Pala Casino Spa & Resort
11154 Highway 76
Pala, CA
92059 United States
Tel: 877.946.7252
Overlooking the Palomar Mountain range in Northern San Diego County, Pala Spa’s attention to detail including bamboo flooring, mosaic tiles, wood accents and several water features creates a serene sanctuary. Whether enjoying a soothing massage or indulging in a full spa day, visitors to the Spa leave completely restored and rejuvenated.
Treat Yourself:
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Barton Creek Resort & Spa: Still the Queen of Austin
Sometimes the best of experiences are the ones you take for granted or don’t have to make a huge effort to enjoy; oftentimes the most pleasing golf courses and resorts are right around the corner from your home, so close and accessible that they can be underestimated because of their familiarity.
Such - as I found out this summer - is the case with the much-ballyhooed Barton Creek Resort and Spa, a jewel of a getaway and four fabulous golf courses that I (since I live in a suburb of Austin and work in the capital city of Texas) see about 200 days of the year. [Read more →]
Hotel Los Gatos’ Popular Day Spa Goes Environmental
The New Spa Elia Offers Organic Options for Rejuvenation
Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Hotel Los Gatos announced its newest addition to the growing portfolio of Joie de Vivre resort spas, Spa Elia. With minor renovations, the new Joie de Vivre resort spa, offers a welcoming and organic retreat to Los Gatos locals and visitors.
Blending with Hotel Los Gatos’ Mediterranean theme, Spa Elia whisks guests away to a Mediterranean Garden retreat where treatments are designed to ease the mind … while easing consciousness. With all organic and sustainable products, the intention of Spa Elia is to renew its guests while renewing the planet at the same time … all while offering an extensive menu that invites visitors to enjoy fabulous body, massage, esthetic and nail services.
From an ‘Intuitive Organic Facial’ that uses aloe, rose hips oil and cold-pressed macadamia nut oil to a Mediterranean Lavender Moisture Wrap, guests will relish in the scents as well as the rejuvenating nature of the treatments. All spa experiences can be ’stretched’ into full day retreats with complimentary use of the pool, steam showers, and dry sauna.
Hotel guests interested in a Spa Elia experience have the option of enjoying some treatments in the comfort of their own room. A quick call to the spa with a request for an in-room service is all that is required to make this request a possibility. The friendly staff at the Spa Elia is ready and willing to do anything in order to make the Los Gatos experience a relaxing one.
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Stoneleigh Hotel offers a jet-set getaway in Dallas
As the weather cools off, head down south for a retreat for the senses. A host of haute hotels have risen the heart of Dallas. Of all the new options, the most impressive is surely the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa.
The grande dame, located in the bustling but still bucolic Uptown area of Dallas, opened as a residential hotel in 1923 and was, in the 1930s, embellished with a penthouse and interior styling by the lauded Dorothy Draper firm in New York. The Stoneleigh stood as a center of glamour and the arts for decades, becoming a residence for people like theater maven Margo Jones and a favorite stop for a wideranging guest list including Jack Benny, Katharine Hepburn, Oliver Stone, Andy Warhol, and Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.
Because the Stoneleigh occupies a most desirable patch of real estate, her gradual fade from glory seemed both sad and scandalous. A yearlong, $36 million redo, however, has transformed the worn old gal into a stunner that’s both sophisticated and sexy. And while you can find other classy models right in the neighborhood - the Crescent Court and the Ritz-Carlton come to mind - the Stoneleigh stands apart as a place whose legacy has long involved fashion and grace.
Book a weekend stay and see for yourself.
LUXE, AND THEN SOME: The Stoneleigh is a showplace that would be at home in Beverly Hills or New York’s Upper East Side. Acclaimed design firm Forrest Perkins played up elements of the original art deco styling, reviving its energy with new color and the occasional modern tweak that enhances rather than clashes: witness, for example, bold teal, cinnamon, aqua and ivory patterns to complement dark chocolate mahogany furnishings and platinum detail, all highlighting original crown and door moldings and enormous windows, along with fantastic tiny tiles in the bathrooms.
