I’ve been on dozens of girl trips and as is the law of probability, there’s going to be one or two that don’t go according to plan.  One of our most memorable trips to go awry was our spa getaway to Sedona, the spiritual capital of Arizona.  We had reservations to stay at the Enchantment Resort, a gorgeous resort surrounded by the red rock formations of Boynton Canyon, with spa treatments lined up for Saturday morning at the resort’s world-ranked Mii Amo Spa. 

We drove up to Sedona from Phoenix on Friday afternoon and didn’t pay much attention to the rain until it became a downpour.  After trying our hardest to enjoy some wet weather shopping in town, we decided to head out to the resort.  Shopping isn’t very fun when you’re soaked.  (more…)

In honor of Travel & Leisure’s Spa Week, here are a few spa-related articles from our archives:

• World’s Best Spas
• Spa Tips
• Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, Texas)
• Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, AZ)
• Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah) 
• Win a Golf and Spa Getaway! 
• Miramonte Resort & Spa (Indian Wells, CA) 
• Hotel Del Coronado (San Diego, CA)
• Palm Springs, California
• Sand and Sun Package at the Ritz (Naples, FL)
• Vinotherapy

When I first heard the term Vinotherapy I thought it meant drinking a chilled glass of chardonnay every hour. It works for me. I was only slightly disappointed to learn that it’s a series a spa treatments based on grape seed extract.  After years of research at (where else) France’s Bordeaux University, aspects of grapes have been found to combat the free radicals which age skin, increase circulation and supply beneficial anti-oxidants. 

Kenwood Inn and Spa, located in the heart of the Napa/Sonoma wine country, has the distinction of being the only spa in the country to offer Caudalie’s Vinotherapie. (more…)

From now through June 30th you can take advantage of some great discounts for spa services and hotel accommodations.  June is Travel & Leisure’s “Go to a Hotel Month” (GTHM) and hotels across the country are offering discounts to celebrate the occasion.

This week is Spa Week (June 17 - June 23) and when you mention GTHM, you’ll receive 35% off the price of select treatments.  Next week is Hotel Week with 35% off your second and third night’s stay at select hotels.

Here’s a sampling of some of the Spa Week discounts: (more…)

Ranked as one of the top ten spas in the world by Travel & Leisure, the Green Valley Resort & Spa offers outdoor adventure, scenic beauty and a full array of spa services.  Green Valley Resort is located in southern Utah near Zion National Park and offers 16 different types of fitness classes, as well as hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. During July and August you can take advantage of their “Bring a Friend and Save” package.  Here are the details:  (more…)

Are you and your girlfriends planning to spend a leisurely day at the spa? I ran across some good spa guidelines on SpaFinder.com – here are my favorites based on their list.

• Book your treatment in advance; when reserving treatments for a group, book as early as possible. If you prefer a male or female therapist, make this request when you’re booking the treatment.
• Arrive 15-30 minutes before your treatment appointment to allow enough time to check-in at the spa and change into your robe before your treatment. 
• Tranquility and cell phones don’t mesh well. Turn off your cell phone or better yet, leave it at home. 
• If you’re having a facial, let your therapist know if you’re wearing contacts.
• Try not to bring valuables to the spa.
• Ask for a tour of the main areas of the facility before your treatment.
• Check the activity schedule, so you can plan your time at the spa. Some spas offer complimentary fitness classes (i.e. - yoga, pilates, etc.) to spa guests.  Bring fitness clothes and footwear to wear to class.
• During your treatment, let your therapist know if something needs to change; are they massaging too lightly or too deeply?  Are there areas where you need extra attention? Your feedback helps your therapist tailor the treatment to you.
• Bring your bathing suit so you can enjoy the whirlpool and lounge by the pool after your treatment.

[More tips on Spa Finder]

From now until May 28, the Miramonte Resort and Spa is offering their “YAYA Girlfriends Getaway” package.  Designed for six or more girlfriends, the package includes:

• Three Superior rooms for two nights
• One Pittura Fiesta painting party
• Six foot rituals (15-minute treatments)
• Hand analysis interpreting personal needs and relationships
• Customized wellness class - yoga, tai chi, pilates, and hydro yo chi
• Fitness center access 

The Well Spa at the resort has 19 treatment areas, 4 mud baths and a Watsu pool. Miramonte has three outdoor pools with spas and cabanas, and is located minutes away from Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

Two night package is $1596 for six ($266/person)

When reserving, refer to as the “Spa Finder group special”.

[ Via Spa Finder ]

For a long time Palm Springs was known as a celebrity desert hideaway. It’s status as a hideaway has long passed, but it’s still a great escape for swimming, sunbathing, tennis and golfing in warm, sunny weather.  Located at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area is dotted with almost as many golf courses as palm trees.
 
My first visit to Palm Springs came after enduring a long rainy winter in Seattle. I couldn’t wait to see the sun and Palm Springs didn’t disappoint. It was over Spring Break and temperatures were already well into the 90’s. We stayed at the Spanish-inspired Rancho Las Palmas, a resort with golf, tennis, spa and swimming pools.  It can be expensive, but you can find deals on Expedia or other travel sites.  We spent many hours just hanging out at the pool.  Our room was a one story casita with its own patio facing the golf course, pond and landscaped grounds.  We had dinner at the Wildflower Grille, across from our casita. The menu is continental and the food was good.  We were seated on the patio overlooking the pool and golf course. 

A popular destination if you don’t mind being a little further from Palm Springs is the La Quinta Resort and Club.  With 41 pools, 7 restaurants, a spa with 35 treatments rooms, 5 golf courses, and 23 tennis courts, it’s a full service resort and chosen by Robb Report as “Best Tennis Resort”.  All guests stay in one-story early California-style casitas, which are clustered around the many pools. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, its hosted stars like Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn, Errol Flynn and Greta Garbo. While staying in one of the resort’s casitas, Frank Capra was inspired to write the script for “It Happened One Night”.