In my final post from our last-minute trip to Cartagena, Colombia, my four year-old daughter and I had the chance to try the Aqoral Spa at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena. It was better than expected for both mommy and daughter.
Previous Hesitation
I had signed Lucy up for a special “chocolate massage” during our stay at the Conrad Bangkok. She loved our massages at the markets when we slow traveled through Southeast Asia last year but for whatever reason, she had a melt down when it was time for her chocolate massage at the Conrad. It was uncharacteristic for her, but not for her age, so we decided to give it a pass. All the same, we did not want to repeat the outburst again, so I made certain that she was excited about this special day with mom at the spa.
Selection
As we were laying poolside in a cabana at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena, a Guest Relations Manager came over and suggested that Lucy and I try the hotel spa. As Kyle was busy working remotely during our trip, we thought this could be a fun mom and daughter treat. We couldn’t locate a kid’s specific massage menu and unfortunately, their website does not contain much information outside of the hours of operation at the Spa. It was a tough decision because the Guest Relations Manager had suggested the 30 minute “chocolate wrap” for little Lucy and a normal oil massage for myself but because of her reaction last time, I was still uncertain.
In the end though, it was the right choice and Lucy loved it.
Relaxation Room
Before our treatments we were escorted into a “Relaxation Room” where we could sit and meditate with the beautiful sea views and a cup of tea. My four year-old isn’t much on meditation yet so she mostly took photos with our camera and sat on every chair as if she were Goldilocks finding the one that was just right. Once the spa staff felt we had relaxed enough (or maybe the room was ready) they brought us back to our treatment room. There were two massage tables sat side by side in a lovely room with full bathroom and jacuzzi.
Her Chocolate Wrap Massage
Lucy was excited this time but once we were in the room I saw that she was uncertain once more. The masseuse let her feel the chocolate scrub and showed her what it would feel like on her skin. This little introduction helped Lucy to relax and she was able to enjoy her special massage. The aroma of sweet chocolate and sounds of her giggles next to me were not the usual spa ambiance I’ve known before, but might be my new favorite all the same. After the chocolate scrub is applied she sat wrapped in towels and enjoyed a light scalp massage before rinsing off and laying beside me as my treatment finished.
My Massage
Instead of the traditional oil massage that I usually pick off of a menu, I decided to try something sweet, staying in line with the chocolate wrap. I settled on the Dulce Lomi Lomi massage which applies an aromatic coffee oil and techniques from a traditional Hawaiian form that uses long continuous, flowing strokes. The massage had the perfect balance of deep tissue pressures and calming strokes. The aroma of coffee and chocolate filled our room and I wasn’t mad about it at all.
Value
Due to my husband’s Globalist status with Hyatt we were offered spa services at a 20% discount and found the prices to be advantageous over other options. The menu had options for men and women varying from manicures, facials and massages to full spa experiences. For Lucy and I to spend a small piece of our day unwinding at the spa it cost just about $100 US before tip and our discount a price we felt was very fair.
Conclusion
The Aqoral Spa is worth a visit if you find yourself at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena. I love trying out the spa when we have downtime during our travels, and most of the time the experience is good, but nothing worth taking the time to write about. This special mommy and me spa day was definitely an experience that I will cherish and hope that might become a tradition for Lucy and I (and even Kyle).
Have you tried a spa day with your little? How was your experience different from ours?
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