By
Marilyn Odesser-Torpey
Felicita means happiness in Spanish. It also means an overnight getaway for two, complete with cozy accommodations, warm therapeutic bath, hot stone massage and fabulous three-course dinner, at Harrisburg’s posh
Felicita Resort and Spa for the seriously discounted price of $329.
While
Hershey Resorts has a fabulous spa, it’s not the only one in Dauphin County. I just returned from indulging in one of Felicita’s specially priced spa retreats and, believe me, it’s a great bargain. I arrived on a chilly, rainy Friday, totally stressed out from a week glued to my computer. With hot stones and deft hands, the spa therapist relaxed my tight back muscles. She gave particular attention to the knotted spots I identified and she gently -- but definitely firmly -- worked them into submission.
Felicita’s spa package includes a 90-minute hot stone massage. If you prefer, for the same price, you can select a 60-minute hot stone treatment plus a relaxing soak in a Roman bath filled with 95- to- 102-degree water fortified with skin hydrating champagne, refreshing Merlot wine and moisturizing milk whey, nourishing Himalayan rock salt or other nutrients. You can even create your own customized combination of add-ins. Tax and gratuities are included with your package. Even if you don’t go for the bath, you can still use the resort’s hot tub and sauna.
Dinner in the elegant Felicita Room consisted of four courses of wonderfulness; beginning with a rich and creamy/chunky seafood bisque, followed by a signature salad of mixed baby greens with mandarin oranges, candied pecans and dried cranberries. You have other choices such as French onion soup and Caesar salad, but I thoroughly enjoyed mine. Entrée options include a jumbo lump crab cake, duck breast with raspberry sauce and Delmonico steak Florentine with Roquefort cheese cream. My husband and I were so full that we took our desserts (slices of fudgy chocolate cake and pumpkin cheesecake) back to our lodge room for a late-night snack.
Speaking of the lodge, our room was spacious, yet it felt really cozy. Its wooded mountainside setting and sweeping view from the porch (some have balconies instead) added to the serenity of our surroundings.
Felicita’s Spa Escape overnight package is available Thursday, Friday or Saturday through March 31st. If you can’t stay the night, you may also opt for a day package, which gives you a choice of two spa services -- a 60-minute massage or express facial and manicure or pedicure for $99. Day guests are welcome to use the hot tub and sauna. Tax and gratuity are not included in the day package.