaned and creamed. Some spas are places where one takes to the waters, others emphasize weight loss, and all offer myriad massages. Here's a quick guide to the hot spas, who goes to them and why, and how much they set their customers back.
BURKE WILLIAMS DAY SPA
Santa Monica, Calif.
Atmosphere: Opulent Romanesque
Who goes: The Arnolds, Whoopi Goldberg, Tori Spelling, Sharon Stone
What it costs: $223-$350/day; or pay by the treatment
Spécialité de la maison: An $89 thermal seaweed wrap that slims you two inches for 10 hours
Celebs are into: Those 10 hours
Dress code: Spa-issued velour robe
Food: Catered low-fat
Bottom line: "I didn't realize that S&M meant salt-glo and massage until I came to BW," says Tanya Roberts.
BEVERLY HOT SPRINGS
Los Angeles, Calif.
Atmosphere: Cinder-block building in unglamorous midtown
Who goes: Madonna, Brooke Shields, Jean-Claude Van Damme
What it costs: Admission fee to hot and cold mineral pools, $25-$30; massage treatments extra
Spécialité de la maison: Soaking in natural artesian-well mineral water to tunes played on a baby grand piano
Celebs are into: Herbal potions from on-site apothecary—e.g., a restorative 11-herb tea, which can be strengthened with ground-up deer antlers
Dress code: Very large towel
Food: Seaweed soup and deli sandwiches
Great Moments in History: Two movie packages have been put together during dips in the springs.
TWO BUNCH PALMS
Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
Atmosphere: The former home of Al Capone
Who goes: Kelsey Grammer, Daryl Hannah, Robin Williams
What it costs: Rooms, $105-$412/day; spa services extra
Spécialité de la maison: Green clay and peat moss mud baths ($45)
Celebs are into: Thumbing through screenplays; schmoozing in the ooze
Dress code: Hardly any. Two starlets once strolled from a sunbathing session in to lunch starkers.
Food: California cuisine and pricey wines
Great Moment in History: In the movie The Player, Tim Robbins and Greta Scacchi lolled in the slime.
CANYON RANCH HEALTH AND FITNESS RESORT
Tucson, Ariz.
Atmosphere: High Desert Heaven
Who goes: John F. Kennedy Jr., Paul McCartney, Jackie Onassis
What it costs: Package rates start at $1,390/5 days
Spécialtiés de la maison: Parisian Body Polish ($78) using creamed crushed pearls, astrology readings ($ 125), past-life regressions ($180)
Celebs are into: Having their first-run movies shown on the spa's closed-circuit television channel
Dress code: Competitive chic warm-up suit (Ellesse or better)
Food: Low-fat but fun Great Moment in History: Jason Patric cuddled Julia Roberts here the day before she canceled her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland.
DORAL SATURNIA INTERNATIONAL SPA RESORT
Miami, Fla.
Atmosphere: Roman busts, gurgling fountains
Who goes: Loni Anderson, Donna Karan, Joan Lunden, Diane Sawyer
What it costs: $3,165/week, including 13 hours of treatments
Spécialité de la maison: Total body Fango mud massage ($85)
Celebs are into: All-out pampering
Dress code: Jewelry with warm-up suits
Food: Skinny takes on Caesar salad, filet mignon and chocolate cake
Great Moment in History: Before collecting his Oscar for Unforgiven, Gene Hackman headed here for some rest and relaxation.
Bottom line: "At dinner, you could be sitting next to a Saudi Arabian prince wearing a bathrobe," says Doral's spokesperson, Cathy Casper.
THE ASHRAM
Calabasas, Calif.
Atmosphere: New Age boot camp
Who goes: Richard Dreyfuss, Shirley MacLaine, Barbra Streisand
What it costs: $2,100/week
Spécialité de la maison: Forced marches up mountainsides
Celebs are into: Refreshing monasticism
Dress code: Strict uniform of white T-shirts and red sweatpants
Food: Raw fruit and veggies
Bottom line: "Pure exercise hell," according to Spalding Gray.
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