An eco-friendly, healthy getaway — sound impossible? It’s not. Fulfilling all your green vacation dreams is just a flight away.
by bonnie siegler
If you’re prone to overindulge, the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa holds the secret to balancing health and pleasure.
The resort is famous for its Westin Workout Room, which offers spinning, weights and the latest fitness equipment. Or head to the Hibiscus Spa, which is known for its enticing hot poutice massage — a rhythmic massage that makes use of Indian muslin bags (filled with healing, fragrant herbs and spices) heated in water and then applied to the body at various pressure points to relax muscles and release toxins. “The poultice bags we use are filled with a mixture of Roman chamomile flowers, lavender and marigold,” says spa director Carola Sjoer.
With its 308 rooms and six luxury suites, the Westin St. Maarten remains eco-friendly. It makes its own cleaning products using a mixture of baking soda and organic apple vinegar. “Nine out of 10 guests who walk into the spa make a remark as to how good it smells,” boasts Sjoer.
Another eco-friendly contribution from the Hibiscus Spa is its mini natural salt lamps in the reception area. The candleholders are hand-carved from salt crystals mined deep within the earth. These natural rocks emit the same negative ions produced by nature during thunderstorms. Negative ions increase energy by combating the positive ions from fluorescent lights, computer screens and pollution.
Not to mention, the entire resort is in the process of installing solar panels to help heat the water supply. The Westin has also incorporated sensory controlled air conditioning units that turn off when a guest leaves the room and are activated upon entry.
Since the resort offers so many great ways to stay fit, you can also give into your temptations at one of five dining outlets, which run the gamut between casual and gourmet. In fact, each restaurant uses fresh local produce and ingredients. “We have a rotating menu of local breakfast specials in the buffet,” says Polak. “For example, we offer papaya pancakes, plantain porridge and Caribbean sweet potato cups with poached egg and mango hollandaise.”
