Running around the Valley for work or for play can take a toil on one’s body. Yes, it’s fun, but it is work at the same time. The perfect place for a soak in a hot mineral bath and a massage— for residents and visitors alike—is Dr. Wilkinson’s Spa in Calistoga. One of the first things guests notice upon arriving at the historic spa is the original—now iconic—lighted sign. Dr. Wilkinson’s Spa is the oldest continuing family-owned spa in the Napa Valley, initially built in 1952 as a bathhouse, an alternative for its time, by Dr. John (Doc) Wilkinson and his wife, Edy. The San Francisco natives fell in love with Calistoga’s healing qualities that the town provided. In1946 they relocated to open a business that would complement their chiropractic practice. According to Mark Wilkinson, Doc and Edy’s son, frequent guests of the bathhouse suggested they build a hotel so they could stay and enjoy the healing benefits longer. In 1962, a 12-unit hotel was built. “You can still barely see our handprints in the cement in front of the spa,” said Mark, referring to the imprints of his father, mother, sister Carolynne and himself. For the past 25 years, Mark, his sister and her husband, Howard Clair, have co-managed the property. “Mother and Father founded the business,” said Mark. “My sister and I helped expand the business, including 40 guest rooms, the purchase and remodel of the Hideaway Cottages and more pools. Facials and product lines were added in the 1980s.” Mark grew up at the spa and remembers checking guests into the hotel as young as ten-years old. He left Calistoga briefly to attend UC Berkeley, but came back to “help out” and has stayed on to this day. He is full of stories, fun facts and historical recollections of Calistoga. “We meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world,” he said. “We had a Russian woman who came every year for seven years to celebrate her birthday. She would cook Russian food for herself and invite all our guests.” Ironically, his father didn’t like to travel, Mark said. “But he didn’t need to because the world came to him.” The facility offers three hot mineral pools, one indoor and two outdoors. The indoor pool before was heavenly. It is naturally heated from 48 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine . com a hot spring on the property some 250 feet deep. Additionally, Calistoga is blessed with pure volcanic ash and intensely mineralized hot springs water. Doc figured out early on how to combine the two with vital Canadian peat to make mud treatments as effective as possible. But the primary thing guests like and prefer about Dr. Wilkinson’s Spa is that it is simple and not over the top with hype. “Our goal is not to change too much, because what we offer is working,” said Mark. “We are original, authentic, upscale, affordable— and we take great pride in what we do.” www.drwilkinson.com Article and photos by Kari Ruel Carolynne Wilkinson Clair, Mark Wilkinson and Howard Clair Dr. Wilkinson’s Spa celebrates 60 years of natural, simple relaxation
NVLife_MarApr_2013
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