Nearly every culture in the world has its own unique tradition of wellness associated with the healing powers of water, minerals, massage and calming environs. In Arkansas, Turtle Cove Spa has been drawing upon such elements to pamper, restore and heal its clientele for five years.
Resting on 900 wooded acres at Mountain Harbor Resort on the shores of Lake Ouachita near Mount Ida, Turtle Cove Spa offers a full complement of spa services for women, men, couples and children.
“Turtle Cove Spa is really a special place, being in a wilderness setting,” says owner Debi Barnes. “People sometimes underestimate the connection to nature and how healing that can be.” That connection began to become apparent to me even before I reached the spa.
Unless they come via boat — and some clients do just that — visitors to Turtle Cove Spa must meander along U.S. 270 through the Ouachita National Forest. The peaceful drive helped me put the stresses of the city behind me before I ever stepped onto the wooden foot bridge leading to the spa entrance. As I crossed the bridge, I heard only wind sighing in the trees. Anyone can appreciate the quiet, natural beauty of this place, and all clients are encouraged to take full advantage of the spa’s peaceful environs.
“You are encouraged to take your time,” says Barnes. “Arrive a couple of hours early to get into that spa state of mind. We encourage customers to bring a book, put on a robe, drink ginger tea, sit and read.”
More energetic clientele might sample the Woodland Workout Course, hiking trails, outdoor pool and showers.
Unfortunately, when I called to set an appointment for the Crystal Energy Balance Therapy, the receptionist neglected to tell me the part about coming early and bringing a book, hiking shoes or swimsuit.
Turtle Cove Spa offers massages, facials, body wraps, waxes, pedicures, manicures, makeup consultations and more. According to Barnes, fall is high season for massages in the Erica T. Miller Pavilion in the woods overlooking Lake Ouachita.
The open air pavilion is named for the renowned spa consultant who provided guidance to the owners of spas such as Miraval in Tucson and Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. In fact, Turtle Cove Spa is the last spa with which Miller worked until her death in 2003, according to her former partner, Paula Dean.
Its seclusion makes Turtle Cove Spa a destination, so it offers everything from single services and full-day experiences to weekend getaways and vacation packages. Prices tend to run above averages elsewhere in Arkansas. A 30-minute chair massage, for instance, is $60, compared with $40 typical in Little Rock. Half-day spa packages begin at $355. A full day is $695.
Spa packages for girls 17 and younger range from $145 to $190. All-day spa prices include lunch, a take-home gift, taxes and a 20 percent gratuity. Add-ons, such as a massage in the pavilion, are available for an additional fee.
The spa is child and pet friendly. Children can have their nails polished while waiting for Mom or Dad, and dog sitting is available at no extra charge.
The Crystal Energy Balance Therapy, one of four holistic therapy services the spa offers, is one of the most popular treatments. Located in Montgomery County, one of the top crystal mining areas in the world, the spa has ready access to locally mined quartz crystals. Technicians use those and tuning forks during the Crystal Energy Balance Therapy. The crystals amplify and emit electromagnetic waves, supposedly making them an effective tool for focusing energies believed to have health benefits. The $175 session lasts 80 minutes.
During the first hour of my session, the technician gently rubbed my tired muscles with polished crystals and hot stones infused with eucalyptus, peppermint, tangerine and lavender oils. I lay on an acoustic table through which soft music emanated. The table’s design is supposed to lower blood pressure and transport the client to a deep state of inner calm. Indeed, the longer I lay there, the better I felt. The technician zeroed in on my knotted shoulder with light prods and soft pummeling, and hot crystals placed along my spine and in my hands added a soothing touch.
The finale of my massage was the chakra energy balancing. According to Eastern metaphysical teachings, the chakras act as portals for energies constantly flowing in and out of our bodies from surrounding electromagnetic fields. How well that energy moves affects our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. When a chakra is blocked, the result can be dissatisfaction, stress and feelings ranging from alienation to sickness.
As I lay on my back, the technician placed crystals on my hips and chest, which she explained corresponded to chakras that needed rebalancing. She waved tuning forks above the crystals said to serve as antennae for the forks’ healing energies. The session ended with a gift, a small Arkansas quartz crystal.
Driving back to Little Rock, I pondered my new-found state of serenity. I indeed felt pampered and refreshed.
