Even though I had visited it twice before, I was left with the feeling that I had to return alone, or with just my husband, to fully enjoy the facilities offered by the resort.
The first time, 7 or 8 years ago, my colleague, Diana, and I came to a business meeting with Mr. Capusan, the man behind SunGarden. We spent a couple of hours, he gave us a tour of the resort, told us where the idea of building SunGarden came from, what he aims to develop next and we started our collaboration. But it was just that, short and charming, like a teaser.
I came back 5 years ago, when we spent a week, with the kids and the puppy after us. Even though overall we had a great time on that vacation, I realized that I left more relaxed than I arrived, not because my boys were angels, but because the air was so clean and I slept much better than at home.
As Mr. Capusan had told me at the first meeting, SunGarden was conceived as a resource, an "outlet" to which stressed people could connect, for the transfer of living energy, so that they could return to society refreshed, fresh, optimistic, happy.
It helped that everything was green: the resort is surrounded on all sides by forest, and the hotel and all the facilities - golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, archery, tennis - are on a huge meadow of a raw green, which, for me at least, is relaxing. When you see 20 acres of green before your eyes, not to mention the essential oils that emanate naturally from the grass, trees, plants, flowers, when the wind blows, the effect is instant relaxation.
My kids are very picky eaters, but the food catered for all tastes - including hamburger menus, various pasta dishes, etc. which made life easy.
The outdoor pool was their main attraction. They were crazy to hang out there, but when the sun was blazing, we took them to the indoor pool area.
Back then, children were allowed in the spa - which was both good and bad. Good because the spa with its fairy-tale setting had a special charm and they were fascinated.
Bad because they were making a racket - laughing, diving noisily into the water - and I felt ashamed every time I entered the ground, while I kept reminding them that the Spa must be quiet. And from there the conclusion was that I really have to go back there without them to really enjoy this place.
In the meantime, I understand that they have banned children under the age of 14 from the spa, which I think is an excellent decision. It may not always be easy for you to find a child-friendly solution, but it's certainly better for you and your wellbeing, as well as for the other clients.
Last week I was on vacation in the north of the country when I had the idea to check if they still have places at the Spa for me and golf for my husband.
Initially I started with the idea to try one of their spa rituals with Romanian ingredients: matca milk, blue clay from Râciu, salt from Praid, white clay, honey, medicinal herbs. I had articles published on despreSpa.ro about them and I had long intended to try them. But as I was reading, although they all sounded very appealing, I realized that I would rather do a facial ritual.
While talking to Loredana, spa managerI was on the phone and we were booking two hours, I couldn't help but ask her if a massage could be included in those two hours. I had been in the car a lot in the last few days, and my body was screaming for a massage.
I asked her to choose the type of massage and ritual so that I would fit in time. I also booked my husband a round of golf and looked forward to the days.
We left the kids and the puppy with our friends for a few hours and we rediscovered SunGarden. We had decided to spend four hours there. I remembered the green hills, the lake, the forest and I wanted to spend some quiet time there before going in for treatment.
A lot had changed at SunGarden since 5 years ago. I started with a tour of the Spa, even though I hadn't allocated time for the sauna and pool areas which are a destination in themselves. Specifically, on the 1800 square meters there are two areas:
Here you will find a large pool with heated water, whirlpool areas and a salt water pool. This is where my children played 5 years ago. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover the changes they've made in the meantime. They have significantly changed the decor, it is much more simplistic and more to my taste.
Also in Aqua Experience, there are also the Sauna with hot tub, Turkish Bath, Tepidarium with heated beds where we used to go when we got out of the pool.
Upstairs there are also 4 treatment rooms (cosmetic room, couples massage room, exfoliation and wrapping Spa treatment room, and bathing Spa treatment room) and a Spa Lounge.
second zone, is based on the concept of "Back to Life". More precisely - from an extreme, complex, stress-loaded life - to a simple, primordial life, dominated by earth, water, fire, wood.
We left with the impression of a fairytale world. The decor is mostly stone, diffused light comes from large salt lamps. In places there are blue and red bulbs in the ceiling, small as stars. Water flows everywhere, now and then you see a fire in a fireplace. Loungers are pressed everywhere. You're tempted to sit down and start a frank dialog with yourself.
You even have a library to choose books from, once you finish the inner dialog.
From this area there are various spaces / rooms:
Taverna area with a waterfall and heated pool, relaxation areas
Hearth area
Mystic room, relaxation room with suspended beds. If I had known about this room, I definitely would have decided to stay 6 hours, not 4. Ever since I saw it, I felt a trace of regret, but after I came out of the two-hour treatment, the regret was profound.
Cold water basin
Ice Fountain
Salt sauna
Bio Sauna, from which I would never get out
Aroma Sauna made of cedar wood
Finnish sauna
Special cabinet for Hammam Ritual. It is small and intimate.
