Posted: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 01:29 PM - 8,573 Readers

By: Anitra Brown

The Greenhouse in Dallas, Texas, one of the earliest and most famous upscale destination spas, closed back in June. Personally, I didn't think it would be coming back. But I'm happy to report I was wrong! The Greenhouse just reopened, with drastically lower prices and an interesting new option -- all-day packages that include your own guest room.

The Greenhouse opened in 1965 and made its name pampering wealthy ladies in a Southern mansion-style setting while they lost weight or recovered from plastic surgery during week-long stays. It used to cost $5,900 to go to The Greenhouse for a week. Now you can go for $2,850 a week, but they've cut down the number of massages and facials in the package to three each. (Still plenty!!)

Being served breakfast in bed on fine china -- a signature Greenhouse experience that not everyone is into -- is an add-on at that rate, but you are still chaffeured to the spa. Two-night packages are $695 and three-night packages are $1,250. Customers who liked it the old way can still get the "Ultimate Luxury Package" for $5,200, which includes a room upgrade.

Another big change is that you can go for the day, starting at $325 for "Pamper Day." You can arrive as early as 8:30 for the first fitness class and stay until 5 PM, enjoying valet parking, your own guest room, a massage, facial and hand treatment, a poolside lunch, fitness classes, and access to all the facilities, including fitness center, sauna, whirlpool, walking path and tennis courts. You can also go for a la carte services ($100 for a Swedish massage) but don't have access to the facilities. You can't arrive early or linger too long!

Personally, I'm glad that The Greenhouse is back, and I'm hoping they succeed with their new strategy. You can get more details at The Greenhouse's website.

*  Story Contributed by: Anitra Brown