GEORGE WASHINGTON SOAKED HERE

The West Virginia town includes five full service spas and is conveniently located near Washington, D.C, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. And if you're worried about breaking the bank, DON'T. "I think spas are affordable to an average person's price range," says Beth Curtin, Director of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. "In the state park a bath and massage cost only $35.”

The Berkeley Springs State Park (BSSP) facility offers a choice of baths— Roman Baths, walk-in private ceramic tubs filled with 750 gallons of mineral water that is heated to 102 degrees, or a six-and-a-half-foot-long Victorian-style footed bath tub, likewise filled with heated mineral water. After the 15-minute soak, a private 30-minute massage follows. Filled with over a dozen minerals and gases, the water imparts therapeutic effects both outside the body and within. A public tap is provided for free spring water to imbibe and each February the city hosts an International Water Tasting Competition featuring over 100 waters from around the world. BSSP also offers steam and infrared heat treatments.

For a few dollars more, a further array of treatments is available at the other nearby spas. At the Bath House Massage and Health Center, you can indulge in European facials as well as relaxing with some herbs and getting stoned. The latter two are unrelated and have nothing to do with the last U.S. president. A variety of herbs are the key ingredient in a practice called aromatherapy. Patrons sit in a futuristic clear plastic tub for 20 minutes while it is filled with steam and an herbal blend. The mixtures have names such as Citrus Bliss, Headache Reliever and Breathe Easy. Each concoction is designed to melt away stress or heal a particular ailment. Says aesthetician Nancy Horton, “It can pull a cold right out of you.” The service costs $40 and includes a 10-minute dry brush exfoliation.

The La Stone body treatment utilizes hot and cold stones for a unique massage. The hot stones (heated to 140 degrees) warm the muscles and act as a tool for applying pressure. “The stones do a lot of the work and give my hands a break,” says massage therapist, Michael Pushkin. After an area is heated, cold stones from a freezer close the dilated blood vessels and push out any toxins that have built up in tense areas. “After a regular massage, you just want to curl up and go to sleep,” says Pushkin. “But with the hot and cold stones, you become invigorated.” La Stone costs $75 for one hour.

Atasia Spa, in a historic building two blocks from the springs, also offers La Stone and several other popular treatments including Thai and Swedish massage, body wraps, facials and reflexology.

The Country Inn Renaissance Spa, built in 1932 and sitting high above the town, specializes in full?day spa treatments. Packages run from $85-$210 and include massages, whirlpool baths, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Just a few miles south of the city, Coolfont Resort is the ‘green’ retreat for getting away from it all. “We were environmental way before it was politically correct,” says Spa Director, Mara Ashelman. Nestled in the mountains on 1300 acres of wilderness, there are two lakes, streams and numerous hiking trails. The property also abuts the 5,600-acre Cacapon State Park.

“We’re a unique resort developed over a long period of time,” says Ashelman, Thinking long term, the retreat has constructed a solar-heated indoor pool, an organic garden, a wetland sewage treatment process and a composting program. This harmonious relationship with nature creates a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the plethora of spa treatments.

The resort features nearly 20 massage rooms and a staff of 22 massage therapists and body-workers. Shape magazine rated Coolfont as one of the top 20 spas in the country. Nearly every imaginable treatment or exercise program is available - facials, manicures, pedicures, Shiatsu, body wraps, mud baths, saunas, yoga, aerobics, Tai Chi, and, of course, baths and whirlpools in those famous spring waters. Recently, people have flocked to the resort for the acupuncture and Chinese massage programs.

Chinese massage, administered by Dr. Lin Wang, combines Swedish massage techniques with acupuncture meridian lines to relieve a variety of maladies such as migraines and insomnia. Accommodations at the complex include both rooms in the lodge and private chalets tucked away in the woods.

Besides the natural beauty of the area and the many body treatments, the town of Berkeley Springs boasts an arts center, a vintage movie theatre and numerous shops and restaurants. “All of the businesses are locally owned,” says Jeanne Mozier, Vice President of Travel Berkeley Springs (and author of Way Out in West Virginia.) “Personal contact is what truly appeals to people and people come back here year after year to see the same faces of the massage therapists, waitress and whoever else they’ve come to know.”