outdoor sculpture Archives

Back in December, The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Boston treated me to the luxurious Frankincense Massage Ritual. It was only the second time I had visited the spa, having not been there since the hotel opened several years ago, and it was just as perfect as I remembered. The whirlpool, steam room, and tropical shower are all heavenly, and the treatment itself was superb.

As with all treatments, the Frankincense started with ritual foot cleansing, spices, and the sound of cymbals. Then a relaxing massage for which the therapist used De Stress Mind Body Oil, concocted with a blend of wild chamomile, frankincense and petitgrain oils. The treatment finishes with deep inhalations of the Frankincense essential oils and a soothing scalp massage. The experience, as you might imagine, was heavenly.

It made me think of how I would love the sound of an outdoor water feature on Cape Cod. Since a minimalist creation designed by a landscape architect is not really an option given the cost, I looked into possible alternatives. Perhaps a ready made modern fountain? While many of the widely available outdoor water fountains are not necessarily cutting-edge modern, there are those with a contemporary aesthetic that would nestle into one’s garden or anchor a patio quite nicely.

Then, you could invite a massage therapist over for a treatment outdoors. The gentle trickle of your own fountain beats Enya from a portable speaker any day.