One of the perks of freelance writing
is being able to experience new
things and places and share the best of the best
with readers.
Recently it was my pleasure to visit
a wellness and fitness center
located in the J.W. Marriott
in downtown Chicago.
Valeo surpassed all of my expectations.
Katie Hurley,
brainchild of Valeo
prefers not to refer to this place of renwal as "spa,"
which may seem curious until you
experience its treatments and amenities.
Valeo is not one of those foo-foo
dayspas with heavy aromatics hanging in the air
and offering salon services or blow-outs.
Valeo is different.
It's an underground paradise hideaway.
You feel not just worlds away within its walls,
but since it draws inspiration from ancient traditions,
it also feels centuries away and temple-like.
Valeo features the only CLARITY CHAMBERS
(seen above) in the country.
I absolutely adored the chamber.
Covered with Turkish wraps,
I reclined on an enormous slab of marble
heated from within.
The fireplace with its modern stainless surround
added ambience and enhanced the mood.
Clarity.
So difficult to summon at times.
And yet it comes in the chamber.
For me, there was also something very...
it's tough to find adequate words...
spiritual.
Seriously.
The relaxation area is beyond comfortable
and where I was lucky enough to
chat with Ms. Hurley about everything
from hormones to existential angst to urban renewal.
I love her philosophies about wellness,
the value of intuition, and why I ought never to
feel guilt about caring for my body-spirit-mind.
I'll share more of her insight later.
I have yet to experience fitness at Valeo,
but I hope to in the future as the inspiring
Shea Vaughn offers Shea-netics
right here.
(Anyone else LOVE Shea's son Vince
in Wedding Crashers?)
Beautiful areas at Valeo to refresh before and after
treatments are everything you would
expect from a world class center, and my guide
Patricia was delightful on the tour.
My therapist Cheryl discussed my
concerns and preferences before
my facial treatment, which was indeed
customized just for me and simply
THE best experience.
The products utilized by Valeo are phenomenally
effective (omg the Kaplan M.D. serum!),
and I floated away feeling not so much pampered
but rather fed, cared for, listened to, and honored.
It appears this blogger has modified her perspective
when it comes to spa.
She is particularly hooked on
world class ones
and the idea that there is an alternative
to vacationing at a mediocre property for
a week.
A shorter stay at an exclusive
property such as
is a brilliant option
and a brand new passion.
