Spa? Saratoga or Dolphin

[travlrmel]

Hi,

I read that the spa at Grand Floridian is currently closed. (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/spas/)

I wasn't sure where to post this thread -- but I would like your input or suggestions for which location I should schedule a "spa day". I will be going to Florida for the Princess 1/2 marathon, and I would like to schedule a massage a day or two after the race.

I actually when to Aulani last November, and I am not sure there is anything that could compare to that experience.....

Does anyone have any experience or a TR that had recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Cee]

I've never been to the spa at the Dolphin, but the one at SSR is aaaaaawesoooome(imagine me singing that in a light falsetto)!

 

[Pakey]

I have been to all 3 WDW spas. While I wouldn't rank any of them at the top of my spa experiences, they are each adequate. I go to the one that's most convenient to where I'm staying. If none are convenient, I probably like the SSR spa the best, followed by Mandara, and GF's would be third.

While I have not done Aulani, I have been to Hawaiian spas at the Four Seasons, the Ritz and the Grand Wailea. You are not going to get that level of experience at the WDW spas.

 

[LauraLea]

What really irritates me about the GF and SSR spas is the issue of the steam rooms being out of order. I would say that over the last 5 years the steam room has been out of service at both resorts 50% of the times I have been there. Last visit I called SSR the day before I had a treatment to confirm the steam room was operational and I was assured it was. Well by the next day, it was not.

It really has become a joke between DH and me.

I do not mind paying a premium for the spa services if I can enjoy the included amenities the spa offers. But I might as well just pay less and have a massage in one of the fitness centers.

Laura

 

[podsnel]

I have been to SSR twice and Mandara once. I like them both- to me, the Mandara Spa was slightly nicer because of the whole "zen" thing they have going on there, and the treatment I got was a longer, more deluxe one. I wrote about it in a TR, here is a link to the post-

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36645228&postcount=45

At SSR, I have done the Mystical Therapies treatment twice because i enjoy it so much and there was also a DVC discount. Here are some pics from that one-

The locker room-

Getting a pedicure with my GF Lonnie-

The spa-

And this is where you wait for your treatments-

If I were choosing one for my next trip, I would base it on proximity to my resort and/or treatment choice. Good luck!