Relax…

By Sarah Vecere | Special to The Roanoke Times | io@roanoke.com

Spouses, lovers and significant others, you’ve figured out that Valentine’s Day isn’t really about martyred saints or heartfelt declarations of undying devotion. It’s a high-stakes test to see if you produce the right present, and unless yours is, say, a trip to Paris or a marriage proposal, you may be teetering on the brink of delivery failure. Allow us to suggest a spa treatment. It’s sensuous, romantic, expensive and impractical. In other words, everything a valentine gift should be.

But here’s the rub: Every salon in possession of a nail file and a foot bath has assumed the day spa label. Add to that the fact that spa treatments seem to involve everything from molten lava to ground olive pits and toothpaste, and the overwhelming number of choices can suck the serenity right out of the spa experience. Relax. We’ll help you choose the perfect gift in two easy steps. 1) Determine which description most closely resembles your valentine. 2) Go spend money. Consider this our valentine to you.

The gift guide

Zen Girl

Knows chi from chakra, not to mention dosha (see below), eats weird food and drags you to yoga because, “you’ll love it.”

Body Sense Day Spa and Clinic Mini Full Day Spa

Includes a herbal body treatment, hot stone massage, facial, hand and foot treatment, and a healthy snack. Approximately 4 hours. $220

Indulgence Salon and Spa Ayurvedic Body Wrap

Customized body wrap that promises to “balance your personal dosha.” (What’s dosha, you ask? Find out at www.whatsyourdosha.com) $85

Azario Salon and Day Spa Aroma-Stim Massage

Personalized massage with a side of aromatherapy designed to energize the body. Made in China. $90

The Sweetheart

Loves potpourri and pink things. Small children, furry animals and potential mothers-in-law flock to her side.

Indulgence Salon and Spa Chocolate Fix

Massage with choice of chocolate raspberry, chocolate mint, chocolate cherry or chocolate cake oil. $70

Body Sense Day Spa & Clinic Sweet Dreams

Lavender or chamomile body wrap and scrub, plus a 30-minute massage. $65

Hot Mama-to-Be

Let it be all about her before it’s all about the baby.

SpaVa Mother to Be Package

A prenatal massage atop a body pillow designed to accommodate lovely baby bumps and a spa pedicure will reintroduce her to two things she’s lost touch with — her feet and lying on her stomach. $137

Citizen of the World

Believes that borders of all sorts are meant to be crossed. The more exotic the better.

Pure Spa Safari Body Wrap/Exfoliation

Ingredients for this body treatment are curiously similar to ingredients for Thai cooking: coconut oil, shea butter, honey powder and ginger. Yum Yai! $100. Add a half-hour Hot Stone Therapy Massage for $55.

Divinity Lifestyle Spa Salon Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment

Two-hour treatment includes skin exfoliation, seaweed masque and wrap, Vichy shower, face, scalp and body massage and the promise of inner calm. $175 (inner calm: priceless)

Girl on the Go

She barely has time for you, much less a day at the spa, so keep it short and sweet. You’re well-acquainted with short and sweet, right?

Bodatious Salon and Day Spa Stress Reduction Massage

Basic, all-over massage. $55/1 hour, $35/30 minutes

Body Sense Day Spa & Clinic Foot Spa

Vincent Vega isn’t the only one who knows the true value of a foot massage. This soak, exfoliation, reflexology massage and paraffin wrap relaxes the whole body through the soles of the feet. $30/30 minutes

Essentials Massage Therapy House Call

If she can’t make time for the spa, bring the relaxation to her. $75/hour, $100/90 minutes

Girl Next Door

Looks great in jeans and a T-shirt and values substance over frills. Even your friends love her. (P.S.: You should marry her.)

St. Pierre Salon Day Spa & Academy Bliss Package

Just the basics: One-hour massage, manicure, pedicure. $127

Body Sense Day Spa & Clinic Serenity Half-Day Spa

Thirty-minute aromatherapy massage, demi-facial, manicure and a healthy snack. $100

Classic Image Day Spa Clinic Body Magic

Full body polish, Moor Mud body wrap (she’s never been afraid to get dirty) and full body massage. $135

The Venus Fly Trap

You were lured by the packaging, and now you’re stuck with Girl Next Door’s evil twin. Nothing less than a grand gesture will suffice. (This can also function as the “Sorry I’ve Been an Ass” gift.)

