“Two locations, one vibration.”
As brand mantras go, Tammy Fender’s is a slam dunk. Instantly, it alerts her website visitors to the fact that there’s a gorgeous new venue to visit. But it also assures that the superstar facialist’s core ethos—of honoring the whole person, body, mind, and spirit—remains firmly intact.
But back to that eye-popping new location . . .
Clocking in at 8,000 square feet, Tammy Fender Holistic Spa at the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa in Delray Beach, Florida, is almost triple the size of Fender’s beloved 20 year-old jewel box in West Palm Beach. Located roughly 35 miles up the East coast from the original spa, it’s literally “perched on the edge of the ocean,” as Fender puts it, a fact that she’s taking full advantage of. As a first-mover in the holistic beauty and wellness space, Fender is tapping the vast energy of the Atlantic on a daily basis. Morning meditation classes on the Ocean Terrace, anyone?
As a first-mover in the holistic beauty and wellness space, Fender is tapping the vast energy of the Atlantic on a daily basis.
“The power of the ocean has been so significant,” says Fender. “The elements of nature are so pulled into those morning meditations that it’s creating a life of its own. It’s been beautiful to see the depth of the awareness that nature is here and supporting all of our needs.”
Two Levels of Spa Bliss
The two-story spa features eight treatment rooms, all located on the second floor, including a room for couples and a combo salt therapy/infrared sauna zone—in addition to that terrace with the breathtaking views. Downstairs, it’s all about a spacious reception area, a dedicated zone for holistic nails and hair, and an apothecary stocked with Fender’s coveted face and body care. Shelf after shelf teems with products, be it the award-winning Quintessential Serum, Epi-Peel, or a delicious new range of bath milks that detoxify, relax, and soothe.
Although nail and haircare are new offerings for Fender, she decided to include them for two reasons. One, the Delray spa is attached to a beachside hotel that hosts countless high glam quotient weddings and special events. Two, Fender knew she and her staff could bring something new to the equation, namely an emphasis on plant ingredients and essential oils that align with those used in the treatment rooms, as well as the incorporation of a stepped-up level of touch, whether it’s reflexology or a lights-out scalp massage.
Bringing Energy Work to a Broader Audience
It’s in the broad array of Energetic Balancing Treatments and Mindfulness Services, however, that the Delray Beach spa really shines. Fender sounds almost giddy when she speaks to how excited she is to bring energy healing and offerings like Holistic Life Coaching and Eco-Therapy/Nature-Connection Sessions to a broader audience. Staffing up to service those modalities has been incredibly gratifying, too.
“I’ve always wanted to create a place where these world-class practitioners, who are really trained in a broad range of healing, could come together in this multi-layered sanctuary,” she notes. “And it’s just been so exciting, and also very heartfelt, to have our guests experience the diversity of these offerings.”
Also in the menu mix: a full complement of Intentional Massage Treatments (including Thai Yoga and Herbal Poultice) and body scrubs, wraps, and brushing.
But what about incredible skin, you ask? After all, Fender is literally famous for her facials. Rest assured, beauty is front and center, comprising no fewer than six Enlightened Facials. For the uninitiated, let’s take a peek inside the 75-minute Tammy Fender Signature Facial. Billed as a “head to toe revival,” it incorporates a full half-hour of reflex-point foot massage alongside oxygen therapy and custom-blended botanical potions whipped-up to get you glowing.
For those who’d like to go deeper than the occasional treat-yourself spa visit, and create an entire multi-treatment protocol, Fender suggests one of her six comprehensive Soulful Series packages. These can be skin-centric, as in the Transformation Series, which includes custom facials, dermaplaning, peels, oxygen therapy, and ultrasonic treatments. If one opts for the Deepening Calm Series, designed to “bring the whole being into realignment” and reduce physical and/or emotional stress, the client is in for multiple massages and a Botanical Body Wrap.
Sparkling Wellbeing
“People are so ready to be guided, and to have that mutual commitment,” between client and practitioner, Fender says of Soulful Series. “Yes, we’re well-known for our facials, and I designed that protocol to really make long-lasting changes in the skin, so that will probably be the most popular.”
Still, Fender knows her clients are eager to go deeper. “I’ve always been devoted to sparking wellbeing on every level,” she says. “So for me, it goes well beyond the surface. It’s about providing that nurturing, loving care for the whole being. That’s our vibration.”
Dana Wood
Dana Wood is the Contributing Beauty Editor at InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. She has been writing about beauty and wellness for decades, and no matter how many times she taps the words “hyaluronic acid” or “healing modalities” into her keyboard, it never gets old. Dana spent a total of 20 years at Condé Nast, serving as Beauty Director for W, Cookie, and Brides. A transplanted New Yorker, Dana now lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her peak spa experience? Dana says it’s impossible to decide between the Coco-Mango Body Buff at the Driftwood Spa at Jakes in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, The Land of Beautiful Waters Anti-Aging Facial at Four Seasons Nevis, and the 80-minute 5 Senses massage at the Spa by JW in Marco Island, Florida.