Spa Solage at Solage Calistoga 4.3 1 review

Spa Solage is an absolutely beautiful facility, and it was just ranked #2 hotel spa in the continental US & Canada in Travel & Leisure Magazine. My husband and I visited there for our anniversary, and we had massages in their couple's suite. My husband was very pleased with his deep tissue massage and I was equally as happy with my Swedish massage. With any treatment you are allowed use of the geothermal pool, a very warm pool filled with Calistoga's famous spring water. It is truly a relaxing experience to float around in the pool after a massage.

I also decided to try Solage's interpretation of a mud bath, called a Mudslide. I wasn't sure if I was really up for the traditional Calistoga style of completely immersing myself in mud, so I thought this was perfect for me. This treatment offered the ultimate in privacy and comfort. First you walk up to the "mud bar" and choose an aromatherapy scent for your mud. The staff mixes your mud in a little pail, then shows you to a heated room. You put the mud on your skin yourself (or they can help you), and then you lay in the warm room while the mud "bakes" on you. In about 10 minutes the staff member knocks on the door and lets you know you can take a shower to clean the mud off, which is located in the same room. Then you move on to the soaking part, for about 10 minutes in a warm bath. Finally, you are shown to a massage chair and wrapped in a comforter. You put headphones on and listen to relaxing music, and the vibrations of the massage chair occur in time with the bass of the music. It is a very unique experience.

Of course these wonderful experiences come at a premium price, so that is why it's hard to give it a higher rating on value. Eco-conscious people will notice the efforts the resort makes be mindful of the environment, such as the drought-resistant (yet still scenic) landscaping in the spa and throughout the resort, and the use of bicycles around the resort by the staff and guests.