Green Options

I freely admit to being one of those people who counts almost any form of responsible hedonism and self-indulgence in my top 10 life essentials; right up there alongside food, water, oxygen, friends and family. Some might call it shallow. I call it necessary. It’s with great excitement and interest then, that I recently learned of Phyto Universe in Manhattan, a spa with a twist. Phyto is the only spa primarily focused on the treatment and care of hair.  The center features two diagnostic stations where PHYTO experts analyze the hair and scalp with a “PHYTOscope” - the scope magnifies the hair and scalp 200 times in order to properly diagnose its health and for technicians to offer targeted solutions - all within the serene walls of nine private cabins that have been separated by antique 14th century, French Chateau shutters, and a huge botanical wall bursting with plant life.

Nusta Spa in Washington, D.C., was our nation’s first day spa to achieve gold certification back in 2004. They were quickly accepted into the (LEED) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design pilot program. This voluntary rating system is consensus-based, and was created by the U.S. Green Building Council to define and measure the official standards for the environmentally responsible building of commercial interiors, and gold certification is the best.

Some of the eco features are:

• All printed materials use eco-friendly paper and ink.
• Spa feautres a wall that is made from salvaged wood of a former barn.
• Nusta has carpeting with more than 50% recycled content.
• Energy efficient HVAC system and lighting installed.
• They carry eco-friendly product lines.
• Their maple flooring came from a sustainable forest.
• The locker room doors made from bamboo, which has a short harvest cycle.

Their philosophy

In Solvang, California nestled among old oaks and the sycamore grove, is the Alisal Guest Ranch, a working dude ranch opened to the public in 1946 for a little outdoor R&R. This historic property has played host to celebrities, presidents and local fans for decades. John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis even spent their honeymoon at the ranch, which backs up to the well-known Reagan property.

“Come stay at a private, boutique accommodation in an ecological environment of exquisite natural beauty - rainforest villas set amongst the miracles of nature.” ~ Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa

Set deep within a thirty acre rainforest sanctuary, feauturing secluded treehouse villas, is award winning green Daintree Eco Lodge Retreat in Queensland, Australia. Daintree takes pride in including aboriginal Kuku Yalanji culture into the entire resort, including spa treatments with centuries-old, indigenous holistic healing techniques. With forest walks, art workshops, energetic healing, reef and rainforest trips and everything a nature explorer could hope for, this is truly an earth honoring experience for the soul.