Lodging

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Shibui Spa in Sisters, Oregon

I’m the first to admit that I love a good massage. In fact, if I won the lottery, I’d have a massage once  a month; once a week if it was the super-lotto. But I don’t play the lottery, so I splurge on a massage whenever I can.

Here are some of my favorite lodging properties where I have experienced wonderfully relaxing massages:

Aurora Hotel and Spa  Certified Massage Therapist Lavina Jones works out of the Aurora Hotel and Spa on Southern California’s Catalina Island. Her speciality massage combines aroma therapy with Swedish massage and finishes with hot river stones and warm towels.

Bernardus Lodge and Winery provides a relaxing place to unwind and recharge in Carmel Valley, California.  The Spa at Bernardus Lodge offers services from vinotherapy and marine-inspired, to international treatment techniques. While you’re there, visit the spa’s meditation garden, warming room, and soaking pool.

Carnival Splendor a floating resort on the sea, offers a 21,000 square foot, two level spa and gym facility. The Thalassotherapy Pool features jets of water that massage your body and a special formulation of ocean water. If you splurge for a Cloud 9 Spa Stateroom, you’ll have access to the special pool and Theramal Suite, in addition to two complimentary fitness classes and priority spa appointment bookings.

Five Pine Lodge in Sisters, Oregon is also home to Shibui Spa. I had the Thai Bandle massage, heated Maja Bandles, filled with lemon grass and other herbs are steamed and used as heated compresses during the massage. Guests leave with a suggestion card for using the herbal compress with a Metta Mantra on the other side of the card.

Metta Mantra

May I be safe

May I be happy

May I be healthy

May I be peaceful

May I be filled with loving-kindness

Spa Gaia in the Napa Valley is connected to the eco-friendly Gaia Hotel. I tried the Ayurvedic Hot Stone massage and it was wonderful. After filling out a short survey, my dosha (natural constitution) was determined and the relaxing massage began.

After a day of horseback riding at Riochet Ridge Ranch, I was in need of a massage. Fortunately the Third Court Salon and Day Spa is located on the Little River Inn property. I have plenty of recommendations on places to visit, stay and dine in Mendocino.

Visitors to southern Napa can check out the 9,000 square foot underground Spa Terra  and try the cave stone massage.  Pardon the pun; this massage rocked! If you are a guest at Meritage, you are welcome to use the spa facilities, including the hot tub, complete with water wall, until closing time.

Sheraton Maui Spa at Black Rock

For an outdoor massage experience with the privacy of a treatment room, The Sheraton Maui’s Spa at Black Rock is Kaanapali Beaches’ newest addition. The Mango Pomegranate signature line of products smell entoxicating.

While not on property at Sonoma’s Inn at Occidental, the Osmosis Day Spa in nearby Freestone, California offers a unique spa experience. Now that I’ve tried it, I can say that I am not a fan of the cedar enzyme bath, but the massage was first-rate.

On a recent trip to Lugano, Switzerland, I experienced my first water massage at Villa Sassa Hotel and Spa. The Aurum Spa offers the Mare massage on a bed of colored water reproducing the effect of the vibrant blue shoreline.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Oceano Hotel Lobby

Don’t you love the smell of new cars? Well, new hotels have that same smell and feel to them. The Oceano Hotel and Spa is Half Moon Bay Harbor’s newest neighbor and I wanted to check it out. Having dropped my daughter at camp for a week, I was foot loose and fancy free for the afternoon. I drove up Highway One from Santa Cruz and admired the gorgeous California coastline.

After arriving at the Oceano, I dropped my bag and looked for a good place to get some fresh seafood. Yes, this would certainly be a nice place to bring my husband for a romantic getaway, but, as usual, he was home with our other child.

My room, #312, was called the Grand Oceano and rented for $379. The suite had a king bed, organic linens and panoramic views of Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor. The sliding glass doors opened to the balcony looking out to the Pacific Ocean. As I mentioned, the hotel is new, having opened 16 months ago on March 13, 2008.  Each suite comes with a fireplace, private balcony, a 42 inch, flat screen, HD television, free Wireless Internet access, a separate sitting area and wet bar. Too bad you can’t see the Mavericks Surf contest from the hotel.