Now it is still under construction. Work is advanced, and their estimate is that in the winter it will be ready. Here they will be:
Heated swimming pool
Whirlpool
Fire place
Sauna for rituals
Relaxation areas
3 therapy rooms
After we finished the spa tour, from the Garden SPA, my husband went to the golf course, and I was left to walk around the resort, so that I could feel again the place full of meadows, plants and forest, which had remained in my memory as if it was taken from a fairy tale.
In addition to 5 years ago, they have marked three trails through the forest surrounding the 20 hectares. Although it is not a mountain area, we understand that at least one of the trails, which lasts four and a half hours, has an increased degree of difficulty.
Loredana tells me they are often visited by deer and squirrels.
They also built a chapel, where, every year, dozens of couples choose to have a religious wedding. I really can't imagine a more appropriate place.
Then we went to the lake, one of my favorite attractions. I was surprised to see some huge fish in the lake and found out that they now allow sport fishing.
We also took a short walk around one of the golf course areas. We noticed the grass - 100% natural, like a dense carpet. I wondered how many hours it takes to maintain such a carpet.
After a cappuccino, a lemonade and this short walk with Loredana, it was time for the actual treat.
As I had let them choose for me, I found out that they opted for a 110-minute Elemis treatment. A customized combination tailored to my needs. I chatted a bit with Luciana, the therapist who was going to take care of me, while I filled in my medical history in the reception area. Both the reception and the locker rooms are made of solid wood, matching the resort's specific resort.
The treatment room is simple, only the lamp stood out to me. Elegant, in keeping with the rest of the spa.
The spa treatment started with two warm damp towels on the soles, followed by a body massage with a body balm with rose extract. As the predominant scent in the spa is still rose, I appreciated this smooth transition from the spa to the room, and then the actual massage.
Luciana was preparing a relaxing massage. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part. But when she reached my back, I told her I would like a deeper massage. At that point, her reaction was: "Oh, but that's my specialty! I'd love to do it!".
A memorable massage followed, which will remain a milestone for me. At that moment, I remembered that Luciana had told me that she had been on the SunGarden team for 2 and a half years. Before she worked in the medical field, but since she discovered wellness she realized that it suits her much better. She is definitely a very wonderful therapist and I am so glad she made this choice. Because even seemingly healthy people need therapists to give them experiences like the one I had.
I really appreciated her willingness to change the type of massage, especially as this was an Elemis massage. I later found out that they have total freedom to customize spa treatments according to the needs and requirements of each client. They can't go out of the massage protocol, but they are allowed to customize it, which brings a lot of added value to the client.
Once the massage was over, it was time for the ultimate indulgence: the Elemis ProCollagen ritual.
It cleansed my complexion with the balm which contains coconut oil, almond oil, shea butter and seaweed and vitamin E. The combination, although it is just for cleansing, has a powerful anti-aging effect.
I can't remember what the toner was, but exfoliation followed.
Here was the nervous one. Because my complexion has the beginnings of rosacea, which I've been treating in the last few months, since I've been doing the anti-aging course, but I was still in doubt: should I tell Luciana or let her do it all the way? I chose not to say anything. Later, after I saw that my skin was perfect, I found out that the exfoliator used by Luciana, Elemis Advanced Skincare Skin Buff, is suitable for all skin types.
She followed with a lifting and brightening serum and then the mask. She warned me not to panic as she covered my eyes with two special disks containing amino acids, blue flax seeds - rich in protein, minerals and essential fatty acids - and the Mediterranean algae Padina Pavonica, with anti-aging effects
And then Pro Collagen Quartz Quartz lift Peel-off mask. A mask that I had to spread very quickly as it dries immediately.
While I stayed with the mask, Luciana gave me a super neck massage and a scalp massage. If during the body massage I could literally feel every part of my body relaxing, this time I wished I could stop time instead. I knew that scalp massage has the quickest relaxing effect on me, but I seemed to have forgotten how good it feels.
It was time to remove my mask. With a damp glove to which she added lime essential oil, she cleaned my face and then applied Pro Collagen Marine Cream, an anti-wrinkle day cream based on seaweed, chlorella and ginkgo biloba. Thanks to these ingredients, my complexion was moisturized, radiant and glowing. It wasn't just my complexion, I was glowing after this super-rich skincare.
My husband was waiting for me in reception. I was thinking of the room with the suspended beds. Unfortunately, we had to leave. I felt so light, not a trace of discomfort even though I had arrived at Sungarden fully energized after so many days in the car.
On the way, I realized that I was carrying the aroma of the spa with me. The rose balm had lingered on my body and prolonged the wonderful experience I had had at the SunGarden.
Founder despreSpa.ro
