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Urban Retreat

[whitespace] Heaven
Full-Service Serenity: A day at Heaven can soothe even the most uptight urbanites.

A visit to the day spa

By Diana Rupp

Remember the Calgon commercial where the phone is ringing, the dog is barking and the baby won't stop crying? "Take me away!" begs the frazzled career woman, who is then magically transported into a serene and luxurious bubble bath. Unfortunately, life's not that simple, but a visit to Heaven, one of the city's best and most thorough day spas, could be the answer to your prayers.

Located in a former apartment building, the treatment rooms retain the comfortable, cozy atmosphere of a private home. Candles, soft music and a friendly but discreet staff create the perfect setting to lull you into a state of quiet relaxation.

But it's Heaven's unique menu of holistic services, which treat the mind and spirit as well as the senses, that sets this spa apart from run-of-the-mill pamper palaces. In addition to fabulous herbal and mineral-based facials, steam room, massage therapy and a full-service hair salon, Heaven has an on-site Wellness Center offering yoga classes, acupuncture and nutritional counseling. Body and aromatherapy treatments include the aloe and lavender hydrating wrap, Aveda botanical body mask and Fango mud therapy.

But as far as day spa services go, I highly recommend the Heavenly Salt Glow, a technique that has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, and for good reason. The treatment includes a 15-minute session in an aroma steam unit (wafting the scent of eucalyptus), a light rubdown with sea salts mixed with an essential oil and a water hydrotherapy rinse ($65). Mildly abrasive, the hour-long process detoxifies, exfoliates and deeply cleanses the skin, leaving it and you feeling incredibly soft and refreshed.


Heaven is located at 2209 Chestnut and is open daily from 10am to 8pm, 415.749.6414.

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From the February 15, 1999 issue of the Metropolitan.

Copyright © Metro Publishing Inc.