Coming to the Isle of Palms is, in and of itself, a terrific relaxation technique.
From the first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean as you crest the Isle of Palms Connector, blood pressure drops, and moods elevate naturally.
Set foot on the IOP and you automatically activate the healing properties of “island time.” Long walks on the beach here are beneficial for the soul and body. So, too, are ocean breezes and dips in the salt water.
But if you’d like a bit more professional pampering, we’ve got that covered too. There are plenty of excellent options right here on the island.
Beach House Spa
If you’re staying in an Exclusive Properties’ beach house, it seems appropriate to check out Beach House Spa. It’s a multi-service day spa and a bit of an island institution.
They’re best known for their excellent professional massages. Beach House has a high bar for their massage therapists. Although the staff may rotate, they’re all quite skilled. Massage options include 60 or 90 minutes of Deep Tissue, Warm Stone Therapy, The Beach House Spa Signature (full body with regulated pressure to stimulate circulation and reduce knots and tensions), Head, Neck & Shoulder, Lymph Drainage, Motherhood, and Couples.
Other services include body scrubs and “bacials” (back facials); facials like signature, mini, acne, therapeutic brightening, gentlemen’s refreshment, and various peels; eyelash and eyebrow tinting; and all kinds of waxing (bikini, Brazilian, brow, leg, arm, face, lip and underarm).
If you’re in major need of pampering, opt for special packages like The Boardwalk, The Blue Moon, or maybe The Big Kahuna - a hot stone massage, bacial and facial with a fruit and tea break.
Beach House Spa is conveniently located near the middle of the island at 1030 Carolina Boulevard, not far from the Post Office and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. It’s normally open every day but Sunday, but the pandemic altered their schedule and slate of offerings.
Call Bill for the latest details or to book an appointment. You can reach him at (843) 886-8883.
Bill can also help you purchase a gift card for spa services - a terrific gift idea for a friend or loved one.
The Face Therapist
If you’re interested in a facial, this may be the place for you. Pam Huey is a Licensed Aesthetician and Nurse. She is trained in Medical Aesthetics, Skin Therapy (at Yvonne de Vilar Scientific Skin Care), along with Healing Touch and Therapy. Complete skin analysis is her specialty. Her philosophy: “To help every person feel good about themselves and feel confident about the person they are.”
Pam offers 70-minute facials like the Ageless Resurfacing Treatment with exfoliation, ultrasonic gentle soft peel, facial buffing and dermaplaning, and a hydrating vitamin C masque or a calming seaweed mask. Or, you can opt for the Deep Pore Cleansing Treatment, with ultrasonic pore cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, fusion buffing and your choice of masques.
She also offers five types of resurfacing treatments, aka chemical peels. They include Vital C (for hydration and antioxidants), Salicylic Glycolic (for acne, oily skin and clogged pores), Glycolic Retinol (for fine lines, dull skin or visible pores), Lactic/Kojic (for hyperpigmentation or brown sun spots; it removes dead cell-buildup and soothes the skin), and Perfection Peel (an effective moderate peel recommended for October till May). A stronger Jessner Peel is also available.
Her office is located at 29 JC Long Boulevard on the Isle of Palms, not far from Exclusive Properties’ office. You can reach her at (843) 637-0088, or schedule online through www.schedulicity.com (just enter “Face Therapist” - Isle of Palms SC).
The Spa at Seagrass
Another option is to head inside the gates of Wild Dunes Resort for a serene spa experience. The Spa at Seagrass is part of resort’s new Seagrass Inn, with its coastal-modern vibe.
The Spa is “rooted in philosophies of nature with a focus on the healing powers of the ocean and the natural elements of the earth,” according to its official description. It encourages you to “Retreat. Rejoice. Reset.”
And dare I say, “Repeat?”
Its spa menu is something to behold and is a rather relaxing read, in and of itself.
They offer four different Signature Journeys, each lasting 105 minutes - Peace, Joy, Slumber, and Shine. Each one includes a unique blend of body ritual, massage, and some kind of hand/scalp/foot ritual.
Also on the menu - a vast array of massage and body work - Swedish, sport, deep tissue, wellness, CBD, prenatal, salt stone, reflexology - along with body buffs, scrubs and wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures, collagen treatments and waxing. They even offer “Little Starfish” manis and pedis for kids.
Also, if you’re there with a group of friends, you might want to consider lounging in your own private cabana. A three-hour rental for up to six people comes with your choice of a bottle of chilled Prosecco or marine collagen drinks, along with cooling cucumber lavender face cloths.
You can reach the Spa at Seagrass by calling (843) 886-2555 to book or for more information. They’re open seven days a week and are located at 5757 Palm Boulevard.
Woodhouse Spa
The Woodhouse Day Spa isn’t on the Isle of Palms, but it’s a short drive away in Mount Pleasant, at 723 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. It’s on the way to downtown Charleston, if you want to combine it with an outing to or from the Holy City.
Their website asks you to what your desired mood is, to help you pick from among their many services. Would you like to feel more connected? Resilient? Calm? Confident? Energized? Or balanced? They’ve got something for all of these, and more.
You can get facials with cupping, holistic minkyti, Gua Sha, collagen and CBD enhancements, advanced hydrafacials and keravive, four-handed massage, black sand rejuvenation, meditative mood soaks, shirodhara, and packages like “Happy Mama” and “Digital Detox.”
If you’re a fan of the Bravo reality show, “Southern Charm,” they’ve filmed scenes here, of the stars getting various treatments and gossiping as they go.
Woodhouse also helped rejuvenate the young stars of Netflix’s #1 show “Outer Banks” after tough weeks of shooting scenes in and around Charleston.
Woodhouse Spa is also open seven days a week and can be reached at (843) 203-1772.
So relax, and put yourself in the hands of professionals. It’ll take your stay here on the Isle of Palms to the next level.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger