The Galilion Hotel houses an extravagant new health center; not to mention a luxurious night’s sleep and some great food.
By SIVAN AZULAYGalilion hotel(photo credit: ELIRAN AVITAL)
While I love a good spa day, I’ve never done a true spa getaway. Unless you consider my less-than-24-hours wellness vacation at Isrotel Yearot Hacarmel ages ago... thought so. Lucky for me (sorry Mr. Hubby), I was invited to Galilion Hotel in the North – more like between Rosh Pina and Kiryat Shmona – to try its newest health center; not to mention a luxurious night’s sleep and some great food. I did only have one day, but I it surely felt like a long weekend. Eat. Relax. RepeatPicture this: You’re lounging by the pool in your stylish bathing suit, sipping a cool glass of chardonnay and tanning in style (of course, not before applying some sunscreen). Then, your watch reminds you of your first spa treatment. You take a quick shower and head to the health center, which is seconds away from your room. There, you can finally let your body surrender to the god of health and wellness…and just like that I was off to a day packed with wellness activities.But first, Galilion in a nutshell: This new resort was founded a year ago, and with future plans to open a farmer’s market (Hagamon Market) it looks like it’s going to be the next big thing in the North. The hotel features 120 glamorous and comfortable rooms that are well equipped with contemporary touches like plasma TVs, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a mini bar. Some of the rooms offer direct access to the pool, while others provide a balcony overlooking the breathtaking landscapes of the Hula Valley, Mount Hermon, the Galilee and Golan Heights. What else? Of course, a health and spa center, which I will get back to in a minute, a hot air balloon observatory (kids will absolutely love it), conference center and an amazing wine tasting room. Need I say more? Hmm, maybe about the health and spa center, after all this is what I came here for.The health and spa center: Just like any resort that respects itself, Galilion features a pampering spa center. At the hotel spa you’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of treatments for both body and soul. From wet and dry saunas to a Turkish bath and massages, there’s so much to choose from. I started with a facial massage. A warm and lovely therapist used Peter Thomas Roth products to boost my face radiance. There was also a mini massage and I left feeling super relaxed with glowing skin—but it wasn’t over yet. Next, I tried the Turkish bath, which was one of my favorite activities – 30 minutes of pure fun. Imagine you're a baby and someone is giving you a bath. That was basically the experience. First, my therapist scrubbed my body in an up-and-down motion to remove all the dead skin. Then, she gave me an amazing head-to-toe-wash-down. She even washed my hair. Highly recommended! Then, last but not least, I got a 50-minute body massage - a perfect end to a perfect day. To find out about the treatment menu and schedule, go to Galilion’s website. By the way, you can visit the health and spa center even if you’re not a guest of the hotel. Another little note: there are mani-pedi and hair dryer stations.Eating and drinking: A complimentary continental breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, where fresh coffee, eggs cooked to your likening, a variety of cheese, and a bunch of yummy salads are served. As for dinner, there’s a buffet of options to choose from. Don’t miss the desserts. They are beautifully made, plus they're delicious.