Boldly Go Solo

A lot of people go to spas for massage and relaxation. I traveled solo to Deerfield Spa in Pennsylvania a few years back for just that. But also to get motivated to shed a few pounds.

Unlike the stylish, modern-looking, expensive spas, this one is pretty basic. It was also close to home, saving me travel costs.

Deerfield Spa is housed in, well, a house. The workout room, where we did yoga and belly dancing – yup, belly dancing – was in a separate building across a gravelly walk. (For the record, belly dancing cannot be learned in an hour. Not even close.)

What I liked about my weekend visit was being
able to take class after class of exercise, burning loads of calories
without getting bored. Not everyone was so motivated. Many chilled out
in the cozy living room. Others, hilariously, snuck off down the road
to buy fattening snacks that weren’t available "on campus."

It was really
easy to be a solo guest. All three meals were in the dining room at
tables for four. I met a variety of people that way. Fellow spa-goers also talked
during classes and in passing. It’s too small a place not to smile and
say hello wherever you are.

In any case, I was busy jumping
and dancing and swimming and power walking with instructors to ever
feel alone.

I wouldn’t recommend Deerfield
if you’re looking for luxury. It’s more of a country spa, to make up my
own term. And furnished that way. But that also makes it less expensive
than the Golden Doors of the world. It fact, it was voted one of the world’s 10 "most affordable."   

Call
it a starter spa. Or a weight-loss spa for locals. Or a
spa to get us through these tough economic times. Or a spa for solo travelers who live in the region. If you want to blow through $500 a day, I’d suggest you go somewhere else.

Read more: The story that appeared in The Washington Post.