One of my favorite resorts in Scottsdale is the Royal Palms.  From now until May 31, the Royal Palms Resort is offering a “Ladies Fling” package. 

The package includes:

• two nights in their Plaza Room with two double beds
• two spa treatments in their Alvadora Spa
• dinner for two at T. Cook’s 
• welcome gift of Rosa Regali, an Italian fine wine
• assortment of homemade truffles

Cost of the package is $1,168.

[Via Royal Palms Resort & Spa]

When visiting the Biltmore I like to stay at the Grove Park Inn – a grand historic hotel that overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and the estate winery.  When you stand on the expansive rear balcony, you’ll feel like a member of the F. Scott Fitzgerald party, one of the Inn’s many illustrious guests that included the likes of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and eight U.S. presidents.

And good news for spa lovers - the Grove Park Inn is better than ever with a recent renovation and a brand new 40,000 sq ft full service spa.  (more…)

This past weekend we had a girls’ getaway in Scottsdale, Arizona and our first day was spent at the Fairmont Princess Willow Stream Spa.  I chose the Arizona Aromatherapy Facial, which included a hand, foot and shoulder massage followed by heat wraps. I’m not sure what was better, the facial or the massage with heat wraps. They were both wonderful.

One of the nice things about the Spa at the Princess is the variety of activities. As a spa guest you can lounge by their rooftop pool, take a Pilates class, work out at the fitness center, soak in the whirlpool, stand under a waterfall or just find a comfortable place to read a book by the fire.  In between treatments and activities spa guests can refuel with complimentary muffins, fruit, cookies, iced teas, prickly pear lemonade, water, hot teas and coffee.  If you’d like, you can order lunch as well.  The bento box was the favorite in our group.  While treatments are a little more expensive than other spas in Scottsdale, the Spa at the Princess also offers more activities and more diverse facilities than most.

Just a few miles outside the city on the shores of Lake Austin, you’ll find a spa called the Lake Austin Spa Resort. In 2005, Lake Austin Spa was voted by Travel + Leisure as one of the top ten best destination spas in the world. The first time we stayed at Lake Austin was for a special birthday weekend. By the end of the weekend, we were so relaxed we didn’t want to leave.  Our casita had its own patio facing the lake.  The casitas are tastefully decorated with designer details such as decorative iron work made by a local craftsman.  The decoration throughout the resort is an eclectic mix of pieces from around the world.   (more…)

Ready for a pajama party to top all others?  This weekend the Fairmont Empress Hotel, a beautiful historic hotel located in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia, is offering a girl’s getaway called the “Ultimate Pajama Party Package”.  The package which costs $429 per person is available March 3-5 and includes: 

• Two nights accommodation in the hotel
• Friday night Red Carpet Martini Reception (pajama attire only)
• Saturday Breakfast
• Saturday Afternoon Tea
• Saturday Three-Course Gala Dinner 
• Sunday Breakfast 
• Farewell Lunch
• Seminars on success, happiness, and fashion tips
• Historic Walking Tour of The Fairmont Empress 
• Victoria Harbor Ferry Cruise 
• Live Entertainment
• Door Prizes
• Willow Stream Spa Discounts
• More details

So pack your jammies and get ready for some royal treatment! 

If you haven’t already, try a destination spa and just enjoy being pampered. Here’s Travel + Leisure’s list of the “World’s Best Spas of 2005”:

1. Miraval, Life in Balance, Catalina, Arizona
2. Mii Amo, Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona
3. Green Valley Spa, George, Utah
4. Hilton Head Health Institute, South Carolina
5. Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico
6. Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
7. Golden Door, Escondido, California
8. Terme di Saturnia, Grosseto, Italy
9. Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Lenox, Massachusetts
10. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas 

We chose Lake Austin Spa a few years ago. Between spa treatments, we lay by the pool, took classes in water coloring, cooking, pilates, yoga, and tai chi, watched movies and had some excellent meals. Definitely a splurge, but worth it. 

One of our favorite places in all of New England is Woodstock, Vt. Only 90 minutes or so from two regional airports (Burlington, VT and Manchester NH) it’s an easy place to reach for a relaxing retreat.  The Currier and Ives-esque village buzzes year round, but it’s especially busy during the fall foliage and winter ski seasons.  We prefer to visit Woodstock during the summer, but you’ll find the best hotel deals in early spring from March to May.  The beautiful Woodstock Inn & Resort has a package called the “Serenity Season Plan” that includes two nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily and special coupon offers from local merchants.  (more…)