You’ll find pampering touches, including free Wi-Fi connection, 24-hour concierge service and room service, and free fitness studio use; in your room, an iPod docking station, Baronessa Cali olive luxury bath products, a high-def flat-screen TV, a laptop safe, a giant closet and a lighted make-up mirror.
INDEED, IT’S HARD TO THINK OF WHY YOU’D LEAVE YOUR ROOM: Of the 170 units, 57 are huge studio suites that offer a king bed at one end of the room and a sitting area with sofa at the other, separated by a large double-sided dresser topped with a TV console that swivels for viewing on either side. Penthouse suites, which open onto a sprawling rooftop terrace, were given a new polish by the illustrious designer Carlton Varney. If you don’t book one, ask if they’re open for a peek; a glimpse of the 500-year-old English oak paneling once belonging to William Randolph Hearst is a jaw-dropping sight.
SPOILED IN THE SPA: One terrific reason to wander from your room is to spend a morning or afternoon in the chic new spa, which offers everything from skin and body treatments to hair and nail services and steam/sauna rooms.
Dozens of a la carte choices exist, but it’s difficult to pick just one. If you have a lot on your schedule, opt for the Day Dreamer, which includes a cucumber body treatment and a 25-minute massage of back, neck, scalp or shoulders. Those on a more leisurely schedule can choose the “Urban Detox” deep-cleaning facial, a three-hour affair ($290). For men, this includes a skincare treatment, deep-tissue massage and manicure ($255). But the ultimate is the Dorothy Draper Sweet Escape, a six-hour event that gives you a Jet-Setter Recovery Rx aromatherapy massage, geared toward anyone familiar with travel fatigue; a body sugar scrub and body butter wrap; 80-minute facial; and an aroma therapeutic, hot-paraffin mani-pedi combo ($625).
Overkill? Perhaps, but we’d love to book it.
WHEN EVENING FALLS: Wander downstairs and take a seat where the sleek, color-dappled lobby unfolds to the magnificent bar. Big, artful light fixtures and streamlined furniture give this spot a heady feel. Libations include a Bollatini, a blend of Ketel One vodka, vermouth and a jalapeno-stuffed olive; or a Bolla lemonade, made with Patron silver and lemonade, garnished with fresh jalapeno and cucumber, both perfect alongside nibbles like tuna carpaccio and bruschetta topped with prosciutto and Parmesan. Save room for dinner from chef David Bull, whose star rose at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, where he was designated a best new chef by Food & Wine and where he won a James Beard Award nomination. At Bolla, his departure into urbane Italian cuisine, Bull’s wide-ranging menu includes first-course options such as heirloom tomato salad or beef tartare; second-course diversions such as roasted sea scallop with spinach and brown butter or risotto primavera; entree selections include veal cheek piccata with preserved lemons or charred beef tenderloin.
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: If you’ve set aside a long weekend, you can wander nearby for all manner of distraction. Listen to a great jukebox, shoot a game of pool and nosh on a killer burger (do get the chipotle mayonnaise) right across the street at the Stoneleigh P, a legendary watering hole; walk a few doors down the street for a sensational bone-in rib-eye with truffled mac and cheese at Nick & Sam’s (ask for a table in Willie’s section); or shop for antiques at Uncommon Market, an easy walk around the corner.
DETAILS
WHAT: The Stoneleigh
WHERE: 2927 Maple Ave., Dallas, Texas
RATES: Nights at the Stoneleigh begin at $240, but good summer packages include the Summer Suite deal with a night in a studio suite with a bottle of bubbly for $265, and the Honeymoon Extravagance deal includes the studio suite stay, champagne and strawberries, brunch for two and spa treatments for two, from $519.
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Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago Unveils 53 Luxurious Spa Guest Rooms at The Spa at Trump
On September 1, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago will unveil 53 spa guest rooms at The Spa at Trump. These specially designed accommodations, ranging from 600 to 900 square-feet, will provide a transformational getaway expertly guided by the Spa Attache, who will customize the guest experience from start to finish.
