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Vanilla
A DOWNTOWN DAY SPA
All In The Family Found smack-dab in the center of historic downtown Savannah, Vanilla has catered to the likes of Sandra Bullock, Fred Segal, Harry Connick Jr. and other well-known celebrities, but atmosphere is Vanilla’s principle draw. “As guests enter our doors, they are immediately greeted by the warm scent of our signature vanilla-butter fragrance,” says Christine Jennings, Vanilla’s manager. “Everything here is totally Southern, from the deep molding, rich colors and opulent chandeliers to the traditionally warm greetings and exceptionally-attentive service.” Vanilla opened its doors 1999. Jennings’ husband, Jeff, owner of the DAC, wanted to offer spa services, so he purchased Vanilla last November and moved it to a new facility on the property of the DAC. He decided to keep it in the family, so his wife, who had a management background with a popular Savannah hair salon, was the natural choice to run it. “The spa industry is totally different than the hair-salon business,” she says. “The salon was nonstop craziness. Vanilla is a very friendly, mellow atmosphere. We get tourists and locals, so I get to meet a lot of different people.” The Art Of Overindulgence Vanilla offers a variety of affordable, individual treatments as well as full-day services—including the Vanilla Hot Stone Massage, which leaves guests feeling as though they have experienced Southern hospitality at its greatest level. “While we are undeniably entrenched in the South, and we all know the South is known for its slower pace, we pride ourselves in offering the most current treatments available in the industry,” Jennings says. Vanilla’s most popular treatments are the Our Signature Facial and Swedish Massage. Both offer clients an in-depth service at an affordable price. “Our Signature Facial is individually designed for each client’s skin type,” she says. “The treatment includes cleansing, steaming, exfoliation, a relaxing facial, and a neck and decollete massage followed by a customized treatment mask. Each skincare treatment includes a personal skin analysis to determine the treatment best suited to an individual’s skin type.” The Swedish Massage reduces stress and calms the nervous system, while loosening and relaxing tight, tired muscles. Vanilla’s newest body treatments, the Lavender Wrap and Stimulating Scalp Treatment, also have become immediate favorites. “The Lavender Wrap is a restful body wrap that has a base of shea butter blended with lavender, essential oils and other herbal extracts. The treatment promotes deep relaxation, restful sleep and intense skin moisturization,” Jennings says. “The Stimulating Scalp Treatment is a wonderfully relaxing and invigorating massage for the scalp, hairline, ears and crown. Rosemary mist and a special rosemary conditioner help to condition the hair, leaving the client feeling relaxed and refreshed at the same time.” The spa’s most popular package is its All Day Getaway, which allows clients to separate themselves from all that is stressful while experiencing a little of everything Vanilla offers, she says. “There is no such thing as overindulgence when it comes to the attention you are given from start to finish,” she adds. “We want to make sure we stay cutting-edge. Being a part of the DAC, we really feel the need to include services that promote the public’s interest in looking good and staying fit.” Airbrush tanning was a natural extension of that intent. Vanilla has had numerous requests for the service, so Jennings jumped in headfirst. “Much of what is popular in the vanity business is guided by the media,” she says. “Once people found out that Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears and others were getting airbrushed, it was a natural progression for everyone to want it. For as long as I can remember I have heard people say that everyone looks better with a little color. Now with airbrushing, it’s possible for virtually everyone to experience that healthy glow without that favorite Southern pastime here on the coast of basking on the beach for hours on end.”
“As a company, it offered the highest level of expertise and customer service we were able to find,” Jennings says. “VenturaTan’s tanning products produce consistent results and the fact that they offer a full line of spa accessories made it a natural fit. I love that someone is available evenings and weekends for assistance with any issues that may arise. That kind of service makes it an even better investment.” Vanilla offers a full airbrush treatment for $35. After much deliberation, Jennings decided that while she could charge a higher price because of her surroundings, she wanted the service to be embraced quickly and for the client to feel as though he or she could take advantage of the service more often. “We also get a lot of UV tanners because people still want the ‘real’ tan,” she says. “Our facility offers three HEX II standup tanning booths featuring 12-minute exposure times. Tanners are totally enveloped with light, so the end result is a much more even tan.” Guys Are Invited Too When Jennings took over Vanilla, she decided to change the decor to attract more men to the salon. “Men are visiting day spas more and more every year,” she says. “Originally, Vanilla featured a mostly pink, feminine look. We wanted to make it more neutral for men, so we went with warmer earth tones. We’re also planning on adding new services for men like a pedicure and a few new facial options. We have a men’s manicure that is very popular.” Education also is something Jennings wanted to concentrate on from the get-go so Vanilla’s staff is expertly trained in all aspects of client care and service. “We provide clients with useful information so they can have a better understanding of each service and the products used,” she says. “This raises the comfort level for not only the client, but also the technician and esthetician. When a client is well-versed in the process, it’s so much easier for them to share the experience with others who might well be sold by that individual’s spa experience.” Although Jennings only has been at the helm of this Southern paradise since November, her personal touch already shows. “We plan on changing some of our current spa packages in the near future, and we’re going to offer a Couple’s Hot Stone Massage that is sure to be very popular since we had a ton of success with our Couple’s Swedish Massage last year,” she says. “I think people feel more comfortable coming in together. It’s very romantic and will work nice as a gift for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, etc.”
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Located in Savannah, Ga., Vanilla—A Downtown Day Spa is a prominent part of
the distinguished Downtown Athletic Club (DAC). With a dose of Southern
hospitality and a plethora of relaxing treatment options, Vanilla offers
Savannah residents quiet moments of tranquility and the perfect yin to the DAC’s
intense yang.
Once she knew airbrush tanning was a must, Jennings chose
Savannah-based VenturaTan to fulfill all of her airbrush tanning needs. |