It is 6:45 on a warm Spring morning in Norwich, Connecticut, & I am joining a group of fitness aficionados for a brisk, 4.5 mile aerobic walk on the edge of the property surrounding the Norwich Inn, a Georgian manor house built in 1929. We pass ponds, gardens, the golf course-and, so, another day begins at the Norwich Inn, a delightful spa where female & male guests happily book a room from one night to a weekend (or longer) to reduce stress, enjoy tasteful spa food and a variety of treatments —from herbal wraps to anti-aging facials.
While half the guests opt for activities, others are more than content to relax by the pool . I personally prefer a combo of movement and pampering. Some appealing options include personal training,tennis, and fitness classes that include high-energied CardioSculpt, water workouts in a gorgeous- 40 foot indoor pool, outdoor pools, belly dancing as well as restorative candlelight yoga. Upon arrival,I booked a milk-and-honey wrap, a native hot stone massage (basalt stones placed on my body definitely soothed my overworked muscles) and an aromatherapy treatment ( a combination of essential oils and light touch techniques made me feel completely relaxed).
Weather permitting, meals are served outside on an enormous wood deck that overlooks the 18-hole golf course and the distant hills. While I opted to stay in the 49-room Historic Inn with its more-than-comfortable, beautifully-appointed rooms and its amenities of a spa robe and hi-speed wireless internet (perfect for those who couldn’t bear to lose contact with the outside world), guests like Hilary Swank, Mary J. Blige and Barbara Walters prefer one of the 51 villas with a living room, wood-burning fireplace, galley kitchen and private deck
Whether you arrive solo (as I did) , or as a romantic couple or with a group of friends, the Norwich Inn is a perfect respite from an overstimulated life.For more information(spa packages), visit www.TheSpaAtNowricInn.com or phone 1-800-Ask-4-SPA
From NYC, I took AMTRAK to New London, Conn, a 15-minute taxi ride to the 42-acre Norwich Inn.