“We are among few properties in the world offering such uniquely appointed guest rooms devoted to the spa experience,” said T. Colm O’Callaghan, vice president, managing director of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. “We believe they will attract the visitor seeking both relaxation and access to the best of the city from our prime location in the heart of Chicago. We anticipate locals will relish a calming escape in their own backyard. They provide a truly unique experience for the mid-week business traveler, and finally, local residents and weekend visitors have a resort-like venue in downtown Chicago.”
Upon entering their spa guest room, fashioned with gentle earth tones, light woods and wellness-focused amenities, guests will find inspiring city, riverfront and lake views. Guests will also discover special touches, such as a warming caddy revealing herbal-scented neck and eye pillows and a Signature Bath Menu. The spa guest room mini-bar will uniquely address healthy living at The Spa at Trump. Nourishing food and beverage options will range from dried fruit, nuts and chocolate to an organic selection of wine, Champagne, tea and sake. The room will also showcase popular spa products that will evolve with the seasons. Several signature treatments-including gemstone massages-will be available in-room, and one spa guestroom will connect to The Spa at Trump’s Couples Spa Suite.
For fitness enthusiasts, spa guest rooms at The Spa at Trump will include a yoga kit and a Technogym(R) Wellness Rack. Guests will have unlimited access to the Trump Health Club, and can utilize the impressive cardio and weight rooms, as well as the 75′x24′ heated indoor swimming pool. Personal training and nutrition sessions are also available.
Including signature treatments featuring products and techniques from the leader in male grooming, HOMMAGE, as well as those of celebrity aesthetician Kate Somerville, spa guest rooms at The Spa at Trump will provide an ideal escape for both men and women. The Spa at Trump will introduce several comprehensive packages, including individual, couple and guy/girlfriend getaways. Enhancements such as a guided run along Lake Michigan or a healthy cooking class with Executive Chef Frank Brunacci are just two examples of how the Spa Attache can work with guests to make the journey uniquely theirs.
Spa guest room rates at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago start at $495.
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Sedona’s Amara Resort and Spa Announces the Opening of new “Cal-Ital” Restaurant Hundred Rox
Amara Resort and Spa, named one of the 2008 world’s best places to stay by Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List, has opened a new sleek restaurant, Hundred Rox, which touts a sophisticated Cal-Ital inspired menu that incorporates an exciting selection of savory Italian dishes with an infusion of California cuisine.
Inspired by Sedona’s majestic Red Rocks setting, Hundred Rox offers some of the best Cal-Ital dishes in the Southwest, including pasta, fish, and veal as well as a selection of sumptuous desserts and an impressive wine list boasting eclectic vintages spanning the globe. Hundred Rox’s gourmet menu is further enhanced by the nearby breathtaking views of Sedona’s magnificent Red Rocks that can be enjoyed while dining al fresco.
“This is a very exciting time for Amara Resort and Spa,” says General Manager Joe Mottershead. “Hundred Rox is the first restaurant in Sedona to offer a modern fusion of Italian and California inspired cuisine that will appeal both to epicureans, to the fashionable younger set, to families, as well as to the more relaxed guests living in and traveling through Sedona.”
The Hundred Rox menu is designed by Chef David Schmidt who has created extraordinary cuisine for some of the most acclaimed restaurants in Arizona, including T. Cook’s at the Royal Palms in Phoenix, Michaels at the Citadel in Scottsdale, and Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort. In addition to a delectable dinner menu, Hundred Rox offers guests simple and delicious breakfast and lunch choices. Hundred Rox also touts one of only seven Level II advanced sommeliers in the state of Arizona.
Chef Schmidt changes the menu seasonally to capture the best of each season, featuring some organic offerings and vegetarian options. “I like to use local vendors for fresh produce when possible. For Hundred Rox, I am incorporating fresh tomatoes, juicy peaches, and other fruits into our Cal-Ital inspired menu. I’ve always had an interest in the foods of Italy and enjoy bringing some of the old world favorites into our menu items with new techniques, giving them a much more modern flair.”
