A refreshing spa menu at Remède Spa in Mexico City focuses on locally inspired products.
By Monica Poling
Mezcal—tequila’s smokier, stronger cousin—enjoys a storied history in Mexico. One legend, dating back to Mexico’s pre-Columbian days, speculates that the popular alcoholic beverage was discovered after a bolt of lightning hit an agave plant located on top of a high hill. The plant fragmented into two parts and its juices, cooked from the heat of the lightning, flowed downwards. The Aztec people believed the potent liquid flowing down the hillside was a gift from the gods.
Patrons at Remède Spa at The St. Regis Mexico City can test mezcal’s healing powers by booking the spa’s Mezcal Firming Treatment. The treatment begins with an invigorating massage using mezcal oil. The oil helps tone muscles and stimulates an increase in body temperature, which in turn improves oxygenation and hydration. An energizing scrub follows the massage and features a skin exfoliant made from sea minerals and tequila agave. The scrub, which helps remove dead skin cells while activating blood circulation, results in softer skin with a fresh scent. The treatment concludes with a nourishing mezcal balm that helps keep the skin glowing.
Signature Treatments
Local products, such as organic Mexican agave, are increasingly making an appearance on the spa menu at Remède Spa, as are other influences from Mexico’s rich culture.
“Having indigenous ingredients, with multiple benefits within a treatment, makes our guests experience and enjoy Mexico in a different way,” says Alejandra Ochoa, director of Remède Spa at The St. Regis Mexico City.
The spa, from its location on the 15th and 16th floors of the hotel, offers a dramatic view overlooking Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma. The view includes the stretch of avenue where Mexico’s iconic Fountain of Diana the Huntress makes its home. Diana, the goddess of the moon, was the inspiration for one of the spa’s signature treatments, the La Luna Healing Ritual.
The 120-minute specialty treatment was designed to help guests balance their bodies by stimulating the lymphatic system and eliminating toxins. The treatment starts with an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid)-enriched body exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and bring forth a fresh, new layer of skin. The treatment includes an antioxidant body wrap, which helps counter the stressful effects of pollution, traffic and high altitude, as well as Remède Spa’s signature scalp massage and hot paraffin treatment for the hands and feet. Next, the face is cleansed and treated to a brief oxygenating mask before the treatment concludes with a tranquility massage worthy of the goddess of the moon.
Another treatment drawing upon Mexican inspiration is the 90-minute Aztecan Regenerating Facial. Designed to counteract the effects of sun, smog and pollution, which can cause skin blemishes, the treatment uses mineral-rich clay with purifying and detoxifying properties and red seaweed extract to exfoliate, reduce impurities and rebalance oily active skin. The treatment also includes extractions, a massage, a scalp treatment and an oxygen blast to help counteract the lower oxygen levels found at Mexico City’s 7,000-foot altitude.
The assistant director at Remède Spa, Anseli Reyes, can’t recommend the Aztecan Regenerating Facial highly enough: “It immediately changes how you look,” she says.
New Directions
While the spa offers a number of signature treatments, the Mezcal Firming Treatment is particularly unique because it is a sign of the changing times at Remède Spa. Originally introduced as a seasonal product to commemorate Mexico’s independence in September 2011, the treatment proved to be so popular it became a regular addition to the spa menu.
“The treatment is especially popular with men,” Ochoa says. “They always ask if they can have a shot of mezcal at the end of the treatment.”
While a shot of the tequila-like beverage isn’t available, clients are always offered a glass of Champagne, one of St. Regis’ signature touches.
Ochoa, who joined Remède Spa as the director two years ago, recognizes that men are becoming an increasingly large part of the spa-going equation. Men are no longer just visiting spas for quick pedicures or accompanying their partners for couple’s massages; now they are coming in for body treatments and even facials.
“Some days we have more men in the spa than women,” Ochoa adds.
In addition to styling a menu that is inclusive of the male clientele, Ochoa must ensure the spa menu caters a core group of three types of clients that visit the spa daily: St. Regis hotel guests, residents living at the St. Regis and the local population, which represents an rapidly growing market for the spa.
Ochoa, who brings with her a decade of spa expertise at numerous resorts around Mexico, is up to the challenge. Her first act as director at Remède Spa was to introduce several anti-aging and body slimming treatments, providing guests with the benefits of a med-spa, but in a decadent, sensory environment.
