Words: Barbara Perkins

Inspired by the healing properties of water, The Cloister Spa on historic Sea Island, Ga., retains its depth of quality and elegance.

Sea Island Resort, as the name implies, stands grandly on its own island in the tidal basin of the Black Banks River. You could say it’s just off the Georgia coast, but it’s really off the coast of St. Simons Island, which is itself just off the coast.

This may be just a roundabout way of saying that The Cloister Spa is just that, a world of its own, a slice of time hidden away and preserved in a 1928 Addison Mizner-designed retreat. Oak trees line the cobblestone drive of this timeless grand dame where boys still wear blue blazers to dinner and Miss Audrey’s 11 a.m. dance lessons (remember cotillion?) ooze Newport.

Spiffed up to the tune of half a billion dollars, the resort retains its reputation for elegance and impeccable service, reflected in the 65,000-square-foot Cloister Spa. Overstocked Koi ponds frame the spa entrance, which leads to an open-air courtyard where a central fountain literally sets in motion the spa’s tribute to H2O. From the fountain, water flows via illuminated canals just under the stone floor surface (visible through glass-covered insets) to the fitness center, the outdoor whirlpool area, a small pond and, ultimately, to the spa’s reception area, where it becomes a stream that tumbles down rocks into the garden atrium. This indoor lounge area is where the ‘ahhh’ moment occurs: Palms and bamboo trees soar to the cedar-beamed ceiling; handmade Turkish carpets and antique furnishings decorate the space; and the sound of flowing water fills the air.

The Cloister Spa’s amenities and services are so complete that few spas can compare in terms of depth. Amenities include steam, sauna, showers, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, a heated lap pool, retail boutique, nail and hair salon, and an outdoor garden labyrinth. The second-floor fitness center features five gyms, three squash courts and spacious, state-of-the-art strength and cardiovascular studios. A huge line-up of class offerings range from advanced swim instruction and water aerobics to tennis tune-ups that incorporate Yoga and Pilates. For golfers wanting to drop digits off scorecards, there are sessions with a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)-certified instructor. More goodies include “me time” with a nutritionist, or a sports psychologist who will explain why you choke on your serve and double fault (and it’s not because of your mother). There are even sessions for skeet-shooting tips and Bible studies.

We focused our energy on the spa. Here the menu celebrates the bounty of the sea. Treatments include Sea Creations, a 90-minute, smooth seashell massage with sea algae essence to enhance circulation, nutrient-rich seaweed mask facials to hydrate the skin, and aromatherapy products to infuse your sense of scents with lavender and ocean breeze. Treatments are custom-designed for women, men, couples or kids.

For me, it was the usual toss-up: Try something new vs. the go-to massage. Achy, aging former jock that I am, I went with a Sports Enthusiast massage. I was glad I did. Skillfully unraveling knots and cranking up blood flow, my guy dug deep, alleviating epic shoulder and neck tension for immediate and longer-lasting relief.

That was just the warm up, however. After a consult with the high-energy spa director, I pounced on her “Gifts of the Sea” recommendation. For this I was brushed with the attention and care befitting a champion racehorse, then scrubbed with a seaweed-based buffing treatment. This opened pores, releasing toxins while natural antioxidants and minerals were absorbed.

I was then wrapped, showered, and massaged (again!). And no, the seaweed treatment did not involve long, wet, slimy strips layered onto my skin, but rather a soothing sea-scented lotion. Practically sedated after a decadent two hours, I could barely mumble thanks, as my therapist walked me back along the second-floor passageway where brilliant and colorful light shone from stained-glass windows. Heavenly.

Relaxed, restored, rested and ready, my remaining days at Sea Island were spent as though it were my very own childhood summer home. Lunch became a verb at the Beach Club while G +T’s on the veranda, with a twist, my 5 p.m. ritual. Dolled up preppy for dinner, my partner and I gorged in the evening at Colt & Alison, the elegant formal restaurant at the Lodge. A classic Caesar salad prepared tableside, fresh local fish, and the finest dry-aged beef were spectacularly paired with an outstanding Australian red; the smoldering chocolate soufflé was our cherry on top.

Physically, emotionally and spiritually well-charged under this deluge of Southern hospitality and charm, Sea Island had cast its timeless spell.

The Cloister Spa at Sea Island
100 Cloister Drive
Sea Island, Georgia 31561
Telephone: 866-879-6238
www.seaisland.com