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The Grand Opening of Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder Echoes across the Desert
The Ultimate Destination for Pleasure Seekers, This Unique Property Combines Resort Luxury with the Spectacular Scenery of New Mexico
Hilton Hotels Corporation today announced the grand opening of the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder, a stunning desert rose nestled at the foot of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico. Encompassing 587 acres of pristine land, it is the largest fully inclusive destination resort in the state. This newly built property features 395 spectacularly decorated rooms and suites featuring authentic Pueblo architecture and design elements. The resort also offers a variety of recreation and entertainment options, including a golf course and driving range, pools, tennis courts, and a 16,000 ft spa. It is only minutes from the eclectic cultural center of Santa Fe, a city rich in heritage and the arts, as well as the neighboring cities of Taos and Los Alamos.
Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder is operated by the Puganini Towa Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pueblo of Pojoaque under a franchise license agreement with HLT Existing Franchise Holding LLC, and managed by Hilton Management LLC, both subsidiaries of Hilton Hotels Corporation.
“This is a truly one-of-a-kind resort that will offer a unique experience to the visitors to New Mexico,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, Hilton Brand Management, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “The integration of Native American architecture and culture with the first-rate Hilton hospitality, amenities and service will stimulate the senses and ensure an inspirational stay.”
Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder offers an all-inclusive destination with services and activities catering to every taste. The hotel’s 36-hole Towa Golf Course was designed by Hale Irwin and Bill Phillips, and New Mexico’s stunning landscape offers a magical setting for world-class golf. Whether taking a break from the golf course, or just seeking some rejuvenation, visitors can relax by the hotel’s two outdoor pools; work out in the health club featuring Hilton Fitness by Precor equipment; and get pampered with hair, skin and beauty treatments that borrow heavily from the ancient Native American therapy elements at the Wo’ P’in Spa. Those wishing to further immerse themselves in the region’s art and culture can browse the onsite Santa Fe Indian Market Gallery, the only Southwest Association of Indian Arts-endorsed retail outlet in the United States, or take a walking tour ofthe resort’shundreds of unique pieces of Pueblo art andarchitectural elements.
The resort is a conference organizer’s dream with 66,000 ft of meeting and convention space, including a Hilton Meetings room; a 24 hour business center; an Executive level and lounge; onsite audio/visual support; and available video conferencing.
Boasting six restaurants, including celebrity chef Mark Miller’s signature Red Sage restaurant serving up fresh southwest cuisine with native influences, the resort is a food-lovers fantasy. Gastronomes can also enjoy the offerings at the traditional, full-service restaurant Mica Room, the Turquoise Trail Bar and Grille, the Painted Parrot Buffet, the outdoor Pool Grille, and the Starbucks Coffee onsite location.
Each beautifully appointed guestroom, themed in Native American dA(C)cor, is furnished with the Hilton Serenity Collection(R) of amenities, which includes the Hilton Serenity Bed with the Serta(R) Suite Dreams(R) mattress and box springs, Pacific Coast(R) down duvet, Super Topper mattress pads and top-quality linens and pillows. Standard amenities will also include the Hilton Serenity Bath Collection, featuring the exclusive Crabtree and Evelyn line of La Source(R) bath products; a Cuisinart(R) dual-cup, single brew coffeemaker and Lavazza(R) coffee; the easy-to-set Hilton Family alarm clock with MP3 player connectivity; high-speed Internet with wireless access; and a 37-inch LCD flat screen television. Select rooms feature traditional latilla wooden ceiling treatments, oversized windows and fireplaces.
The Hilton Santa Fe Resort and Spa at Buffalo Thunder is conveniently located at 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail,Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506, 15 miles from the Santa Fe County Municipal Airport and 67 miles from the Albuquerque International Airport.
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Spas offer spa deals, discounts to lure customers in slumping economy
With the economy slumping and fuel prices soaring, facials and massages may not be a top priority for consumers on a budget.
But America’s top spas, gathered in New York for the annual meeting of the International Spa Association, are trying to make it as easy as possible for visitors to indulge without using up their gas money or breaking into the piggy bank.
“You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money,” says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. “Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing.”
In other words, if you can’t afford a weekend or overnight stay, consider booking one massage or scrub at a destination spa, which usually entitles you to use the pool, steam room and other facilities for the day.
