First - I know I owe a part 2 for the Broadmoor - it will come soon! In the middle of traveling and interviewing and packing and I want to do it well...
In the meantime, I was able to check out a spa/healthclub in Denver's Cherry Creek area this week, so I'll give it a quick write-up.
Short version:
If this place were part of my regular workout routine, I think I'd feel pretty zen.
Branding - the name has some borrowed equity. Pura Vida is the name of a premier yoga/spa destination in Costa Rica, which I haven't yet had the pleasure of visiting. Also a Costa Rican colloquialism for living well, etc. The club's web site even mentions that. So it's not necessarily a bad thing - right away it conjures up blue skies and relaxation and living well. The question is, does it deliver on that promise?
Atmosphere - From the moment you walk in, you're immediately transported from the mildly annoying, shoppy world of Cherry Creek below, and into a true spa environment. I'm a sucker for a water feature, especially in old waterless Denver. There's also a cool little lounge area with a gas fireplace. Ordinarily awesome, but it was a bit hot for that yesterday. Anyway, very soothing, simple, breezy vibe. Well done.
Staff - Very friendly and helpful. Especially because I managed to show up in a rush and without half my workout clothes/accessories. They helped me find a decent tank top in their shop for $7. Not bad. Also, I had to figure out using a free guest pass - technically I wasn't eligible because I am not a local resident. But they were really great about it, and it didn't take much prodding to get them to approve 20% off a spa treatment, either. Sadly, I couldn't find an appt that fit with my schedule, so I can't review the spa aspect of Pura Vida. But I can tell you the spa receptionist was very helpful and really tried to find something to accommodate me - I'm just crazy busy this week. Even the locker room attendant was on top of her game - politely getting a chatty kathy off her cell phone (prohibited -- which is a huge plus in my book.) Excellent job, Pura Vida Staff!
Fitness Center - There are a bunch of studios for classes, pilates, etc. Didn't use them, but they looked bright and airy. The main fitness center with all the cardio and weights machines is nice. Surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, but shielded from the rocky mountain sun with UV window shades. Not a huge space, but a decent amount of machines and not too crowded (although I'm betting it gets a bit cozy in there at peak times). Also, a huge plus - not every cardio machine had a TV screen. I'm glad those are an option, but I hate having them right in my face when I'm working out, and many of the newer health clubs kind of force them on you with every machine. So I was glad to nab a really awesome treadmill with a high tech screen featuring a trainer/nature course/racetrack, but not a big old TV screen 4 inches from my eyeballs. Also, the machine had iPod and USB ports, and allowed you to download your workouts to a USB for any sort of personal trainer software you're using. Very nice feature for regular members. Disappointed not to find a water dispenser with cups (having also forgotten my water bottle), but I get that from an environmental perspective, a water fountain is just fine. Also would have liked fruit-infused water to be available - maybe with cucumbers or melons or whatever. I've been spoiled by places like the Broadmoor and the Trump when it comes to that stuff; it's certainly not a major shortcoming to lack it. But a huge plus - the SOFTEST towels I've ever found at any spa/healthclub. Unbelievable. And the locker room facilities are top notch - perfectly clean, plenty of huge lockers, spacious seated vanity areas for getting ready, and really nice, if somewhat limited, amenities (body lotion smelled great, hairspray, deodorant, and mouthwash also available). Both the workout facilities and locker room fit very well with the vibe set in the lobby. All in all, a solid facility.
Other perks - Another fantastic feature is the free parking, which is worth a lot in the heart of cherry creek. Also love the fruit bowls in the lobby - it's great grabbing a healthy snack when you skip lunch for a workout. (Or, in my sad world, had a hot dog covered in cheese and bacon before working out, so feel like an apple after the treadmill might help break you even for the day...). As for the spa, 20% discount on treatments for members Monday to Friday. And I checked them out on Twitter - if you follow them you can discover great deals - today they are listing 30% off spa treatments for anyone today only. That's good use of inventory and social media - both pluses in my book.
So to give this place a full review, I'd have to use it at peak times and get a chance to use the spa. Also, I have no idea what it costs (another quasi-annoying feature of many higher end clubs like this - you can't find anything without going through practically a timeshare presentation...), so I can't say if it's delivering value for the price. But I do recommend checking it out if you are in the market for a fancy schmancy health club (and I mean fancy schmancy in the best possible way...).
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