Latvia ' s Burgeoning Spa Scene

Latvia ' s Burgeoning Spa Scene

A dreamboat five - minute stretch from Riga ' s Old Plant, past crooked medieval houses, cobbled streets and handsome municipal buildings, takes you to the elegant Kronvalda Lawns. Once the playground of 19th - century sports club the Rifleman Society, the arena was disposed to the public in 1930 so they could fancy strolls along cherry - lined paths and over flashy bridges, with the calm waters of the Riga Whereabouts Canal passing below. Consequent the field is Kronvalda Boulevard, a grand, flourishing way along which trams rumble to and from the historic center. Here, in a simple but elegant 19th - century former scores storehouse is Taka Spa, one of the most knockout additions to Latvia ' s burgeoning spa scene.
Established in 2006 by former health journalist Dina Vjatere and her compatriot Agnita Vavere, the target is on a holistic approach. " Our aim is not to work just for relaxation, but for results, " says Ms. Vjatere. " Many therapists work together and we elevate judgment things with hands than with tackle. It gives us the facility to penetrate the clients ' needs better. "
Taka Spa ( www. takaspa. lv ) caters to a wealthy, mainly local crowd, which flocks here for treatments that include lymphatic drainage, Elemis lime and guts scrubs and wraps, as well as yoga and Pilates classes in the airy space in the converted loft at the top of the pad.
Ultimately, the aim is to provide an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Aija Ozolins, a regular customer, says, " I love it for the facials - using a firm, placid touch, massaging my face and shoulders into deep relaxation with the application of natural oils. "
On the other side of the park - and at the opposite end of the scale from the intimate, cozy approach of Taka Spa - is the glitzy ESPA ( www. espariga. com ), attached to the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, which opened in 2009. Leading the show in the nook in terms of fussy, the six - flag cobby caters to the new, rich Latvians and wealthy tourists.
A giant Swarovski chandelier hangs down from the atrium. The dark distant wealthy pool is more redolent of a disco. Gold - flecked walls shimmer, rhythm is moody and there is a bar resultant Cristal champagne, fresh - fruit smoothies and sushi. There is and Riga ' s most worthwhile gym, a monstrous space kitted out with the latest Technogym equipment. Upstairs on the top level, sauna pods are located with an outside plunge pool and there is a large relaxation area, complete with white hide sofas, modern art and piles of loganberries and apples to snack on, as well as the latest glossy magazines.
Treatments are both remedial and relaxing. The Stressbuster combines head and transfer massage and a placid eye treatment, while the spa ' s Amber Shining treatment involves skin brushing, exfoliation and a cleanse, with chakras massaged by amber crystals.
Those looking for a more boutique know-how can try one of the treatments at the lulu Dome hotel ( www. domehotel. lv ), located in a 400 - year - old merchant flat in the heart of Old Riga. Here, a stone ' s hurl from the Romanesque and early Gothic Dome Cathedral, locality - weary guests can relax with a Kamisimo massage - a Japanese technique using snug rice - or a body shine in the hammam, using olive compound. This is a good option for weekenders looking for a fuss - free option in a great, historic locale.
As a idiosyncrasy to these part spas, the scenic coastal resort of Jurmala - about an hour outside Riga - offers considerable for spa - seekers looking for a longer beachside spurt. Jurmala has continued been a pretentious design for the gilded. Spa resorts - avowed for the reservation ' s mineral springs and beer climate - were built in the 1800s, catering to Russian soldiers proximate the Napoleonic Wars. It was further a popular target for Innovator camps, which sprang up here in the Soviet day, and where family would come and spend the summer in the curing temper.
Many of the classy 19th - century wooden villas that once graced the drollery - lined avenues of Jurmala have been torn down and replaced by more - elaborate holiday homes with manicured park and jewel peacocks. The legion of blacked - out SUVs in the driveways flash at the rolling residents inside.
The Amber Spa ( www. amberspahotel. lv ) is a modern and golden addition to the historic spa scene here. Located on a peaceful journey, five statement from clean white sands and calm seas, the spa has been catering seeing 2009 to the host of Russians and Latvians who soothing assemble to the niche, and is now targeting the international bazaar.
The spa was well-known by void Latvian aliment - tennis exponent Vadim Sokolov after whereas the benefits of therapies he hip as an athlete. It offers complete weeklong programs parallel as weight - loss and sports therapy; locally innovative treatments using traditional herbs, buckwheat and birch; and amber massage, which uses the stones to stimulate muscles.
Rooms are furnished in orange and offensive tones, as befits the topic of the spa ( Amber is Latvia ' s state stone ). Its excellent restaurant, My Life, offers healthy spa food selfsame as pork loin with cranberries and, for breakfast, homemade yogurts and breads served with gigantic berries.
The spa offers a traditional Russian banya action, involving a practice of hot saunas, cold baths and an refreshing banya besom treatment - a stimulating massage using birch or oak twigs. Layout goes out of the window. You are asked to don a graceful cap and are variant nude for much of it. Refreshments between treatments come in the form of cranberry juice, pickled herring and gherkins. The site in the main spa is clean, serene and attractive, and the treatments have corrective aims - the pompous mainly masseurs finding knots you never knew existed.
Even the sanatoriums of old, holdovers from the Communist - life in both feel and style, are adopting improvements. Jumala ' s Amber Shores Sanatorium caters to Soviet pensioners and old state officials who still flock to it in their Ladas. For around โ‚ฌ80 a night, guests can sleep in simple, chafe - clad cantonment, dine on comfort food allied as borscht in the canteen and be treated to mud baths and mineral soaks, administered in ancient throw - hard tubs by stern babushkas. While basic, it ' s considered mirth by locals, says director Viktor Daniloh: " Before, you used to just reviling down in a mud pool in the cold. But it was difficult for the passion to take. "