As I quasi-drifted toward my husband, clearly in a dizzying state of bliss, I heard him ask, “Did you have some champagne or something in there?” He eyed me carefully as I emerged—a bit wobbly—from a 105-minute gemstone light and body treatment at The Spa at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyard.
“No,” I whispered, although I did feel exceptionally well. My entire body felt relaxed and fluid, like I’d just shed 15-plus years of worries and stressors. That intoxicating release lasted for days, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
What exactly is a gemstone light and body treatment? On the massage table, I laid on a negative ion mat that warmed me and sent gentle electromagnetic currents through my limbs. Some claim that negative ion exposure can reduce pain and inflammation, along with boosting immunity. Then my masseuse dry brushed most of my body before painting on a warm gemstone body mask—“an ancient synthesis of rare earth minerals and gemstones,” Nicewonder says—that’s been pulverized into a healing concoction.
The treatment was conceived to align with the Bristol resort’s history. The owners, the Nicewonders, made their money from the coal industry. This spa offering is designed to echo their roots in minerals. Once the warm mask was applied, I was wrapped in a blanketing wellness cocoon to let the mask and currents sink in, along with gentle, far-infrared heat. Then the masseuse used a warm, wet towel to wipe off the mask, and the crushed gemstones exfoliated my skin. Section by section, she moved around my body, also massaging me into that blissful state. Afterwards, she applied an enriched body lotion. NicewonderFarm.com
All across Virginia, spas and wellness centers are using new therapies, skin products, aromatherapies, and combinations of modalities to take their customers’ physical—and often spiritual—experience to the next level. We bring you a sampling of more wonderfully unconventional treatments to check out.
Scents of Serenity Organic Spa • Richmond
The vagus nerve* has been making headlines lately because it’s key to managing heart rate, digestion, and breathing—all of which can connect to our stress levels. The Vagus Nerve Meditative Massage at Scents of Serenity in Richmond “really focuses on the recalibration of the vagus nerve,” says Rae Summerall, spa director. It’s designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and awaken the calming effects of the vagus nerve. The treatment begins with an opening ritual and includes rhythmic breathing, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, and soft (Swedish-style) compressions. The masseuse concentrates on sections of the body at a time and applies a hot towel compress infused with a vagus nerve oil. The spa also offers a mineral-rich Seaweed Leaf Body Wrap and a Flower Essence Massage that “works on the emotional body,” says Summerall. ScentsOfSerenitySpa.com
Vagus nerves are our longest cranial nerves, controlling involuntary functions like digestion, heart rate, and breathing. They’re on our left and right sides and run from our brain stems to our large intestines.
Spa at Colonial Williamsburg
With Colonial Williamsburg’s historical emphasis, CW Spa Director Aimee Morrill “wanted to showcase how the organic herbs, flowers, and manual techniques that have been used for centuries are still being used today and still have value.” She cites how historical figures often visited mineral-rich springs across the state. The spa’s 17th-Century Replenish Experience includes dry brushing, a centuries-old technique to stimulate the lymphatic system, a lavender focus, a revitalizing “taking the waters” in a tub, and a massage with Himalayan salt stones. More modern treatments are geared toward overall restorative skincare and include facial exfoliation or dermabrasion. The spa’s Coconut Chocolate Truffle Double Wrap offers 75 minutes of pampering that aims to destress, detoxify, and depuff. ColonialWilliamsburgHotels.com/Spa
The Spa at Hotel Roanoke• Roanoke
Think about it: the average person travels about 1,100 miles on their feet per year, not counting designated exercise. To combat all that wear and tear, The Spa at Hotel Roanoke is tailor-made for relaxing our overly stressed feet with scented and salted soaks. Guests can also enhance their foot and lower limb treatments with a mineral and Himalayan salt scrub, hot stones, and CBD-infused shea butter. While you soak, the zero-gravity chairs tilt back, and then a therapist massages each foot for 10 minutes, followed by more soaking. The spa’s 2024 expansion on the hotel’s wellness level adds more space for massages and facials, including a Revitalizing Body Wrap that offers a full body dry brushing and a CBD body wrap followed by magnesium lotion for restoration and relaxation. SpaHotelRoanoke.com
King Street Spa • Alexandria
Facials at King Street Spa in Alexandria’s Archer Hotel are designed to engage an array of senses, so you can virtually satisfy your sweet tooth while your skin’s being rejuvenated. Their Oxygenating S’mores Facial is “so special” because of these evocative scents, says Spa Manager, Danielle Nathan. “Not only is the facial helping to boost circulation and cell turnover, but it also smells like chocolate and marshmallow and fills the room with a nice aroma while you’re getting relaxed.” Who doesn’t have heartwarming and calming memories of roasting marshmallows and biting into gooey chocolate? The spa’s menu also offers Circadian Rhythm Facials, which claims to nourish and balance skin hydration. The skin’s circadian clock genes play a role in the regulation of circadian rhythm, and understanding chronobiology and respecting your body’s circadian rhythm may go a long way to better skin health. ArcherHotel.com
Click here for more scintillating spa specialties.
This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue.
