Photography provided by Anda Spa
There’s never been a better reason to partake in some much-needed self-care than the recent opening of the ultra luxe Anda Spa at Minneapolis’s Hotel Ivy. It made its highly anticipated debut on August 1 after a $2.5-million face-lift and now stands alone as the Twin Cities’ most luxurious spa (on par with your favorite five-star Ritz-Carlton experience). The dazzling 17,000-square-foot self-care emporium takes its name from the Swedish word for “spirit” and focuses on crystal-based wellness. Case in point: The airy second floor lobby is centered around a showstopping 68-pound Madagascar rose quartz crystal.
Utter relaxation is the name of the game here, as exemplified by the aptly dubbed relaxation lounge. Spa goers are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of this soothing space as well as linger longer to enjoy the coed hydrotherapy cove (think a sauna bath, experiential showers and Cambria quartz saunas). An aura room is ideal for quiet meditation pre- or post-treatment. And then there are the nine treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite complete with deep soaking tub.
So what’s the must-try treatment here? Undoubtedly the Gemstone Rebalancing Facial employing Naturopathica products (one of the staple skincare brands featured at Anda, along with Kypris and Zents). The 60-minute skin ritual is tailored to your individual concerns but has an overall focus on reducing inflammation, the leading cause of aging. If you, like me, have sensitive skin that’s prone to redness and reactivity, your treatment might incorporate the Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm, Aloe Replenishing Gel Mask, White Tea Antioxidant Mask, Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel, Carrot Seed Soothing Facial Oil, Beech Tree & Ginseng Daily Moisturizer, and Lavender & Honey Balancing Mist (yes, all of it!). But what makes this facial utterly standout is the rose quartz gemstone roller, which naturally stays cool as it gently massages product into your skin. The treatment concludes with a gemstone ritual in which rose quartz (symbolizing compassion and self-love), amethyst (stress relief and clarity), aquarium (youthfulness), and lepidolite (beauty) are strategically placed on your face while you receive an arm and hand massage.
While we can all agree that there’s nothing quite like a post-facial glow, it’s made even better if you, like I, happen to run into Maya Thurman Hawke (21-year-old daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke and breakout star of Stranger Things season 3) while she is in town for Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project conference and she tells you your skin looks great. Thanks Robin, er Maya — you’ve given me even more reason to return to the urban wellness retreat that is Anda Spa (and to bring all my wellness-loving friends with me).