St. Pierre Salon Queen for the Day Package

One-hour massage, Yon-Ka (read: fancy, name-brand) facial, manicure and pedicure with paraffin treatment, hair conditioning treatment and style, and a light lunch. $250

SpaVa Urban Escape

Full day consisting of a 65-minute massage, Far East body treatment, facial, manicure, pedicure and lunch. $372

Pure Spa Day of Renewal

Massage, facial, body wrap, cold stone treatment, foot and hand massage, and a catered lunch. $325

Day Spa 101

Swedish massage

The most common technique. Gentle massage using long strokes, kneading and tapping to target soft tissue layers.

Deep tissue massage

Slow strokes applied with direct pressure to target deeper layers of muscle tissue. Some people may find this a bit uncomfortable.

Hot stone massage

Combination of massage (usually Swedish) and strategically placed warm stones.

Reflexology pressure

Applied to certain spots on the hands and feet to stimulate corresponding body parts.

Body wraps

The body is anointed with some sort of unction (could be oil and coffee grounds, could be algae), swaddled and allowed to marinate.

Facial

Skin treatment involving exfoliation, steam, masques, creams, etc.

Wet rooms

Many of the spas offer special showers and soaking tubs.

The etiquette

Reservations required. Many spas also require a deposit and impose a fee for no-shows or late cancellations.

Tipping is customary (usually 20 percent of the total bill). A gratuity may be added to the bill, but feel free to alter.

Shyness is also customary and can be accommodated.

Finally, leave your cellphone at home.

Etcetera

Equal rights

We know that men like to be pampered and feel pretty, too. All of the spa services are available to men. Well, probably not the prenatal massage. For the less secure who need things clearly labeled “Not Girlie,” most of the spas offer men’s packages.

Couples

Most of the spas also offer couples packages (and some have couples suites), but tread carefully here. This can be romantic, but your sweetie’s idea of total relaxation may not involve you, and — let’s face it — sometimes stress relief trumps romance and may lead to effusive demonstrations of gratitude later.

Be your own valentine

Whether you’re bemoaning the single life or celebrating it, you deserve a treat, too. $25 buys you a 1-hour Swedish massage at the Daniels Institute of Massage located at the Body Sense Day Spa and Clinic. The spas

Azario Salon & Day Spa

Mood: Small and cozy; surprisingly extensive menu.

5420 Starkey Road, Roanoke; 772-1300; www.azariosalon.com

Bodatious Salon and Day Spa

Mood: If not for the sign, you wouldn’t know this former home is now a spa. It’s well-disguised with rocking chairs and Tony Little’s Gazelle fitness trainer (“You can do it!”) on the front porch, but it is cheery, and all of the accouterments of the salon/spa trade are there.

5901 Williamson Road, Roanoke; 563-9143; www.bodatiousspa.com

Body Sense Day Spa & Clinic

Mood: Asian-inspired. Low light, quiet, refreshing lack of towering displays of hair- and skin-care products; instantly relaxing.

1130 Second St. S.W., Roanoke; 344-3538; www.bodysenserv.com

Classic Image Day Spa Clinic

Mood: Typical salon that happens to offer spa services. One of the oldest salon spas in the valley.

3142 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke, 776-8255; 2362 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, 562-4732

Divinity Lifestyle Spa Salon

Mood: As the name suggests, divine. Luxurious, modern facility in a semi-rural setting; extra-friendly staff.

60 Summerfield Court, Roanoke; 992-4005; www.spadivinity.com

Essentials Massage Therapy

Mood: No hair, no nails; not technically a day spa. Friendly massage therapists offering a variety of techniques.

1402 Grandin Road S.W., Suite 206, Roanoke; 344-8411; www.essentialsmassagetherapy.net

Indulgence Salon & Spa

Mood: Big and busy, but everyone is welcome here. Bills itself as a multiethnic, unisex facility and even offers a children’s manicure and pedicure.

2205 Orange Ave. N.E., Roanoke; 344-2300; www.doindulgence.com

Pure Spa

Mood: Sterile, doctor’s office-ish reception area belies the decadent spa menu.

3555 Electric Road, Suite H, Roanoke; 904-5900; www.purespa roanoke.com

SpaVa

Mood: Upscale. Extensive list of services, from ear candling to raindrop therapy. May be intimidating for spa virgins.

1630 Braeburn Drive, Suite C, Salem

387-1900; www.spavadayspa.com

St. Pierre Salon Day Spa & Academy

Mood: Shabby-chic; super friendly; cross-generational appeal.

516 East Main St., Salem; 389-7400; www.stpierresalon.com

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