Dreamy Hotel & Spa in Positano

It has been a whirlwind of spa visits here in Italy. My plan was to visit spas in Tuscany only, but I splurged and drove south on the A1 highway to Positano. While in dreamy Positano, I stayed at the Albergo le Sirenuse, ...this was truly one of the best and most beautiful and whimsical places I have ever stayed. The hotel, which is still privately owned by the Marchesi Sersale Family, is a combination of quaint and charming with exquisite style; it is no wonder why Le Sirenuse has been awarded and recognized as being one of the best places to stay and experience. The staff Mauro, Giuseppe, Andrea and Roberto were all so professional, helpful and delightfully friendly. I stayed in a Sea View room (Tirreno Sea) and heard the church bells ring while standing on my balcony looking at the cliffs. The view, smell of Jasmine and lemon blossoms floating in the air brought enough solitude to last for days and make up for the somewhat anxiety-filled, 6 hour drive to Positano from Tuscany. And of course I was there to visit their spa in the hotel; it is an Aveda concept --something very familiar to me as one of my favorite places in Santa Barbara is Walter Claudio Aveda Spa. The spa was not elaborant in size, but rather a simple and fresh feel designed by the famous Italian architect Gae Aulenti. Sylvia Bizzi, the spa manager, gave me a mini tour of the spa. She was so warm and friendly and told me of her spa visit in Thailand. Then, I enjoyed the sauna and bagno turco (steam room), but best of all was the Elemental Nature Body Massage by Stefano. Stefano Imbimbo, a massage therapist who worked previously in physical therapy, treated me with the best massage I have ever experienced (and I have had many wonderful massages!). He started with the aroma journey, which is where I got to choose an Aveda aroma to mix with the massage oil. Based on the scent I chose, Stefano said that I needed to balance my "air element" which meant that I had "too much input in my brain and I was trying to sort out many things"...yes indeed, I thought! His technique, a combination of massage and physical therapy -- stretches and manipulating my spine and neck was so healing and effective. His approach was not shy or hesitant; he was confident in his knowledge and knew where tension lay stagnant in my body. The best part of the massage...Stefano poured hot oil on my scalp, massaged my scalp and then brushed my hair...it was incredible. I would say hop on a plane to Positano just for that part of the massage! Truly though, after his work on my neck, using a technique with a towel to stretch and cradle my neck, I felt lighter, and more "open"...my breathing was even clearer. I stayed in Positano for only 2 days, but I truly enjoyed walking through the small streets, practicing my Italian, meeting a nice baker named Carmene and indulging in the ammenities of my room. I know that I will return to this uniquely mystical place called Le Sirenuse.