Boston - February 10, 2006

Tropical Ointment

Pyara’s Caribbean Therapy Body Treatments

T.S. Eliot got it wrong: February is actually the cruelest month.

Watching your friends jet off to Tortola while you have to stay behind and work is brutal. Come to think of it, so is going to Tortola yourself and then having to come back and work.

Soften either blow with another trip — to Pyara in Harvard Square, for one of the day spa’s Caribbean therapy body treatments.

Snuggle into one of the toasty rooms, toss off your clothes (it’s the islands, mon), and sprawl out while you’re dry-mitt exfoliated from head to toe, then cosseted and detoxed with a self-warming seaweed masque and body wrap, and finally rinsed with a Vichy shower.

With most treatments, that would be it. But here you’re treated to face, scalp, and body massages (with rose and neroli oil) — rendering the treatment more mini-vacation than quick indulgence.

As for afterward … well. Don’t even think about going back to work.

Pyara Spa & Salon, 104 Mt. Auburn Street, Harvard Square (617-497-9300).