The July issue of Nashville Lifestyles featured our all-inclusive guide to relaxation and rejuvenation. Each day we'll be sharing one of our favorite wellness practices and procedures with you starting with Rhapsody Spa at the Westin hotel.
Rhapsody Spa
Lisa Diederich
Every inch of the 6,000-square-foot Rhapsody Spa at the Westin oozes relaxation. With stone elements and natural wood accents, the vibe is Zen chic with soothing nods to nature. Stepping off the elevator, I was greeted by friendly faces at the check-in desk and an incredible living plant wall behind them.
After changing into my very comfy robe and slippers, I spent a little time in the relaxation lounge, where water, tea, and healthy snacks are self-served. Reclining on a chaise lounge as ambient music played softly, I could easily have fallen into a very comfortable snooze. But there was a massage to be had—specifically the Vital Body CBD Massage.
Lisa Diederich
I’m a long-time fan of massages, and I am intrigued by the CBD trend in all things health and beauty, so this treatment seemed like the perfect fit for me. By why did Rhapsody recently introduce CBD into their program? Spa Director Rhoda Davis explains.
“I am always looking for new experiences to bring into our spa offerings. I was aware of CBD massage from my own experiences at other spas while vacationing in Colorado over the years,” she says. “CBD had made a name for itself as a natural healing agent, so it was a no-brainer. We knew it would be a perfect fit in our spa as it layers perfectly into the Westin Wellness program.”
The massage itself was nothing short of heavenly. In addition to covering me head to toe in artisan-crafted aromatic massage cream containing eight pain-relieving herbs, my masseuse applied a heated Himalayan salt stone to my back.
“This pretty little pink stone packs a powerful punch by providing a delicate skin exfoliation during the massage, as well as lending even more relaxation benefits to your muscles and joints,” says Davis. “Himalayan salts are known worldwide to balance and neutralize the ill effects of the toxic frequencies we live with every day. It gives [the treatment] an added boost."
Lisa Diederich
Davis says picking the right product was key in creating the treatment.
“We use Vital Body CBD products created in Santa Cruz, California,” she says. It is a small batch, handmade, THC-free product. Along with the CBD, it offers solar-infused organic herbs that lend to its amazing scent. It comes as a massage cream, balm and salt soak. It’s beneficial for anyone experiencing sleep issues, joint or nerve inflammation, arthritis, muscle soreness and much more.”
The products are also available in the spa’s retail space, and let me just say, I am living for my Vital Body On-The-Go Pain Relief Balm after the gym.
And while I didn’t come to the spa with aches and pains (despite my attempts to work out extra hard the day before to make myself a little sore—for research purposes), I have to say that my body has never felt better leaving a massage than it did after this one. Often, massages leave me sore for days, but this one had my body feeling restored, renewed, and recharged from the moment I walked out of the treatment room.
Lisa Diederich
Speaking of leaving the treatment room, Rhapsody doesn’t let your relaxation experience end there. Post-massage I hit up the sauna, which the Rhapsody team recommends to encourage your skin to completely soak up the CBD cream.
Sipping on a mimosa in the dry heat as my body absorbed all of the CBD goodness, I felt like a new woman. A woman who is already planning to go back for another round.
Rhapsody Spa at the Westin Nashville, 807 Clark Pl., 3rd Floor, 629-800-5050; rhapsodyspanashville.com