Among the newly introduced treatments was the Lipomassage using LPG technology, a unique science that incorporates non-aggressive cell stimulation. She also brought a Cellu M6 Integral machine from LPG to the spa for high-precision body and face treatments, making Remède Spa only one of four places in Mexico to offer the service. The LPG technique, which uses a mechanical stimulation trigger, firms the skin, evens out cellulite, slims fat cells and activates collagen and elastin production, essentially resulting in a more refined figure with naturally firmer, smoother skin.
New to the Menu
Although Ochoa has been busy adding seasonal programs and new treatment courses since her arrival, this past year she refreshed the entire spa menu—the first time the menu has changed since the spa opened in 2009.
When developing spa treatments, Ochoa likes to focus on programs that incorporate all five senses in order to create a total relaxation program.
“Since our clients come to experience a sensory relaxation circle that includes all their senses, they are offered tea or Champagne, music, lighting and aroma. Everything is designed so that once people come, they forget everything else,” Ochoa says.
New treatments, while focusing on sensory experiences, will also continue to incorporate locally inspired products and themes. Among the newest products introduced earlier this year, the Pumpkin Nectar Facial uses pumpkin extract to restore epidermal moisture. Other active ingredients in the treatment include mineral salts and beta-carotene, which ensures constant moisture to the skin. The result is perfectly moisturized, firmer skin that is evenly balanced, radiant, oil-free and nearly flawless.
Rice also makes an appearance on the spa’s new menu with the new Luxurious Rice Treatment. This seasonal body slimming and elasticizing treatment will use specialty aromatherapy blends by wrapping rice byproducts in varying textures and fragrances. The Remède Spa therapist will customize a massage, using warm paraffin wax, to help guests achieve the highest level of relaxation.
Another product launched earlier this year allows guests to take a little bit of Mexico, and Remède Spa, home with them. The citrus honey blossom bath product can be used from the comfort of a St. Regis hotel room or used to create an at-home spa experience. Intended to bring buttery smoothness to irritated skin, the formula includes a light citrus grass salt scrub with agave nectar and an ice cream-like blood orange cream with a hint of honeysuckle flower. Combined to work in tandem, the vitamin-packed products sooth irritated skin and leave the user feeling refreshed and smelling great.
Minerals are also playing an important role in new skin treatments, and the redesigned menu includes several treatments that incorporate the healing effects of precious gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires and pink garnets.
Diamonds are the stars of two new Remède treatments. The Pearl and Diamond Lightening Care helps the complexion regain radiance through a pearl-textured facial mask that brings light, coolness and hydration to the skin. For clients interested in reversing the effects of aging, the Diamond Anti-Aging Care treatment helps reduce visible crow’s feet and lion’s wrinkles.
For a little color, guests can turn to pink garnet for the Anti-Aging Mineral Body Care treatment. Garnet stone, cranberries and raspberries are combined to create a regenerative wrap.
Sapphires and amethysts are key elements in specialty skincare. The Sapphire for Sensitive Skin treatment uses sapphire and hibiscus to soothe the skin, while amethysts help tighten combination skin texture in the Amethyst for Combination Skin treatment.
Success Story
Bringing local flavors onto the spa menu is a formula that seems to be working. While Remède Spa has seen a continuous increase in visitation it has been open, Ochoa expects 2013 to be a banner year.
“Like doing yoga and eating fresh, going to the spa is becoming a normal part of everyday life,” Ochoa says.
She does, however, attribute much of Remède Spa’s success to the excellent team of therapists on her staff: “Like visiting a five-star restaurant, when people get great service, they tell their friends about it,” she explains. “We get a lot of our business through referrals. Our clients like our service and tell their friends about it.”
While the spa menu has undergone some changes this year, what won’t change is the St. Regis commitment to a bespoke experience.
Recognizing that each person has a unique body and face with a unique set of demands, Remède Spa is dedicated to creating a custom experience for guests. Therapists work with guests to determine what their ultimate goals are, whether it is a good night’s sleep or more energy throughout the day, and will provide customized options to help relax or inspire them.
“No two facials or massages are ever the same,” Ochoa says.
Furthermore, the spa never charges hidden fees for service enhancements—in fact, guests can enjoy a large variety of complimentary extras before and after treatments, including a glass of Champagne, artisanal cheeses, chocolate truffles and Kashwere throws. These St. Regis signature amenities and specialty treatments offer a touch of local flavor and indulgence, all while relaxing more than 100 feet above the lively streets of Mexico City.
