Metro Man at the Spa
"Men are the new women," according to David Erlich, Director of Spa Operations at the 43,000-square-foot spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in the California Wine Country. He said, "We are witnessing the renaissance of the metro man--the growth of our male clientele is exponential. Many of our guests come in post-workout for Sports Massage and for deep tissue, Swedish or Japanese Shiatsu massage, which warm and loosen specific muscle groups and help to release toxins from joints and muscles. For players who come in from our golf course, massage that involves friction, compression and pressure point work is ideal."
Natural mineral water flows from 1,100 feet beneath the inn and the spa at 135 degrees, into soaking pools, whirlpools and the swimming pool. The resort is famous for its Bathing Ritual, featuring an exfoliating shower, immersion in a 96-98 degree mineral bath and a 102-degree jetted bath; plus herbal steam, dry sauna, rehydrating drinks and cool-down showers. Those who still have room for absorption retire to the warm outdoor mineral pools.
Draped with the long arms of ancient oaks, the Sonoma Golf Club, designed by Sam Whiting, architect of San Francisco's prestigious Olympic Club Lake Course, is the home of the PGA Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship; the club is exclusive to members and to guests at the Fairmont.
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