Apr-2015
Relax, rejuvenate and revive at local day spa

BAR HARBOR INN PHOTO BY LISA JACOBS
No vacation is complete without a spa treatment or two.
Visitors to Mount Desert Island have a luxury spa at the Bar Harbor Inn Spa where they can find a wide range of services ranging from facials to full body treatments to waxing and makeup applications.
Spa manager Cynthia Parady has been in the beauty business for several years, starting out with her own spa, Cynthia’s Day Spa, in Bar Harbor. Cynthia’s Day Spa was singled out in SELF magazine for its salt glow rub, which is the same one offered today at the Bar Harbor Inn Spa.
“Same thing people still love,” Parady said. Your body is gently exfoliated and cleansed with aromatic oils and sea salt. You are wrapped and left to relax and detoxify and then a moisturizing lotion is applied.
Parady has run the Bar Harbor Inn Spa since it opened in 2006. In fact, she designed the spa’s interior while hotelier David C. Witham’s architect son, John Witham, designed the building itself.
The spa’s start was serendipitous. Parady had run into David Witham at a fundraiser and asked him when he was going to add a spa to his properties. “He said ‘I’m waiting for you,’” Parady recalled.
The spa itself is plush and relaxing with a view of Frenchman Bay.
Part of its appeal is that clients — many of whom are repeat visitors — leave with results. Faces look brighter and tighter. Skin glistens. Nails are glossy and healthy. Makeup is expertly applied. Souls are relaxed and restored.
Parady attributes the results to Babor, a European cosmoceuticals product line that the spa uses. Dr. Babor GmbH & Co. KG. is based in Aachen, Germany.
“It’s very innovative,” said Amanda Day, the spa’s assistant manager. “They have a team of scientists in Germany. It’s very pampering, but you see results at the same time. It’s very much about protection and prevention without the surgeries and things like that.”
Facials are some of the most popular treatments, particularly the Derma Cellular Skin Renewal Facial and the Collagen Booster Dr. Babor Facial. Each facial costs around $165, however the spa menu was being tweaked at press time, so call to verify the price.
The Derma Cellular facial includes an alpha hydroxy exfoliation to remove dead skin cells to support the skin’s regeneration and accelerate skin cell renewal. This is followed by an anti-aging mask and fluid to get maximum anti-aging results.
The Collagen Facial bills itself as “plumping and densifying your skin.”
“Potent hyaluronic acid and a collagen mask are used to boost skin from the deepest layers while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles,” says the description.
Manicures and pedicures include basic filing and polish change to spa versions with massages and paraffin treatments. You can also get a shellac manicure, which lasts up to three weeks with nary a chip. But, if you’d rather not go with shellac, the spa offers a high-quality polish by CND Vinylux, which is one of the longest-lasting polishes on the market.
Day sported a manicure in CND Vinylux’s Romantique hue, which is very popular with brides. Parady wore a CND Shellac in Tutti Frutti, a bright pink.
Are you on your first trip with that special someone? No need to part during spa time. You can both get treatments in the couples room or “Suite for Two.” You can arrange for side-by-side massages or create a customized package by adding a bath experience or steam shower for two. Baths include a Vanilla Milk Bath or a Sea Water Soak.
“People really like the hydrotherapy,” Day said.
Massage offerings include hot stone, deep tissue, Swedish, therapeutic, prenatal and a Signature Spa Massage.
Are you getting married or planning a special night out? The spa employs makeup artists who will make you look your best, most glamorous self, using Babor cosmetics, which are also available for purchase.
“We do wedding makeups every weekend,” Day said.
* Robes, slippers and personal amenities are provided along with complimentary fresh fruit, tea and coffee.
* All mobile devices must be turned off.
* Lockers are provided for personal belongings.
* Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* For more information or to make an appointment, call 288-8455 and visit www.barharborinn.com.