Spa lovers from Armonk to Westport no longer have to travel overseas to experience the THANN Sanctuary.
The spa, the first of its kind in the United States, has just opened in Tarrytown as part of the tony Castle Hotel”™s roughly $11 million renovation.
Most of the money (about $9.6 million) has gone into creating the spa, which has offshoots in Finland, China and Japan”™s Yakushima Island, where it is part of the Sankara Hotel. That hotel is under the management of Sankara Hospitality, which also manages the Castle. THANN is a Thai-style spa, which Ryoko Ado, spa operations manager, described as using “techniques based on releasing all the energy lines and the tension in all parts of the body. The rhythm is slow and deep and goes deep into the muscles.”
The approach is also organic and natural. The 8,700-square-foot space ”“ designed by California”™s KTGY Group Inc. with interiors by Gettys of Chicago ”“ is all stone, wood and light in relaxing creams and nutmegs. (The one pop of color is a real conversation piece ”“ a colorful paper lounge chair/coffee table in the lobby that is deceptively strong and comfortable.)
THANN may be all airy-spa-y, but there”™s no mistaking some real marketing savvy here. Everyone loves a good story, and THANN is smart in making your visit “a journey” in which you, the main character, begin by discussing any aches or allergies and then pick out a scent from among the many products for your selected services. We chose a light, calming sandalwood, but there”™s also an energizing, minty eucalyptus (great for the sinuses) and a refreshing citrus.
Samantha Feig, a West Nyack resident, was our expert massage therapist. Under her skilled hands, our muscle tensions dissolved, our tender right shoulder was soothed and our arthritic neck placated.
But most of all, Feig proved to be a wonderful conversationalist and listener ”“ though she said if you like quiet or want to drift off while she works her magic, that”™s fine, too.
After our massage, we were guided to the common room, where we lounged about in a robe and slippers, looking out at the greenery and savoring oil-less spring rolls with a spicy dipping sauce, crudités with a peanut sauce, a butternut squash spread on toast, tomato juice and jasmine tea.
There”™s also a special women”™s lounge for an extra bit of pampering before the ladies transition back to the real world. The men, who are apparently not considered as social, don”™t have one. But otherwise there is total parity, with lockers and lovely bronzed-tiled showers, including those that are handicap accessible, for both sexes.
Spa guests can also work out in a small gym and enjoy the steam rooms or facials and scrubs. There”™s also a room for yoga as well as a spa menu at the Castle”™s Equus restaurant, under the direction of executive chef Marc Lippman.
Whatever offerings you choose, you”™ll be attended by graceful, gracious staffers. It”™s their sympathetic approach that makes the THANN spa truly a sanctuary.
For more on the THANN Sanctuary Spa, visit castlehotelandspa.com.
