Unpretentious Simplicity ~ Flowering Almond Spa
Step inside the Flowering Almond Spa, Founders Inn and relaxing aromas envelop you immediately, whispering sweet nothings to a weary body and eliciting an instant calm. Here, among curvaceous couches that quietly mimic yin and yang, is a subtle Asian-inspired ambience that welcomes guests wholeheartedly.
Tucked within the AAA Four Diamond Founders Inn in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the spa caters to hotel guests and visitors alike in sophisticated colonial comfort. A short stroll through the primly manicured grounds leads spa-goers to a building dedicated to the Flowering Almond Spa as well as an indoor pool and well-equipped fitness center.
On a clouded, misty day, I made my way to the spa, entering the warm reception area relieved and ready to surrender to relaxation. After slipping into a soft terry cloth robe and slippers, I padded into the relaxation room to wait for my masseuse.
There I found fruit-infused ice waters and herbal teas to sip while I lounged in a cushioned chaise, an array of magazines scattered nearby. It wasn’t long before I was greeted by my massage therapist, Matt, who led me to a dim treatment room for a classic 50-minute Swedish massage.
Smoothing sweet, warm oil over my jet-lagged muscles, Matt began massaging in slow, smooth movements over my neck and shoulders, releasing the tension that builds from hours spent crunched over my laptop each day. From there, he moved on to knead my arms and then legs, before I flipped onto my stomach to partake in the second half of the full-body rubdown.
Nearly an hour later, I was gently reintroduced to reality as the massage ended. Once I had stepped outside of the treatment room, Matt was on hand to offer tips for simple stretches that would keep my most strained muscles loose and limber.
Having experienced an array of body treatments and massage techniques throughout my life, I was pleasantly surprised by the unpretentious simplicity of my basic Swedish massage and the immediate renewal I experienced after, as I made my way back into the relaxation room for a few extra moments of peace. In fact, the feeling of rejuvenation prompted me to schedule an appointment for a follow-up Swedish massage upon my return home to Michigan.
While my at-home treatment left my body equally relaxed, it lacked the element of elegance and charm that only the Founders Inn, with its Georgian architecture and Southern comforts, was able to provide, situated on the lush, inland greens of Virginia’s largest city. For a romantic escape just far enough from the chaos of the beach, there’s no better option than this lovely inn. Spa day packages are available, as are hotel/spa specials.
Flowering Almond Spa, The Founders Inn
~ Jessica Howell, Spas of America
When not experiencing new spas, Jessica is an account executive with Eisbrenner PR. jessicabhowell@hotmail.com
