A Girls Weekend at the One Ocean Resort and Spa (Part 2)

Pulsating liquid pleasure. I was experiencing the Vichy Shower portion of my Ocean Polish and Marine Detox Wrap at the One Ocean Resort and Spa. It was heaven.

To jog your memory, the resort recently invited me down for a visit (so, yes, friends, portions of the trip were complimentary). So, my friend, Lane, and I decided to do a girls wellness weekend at the resort just outside of Jacksonville, Fla.

But, back to the beginning of the spa visit… It was Saturday afternoon, and I was wrapped up in my spa robe, sipping on a complimentary glass of bubbly, and overlooking the pool and beach from the spa’s relaxation area. Now, I’ve been to plenty of spas surrounded by beautiful scenery, but too many properties fail to take advantage of these views. (I’m talking about spas by the sea that are down in the basement of the hotel.) Friends, this is where the One excels. Just look at the photo above.  

Right on time, my therapist, Judy, met me in the relaxation room, and she escorted me to the treatment room. She explained what would happen over the course of the 80-minute treatment, and then it was go time. Basically, the Ocean Polish and Marine Detox Wrap involves the following… First, a purifying organic bio-scrub of gigartina seaweed, lavender, and salts of the earth polish the skin. Next up is a gigartina seaweed wrap that hydrates the skin. 

This is when the Vichy Shower enters the picture. It’s basically a multijet device that allows you to be showered off while on the treatment table. Lovelies, I never wanted that part to end. But, when the treatment finishes with a custom massage with an antioxidant rich coconut algae oil, it makes it easier to accept that it’s time to move on. 

Throughout the treatment, Judy was both professional and warm. And when we were finished, she escorted me back to the relaxation room, where I read a few more pages of my book before it was time to return to reality. 

But, reality wasn’t so bad. The annual Dancin’ in the Street festival was taking place just beyond the hotel doors. So, we listened to a little live music and then wandered over to local staple, Poe’s Tavern, where we gobbled down nachos and buffalo shrimp served two ways — in tacos and in a salad.  

A day of sitting in the sun, relaxing at the spa, and having a few cocktails left us snuggling into bed around 9 p.m. Besides, we had to be up bright and early the next morning to grab our chairs and umbrella on the beach (BTW, their use is included in the daily resort fee, friends)! 

The sun greeted us the next morning, as we enjoyed our docent-delivered tea service and decided what to order from room service. We opted to order a variety of goodies and share including the banana bread French toast, a berry and yogurt parfait, and a frittata filled with delicious veggies and topped with mozzarella. We felt like these choices allowed for the prefect balance of healthy and indulgence.

By 10 a.m. we were by the beach, and that is where we stayed, except to occasionally walk up to the poolside bar to ask the awesome bartender, Melissa, to make another pina colada. (Well, also went for a run on the beach before we started enjoying said pina coladas.) We were even able to have lunch from the pool delivered to us on the beach. This day, I opted to go with the seafood Cobb salad, which was just as delish as the quinoa option from the day before.

Around 4 p.m., we headed up to the pool for a dip. Next up, we headed a few blocks from the hotel to the casual dining concept, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, for a little dinner. Given our beach location and all of the great seafood in the area, I wouldn’t normally have selected this spot. But, Lane was eager to try it — and I’m so glad she talked me into it! (FYI, there are locations all over the country, with one opening here soon in Atlanta.) 

For starters, they had my favorite Athens, Ga., craft beer on tap: Terrapin Luau Krunkles. Next up, the service was on point. (For example, we sat at the bar, and at one point, Jeffrey, our bartender, brought Lane and I a sample of the kimchi-stuffed olives just because we mentioned we were curious about them.) 

Lastly, the food was just what we needed after a day in the sun. We ordered summer rolls, five-spice green beans, Pad Thai, and a few other dishes to fill our bellies. We waddled out of there fat and happy — and again, we were ready for bed by 9 p.m.

Our last morning at the One was spent enjoying our morning tea service (I really wished I could bring this home with me) and going for a long walk on the beach together. Of course, the weather pulled out the stops for us one last time with sunny skies dappled with fluffy white clouds. 

Before we knew it, Jay was welcoming us back into his sedan for the drive to the airport. Saying “goodbye” to the One was a little bittersweet. But, I knew I’d be back to this fit someday soon. After all, we all need to have an easy-to-get-to spot when we’re in need of a little beach bliss.