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY

Oceano Room #312

As environmentally-conscientious Californians, we’re used to linen re-use programs, water efficient landscaping and reduced wattage lighting. Oceano Hotel clearly walked the eco-friendly talk with its low VOC paints, their ozone laundry facility and its biodegradable cleaning program and the use of reclaimed cooking oil used to produce Bio Diesel fuel. Heck, if I’d pulled up in my LEV and FEV (low emitting & fuel efficient) vehicle, I could have had free valet parking. But I don’t yet own a smart car, although it is on my list. Instead, I arrived in my slightly dented, but fully-paid for, Honda mini van and self parked in the garage. How very un-sexy.

The Green Suites certified hotel, also has a Spa and Health Club, although the spa wasn’t fully up and running on my visit. The Oceano Coastal Spa will officially open on August 29, 2009 with a soft opening taking place August 24-28. The Spa will offer a barbeque during the grand opening and all treatments, except massages, will be 50% off during the soft opening. Check the website for Getaway Packages and specials.

Oceano Hotel and Spa 1 (888) 623-2661

280 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay, California 94019

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel and Spa

Simply looking at the Villa Principe Leopoldo hotel’s website is enough to make anyone excited for a Swiss holiday. Throw in a bottle of Crystal Champagne, compliments of the hotel, and you’ll jump for joy. Of course, you could simply kick off your shoes and grab a couple of champagne flutes as you watch the sunset from your lakeside suite. This five star hotel, located above the shores of Lake Lugano, is offering the bubbly as an exclusive for guests booking three nights in the Villa. Sweet!

The historic Villa, nestled on the top of the “Collina d’Oro,” an exclusive residential neighborhood, offers 37 rooms ranging from deluxe to Junior and Lake Suites. The newly renovated Junior Suites rent for $525 Euro in high season and $400 Euro in the low season.  

Offering a gorgeous view of the lake and mountains, the Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel has recently introduced the Kiso Spa to the Relais and Chateaux property. For those seeking even more privacy, the Residence, detached from the main Villa, has 38 rooms, many with pool and garden views.

While I didn’t stay at the hotel, I was fortunate to dine at the Restaurant Principe Leopoldo. The restaurant, known for its consistent, high quality cusine, is celebrating an important anniversary this year. This year marks 20 years since the Executive Chef Dario Ranza, the Maitre Claudio Recchia and the Sommelier Gabriele Speziale began working at the Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel.

Villa Principe Leopoldo Junior Suite

The hotel is ideally situated close to the town, on the northern side of Lake Lugano, in the Ticino region. The traffic-free town center features Mediterranean-style squares and multiple parks. I was fortunate to have visited in the spring when the camellias were in bloom.

Villa Principe Leopoldo Hotel and Spa +41 (0) 91 985-88-55

Via Montalbano 5

6900 Lugano, Switzerland

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

View of Lake Lugano from Villa Sassa Hotel Suite

Zurich, Switzerland in the springtime can often mean rain. If you want to experience a little piece of Swiss chocolate heaven, sprinkled with Mediterranean flair, catch a train bound for Lugano. The Lake Lugano region is a land of many contrasts with its mild climate of lakeside towns, surrounded by mountains and even glaciers. An inviting property, perched on the hillside, Villa Sassa Hotel and Spa, is just four bus stops from the train station, yet it feels like its own oasis.

With 49 rooms, including 22 suites, Villa Sassa is a four star property located minutes from town. The tastefully restored nineteenth century villa offers the Aurum Sassa Spa and wellness club, in addition to the Ai Giardini di Sassa restaurant and the Bar Sassa lounge. I was a guest of the Villa Sassa and found myself in room #152, a gorgeous Royal Suite with a terrace overlooking Lake Lugano. The suite rents for $469 Euro and comes with a mini bar, flat screen TV and offers room service. The standard superior rooms cost $275 Euro depending on high or low season, but all of the rooms feature balconies.

