Indulge Yourself at Orquidea: the Spa at Los Altos

Orquidea Spa is cleverly hidden below the pool terrace, on the Los Altos property. As you walk down the path through the garden toward the spa, your heart skips a beat with excitement and then the aroma of lemon grass overwhelms you as you walk into a Zen like atmosphere. Buddha on the wall gives you a warm smile and a friendly Noelia welcomes you.

Looking at the selection of treatments offered makes me want to ask for them all. A guest can choose many massage and body treatments, such as a Traditional Swedish massage, a Lymphatic Hot Stone massage or facial treatments. My favorite is the Anti-Aging treatment. Spa Rituals range from Costa Rican Spa treatments to Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian special, to Detoxify by the Sea.

A British guest had just completed the Detoxify by the Sea when all that she could say to me with a smile was “Wonderful”.  This treatment is designed to detoxify both body and mind. It begins with a lymphatic drainage massage and then a soothing algae body mask rich in chlorophyll.  To bring it all together, it ends with a mini facial.

All of these treatments occur while the ocean air and the sounds of the birds and the wind engulf the room to get a true jungle experience. You experience an hour and half of sheer delight followed by a plate of watermelon and water to hydrate and continue the sensory delight and serenity. This pleasure can be delivered in one of two single rooms. The third massage room is designated for two, who can take advantage of The Romantic Getaway, Like Mother Like Daughter, Like Father Like Son, and the Luxury Family Packages or Orquidea Spa Party for friends or bachelorette parties.

The wellness treasures are delivered by trained massage therapists. As Noelia explained, she is a local girl who had completed her formal massage therapy training 11 years ago and returned back to Quepos 8 years ago and has had worked in Manuel Antonio at the Spa since. She proudly stated that she works full time but continues to be a student to learn new techniques to offer her guests. There appears to be a real synergy between the expertise of the staff, the rainforest, and the treatment that delivers serenity to their guests. Orquidea also offers mani-pedis for their clients as well a boutique of local organic products they use at the Spa, such as essential oils, scrubs, creams and body lotions -  as they say, wellness treasures,“from the land to you, fresh cocktail of vitamins for your skin”

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