Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Spa Specializing in What is Unconventional and Unique
Aired August 31, 2001 - 09:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: When most people go to a resort spa, they go to relax and recover from life in the fast lane, but now our travel correspondent, not our Gail O'Neill. Of course not. She just can't sit still. She found a place that actually encourages clients to get all revved up. That's a different spa experience.
GAIL O'NEILL, CNN TRAVEL CORRESPONDENT: It is a very different spa experience. And I can actually sit still. But this is spa is just specializing in what is in unconventional and unique. And from the setting to eclectic menu of things to do, the resort you're about to see is really one of a kind.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'NEILL (voice-over): Chateau Elan was started 21 years ago by Donald and Nancy Panos in the town of Brazelton, Georgia, where the founders noticed that the landscape, just 40 minutes northeast of Atlanta, had a familiar look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it reminded them very much of that, you know, part of France, the vineyards, the rolling hills, and that kind of things.
O'NEILL: Today the vineyards at Chateu Elan produce an average of 20,000-30,000 cases of wine a year. The first winery of its kind in the region since Prohibition. In time, yet another concept took route.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The main thing is just relax.
O'NEILL: Amenities like massage are offered, along with unconventional treatments like color therapy baths, and hot-stone facials.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's also crystals for different chakras of the body -- mind, heart -- and they will induce what you're looking for. If you are too stressed and need to relax, then we might use a turquoise crystal. If you need some more energy, than it might be a different one.
O'NEILL: And a day of pampering at the spa is probably the best way to gear up for Chateau Elan's fastest growing attraction.
MICHAEL SWAINE, EXEC. DIR., ROAD ATLANTA: Atlanta is a two and a half mile road course. On this road course, you actually have to turn right and left, and you have elevation changes upwards of 115 feet.
O'NEILL: But should your field of dreams encompass greener pastures, there are three, 18-hole golf course, a tennis center developed by Stan Smith, and horseback riding, making the winery turned resort spa a popular destination for those who crave adventure and appreciate a little southern comfort.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: All right, we saw the race cars. Did you drive?
O'NEILL: Well, I wanted to drive. I was very courageous in that sense. But when I got in the car, with a professional, I found that I was totally stressed out, I mean, these cars at going at 200 miles an hour. You're constantly making split-second decisions, and it's hot in there, about 120 degrees, on top of having to wear a flame- retardant suit that traps your body heat. I got out on wobbly knees, saying I would never do it again. I feel like it took 10 years off my life. For people that love racing, go for it.
KAGAN: Well, Let us review here. a spa and stress. These are the two things that are usually supposed to go together, so who came up with this idea with a spa where you can also drive a race car?
O'NEILL: It's really more of a reflection of the two people who started the place than anything else. The guy who started it, Don Panos, is actually a big race car enthusiast, and his wife is somebody who just loves spas, and that whole kind of background. So Chateau Elan is really a reflection of the people who started it, as opposed to what a focus group said would be perfect for a spa and be successful.
KAGAN: I got it, two people who are just following their passions.
O'NEILL: Absolutely.
KAGAN: Great to see you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
