Posted by Kinley Levack under SpaResponses (1)

Posted by Andrea Doyle

Spa services have been making headlines in recent weeks. Newspapers, magazines, Internet sites, even “Saturday Night Live,” have mentioned AIG’s $23,380 spa bill during an incentive jaunt to the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California, just a week after the $85 billion government bailout.

There may be a worldwide credit crisis, but life goes on and to deal with the stress, spas have developed some truly luxurious treatments.

The Vinotherapie Spa by Caudalie opens this month above the famed Plaza’s Palm Court restaurant, specializing in grape- and wine-based spa treatments. The 100 Percent Grape Ritual that includes a body scrub with crushed cabernet seeds, has a price tag of $550.

In September, the Waldorf-Astoria introduced the Guerlain Spa, a $23-million center, and one of its signature treatments, a massage and facial called the Waldorf Imperiale, comes in at $510. And earlier this month, at a cost of $6 million, the Carlyle hotel opened Sense, a Rosewood Spa, and its house facial costs $400.

Extravagance is de rigueur in the world of spas and last Friday’s Spa Magazine fall media event in New York City was no different. The focus was on pampering and feeling good. Caviar-infused skin lotion, mother of pearl body scrubs, scented oils, flickering candles, marble mantelpieces, a larger-than-life Buddha were all on hand in the Mandarin Oriental’s 36th floor ballroom overlooking Columbus Circle in New York City. Over 30 spas, resorts, and spa-related companies had representatives touting their services and giving out samples.

The amount of money in my 401K may be falling at a nauseating rate, but this afternoon was all about lifting the fine lines around my eyes and mouth, and my spirit. “Om...”