Friday Afternoon Club at Stowe Mountain Lodge: Happy hour fun and pampering spa treatments

I’m visiting Stowe Vermont in mid-October on a 6th annual girlfriend getaway weekend to check out the spa scene. It’s somewhere between when the stunning peak fall foliage New England is famous for ends and when ski season begins. We’re here to relax at the local spas, shop, drink wine and enjoy great meals together – no kids, no husbands, just the girls.

We start our weekend and our spa tour of Stowe with a visit to Stowe Mountain Lodge and the Friday Afternoon Club (FAC). From 5 to 7 pm each Friday, FAC guests enjoy paraffin hand or foot treatments, wine, appetizers and entertainment for $20 in the stunning setting of Stowe Mountain Lodge.

My friends are whisked away to begin enjoying FAC as I’m led on a tour of the jaw dropping beauty that is Stowe Mountain Lodge. At first, I’m envious that they’re starting the spa happy hour fun without me. But touring such a distinctive resort IS fun, and the whole time I was thinking “I wish the girls could see this!”

Stowe Mountain Lodge, the centerpiece of the planned alpine community at Spruce Peak, opened in June 2008 with 139 luxury guestrooms and suites and 34 Front Four Private Club Level Units. Luxury doesn’t begin to describe it, really.  Every whim is catered to, every “thing” is thought of in advance; the guests’ needs are anticipated long before arrival. Guests merely need to consider it and it’s theirs during their stay.

Skiers enjoy ski-in/ski-out access to over 100 trails, exclusive access to Stowe Mountain Golf Club, an 18-hole Bob Cupp designed mountain golf course, and a heated indoor access/outdoor pool and two Jacuzzis. The lodge is graced with high-end shopping like Polo Ralph Lauren, restaurants and recreational options that are seemingly limitless. At Solstice, the resort’s signature restaurant, and Hourglass bar, locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine is an art form under the guidance of Executive Chef Sean Buchanan. 

If a ski vacation feels like too much work, transporting bulky ski equipment and standing in line for lift tickets, that’s all a thing of the past. With the ski valet, guests can ship their ski equipment in advance and it will be waiting for them when they arrive – just call down before you leave your room and your ski boots will be heated and your equipment tuned up and ready to go. If carrying your gear to the chair lift or gondola sounds too taxing, a ski Sherpa will do it for you. Yes, that’s right. I said a ski Sherpa. Lift tickets and lesson registration can be secured in advance, leaving you more energy to ski the 116 trails spread out over two peaks and 39 miles of skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort.

Guest rooms and suites boast:

- Floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking mountain views?
- Marble bathroom, with separate shower and relaxation tub?
- Mario Russo bath products?
- Luxurious bamboo bed linens?
- Organic cotton towels?
- Goose down feather beds, pillows and duvets?
- International pillow menu?
- Custom-made lamps by Simon Pearce?
- Wireless high-speed Internet access?
- LCD flat screen television?
- DVD player?
- iPod docking station and MP3 hookup?
- Custom "personal bar" offering guests' favorite snacks, beverages and other necessities

The Spa and Wellness Center at Stowe Mountain Lodge is 21,000 square feet of natural and rustic luxury with 19 treatment rooms. Stone, wood, copper and subtle and natural lighting overlook Mt. Mansfield.

One of the first things I notice about the Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge is the not-so-ordinary plush spa robes in an earthy shade of slate gray. It’s a feast for all five senses here – with scents of spruce, lemongrass, juniper, basil, mint, and lavender filling every space, further enhancing the sensory experiences provided for the guest.

The tranquil 'healing lodge' is a water sanctuary exclusive to spa guests with an herbal steam chamber, oversized step-up Jacuzzi, dry sauna, and cooling rain shower. You’ll want to arrive early to experience the therapeutic water features, or linger long after your treatment ends.

Spa services span the traditional (massages, facials, etc.) to the signature menu of seasonal treatments and Signature Rituals – 80 minute treatments that begin with a 25 minute four handed scrub or wrap, wild lime blossom scalp treatment, a peppermint foot treatment and the finale of a full body massage. Stowe Mountain Lodge’s spa product lines include Om Aroma & Co, Somme Institute, Naturopathica and Ling Skincare.

Two harmony rooms with reclining sound chairs are available for music therapy to induce relaxation, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, relieve pain, and promote better sleep.

Celebrity hairdresser Mario Russo has partnered with The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge to create his first Salon Mario Russo outside of Boston. Salon Mario Russo at Stowe Mountain Lodge offers hair, nail and makeup services, as well as an onsite bridal specialist. 

When I catch up to my girlfriends at FAC in the hotel lobby, they’re seated by the windows, enjoying wine, the view of Spruce Peak and listening to Alpine Concierge Peter Mix play the mandolin in front of one of the Lodge’s many enormous stone fireplaces. Their hands are covered in warming mitts and lavender infused PerfectSense Paraffin. Truthfully, they’re taking a break from the wine because they can’t pick up the glass with the mitts on their hands. This is when I decide to opt for a paraffin foot treatment instead of a hand treatment – after all, I have some catching up to do.

The light is fading outside and the warm lighting and wrought iron chandeliers are starting to glow inside. The interior is perfectly done “classic rustic” in autumn-inspired shades of pumpkin, rust and orange – just like the leaves that are falling from the trees outside. 

A smiling, sophisticated spa attendant pours me a glass of wine and begins the foot massage and paraffin treatment. My hands are free to enjoy the artisan cheese and fruit platter with my wine while the warm, aromatic paraffin moisturizes my feet. 

As we enjoy the warm ambience, we’re intrigued by the intimate conversations that other guests are having around us with Janet Savage, a Master Hand Analyst from Life Purpose Hand Analysis (handtales.com). When Janet makes her way over to our group, we’re anxious to hear the story that our hands tell about us. Janet is warm, friendly and approachable, and she gives an emotion-filled moving analysis that is so incredibly on target for my spa girlfriends. 

Even the gift bags for FAC guests are sophisticated – chocolate brown embossed with copper lettering. The gift bags are filled with coupons, product samples and special offers for Stowe Mountain lodge.

In warm weather, FAC is held poolside in front of the fire pit. Personally, it couldn’t get any better than the location tucked away in the upper corner of the inviting lobby. My spa girlfriends and I vote the FAC the best event of the entire weekend. 

If you're planning a trip to Stowe, Vermont, the Travel Specialists at Tripology.com can help with a free quote.

7412 Mountain Road
Stowe, Vermont 05672
(802) 253-3560 or (888) 4-STOWE-VT 
www.stowemountainlodge.com