“My quintessential spa day would include a yoga, Pilates, or personal-training session at SomaFit in Georgetown followed by some of their spa treatments. I like the Signature Facial, the massage, and the seaweed wrap. They have excellent estheticians.”
—Christina DePaul, dean of the Corcoran College of Art & Design
“It’s a bit of a drive, but Poplar Springs Inn near Warrenton, Virginia, is cozy and surrounded by a beautiful landscape. The Ultra-Moisturizing Facial is fantastic.”
—Marlene Hu Aldaba, owner of Hu’s Shoes in Georgetown
“There’s a new pedicure at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons called the Coffee Pedicure. It sounds silly, but I had one and left with the smoothest feet and legs since I was a baby. I also like pedicures at Natural Body Spa [in Potomac and Arlington]. Pedicures are done in private rooms, and you lie back in a chair with your feet up while they place a warm eye mask on your face and a heated pillow around your neck. You end the pedicure with a 15-minute leg massage, my favorite.”
—Tamara Darvish, Darcars Automotive Group vice president
“I love Sugar House Day Spa. I feel spoiled from the moment I walk in. It’s the best place in Alexandria to have your eyebrows done—I particularly like Brenda.”
—Allison Preibe Brooks, designer/owner of Queen Bee jewelry
“I can’t live without eyelash tinting. I’m a fair person, and my eyes would be invisible without it. I go to Lance at Blue Mercury in Georgetown. I also love his facials.”
—Ana Marie Cox, Wonkette.com founder and author of Dog Days
“Colleen at George’s, at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, gives incredible manicures and pedicures. I’ve gone there for years. It’s so peaceful, you feel like you’re not in the city.”
—Patti Cumming, public-relations manager for Neiman Marcus
“Serenity Day Spa in Tenley is casual and small, and the people are nice. I love the deep-tissue massages. Micky or Violet are good for facials. It’s a luxury to go to the spa, but this place is reasonable.”
—Dana Bash, CNN congressional correspondent
“My most special spa experience was at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania. It’s a beautiful setting, great food, walking trails, golf, you name it, and the spa amenities are superb. My favorite treatment there is a hot-stone massage. Once you’ve had it, you want more.”
—Andrea Roane, WUSA 9 news anchor
“Erwin Gomez opened a wonderful salon in Georgetown—he does the best eyebrows and makeup. Elena at Jacques Dessange in Chevy Chase does my facials.”
—Ann Walker Marchant, CEO of communications firm Walker Marchant Group
“Circe in Old Town is one of my favorite spas for a maternity massage. I’ve had this treatment during each of my three pregnancies, and every time I’ve walked away completely relaxed and truly pampered.”
—Donna McKelvey, executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Capital Area Chapter
“I get microdermabrasion/oxygen facials from Renee Tucker at Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery. It's more of a doctor's office than a spa. I used to have problems with my skin, but now people comment on how nice it looks."
—Lauren Mason, co-owner of Georgetown’s Wink boutique
“I go to Salon Charisma in Dupont Circle for my hair, nails, and facials. The people are friendly, the services are very good, and the prices are affordable—you don’t pay a fortune for a blow-out, and they do it fast. I like Hakam for my hair, and Judy does my nails.”
—Carmen Ducaru, wife of the Romanian ambassador to the United States
