The barrage of bad financial and international news had left me feeling on edge and down in the dumps. In need of a quick pick-me-up, I recalled a 2-year-old gift certificate for a day at the Spa at Norwich Inn.
My daughter-in-law, Ronnie Harmon Cherni, was free and could join me so we booked a day of delightful indulgences for us both. The inn was an easy hour’s drive from Branford despite a torrential rain that day. It is also just a stone’s throw from Foxwoods and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum.
Couples, as well as many women of all ages from Connecticut and Massachusetts, were visiting ... some remaining overnight, as well.
A discreet sign off the major highway leads to a winding, flower-filled, country road and the welcoming Georgian red-brick facade of the inn. We longingly noticed the lounges set out on the expansive lawn area and the patio dining under the trees, but knew that would have to wait for a visit on a sunny day.
Once inside, however, we were so pleasantly coddled and removed from all of the every-day stresses like phones, computers and to-do lists, we completely forgot the weather. After a warm greeting at the main reception desk and a brief introductory tour of the facilities, we were each assigned a locker and given large, fluffy, white terry robes ... the unisex outfit of the day. Floating about (even into the formal dining room) like earth–bound angels, the instant- equalizer effect of our identical outfits, made for a quick and easy camaraderie.
Ronnie and I slipped into our bathing suits, picked up several large towels and headed for the hot, bubbling Jacuzzi, moaning and groaning in pleasure as the water soothed every aching muscle. Afterward, a few minutes in the adjoining sauna to dry our suits, and we again donned our terry robes and found our way to the elegant dining room.
A delicious, gourmet lunch was included in our special spa package and the extensive menu featured many interesting appetizers, entrees and desserts. Our waitress, Maria, could not have been more professional and solicitous, had we been dining at the Four Seasons. In fact, all the spa personnel were extremely competent and gracious.
Ready for an after-lunch siesta, I discovered the "relaxation room," a quiet haven of oversize wicker lounges, soft music and scented candles while Ronnie enjoyed a limber-and-tone class followed by a workout in their state-of-the-art gym.
I was finally jostled out of my semilethargic state by Donna, the excellent instructor for the swim exercise class in the spacious, sky-lit pool. Later, it was back to the dinning room for complimentary afternoon tea and scones, and then to our individual treatment rooms for our chosen therapies. The menu of treatments is positively hedonistic and ranges from mud and seaweed baths to hot stone therapy and cacao-mango body buffs.
After my one-hour aromatherapy massage and an autumn harvest pedicure during which I was slathered with wonderful-smelling creams and offered herbal tea to drink, I felt absolutely blissful.
The facilities at Norwich Inn are also available for conferences, showers, weddings and holiday parties. Weekday rates are less expensive than weekends. A thoughtful, sure-to-be-appreciated gift for a special someone or an occasional treat for yourself, the spa offers a wonderful opportunity to be pampered; something we all need in today’s overly busy and difficult times.
The Spa at Norwich Inn is close to home yet it completely transports you to another place. For more information, call 1 (800) ask-4-spa or go to www.thespaatnorwichinn.com.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
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