My sister is turning 40 and I'm looking for a great spa to take her to in Boston or Framingham, Massachusetts (she lives in Holliston). Preferably the place will be able to accommodate about 5 of us and will have massage, facial, mani, pedi, and lunch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I go to Bella Sante Salon on Newbury Street. It could easily accomodate 5 of you, (if they have availability) and I have seen many groups of 4 or 5 having a birthday/wedding/type day there.
You can get all you mentioned except lunch, although they do not provide it, they used to make arrangements to have delivered for you but I don't know if they still do as I haven't seen anyone doing that lately. Usually I have a good breakfast, then spend the day there and have late lunch/early dinner afterwards (somewhere like Stephanie's on Newbury St is fun with a group of girls) - but they do have fresh fruit, granola bars, plenty of water (cucumber, various fruit) teas, etc.
But it is relatively small, "spa speaking," - by some standards, 2 pedi chairs, 3 mani stations, so you'd have to rotate.

They also have a sauna and showers in locker room.

Their web site is www.bellasante.com -
they also have a location in lexington, but I have never been to that one.

There is also the Gretta Cole salons (grettacole.com) located in Westin Copley Plaza, Atrium in Chesnut Hill and a new one in Wellesley - I have only been there for cosmetics, but they have a line of other treatments so you might want to check into that.

Also on Newbury is Beaucage, which I know several people use, (beaucage.com) and Yolanda's in Waltham (the bridal place) also does a day of beauty/spa/fitness all available, but I did that once years ago so can't speak to their current reputation, but they did serve lunch at the pool, so you might want to check out her website - which I assume if you serach google for the business you should be able to find it.

If you look at these web sites / prices/ photos maybe that will help you decide which would fit your party best....

I should review before I post - it isn't a sauna at Bella Santa, it's a steam room, usually eucalyptus, but if that's a problem I'm sur ehtey'd leave the eucalyptus out if you requested for your time period, they are very accomodating.

Thank you so much...what an incredible help you've been. I'm going to look into the ones you cited.

Plumtree,

There is also Le Pli, www.lepli.com in the Charles Hotel in Cambridge. You can have lunch at Henrietta's Table, www.henriettastable.com right there. I've had treatments at LePli and lunch at Henrietta's-they are both terrific. I saw on the LePli site they have packages with lunch. Have a great time!!

Thank you immensely. This is such a help.

I've had such mixed experiences at Bella Sante.

I've been going to Exhale for over a year now (mostly for yoga/core fusion, but I also had a couple spa treatments when it first opened). I'm not sure if they can accommodate 5 of you, but their atmosphere is exactly what I envision when I think of "spa day".

I love Bella Sante. There's also one in Lexington if you don't want to come into the city.

I'm sure they are all good choices: if you end up at Bella Sante, while I would hope most of their technicians are top notch; my regular appointments are with Alex (or Denuta) for pedicures, manicures and Alex for facials. Body treatments and massages I float around and haven't found a difference. Also, don't know if you want weekday or weekend, but if you inquire, many times if she can , Alex will come in for you on even a Sat/Sunday when she is not scheduled to accomodate.

We're actually going on a Tuesday. Bella Sante looks great - but they don't have packages (a la carte is okay - but seems to have less of a group atmosphere) - they seem not to be able to accommodate five at once for nails. We're leaning toward LePli which does groups all the time. I don't know - it's really difficult to choice...just hope we have a great experience cause it's a big day. Thanks to everyone for all of your help. I don't know what I'd do without Fodors.

...to choose

You'll have a wonderful time wherever you go !!
All the spas that were recommended are excellent, it's comes down to things like personal experiences and habit in my opinion - I would probably love every other spa listed, and know many friends who are happy with them all, but I've been going to Bella for as long as I can remember, so you get used to the facility, the people, they end up knowing what you like and don't for massage, are more accomodating for schedule changes, etc - and then you don't tend to experiment elsewhere except when on vacation !!!

But I am sure you girls will have a blast ! Let us know afterwards - post all about it

Just make sure wherever you book ask the questions so you will know you are getting the experience you want - yes at Bella you can only fit 2 pedi's and 3 mani's in the space, while others do other things - but that may be the set up in other salons too, - one I went to a few years ago b/c a friend took me, I was in a separate small room all by myself for my pedicure (I think it may have changed hands, it used to be near the 4 seasons)
and that was a bit claustrophobic for me -

plus many of the spas have no cell phone, no loud talking policies, etc so itmay not be conducive to lots of chatter and laughter. Groups I've seen at spas are still whispering and speaking softly, so keep that in mind depending on what type of experience you want if you arelooking to be more lively and chatty, just make sure it is allowed - so you won't be disappointed.

Looks like we're back to going to Bella Sante - group concensus is that Cambridge is too busy and difficult to get to and Newbury street is a great area. We're also looking to get makeovers and have lunch somewhere. I read online that Maksou is in same general area and they do makeovers - so we're thinking of stopping in there too. Thanks again.

Actually, Maksou is not near Newbury St., it's in the Financial District.

Look into Michaud Cosmedix on Newbury Street, not far from Bella Sante. While I don't do mymake up there, I go for brow shaping (which is great there, as they follow the line of your brow appropriate for your age and don't just wax or chop it down to nothing - and they do it right with you sitting upright, not lying down which changes the shape of your brow - they believe in plucking, which makes for easier maintenance for you once you get it.... but they do make overs and you might want to check it out -
www.michaudcosmedix.com

I'm sure there are many other make over places, unfortunately the one i go to for make up isn't in downtown boston yet - Beauty and Main -

don't know when you are going, but if weather is nice, another option for eating outside besides Stephanies on Newbury is Parish Cafe on Boylston, right around the corner.