The Essex-A Vermont retreat for moms

I was recently invited to take a tour of The Essex, Vermont’s culinary resort and spa, located in Essex, Vermont. The resort holds a special memory for me. The last time I visited the Essex was on a night out with my husband. We had decided to have one last date before our second daughter was born. It was a Saturday night and Butler’s restaurant, a premier dining restaurant located at the Essex, was hopping. Halfway through my meal, I started to feel nauseous. I waved the sensation away, attributing the feeling to the discomforts of being so pregnant. I forced myself to finish my delicious dinner. By the end of the meal, I was already feeling signs of oncoming labor. My back was hurting and I was starting to feel contractions. We skipped desert and headed for home. My daughter was born the next day!

Since that last visit to the Essex, I had heard about their newly constructed spa and pool, but did not have the opportunity to see the new building. I’m always on the lookout for great mom vacation ideas, so I took this opportunity to inspect the new installations. After lunch at Butler’s Restaurant and Tavern , my host lead me to a separate building where the spa is located. I immediately felt at ease when I walked in. The reception area is modern and relaxing. I was led through the women’s changing and lounging area. The pale stone floor, the glass sinks, and the comfortable lounging chairs all exude tranquility and serenity.

The spa offers several amenities, including ten treatment rooms, a 25 yard lap pool, an outdoor hot tub, lounges and relaxation areas. There is also a full service salon. The spa menu has a variety of treatments including specialty massages like the Thai massage, body treatments that look exquisite and facials that target specific skin issues. There is also a movement studio with mirrors where yoga, Pilate’s and fitness classes are held.

After visiting the spa facilities, my host and I returned to the main building where we walked past the Cook Academy kitchen. The Essex is partner in education with the New England Culinary Institute and used to be a training ground for student chefs. Classes for young students formerly conducted at The Essex consolidated last fall at NECI’s campus in Montpelier. Cook Academy, inspired, owned and operated by The Essex, provides pre-eminent recreational cooking classes for adults and – during summer 2010 – youngsters on school vacation. The Cook Academy is a low-pressure, fun way to learn cooking techniques. The Essex publishes a monthly culinary calendar with classes held daily. However, they will also customize cooking lessons based on your group’s interests. The Essex recently built an additional, larger kitchen to accommodate bigger groups due to the Cook Academy’s increasing popularity. This kitchen was not completed during my visit, but is now opened for cooking lessons.

Moms feeling a little bit more adventurous and who like a challenge can try out the zip line that is set up on the Essex grounds. A company called Northern Lights Rock and Ice offers a different experience that includes outdoor rock and ice climbing walls, dual 450 foot zip wires and adventure challenges.

The Essex customizes packages to meet all your mom vacation needs. If you want to enjoy the spa, a cooking lesson and a three course dinner at the the award winning restaurant, Butler’s, the Essex will arrange this package for you. If you can’t make a decision, the Essex has already customized some packages with varying interests in mind. The advantage to these packages is to save money by bundling services together. An example of a current package is the Spa Serenity which offers a one night accommodation, a 50 minute massage or body treatment, access to the spa and a spa lunch. The rate for this package is $401 per night for two people, based on double occupancy.

After my tour ended, I was impressed by the changes the Essex made in the last two years. They turned the resort into world-class amenities that offers something for everyone and that is a perfect spot for a relaxing mom vacation! I can’t wait to return and enjoy some of the services the Essex has to offer!

To find out more about the Essex and the packages offered, contact me at (888) 802-7364 or fill out a contact form.