Ok, so here’s the thing – this Valentine’s Day, my thoughts turn to indulgence. What would make moi – very happy, what would make me tingle with veritable love and joy – a private plane ride to Hershey and a full day at the spa. Right about now, as stressed out as I am (all this eating and drinking, running two businesses and a foundation puhlease, it’s getting to me) yup, never mind the flowers, never mind the romantic dinner (which will be – tonight a pizza at Spaghetti Eddies with one of the HOTTEST dates in Baltimore 
– a trip to Hershey spa is topping the list. Owe my buddy Ms. C for that enlightenment. I’ve always favored Nemacolin – for the occasional- luxury escape but truth be told, Hershey is pretty darned good.
Once you get past all the Hershey kisses left everywhere for you to nibble and look, if you don’t want to – you don’t HAVE to have a treatment that will make you smell like a candy shop (unless you like that sort of thing, personally I don’t). The spa at Hershey provides a comfort that Nemocolin can’t – its actually, despite its size – cozy.
The halls aren’t drafty and the rooms, are just comfy enough to say “luxury” but you almost forget you’re in a hotel, and get more of a feeling of being in some posh friend’s mansion in the Hampton’s or something. The bed I slept on was like a cloud – really. I had to restrain myself from not forcing them to add one of those – as is, to my already hefty spa bill.
What were the highlights of my stay? The fantastic meal in the formal dining room – gotta love a place that still makes you dress up for dinner and the short ribs were a religious experience, props for a great – high quality/price ratio & selection. Eating at The Lodge, and running into an amusement ride Executive from Montreal, CA who all of us swore was Tom Cruise’s younger brother. The martini’s at the Lodge were good as well, and they were no doubt responsible for what ended up having us and the said Exec and his people throwing (clean) paper napkins wadded up back and forth across the banquette from where our party (all girls) was sitting and their party (all boys). Harmless fun – the kind you engage in as a teenager… there’s something to be said for doing it when you have the wisdom of an adult.
Oh you want to know treatment wise? I’d have to say the Lomi Lomi massage and scalp therapy. I had had the Lomi Lomi for the first time at Nemacolin about 1.2 yrs ago- but the technician at Hershey nailed it. The facial was also pretty good. I have to be honest, my skin has become positively ADDICTED to Nathalie at About Faces in Canton and her signature Vitamin facial (ask for the “special” vitamin blend and she’ll hook you up with the Darphin products -which I swear, are positively miraculous).
The pedicure – albeit performed by a sweetheart – took so long to dry – it literally was a bit of a waste of money. Ms. C got hers the night before – easily two and a half hours before dinner, none the less her toes were still a mess and had to be redone – props to the spa for not batting an eye and welcoming her back to redo them at no extra charge. I well, being me – requested respectfully to get polished on my way out the next day – thus avoiding the problem – still, might I say that for
$85 or so – the fact it didn’t stay on great and began to wear away as early as 5 days later, bummer.
For more info on Hershey click here. http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/the_spa_at_hotel_hershey/
