Trazee In-Depth: The Grand Hyatt Bogotá Spa Experience

It was an experience in firsts during my recent trip to Bogotá, Colombia. First trip to Colombia, first time in South America, first stay at a Grand Hyatt hotel and first Swedish massage — not to mention, at the largest spa facility in all of Colombia, South America and the Caribbean, Zaitania Spa in the Grand Hyatt Bogotá.

After already spending a couple days in the hotel exploring the fitness facility and joining a tour with the general manager, I was familiar with the Zaitania Spa before my appointment. The brand-new spa extends tthe entire third floor of the hotel. Exploring the different treatment rooms, some for couples, all offer a wide variety of therapies. Makeup and lotion are available for purchase; the neighboring near-Olympic-sized pool and several smaller surrounding therapy pools invite guests for a dip before or after a treatment.

The spa is kind of a world of its own. So much so, in fact, locals can purchase a membership to the spa and have their own entrance and cubby in the locker room, completely separate of hotel guests.

Knowing I would appreciate my spa treatment 100 times more once I finished some work, I skipped the pre-spa pool experience offered to guests. Most guests enjoying a spa treatment opt to head down to Zaitania early to find a locker, get in a robe and slippers and make their way to the pool area before their appointment.

Once I made my way to the spa for my massage, I strolled around testing aromatherapy lotions and waited for my masseur to be ready. His name was Oscar and he had an impressively firm hand grip — a good sign for my Swedish massage to come. He escorted me to my room, showed me where everything was and disappeared so I could change and hop on the table.

He came back about 5–10 minutes later and put on some soothing music. After a few days of walking all over Bogotá, I was looking forward to my 50-minute massage. I had never had a Swedish massage before, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

I knew it was time for the massage to begin as an aromatherapy scent of tangerine and vanilla filled the room. I couldn’t tell if it was the oil being used for the massage or just a fragrance releasing in the room, but it was incredibly soothing and refreshing at the same time.

The massage began and I could feel the tension in the shoulders and back ease away. The foot to leg massage was a great way to begin. My masseur focused on one side first, then the other and I thought I was going to fall asleep by the time he worked on my back and arms. Normally I like a tough massage, something along the lines of deep-tissue, but this was somewhere between. The parts that needed deep-tissue, like my shoulders, received a tougher touch, but not so much on my legs and arms. It was definitely lighter with less pressure.

One unique aspect I’ve never experienced, my masseuse pulled my arm behind my back with my elbow at a 90-degree angle and pulled my arm and shoulder side to side, about five times, on both arms. I assume it was to further loosen the muscles, but I have to admit, I didn’t really feel a difference in the tension after that.

He went back to my shoulders and behind my neck — I guess I was super tense — and then began a head massage. Signaling my massage was almost over, it was time to roll over and spend the last few minutes with a towel over my face during a light massage on my arms and front of my legs.

Now a bit more alert — I was nearing sleep a few times there — I could hear the music winding down and the entire experience coming to an end. My masseur thanked me and left so I could change. I wondered why I said “you’re welcome” instead of saying thank you to him, but I’ll blame it on the language barrier and my post-massage brain.

Calle 24 A # 57 – 60

Bogotá, Colombia 111321