During a trip to the Sundara Inn & Spa in the Wisconsin Dells, we traveled by boat along the Wisconsin River, admiring the fantastic formations of soft red sandstone along its banks in the morning.
By afternoon, that same sandstone, blended with aromatic oils, was sloughing away a winter’s worth of our dry skin at the spa. When Sundara broke ground in 2002, founder Kelli Trumble was amazed by the fine texture of the sand found on the site and its beautiful shades of gold and red. She sent it off to a number of labs that specialize in the development of spa products. When the ancient sandstone was found to be rich in minerals, capable of holding moisture and a gentle exfoliant because of the roundness of the grains, it became the basis of the entire Sundara line of spa products.
At Sundara, guests are asked to arrive early to enjoy a purifying bath ritual that consists of an exfoliating rainfall shower using the signature sandstone body polish, followed by steam scented with eucalyptus, and then alternating soaks in hot and cool plunge pools.
Sundara’s “soaring organic” architecture is designed to mimic the towering pines that cover the spa’s 26 acres. Guest rooms and public spaces are vertical and airy. There are no right angles anywhere, which can be somewhat disorienting, but the curved passageways, combined with soft flute music, are soothing.
Following the purifying bath, an attendant gave me a robe and sandals and led me to a lounge to wait for the therapist who would provide the sandstone body treatment. I was struck by how seamlessly I was handed off from one attendant to the next. My comfort seemed everyone’s top priority.
When the therapist took me into the Vichy shower room, she asked, “Are those sandals too big? Would you like a smaller size?” I assured her they were fine.
The sandstone body polish was less abrasive than I thought it would be. When she was done, the therapist left me alone to rinse in a shower with a rainfall showerhead, body jets and a footbath that threatened to overflow at any moment but miraculously did not. I then returned to the table for an application of moisturizers to my newly soft skin.
Next was a facial customized to my sensitive skin, with organic extracts from rose and wild plum. It smelled clean and outdoorsy. The therapist handed me a list of recommended products, then asked if my sandals fit properly.
Relaxed and glowing, I headed outdoors to lounge by the heated infinity pool. It was mesmerizing to watch the water drop over the edge to a pool below, against a backdrop of tall pines. From a bar in the corner, a waiter brought water with lemon. He stared at my feet and asked, “Would you like me to get you smaller sandals?”
Get polished in the Dells
A Sandstone Body Polish at Sundara Inn & Spa costs $115-$125 for 45 minutes, depending on day of the week; 920 Canyon Rd., Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; 608-253-9200 or sundaraspa.com.
