Last year, my dear friend Amber and I started a tradition of enjoying a spa day in the bleak winter months.  This year, it took a little extra planning but we finally made it happen.  We found a great Groupon for a massage and exfoliation at the Four Seasons Spa in Chicago that we couldn’t pass up, so that’s where we ended up this past Thursday evening.

We met after work and ran into some bad rush hour traffic, which means we didn’t have a ton of time to relax prior to our massages.  However, as soon as we walked off the elevator into the spa, we were instantly calm.  We rushed into our cozy robes and slippers and quickly utilized the steam room and showers.  The locker rooms, as you’d expect from a five-star hotel, had every amenity we could possibly need.

After only a few minutes in their small but peaceful relaxation lounge, my massage therapist, Leslee, picked me up for the massage.  After a quick consultation, I chose the lavender oil (please, help me relax!!) and the massage began.  My wonderful massage therapist sought out every knot in my back and worked them out.  I felt like a new woman afterwards.

I met Amber back in the relaxation lounge, where we sipped the fruit infused water and melted into the couches.  Once we could finally move again, we made our way to the locker rooms to change and then on to the pool area.  Let me just say, the pool at the Four Seasons is absolutely gorgeous.

There’s a large hot tub nestled into one end of the pool, lounge chairs all around the perimeter, and a view of Michigan Avenue through the windows.  The pool area was mostly empty, save for a family of three and us.  It was a beautiful setting to sit and catch up.  We wanted to order dinner by the pool and were provided with the “Spa Menu”, which included much healthier options than the cheeseburgers we were craving.

Even though we were forced to eat healthier than we wanted, we were still happy to be able to eat poolside.  The food was just alright, the setting made the dinner much more enjoyable.  We ended the evening after polishing off our meals, and wandering serenely back through the hotel lobby.  It was a perfect spa night, and a great antidote to a long week of work.

How do you treat yourself? Have you ever been to the Four Seasons Spa?