Split, Croatia: Le Meridien's Diocletian Spa

The spa experience at the Le Meridien begins with the elevator ride down to the spa. Enter the elevator and follow the instructions: "Breathe in" for an "Elevated Experience," "Breathe Out" and the elevator door opens to Spa Level. Walk past busts of Diocletian to the spa named in honor of the Roman Emperor who built his summer retirement palace in nearby Split on the Adriatic coast the 4th century. The Diocletian Spa exudes chic providing an ideal backdrop for pampering, relaxation and revitalizing of mind, body and soul. The spa's long list of signature treatments and massages, state of the art fitness equipment, meditation rooms, circular indoor pool and breathtaking outdoor Infinity pool give an added impetus to rejuvenation.　

I puzzled for a few minutes on the Edith Wharton quote on the entry wall, "There are lots of ways of being miserable, but there's only one way of being comfortable, and that is to stop running round after happiness. If you make up your mind not to be happy there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." I decided that miserable feelings are best obliterated by total relaxation – the specialty of the Diocletian Spa. Their Diocletian Seven-day Package that includes a variety of treatments designed to refresh the mind, body and spirit ends in the relaxation room with expansive views of the Adriatic and light of Split off in the distance. The spa is just one aspect of the Meridien which also has a marina, casino, shuttle to the city center, and cooking classes. For more information check http://www.lemeridienlavsplit.com/.