This past week, I took a last minute road trip with a few of my friends (AHHH~ the life of a freelancer — AWESOME!) to VERMONT! I knew right off the bat that we would be going to the BEN & JERRY ice cream factory and the rest of my stay?? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESORT/SPA!

with my friend M and yours truly ... "I-don't-know-how-to-take-pictures, J"

I must admit that I didn’t really expect much after looking at their website & spa menu because $75 for 60 min is really cheap compared to NYC prices.To my surprise, I got more than what I paid for and it was totally worth every penny!

my awesome masseuse (2nd to left) Cheryl @ The Golden Eagle Spa/Resort

Here are just a few tips on SPA Etiquettes (source : here) and my comments in <   >

• Turn off your cell phone when you arrive. <or don’t even bother bringing it with you. leave it in the locker>

• Arrive at least 20 minutes before your spa appointment so you have time to check in, change into your robe and slippers, and relax.

• Get there even sooner if the spa has a steam room, sauna or hot tub. It will help relax you before your massage. Shower off the hot tub’s chlorinated water before your spa treatment.

• A hot shower can also relax you before your spa treatment and make it more enjoyable. <try to scrub off any dead skin cells while your at it>

• Massage is usually done nude, but you are covered with a sheet at all times in American spas. Only the part being massaged is exposed.

If you’re more comfortable keeping your underwear on, that’s fine. You can also try Thai Massage or reflexology , where you stay fully clothed. <I usually keep my underwear minus bra on because my butt is usually covered with the sheet anyways>

• If you schedule two treatments together, get a massage before your facial. , A body treatment should go before your massage.

• If you’re uncomfortable with anything during your treatment – the pressure, the music, the temperature — speak up. The therapist will make an adjustment.

• You can talk during the treatment or stay quiet, as you choose. The therapist will follow your lead.

* If the therapist says, “Take your time getting up,” that usually means a few minutes. It’s not an invitation to take a nap.

• Don’t forget to tip 15%-20%. If you were given a gift certificate , ask if the tip was included.

I was actually really worried that I would fall asleep during the massage especially after a long night of 2 bottles of wine plus board games. AND my friends kept saying that the masseuse would pretend to massage me while I was sleeping. Lo & behold … I did fall asleep (mentally) but physically I still felt every pressure points.

I mentioned my concern to the spa receptionist and she said that it’s usually the constant relaxing motion that you sleep through but the minute she stops, I would wake up. Which was totally true.