Relâche Spa and Fitness Center at the Gaylord Opryland

The Relache Spa at the Gaylord OpryLand had their soft opening in July 2005 and the week before I arrived in mid-August had their official opening.

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel definitely stands out, with 2800 rooms and a staff of 3500. That seems like an understated amount as there were staff members every turn of the corner. This resort really gets it, with Service with a capital S! It is Southern hospitality at its finest! As I made the Opryland my home for a week, I really got to get to know the “Gaylord culture”, as I am told they’re trained in the Gaylord Way. It was truly evident from the beginning to the end of my trip.

Check-in was easy and they handed me a map of the hotel with directions to my room. (Hint: Start your trip off the right way and have someone show you to your room, as it can be a quite tricky considering the size of the resort). While on your way to your room, check out land marks and room numbers that you can reference to get back. I stayed in the Cascade wing, which is located right off of the main lobby and is the same wing as the Relâche Spa at the Gaylord Opryland, fitness center and pool. There are lush gardens throughout the property and a conservatory with tropical plants, pools of water and fountains everywhere, lending the sound of moving water at all times.

After my flight to Nashville and the a 20 minute ride from the airport, I was ready for my first spa experience, so I threw my things in my room and headed four doors down to the Relache Spa & Fitness Center at the Gaylord Opryland. How lucky was that!? Just four doors down to Paradise!

I was greeted with a smile and directed into the spa to be greeted by the spa attendant, who cheerfully showed me to my electronic locker, and handed me my spa slippers and robe. She told me to get comfortable and that she’d be back to take me on my tour of the facility. She led me around the corner to the steam, sauna and shower area and then led me out of the locker room to the co-ed relaxation room. She made me some ginger peach tea and told me to sit down on one of the lounge chairs and relax, as my therapist would pick me up here. There were various teas with a Cuisinart hot water pot, a coffee pot and three types of infused water, one with strawberries and blueberries, another with oranges and the other with lemons. There was fresh fruit (some type of rare apples), red grapes and chocolate-covered strawberries (both white and dark chocolate).

After a brief relaxation period, Lauren appeared to take me to my signature Cascade Moisturizing facial treatment. Lauren led me to the treatment room and left me to disrobe and crawl into what looked like a bed of royalty…gold lame bedspread, with soft, cotton sheets and a heated bed below and above me. Lauren told me what she was going to do for me and then she proceeded with soft and tender hands to slather my neck, face, arms and feet in a Papaya exfoliant, which felt like very warm honey. Lauren placed a cheesecloth over that and left it to harden on my body like cement and then she wrapped me in hot towels and then placed hot and steamy followed by cold towels on my face. While it was hardening, she massaged my feet, hands and neck. She then placed her fingers on my face, quickly tapping all of her fingers on my eye pads. It was quite the enjoyable experience! She gave me the works! No bright lights, pinching or prodding in this facial. Just dim lights and lots of moisturizing and primping.

Down the hall and outside the hotel, you’ll find a huge hot tub, near the outdoor pool deck. There is also an indoor pool here, which has cascading water shooting across at certain times of the day. There is an attendant/life guard at this pool. There is also a handicap chair to lower you into the pool if necessary. The fitness center is right next to the Spa, also. It is equipped with everything you’d need for a great work-out 24 hours a day and there are yoga, pilates and fitness trainers available for instruction.

I had dinner in The Cascade Restaurant that evening. My dinner salad had beautiful mixed greens, with fruity vinaigrette served on the side. Before that, my server, Monica, brought me bread with a fish spread, which was very tasty. I ordered some sushi and sashimi and while I waited I looked up to the glass dome above me and I could see the pools of water below reflecting on the inside of the rooftop. There are pools of water everywhere and waterfalls to add to the relaxing atmosphere that I experienced in the Spa

I then retired to my room, prepared my coffee for the next day and crawled into my king bed and slept like a baby.

I made it into Relache Spa the next day to be treated to the most amazing spa treatment one could imagine – a Four-Hand Massage by Samantha and Tara – one born and raised in Nashville, the other a military daughter. They met in massage school and created this team massage a few years ago and one can tell that they’ve been training for this quite awhile. They had Magic Hands!

They each took their stations – one at my head and the other at my feet. Once they thoroughly massaged their respective areas, they met at each side by working from my ankles up. Facing each other on each side of me they worked out weeks of tension inch by inch, with the same graceful succinct motions. I asked for a deep massage and I got it. It was great! They had such skill that I’m sure those who want a lighter massage would get exactly what they asked for. When they finished with me face up, they asked me to flip over and they worked my body limb by limb, neck and shoulders again, as that is where my tension lies mostly. They carefully placed hot towels and blankets on my back and then feet to warm and loosen up the muscles that needed the most attention.

They asked permission to do my glutes and they found tender spots that I didn’t know I had. They asked on a regular basis if I was OK and if the pressure was OK. Of course I said Yeessssssssss! They had unique motions, one moving up and down on my back and the other below and above my back moving sideways, all at the same time. Pure bliss.

The next day I got up and took a 20/20/20 class down by the pool deck below the Fitness Center – 20 minutes of aerobics, 20 minutes of weight bar, and 20 minutes of Pilates. What a great way to start the day! Then, I went back to the Relâche Spa for a deep-tissue massage. My massage therapist did a great job, but after the Four-Hand massage the day before, it was tough to compare.

All in all, I found all the staff at Opryland to be friendly, going out of their way to make sure that everyone was happy. The service was so good I found myself asking for management wherever I went, commenting on how great the service was all over the hotel. If you’re ever looking for an all-exclusive getaway from it all, this is it, as there are shops, restaurants, meeting rooms and much more. They put new meaning to Service with a Smile!

Destinations : Tennessee : Relache Spa and Fitness Center at the Gaylord Opryland