The Ojai Valley Inn, located not far from Los Angeles, is a destination spa known for its blooming lavender gardens and an approach that draws on Native American traditions. Cole said carving out an hour or two and hanging out at the spa can be relaxing enough to make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.
Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C., said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages. The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, offers a US$99 spa sampler on Sundays.
Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Most spas have them but don’t necessarily talk them up.
Cole also suggested asking the therapist or esthetician for tips on how to continue the regimen at home.
“It’s not that we don’t want you to come and stay with us for days - we do,” she said. “But if it’s a choice between thinking it’s too expensive and skipping it altogether, we’d rather you just come for something small.”
Spas are still growing despite the economy: 138 million people visited spas around the country in 2007, according to the most recent industry figures from the International Spa Association. And spa revenue in 2007 was $10 billion, the organization said, up from just over $9 billion the year before. Data for 2008 shows that spas continue to grow, the association said.
Spa operators also suggest considering a spa vacation as an alternative to going to Europe or taking some other big trip. There’s rarely a need to drive once you’re at a destination spa, so you won’t be spending money on gas. And an all-inclusive booking means that lodging, food, pools, the locker room and other amenities and facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms are included in the cost.
“You can really retreat to a spa, and there are no unaccounted costs because you pay upfront,” said Lola Roeh, general manager of the Osthoff Resort, which is home to the Aspira Spa in Elkhart Lake, Wis. “You can chose to add on costs, like additional treatments, but that’s up to you.”
Destination spas can be pricey - $500 for a weekend or more - but it’s possible to cut other costs if you decide to vacation at one. The Lodge at Woodloch, located about two hours outside of New York in Hawley, Pa., is far enough away from the city that visitors can feel like they’re on a real vacation, but close enough to take a bus or train from Manhattan and save on gas. And you don’t have to stay a week or five days - many spas offer two-night stays that can still be relaxing.
Many other spas are located outside of major metropolitan areas, like Kohler day spa in Burr Ridge, Ill., outside Chicago. The company, known for its faucets, paired a showroom with the spa so clients can sit in whirlpools or fancy tubs and do shopping for remodelling, too.
Along with tips for spa-goers on a budget, other themes emerged at the Aug. 21 spa meeting. Here are five trends shaping today’s spa experience.
-Busy bees: Many spas are catering to the stresses on busy workers. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va., is offering a WiFi massage geared toward the muscles you use when you’re at the computer. Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y. , offers meditation to help calm nerves.
-The first time: Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a clothed massage - for people who are afraid of going in the buff to a treatment. A survey of spa-goers last year found 70 per cent who hadn’t tried a massage were uncomfortable with being naked or partially naked. This massage eases people into the treatment - and hopefully allows them to feel more comfortable to go full Monty later on.
-Couples too: Ginny Lopis of The Lodge at Woodloch says she’s seeing more and more couples booking spa getaways. At least half the guests these days are male, she says. “It’s really not just for ladies anymore,” she said. “We get husbands and boyfriends here who really enjoy it.” Other spas say they are seeing more couples, also.
-Go Green: Spas are getting greener, from homeopathic treatments at the JW Marriott Spa Collection to an eco-friendly spa at Mohonk Mountain House that uses organic products made from locally grown ingredients. The Kohler spas are big on water conservation, and use eco-friendly shower heads and toilets.
-Distinguish from the masses: With more than 18,000 spas around the country, establishments are distinguishing themselves by offering unique treatments and products. The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts spas offer a lava shell neck treatment, which uses shells, applied in the same way that heated stones are sometimes used in massage. The Lake Austin Spa Resort located outside Austin, Texas, offers yoga and spa treatments for those with asthma and allergies.
In Travel + Leisure’s 13th annual poll, readers selected their favorite hotels, spas, airlines, cruise lines, outfitters, cities, and islands around the globe. Here are the spa winners:
Top 10 U.S. Destination Spas
1. Cal-a-Vie, Vista, California
2. Golden Door, Escondido, California
3. Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment, Sedona, Arizona
4. Miraval Resort, Catalina, Arizona
5. Mayflower Inn & Spa, Washington, Connecticut
6. Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Lenox, Massachusetts
7. Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
8. La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, California
9. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas
10. The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai California
