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Chocolate Covered FebruaryA Chocolate Immersion DayBy Sandra Scott
My hubby and I started our “Chocolate Covered” experience at Lebbie’s Restaurant at the Hershey Lodge with breakfast of kiss-shaped chocolate chip waffles topped with whipped chocolate butter. We even remembered to have our fruit – dipped in the chocolate fondue fountain. The Spa at the Hotel Hershey was our next stop for some immersion therapy. The Spa is a place of hedonistic pleasures. The elegant surroundings set the mood and so does “quiet time.” After enrobing we found a quite spot. Actually my husband headed to the silent no-talking room. I relaxed in a leather chair snugged in an mahogany paneled alcove of the “sitting room” with a view of the snow covered lawns and hill.
While my skin was being transformed into something silky
soft and chocolately smooth, I learned about Milton S. Hershey’s connection with
Cuba – hence the sugar additive in the scrub and the Spa’s offering, “The Cuban
Experience.” Did you know there is a Hershey, Cuba? While no longer part of
the Hershey, PA family it was where Hershey acquired cane sugar plantations and
constructed refineries so he would have a reliable source of sugar. He
established a planned community for the workers, called Central Hershey, similar
to the one in Pennsylvania including a school for orphaned children.
My whole body was then ready for a Chocolate Fondue Wrap! Warmed moor mud and essence of cocoa revitalized and nourished my skin. After the body brushing and fondue application I was swaddled in a soft warm blanket. With my skin nourished it was time to nourish myself in another manner, so after a Vichy Shower I headed to the restaurant.
“One of the best things about all this chocolate is that they don’t add a single calorie,” claimed my hubby. Initially he was less than enthusiastic about spending the day at the spa but since it was a gift he couldn’t decline. One treatment – and seeing all the other men at the spa – and he became a spa enthusiast.
The day was so special we didn’t want it to end. Luckily my hubby had the best idea, “Let’s go to the Iberian Lounge for a cocktail before dinner. And so we did. I had a Chocolate Amore
Martini while my husband had the Iberian Lounge’s signature drink, The Hotel
Hershey.
The Circular Dining Room is another great idea of Milton S. Hershey! Feeling that guests that were poor tippers or less prominent were “stuck in the corner” he created a dining room with no corners. Gotta’ love that man for creating a chocolate heaven! My husband ordered what he always orders – scallops – but this time it was Cocoa Seared Scallops! I opted for Grilled Sea Bass with Vanilla Scented Endive and a Mocha Reduction!
“I have to admit, a spa day wasn’t first on my list of things to do, but what a wonderful escape! Thanks!” Photos courtesy of Sandra Scott, John Scott, and Hershey, PA. Make your chocolate dreams come true: Call (800) HERSHEY or check www.hersheypa.com or www.ChocolateCoveredFebruary.com |
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As every chocoholic knows anything can be
covered in chocolate. But how about a whole, entire month covered in
chocolate? In fact during Chocolate Covered February you can literally immerse
yourself in chocolate! Where can you celebrate Chocolate Covered February? Why,
in the “Sweetest Place on Earth” – of course – Hershey, PA. Actually, everyday
is “chocolate covered” in Hershey but during February there are special
chocolate events and menu offerings. 
All my cares drained away during the
Whipped Chocolate Bath of foaming chocolate milk. After the bath I headed for my
secret spot – the Oasis, not for lunch but to recline on the leather lounging
sofa surrounded by filmy drapes feeling like Shaharazade. I expected my
toga-clad servant to arrive momentarily with grapes. That didn’t happen – maybe
the next time! Too soon, Kim, my spa hostess, arrived to tell me it was time
for my Chocolate Sugar Scrub. By this time I couldn’t even envision the “real”
world!
By the end
of World War II, the company found it no longer needed its Cuban sources, so the
holdings were sold.
Feeling renewed physically and mentally I waited for my
hubby to join me at the Oasis Restaurant, which is open only to spa guests.
Robes are the uniform of the day. My husband had his own chocolate spa treatment
that included Chocolate Hydrotherapy and Chocolate Bean Scrub.
We enjoyed views of the lawns,
cloaked in fresh snow and lunched on healthy veggie warps and salads, so we felt
we deserved the yummy chocolate creme brulee. Then it was time for more
pampering. While my husband had a Hot Stone Massage, I had a Cocoa Message. We
hated to leave so we spent an hour reading in one of quiet rooms. Well, if the
truth be told – he napped!
And surprise! Every specialty martini comes with Hershey Kiss or
Hershey Hug in the bottom of each drink. What a concept!
Stretching the day out even longer we
returned to the Iberian Lounge where Gene Zvolensky the beverage manager
suggested we try the chocolate wine or chocolate beer! However we opted for a
Milton Hershey Chocolate Coffee Kiss! Sitting around the roaring fire we plotted
the next day’s activities. We still hadn’t explored the world of chocolate and
wine pairing. And, maybe more spa time!