The idea is meant to feel like a “hula wave” that washes over the body and manipulates the brain into total relaxation. But at $2K per massage, that means each finger is worth $20. We’re still waiting on reviews.

That got us thinking —- what other outrageously expensive massages are out there? And what would it take for us to try them out in the name of journalism?

Well, for one, you could get massaged with diamonds. Hearts on Fire and Spa on Location (a mobile spa) joined forces in Santa Monica, California, to bring $1-million worth of loose diamonds to your home to be placed on your spine while a massage therapist massages your back. No, we wouldn’t judge you for slipping a diamond or three into your pockets either.

Photo: o5com/Flickr

At the Mandarin Oriental in New York, you can get a two-person massage that will run you about $660 for 1 hour and 50 minutes. It’s so expensive because it involves two people at once, so you’ll be getting a foot, back and head massage and a scrub all at one time. Yeah, we think that sounds kinda nice.

But as far as innovative massages go, “20-Hands” takes the cake. Where did you receive your most expensive massage?

• Natural Body Spa and Shoppe. Atlanta-based but with several locations in the DC area, these folks bill themselves as “the ultimate Green Spa”, both in their environmental conservation efforts and in the organic products they use and sell. A full-service spa with massage and facial treatments as well, NB is as committed to your emotional wellbeing as it is to your outer beauty.
• Skin Beauty Lounge. This Capitol Hill spa specializes in hair removal, and prides itself on its varied waxing services. It even offers a treatment called “bikini therapy”, which focuses on eliminating pesky waxing by-products like ingrown hair. But it also offers manicures and pedicures, microdermabrasion, self-tanning application, and brow/lash tinting. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is very chilled out. You’ll need an appointment, though – it’s always busy, and you’re not likely to score a walk-in appointment.
• Yvonne’s Hair, Nails & Tan. Are you willing to do anything for the perfect pedicure? If so, head to Yvonne’s Spa in Alexandria, a few miles outside of Old Town. As evidenced by the name, this is a full-service salon and spa; the most popular service, however, is the trademarked the “Dr. Fish” pedicure, which is only available in select states nationwide and involves submerging your feet in individual tanks full of dozens of rare Turkish carp fish. The fish proceed to “attack” your feet, nibbling off all of your dead skin and calluses. (Yes, you read that right.) It’s not painful at all, but it’s definitely not for the squeamish, and prices are a bit on the high side (starting at $50 for 15 minutes with the aforementioned fish). Still, it might just be worth it when you consider how baby-soft your feet will be when the carp are done with them.
• The Teal Center. Teal provides high quality, clinical massage therapy and acupuncture services in its Arlington location, and has recently expanded to include service offerings at nearby Virginia Hospital Center. The therapists here are certified and extensively trained, and offer a wide range of different techniques, depending on your needs – everything from Swedish and Thai massage to reflexology and services for expectant mothers. And prices are reasonable, considering the expert level of service provided.

[Photo: Dennis Wong/Creative Commons]

Aspen, supremely gorgeous in its own right, becomes exponentially more good looking during the winter months as stars descend on this winter playground.  Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner are mainstays of this chi chi mountain village, and Mountain Mama over at Traveling Mamas ran into Seal and Kyle McLachlan while skiing with her family at Buttermilk Mountain. A celebrity winter escape isn’t just fun and games, however, the celebs also try to get their philanthropy on. Every year, the rich and famous strap on their skis and boards to raise money for the Aspen Youth Experience during the Aspen/Snowmass Celebrity Downhill Weekend. Here, stars partake in a variety of semi-competitive events such Fastest Celebrity Racer (Chad Lowe in 2009). Participants in this event have included Dave Navarro, David Alan Grier, Judge Joe Brown, former NBC bigwig Ben Silverman, and former Superman Dean Cain (pictured above on the slopes). The event occurs in February, so be sure to book your rooms at the popular St. Regis early.

When celebrities need to get somewhere sunny, sexy, and celebrity-friendly, many head to the Bahamas, where warmth, sand, and privacy are a given. Tiger Woods, Eddie Murphy, Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon all reside here.  When the Atlantis Resort in Nassau opened its latest property, The Cove, in 2007, Magic Johnson, Cindy Crawford, and Tyra Banks (among others) bought up space in the all-suite, adult-only hotel to party the night away. If you weren’t able to make the little get together, you can still be pampered like a star at The Cove’s Mandara Spa, 30,000 square feet of relaxation and ‘delicate waterfalls’.

Marathoners in London

If patting yourself on the back after out-pacing the ingenue of your choice is more your style, consider participating in the Flora London Marathon, a veritable treasure trove of sweaty, achy, red-faced celebs running for their favorite charities. The Guardian chatted with Katie Price and Peter Andre about their training schedule (when they were together, of course ) about their grueling training schedule for the 2009 London marathon to raise funds for Vision, their charity of choice. Also racing that day was foul-mouthed Chef Gordon Ramsay.

Seen a singer sweating out last night’s soiree at your hotel’s gym? Run into a director while racing across Paris? Leave your Celebrity fitness sightings in the comments.

[Skiing photo: Aspen Youth Experience, Marathon photo: corono / Creative Commons]