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Dallas does a body good with great spas & healthy options

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Vibrant, green and fitness-crazed, Dallas does a body good

“Live Large, Think Big” is the VisitDallas.com slogan, but I’m thinking “Live Slim, Think Healthy” might also be a good fit. This proud to be “green” city boasts a number of great spas, a variety of places to work out indoors and out, and a thriving culinary scene. Here’s a random sampling for the wellness-minded.

Where to spa when you’re travelling to Dallas, Texas

Photo provided by The Spa at the Crescent in the Rosewood Crescent HotelThe Spa at the Crescent in the Rosewood Crescent Hotel is one of those places where you can easily spend the entire day. Not just because of the spacious spa and extensive menu of services but also because of other facilities such as the state-of-the-art gym, the variety of fitness classes and the all-day Spa Café, also open to the public.

If you’re looking for a locally inspired spa treatment, try the Texas Crushed Cabernet Scrub or the Cowboy Boogie Pedicure which includes moor mud and heated booties.  Choose the Lavender Pedicure and you get to snack on freshly-baked lavender shortbread cookies. A few of the more unique and especially lavish treatments include the Javanese Lulur (I’ve had this in Indonesia and it’s truly special) and the Bali Spice Boreh Ritual. Both equally exotic.   

At the Spa & Salon at the Four Seasons Resort & Club, a country club feeling prevails and day spa guests have access to a number of resort extras such as an outdoor jogging track and swimming pools. The resort also has two golf courses, a mega sports club and 12 tennis courts. Of course, enjoying the day just sitting around the beautifully-appointed spa lounge, where gauzy drapery creates cozy corners for enjoying a spa lunch, is another way to go. 

For a local feel there’s the Cowboy Shiner Soak which includes a power jet bath followed by a customized massage, then an ice-cold local Shiner beer.  It’s a guy thing. 

For spa bragging rights – the Spa at the Ritz Carlton boasts the eight-hand massage.  Many spas offer four-hand massages (two-therapists working simultaneously), but eight hands on? Totally Dallas.         

Where to eat or dine healthy in Dallas

Spiral Dinner & BakeryTucked into the Oakcliff neighbourhood, the original Spiral Diner & Bakery serves comfort food a-la-vegan – no meat, no dairy, no eggs and most ingredients are organic. Try the Mitch Tofu Club, a grilled tofu sandwich with soy “bacon’ bits and chipotle majo. On Sundays, there’s an all-you-can-eat pancake (whole wheat, no dairy) breakfast. The place isn’t fancy but the food is great.

For something more elegant, I suggest the posh Pyramid Restaurant at Fairmont where executive chef JW Foster is so into the fresh/local scene he has created his own substantial roof top garden. In season, it supplies the entire hotel with all the herbs and about 75 percent of veggies including heirloom tomatoes, about half a dozen varieties of chili peppers and watermelon made into sorbet for serving during the winter. Among other menu items, Pyramid serves locally-raised lamb, duck and quail. 

Villa-O, a Knox-Henderson neighbourhood trattoria with classic Italian cuisine, a subtle nautical theme and a popular outdoor patio might just serve up the tastiest healthy pizza on the planet. Healthy because the crust is made with semolina and wheat flour, and the toppings are all organic or naturally raised. Cooked in a wood burning brick oven adds additional flavour. The portabello mushroom “fries” served with tomato aioli dip are also delish.    

Katy TrailWhere to run or cycle when visiting Dallas

The conciege at the Mansion on Turtle Creek recommends the Katy Trail, a former rail track that runs thru the heart of the city. The fact that the trail is somewhat elevated makes for varying views of parkland, upscale neighbourhoods and downtown skylines.

For more on visiting Dallas, go to: VisitDallas.com.  Looking to book a trip to Dallas or Texas? Check out the tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder where you can connect with travel agents who will give you custom prices on your trip.


Travel to Wellness  Find more great spa articles and reviews at Travel to Wellness.

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