On the Go With Kids in Tow: Babes (and Babies!) in Spa-Land: A Coast-to-Coast Guide for finding Hip Ma-Spas

Spas used to be ‘adults only’ destinations. Once a woman had children, a visit to a spa with her girlfriends might be a once a year event that had to be carefully orchestrated around the schedules of husbands, grandparents, and babysitters. Thanks to a new breed of spas that are equipped with on site childcare for babies, camps and activity centers for kids of all ages, and manis, pedis, and massages for preschoolers, tweens, and teens, a day at the spa can be yours any time you wish. The past five years has witnessed an explosion in the number of spas that welcome babies and toddlers. The spa industry has responded to the needs of Generation X women who want to spend a lot of time with their children, yet don’t want to sacrifice adult friendships, by making their facilities kid friendly, without sacrificing quality, style, or décor.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai California (www.ojaniresort.com) has recently undergone a $90 million renovation. “Since May 2003 when we began this project,” says Managing Director Thad Hyland, “we’ve demolished a dozen buildings, laid 15 miles of cable, buried 5 miles of pipe, and installed 200,000 square feet of Saltillo tile and 20,000 pieces of decorative tile. Now, more than 5,000 gallons of paint, a half dozen new fountains and 125 trees later, we can really see the results of our labor.” Camp Ojai for children ages 5-12 offers supervised educational activities with a focus on learning about the Chumash Indians, and a daily visit to the Ranch’s small animal farm and a pony ride. Likewise, the Hotel Del Coronado (www.hoteldel.com), located just outside of San Diego, keeps young guests busy at their Tent City Kids Camp (ages 4-12) where kids can do arts and crafts, learn to surf, and practice paddle boating, or make their own tye-die t-shirts while mom gets a Seaside enzyme wrap ($185 for 80 minutes) or deep cleansing facial treatment ($130 for 50 minutes. The camp costs $45 dollars for one child, $40 for each additional, and $65 for an extended Kid’s Night Out.

Simply because a spa is kid friendly, doesn’t mean aesthetics take a back seat, even for the little ones. The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Arizona (www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com) features $730 Bugaboo strollers, luxurious Kashwére blankets and caps, Frette linen crib sheets, and Mustela baby skincare products so babies can feel just as pampered as you do. While the spa does not have on-site daycare, the concierge will provide you with an approved list of local nannies and childcare providers so you can feel free to indulge in their world famous bamboo lemongrass scrub ($195 for 90 minutes) or their weightless watsu aquatic massage ($135 for 60 minutes). The Greenhouse spa in Arlington Texas (www.grenhousepa.com) offers two “Baby and Me” weeks a year, open to women with babies between 3 and 12 months of age. On-site nanny care means that you can indulge in a massage or manicure without worrying about nap times, feeding, or keeping an active toddler entertained. The Phantom Horse Spa in Phoenix Arizona (www.pointesouthmtn.com) provides on-site childcare in their Kids Korral for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years to complement their full range of Native American inspired spa-treatments such as the Pumpkin facial ($125 for 50 minutes).

Children as young as four years old can skip the babysitters and on-site nannies and opt, instead, to get their own treatments. Spas offer the perfect environment for children, teens, and tween to relieve stress, relax, and learn about healthy eating habits and good grooming. Pared down services are available for kids of all ages. The Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina (www.pinehurst.com/spa) recently opened its KidSpa, which caters to tweens aged 6 to 11. The spa offers pedicures, manicures, and massages at pared down prices. The Pinhurst kids massage ($45 for 20 minutes) targets injury prone areas like legs and backs and is suitable for boys and girls. Masseuses are gender specific, children remain fully clothed, and parents can opt to stay in the room and supervise. The Pinhurst kids facial ($45 for 20 minutes) is designed to introduce the basics of good skin care and includes a thorough cleansing and toning. The the Pinehurst mani-pedi ($70 for 50 minutes) provides a luxury experience without breaking the bank. While the Teen Tune-Up offers a thirty minute one-on-one session with a personal trainer ($50). The Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis Massachusetts (www.capecodderresort.com) offers a Parent and Child massage ($170 for 50 minutes). You, your daughter and a girlfriend may opt for the Tutti-Frutti Manicure delight ($20 for 20 minutes) complete with fizzy fruit juice sparkler or the Chocolate Milkshake pedicure ($40 for 45 minutes) which can be enjoyed while sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Feet are soaked in a chocolate milkshake bath, manicured, then exfoliated with a chocolate scrub. Topping it off are an application of Swiss chocolate mousse lotion and a jeweled toe ring. The Ritz-Carleton Spa in Orlando offers everything from a Ritz Kids Massage to a “Systems Blue Facial” complete with a personal skin analysis (www.ritzcarlton.com).

With a little bit of planning and a flexible attitude you can enjoy a wonderful spa vacation that offers plenty of fun and entertainment for the kids while still leaving ample time for adult relaxation and socializing. To find a spa near you consult SpaFinder (www.spafinder.com) and look under the “Mommy and Baby” or “Teen Spa” categories.

Some Tips:
• The Perfect Destination depends heavily on the age of your children. If your children are babies and/or toddlers pick a resort with on site childcare, nanny services, or programs for young children. Be mindful that the childcare program may need a minimum number of kids (usually 3) to open. Think about going with a group of girlfriends and their children.
• If your children are between the ages of 5 and 12 pick a spa or resort with an attached day camp or activity center. Be sure to check hourly rates and ask about multiple child discounts.
• Youth spas don’t apply adult treatment like dermabrasion or waxing. Those that offer massages typically require parents to be present.

See CleverParents-tv Vidcast #6 introducing the On the Go With Kids in Tow column.