This year I drove to a "hidden" spa, tucked away in Provincetown, MA, indulged myself in spa relaxtion and learned that the Pilgrims landed here, too. Too bad the Shui Spa at the Crowne Point Inn wasn't established yet; maybe they'd have had some time to recover from their epic journey. The Pilgrims rowed ashore on November 11, 1620, after writing and signing the Mayflower Compact. P-town wasn't suitable for a permanent settlement so after a short stay -- no spas included -- they pulled up the Mayflower's anchor then sailed across Massachusetts Bay to settle in Plymouth. As for me, in 2007, I began a four-day mini-vacation of relaxing, strolling, beaching biking, gallery hopping and watching the street folk parade by. Oh, yes, and a few spa treatments at the Shui Spa at Crowne Point Historic Inn and Spa.


I stayed at the deluxe Crowne Point Inn & Spa, a block from Pilgrim Monument (look up!) and the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. The Crowne, 82 Bradford St., 508-487-6767, is a classic 140-year-old Cape Cod Sea Captain's estate. This Provincetown hotel is Relaxing, Rejuvenating, and Romantic. Its four-star restaurant, the Bistro, is in an elegant dining room. The inn serves a hot buffet breakfast, too, and boasts one of the best spas on the Cape. The 40 rooms are elegantly set in six restored historic buildings including a mansion, with an outdoor pool and two Jacuzzis. A wonderul place to relax after or before a spa treatment, just beware the toy crocodile floating around the pool!

This historic Provincetown inn features spacious guestrooms and luxury suites, plus the two-story full service Shui Spa, in separate buildings wrapped around a beautifully landscaped courtyard. My room featured a gas fireplace and whirlpool tub. The interior design reflects the colors of the Provincetown sand dune vistas, marsh grass, blue-green waters and sandy shoreline. Relaxing in my room on my balcony, extended the spa serenity after my facial and massage.

Crowne Pointe Inn features the full service Shui Spa in one of the lovely houses. The serenity of the multi-storied spa itself, with its Asian and Buddha decor, put me into a warm, cozy, relaxing mod before my gentle grape-exfoliating facial, the spa’s signature treatment. The Wine Therapy Facial featured grapes as an exfoliating ingredient. The treatment was soothing and gentle and after it was over, my face feeling tingly, smooth and oh-so-clean. The menu promised my skin would feel "hydrated, refreshed and have a natural glow," and so it did.

The use of grapes in skin care dates to French King Louis XIV where wine was applied to the face to produce a radiant complexion. This 20 per cent multi-fruit acid complex, made with white grape wine and anti-aging fruit pulp gently exfoliates the top layer of skin cells while providing essential nutrients and antioxidants for the skin. Following the Grape Therapy Facial I could have added an optional refreshing eye renewal mask $15, or a warm soothing hand paraffin treatment $19. The 55 minute facial cost $109.

The spa’s therapists offer an extensive menu of body, skin and massage treatments and therapies. A steam room and sauna, mineral pool and outdoors reflecting garden with a large Buddha statue completes the spa experience. The Shui Spa is open to the public. Visit www.shuispa.com or call The Crowne Pointe Historic Inn & Spa, Provincetown, MA, 508-487-6767.
The Shui Spa serves Crowne Pointe Inn guests as well as the general public.
Contact them directly via email at revive@shuispa.com