From now until September 10, 2006, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is offering a package to lure even those of us who shy away from Arizona summers.  The Westin Kierland Resort offers golf with air-conditioned carts, tennis, spa services, a fitness studio, a waterpark with a 900 foot flowing river ride, and complimentary shuttle service to shopping in Kierland Commons.

Their Summer’s Hottest Package includes:

• 20% off a spa treatment
• $500 dining & shopping incentive book
• $10 gift certificate at Lather
• Rates start at $169 per night
• Offer is valid now – 9/10/2006
• When booking reservation, use rate code SUMMER

For reservations contact the Westin Kierland Resort.

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…)

Mackinac Island will take you back in time.  That’s exactly what happened to Christopher Reeve in the film Somewhere in Time, which was filmed here at the Grand Hotel.  From its horse drawn buggies, to its Victorian lined streets, the island retains the ambiance of a 19th-century village. Like his character, Richard Collier, you might find yourself sprawling across the bed of your room and saying “It really is June 27, 1912”.

There aren’t a lot of activities on the island.  This is the kind of place where you’ll want to go to soak up the scenery, read a book, spend time catching up with your girlfriends and just relax. (more…)

I may be biased because my husband grew up in Stowe and we lived there in the early 90’s but it’s one of my favorite places in all of New England. Although Stowe is mainly known as a winter skiing destination, it’s also a fantastic place to visit in the summer.  The village of Stowe is located near Mount Mansfield and has a classic white steepled church and plenty of charm.  This quaint village is perfect for exploring by foot and browsing through local shops, galleries, cafes and pubs. 

For places to stay, Stowe offers a selection of inns and authentic ski lodges. One thing you won’t find is a chain hotel. (more…)

Here’s a quick recap of recent Girlaway articles:

• Sharing photos? Try Flickr.
• Flip-Flop Style
• Nantucket
• Booking a Flight?
• Getaway Now: Green Valley Resort & Spa (St. George, Utah)
• Beach Reads
• Carmel, California
• Things to do around Carmel
• Women may Benefit from Moderate Drinking
• Want to be on the Today Show?
• May Highlights

There’s a little joke Nantucket Islanders play on their visitors. When giving directions, they’ll tell you to “just go down Centre Street and turn left at the gray shingled house with the white trim.”  The joke, of course, is almost all of the houses have gray shingles and white trim. That sort of lighthearted teasing is indicative of the spirit of this tiny bit of paradise located only a short ferry ride from the Massachusetts coast. (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…)

Travel about an hour south of San Jose off 101 and you’ll come to the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Carmel, for short, was once a bohemian haven for writers, artists, actors and photographers. The strategic location and scenic beauty of the California coastline has transformed this sleepy village into a posh escape for the well-heeled.  Though the sky-high real estate has chased many of the bohemians from the area, Carmel retains the feel of a small European village.
   
For lodging, stay at the La Playa Hotel - located in the village and only two blocks from Carmel Beach.  This vintage Mediterranean style villa was built as a private residence in 1904 and includes five private cottages and a pool.  (more…)