Lugano View from Villa Sassa Bathroom

This place is all about relaxing and enjoying the magnificent visual stimulation offered by Lake Lugano and Mount San Salvatore. I experienced the Mare massage; my first massage on a bed of colored water reproducing the effect of the shoreline. If you don’t care for massage, take a soak in your bathtub. Some of the bathrooms have tubs with a view.

The hotel offers plenty of lodging options to choose from such as a Weekend of Chocolate Flavor or the much needed, four-night Detox package. The room prices include a complimentary breakfast and access to the wellness spa. On my visit, there were plenty of bathing beauties sunning themselves by the outdoor pool.

Villa Sassa Hotel and Residence Wellness and Spa is a member of WorldHotels property; one of almost 500 hotels in 70 countires worldwide. Villa Sassa offers free wifi access in public areas and is available in rooms for a fee. The property is also pet-friendly.

Villa Sassa Hotel and Spa +41 91 911 41 11

Via Tesserete 10, Ch 6900 Lugano

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

View from Aurora Rooftop Deck

Billed as a Boutique Hotel off the Coast of Southern California, the Aurora Hotel and Spa is sleek, modern and affordable.  Catalina Island’s newest Inn, the Aurora is within easy walking distance to downtown Avalon and offers lodging options for couples, girls-getaways and a family suite.

I loved the third floor roof-deck with its fabulous views of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean. The standard room with an ocean view is nice, but the Junior Suite, at 300 square feet is sweet, indeed.  A family of four could rent the Aurora Suite. The room comes with a fireplace and sleeper sofa, in addition to the king bed. Rates start at $150 for a standard room in winter season to $550 for a summer season Junior Suite. Check the website for seasonal specials and packages.

Aurora Suite

Guests will appeciate the in-room internet access and continental breakfast served on the buffet in the lobby.  Yet another plus for the Aurora Hotel is the addition of the on-site Spa. Certified Massage Therapist Lavina Jones offers a wonderfully relaxing massage with a combination of aroma therapy, Swedith massage and finishes with hot river stones and warm towels.  If this doesn’t relax you, nothing will. 

Aurora Hotel and Spa 1 (800) 422-6836

137 Marilla Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Gaia Hotel, Nancy D. Brown

Now here’s a green hotel that actually walks the talk. In fact, when you walk into the lobby, you’ll see a real-time display of how much energy this new green hotel is actually using and saving.

The property offers 132 totally “green” rooms and we’re not talking Wizard of Oz green painted rooms. Each room is painted with special low-VOC* paints, has recycled carpets and state of the art energy-saving air conditioners and heaters that use 15% less energy. The wood used in construction was certified new growth wood and the four acres of property and landscaping is chemical-free. 

Energy Meters, Nancy D. Brown

Billed as the first of its type, the hotel has a gold certification endorsed by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEED). Okay, so now that you’re feeling good about leaving behind a small carbon foot print, what about saving some green backs?

March Manager’s Special

King Room, Nancy D. Brown

During radio interviews, listener’s want to hear a travel tip. Every time I say, “check the hotel’s website for special offers.” I’m saying it again, check the internet. In March, Gaia is offering a Manager’s Special that will be hard to beat. Guests receive a king or double queen room for $65 per night. The offer is valid Sunday – Thursday and expires 3-31-09. Why not use the money you saved on lodging to go out for a romantic Napa Valley dining experience or splurge on a spa treatment?

Spa Gaia

I tried the Ayurvedic Hot Stone massage and it was wonderful. After filling out a short survey, my dosha (natural constitution) was determined and the relaxing massage began. As Spa Manager Kate Riley noted, “you can teach technique, you can’t teach touch.”

Irish Wines in Napa Valley?

During my visit, I discovered the O’Brien Estate Napa Valley. Winery owners Bart and Barb O’Brien were celebrating St. Patrick’s day early with a little corned beef and cabbage paired with their wines. The substainably farmed vineyard produces a chardonnay, merlot and Seduction, their Bordeaux-blended wine. I tried them all and was particularly impressed with the 2005 Seduction. 

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa 1 (888) 798-3777

3600 Broadway Street, American Canyon, CA 94503

VOC = volatile organic compound

O’Brien Estate 1 (707) 252-8463

1200 Orchard Ave., Napa, CA 94558