How to Achieve Spa-Level Zen Without the Spa
Finding a few minutes for some R&R during a business trip is easier than you think
You don’t have to go far—or even leave your hotel room—to treat your mind and body to a little R&R before getting down to business. These DIY spa, in-room treatments can all be done using materials found in your hotel, take less than 30 minutes and are easy ways to indulge in a bit of “me time” and ease stress when you’re on the road for work. After all, the better you feel, the better you’ll do come go time.
Create your own soothing sauna and learn other tricks to bring the spa experience right to your hotel room.
Dilemma: Tense all over
Culprit: Non. Stop. Meetings.
Hotel remedy: Cue up a calming playlist on your phone or tablet, use your bathroom’s in-mirror Bluetooth speakers to set the mood and then drench a washcloth in cold water to keep on standby. Close the bathroom door, place a rolled-up towel along the bottom and turn on the hot water as high as it will go. Make sure the shower door is open, and once the room is filled with steam, turn off the water. Have a seat and let the heat soothe your tired muscles in your own private sauna for up to 10 minutes, using the cool washcloth to dab your forehead if you get too hot. Follow it up with a lukewarm shower and a giant glass of water.
Time you’ll need: 15 minutes + shower
You may be tired on the inside, but this clever method will make sure you don’t show it on the outside.
Dilemma: Bags under your eyes
Culprit: Overnight flight (Convenient? Yes. Exhausting? Also yes.)
Hotel remedy: Brew two bags of English Breakfast tea at your in-room coffee station, let them cool and then place one under each eye for a few minutes. The caffeine will help shrink blood vessels, get rid of that puffiness and leave you looking fresh and well-rested.
Time you’ll need: 15-20 minutes
Dilemma: Dry skin
Culprit: Extra-dry airplane air
Hotel remedy: Pick up a ripe banana and a fork from The Market on the way up to your room. Mash up the banana until smooth, and then spread it all over your face for a sweet-smelling, super moisturizing mask. Relax for about 20 minutes, checking emails or catching up on a missed episode of your favorite show and then rinse off with warm water.
Time you’ll need: 25 minutes or less
Dilemma: Aching feet
Culprit: Stylish (but not as comfortable as you thought) shoes
Hotel remedy: In the morning, stick a bottle of water in your room’s freezer before heading out the door. When you get back in the evening, have a seat on the bed, kick off your shoes and place the now-frozen water bottle on the floor. Put one foot on top of the bottle and gently roll it back and forth for two minutes. Then do the same with the other foot. The pressure will relax the soft tissue in your feet, while the cold helps reduce inflammation.
Time you’ll need: 5 minutes
Dilemma: Looking for a way to celebrate
Culprit: That big work thing? Nailed it.
Hotel remedy: Spas may have their infused water and herbal teas, but with our DIY spa, we’ve got our nightcaps. Make it a gin cocktail and reap the folkloric, stress-relieving benefits of the spirit’s woodsy scented main flavoring ingredient: juniper berries. If you’re in New York, head up to our Chelsea hotel’s rooftop lounge for a gin and tonic paired with bird’s-eye views of the city. Or if you find yourself in Asheville, North Carolina, pay a visit to Hemingway’s Cuba Restaurant & Bar for a healthy dose of crisp mountain air as you sip your drink and look out onto the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Time you’ll need: 5 minutes
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