Destination Spa Vacations

Serve your Health by Choosing a Location

Location, Location, Location. A key mantra for realtors, store owners and restaurateurs. I understand the pull of a great location. The beaches and warmth of Florida brought me to my new hometown recently from the blue grass and rolling hills of Kentucky.

How does your location play into your health? Chef Christine Denney of The Oaks at Ojai wrote recently: “Some parts of the country continue to have upswings in life expectancy and guess where they are?  They are in places that people ‘choose’, places that people find, whether by accident or by design, and they are places focused on health and wellness.  Usually they involve a lot of outdoor time, networking with friends and good access to healthful food.”

Chef Denney goes on to say, “Your ‘location’ does not have to be a particular physical place, although it tends to help to have all of the support you can garner when you are trying to establish new habits. The most important part of the equation is you. Choose health, choose activity, choose foods that are fresh, choose to serve yourself.”

Personally, after having just relocated to a state of my choosing, I find I am walking frequently, eating better and enjoying my surroundings much more. What are you doing to "locate" your best health? Debra

Spa Getaways Thrive Despite Slow Recovery

Financial journalist Vera Gibbons recently wrote about what I’ve known for some time and strongly believe… people receive such a return on investment from a spa trip, they continue to have these experiences even during financial challenges. Vera’s article for Reuters cited a recent survey from Golf Digest that shows spa and golf trips are going strong, particularly among groups of friends - Read here.

Destination Spa Group member Canyon Ranch was included in the piece. Here’s a snippet: “Every year, Diane Beck and a group of her closest friends head to Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. They have been doing this for eight years now — sometimes with goals (to lose weight; get fit, soul search; become more ‘centered’); sometimes without. ‘It’s a beautiful place,’ says Beck. ‘It’s all about me and my friends have that same attitude. Me, me, me. The whole experience makes it worthwhile.’”

That’s right, Diane, spas are all about you! Whether you want to take six classes a day or lie in a hammock or pool-side, there is a Destination Spa experience that is tailored to your tastes. I urge you to check out the 24 spas that are members of the Destination Spa Group and invite you to contact me with any questions you may have about their offerings.

Thank you, Vera, for showcasing that the spa experience is a worthwhile investment. It’s definitely worth my dollars, Debra

A First-Hand Account of Green Mountain from Spa Writer Anitra Brown

I’m a big believer in first-hand referrals. I use Yelp to find great sushi restaurants and am always asking my friends about their favorite getaways, exercise classes, etc. So, when I read a review of Green Mountain recently, I quickly added this Destination Spa to my “must visit” list.

Spa journalist Anitra Brown penned the article for the spa section of about.com, for which she is the editor. I love this excerpt form Anitra, “I've gained a lot of insight into my own attitudes and patterns towards food and eating. I tend to eat a ‘healthy’ but boring menu at home that has plenty of vegetables and whole grains and legumes, but lacks novelty. So when I get in a situation where my favorite ‘forbidden foods’ appear, like ice cream, I eat them because they're there.”

Anitra goes on to describe Green Mountain’s program of healthy eating and the lessons she took back home. The complete story may be found here - http://spas.about.com/b/2011/06/12/so-how-much-did-you-lose.htm?nl=1#gB3

How great would it be if we could all have an experience such as Anitra’s? With 24 Destination Spa Group members worldwide, there are plenty of amazing options that are ripe for your choosing!

I’m happy to talk with you at any time about Destination Spas, Debra

 

Summer, Summer, Summer Time! Destination Spas Cook Up Wellness

Hanging out on the couch is not an effective way to approach a summer of wellness. Of course, nor is eating a season’s worth of ballpark hot dogs, ice cream and nachos! Instead, let’s make 2011 the summer to cook up a lifestyle of wellness.

From amazing fitness classes to one-of-a-kind theme weeks, Destination Spa offerings appeal to everyone who needs a little well-being and renewal. Plus, the lessons you learn will come in handy at home for seasons to come.

Green Mountain at Fox Run – Young Women’s Program

• Offered throughout the summer, this program is designed for women from 18 to 24 who find it difficult to maintain an ideal weight. In a non-threatening environment, participants learn how to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle without deprivation

Lake Austin Spa Resort – ABS-olutely Paddle Board Class

• This new floating fitness class fuses balance, strength and coordination on the waters of Lake Austin. ABS-olutely Paddle Board was created for all fitness levels and combines the fun of stand-up paddle boarding with a series of intense core conditioning moves including yoga, squats and sit-ups - all while floating on the water

Mountain Trek – Kick Start Package

• Offered throughout the summer in picturesque British Columbia, Mountain Trek offers its inclusive fitness & weight loss program for adults. The week-long (Saturday-Saturday) program has guests participating in a structured & very active program that highlights the connections between fitness, stress reduction & supportive nutrition

 

Turn Dad into a Relaxed Spa Papa

Dad’s day is June 19 and June is also Men’s Health Month! Time to celebrate the guys in your life and, personally, I can’t think of anything better than taking them to a Destination Spa.

The International SPA Association reports that just over 30 percent of spa-goers are male. At Destination Spas, men often accompany their female counterparts and engage in the rigorous hiking, rock climbing and fitness classes. Many Destination Spas offer corporate retreats and executive health programming that appeal to men. Here’s a sampling of upcoming offers to boost Dad’s interest:

• Golf Getaway Summer Special from Cal-a-Vie – Can’t decide between a golf trip and a spa retreat? Have both! Special rates on this package between July 10 & Sept. 4
• Father’s Day at The Oaks at Ojai – from June 17-24, save a beefy 40 percent off Dad’s rate when he shares a room with you!  Extended hikes and free day passes for guys to visit the Ojai Valley Athletic Club will make Dad smile
• Red Mountain’s Fitness Intensive Retreat – starting at $295, the rigorous and fun activities in this package make it easy to sustain a long-term commitment to health. This seven-night package includes a fitness consultation, metabolic profile, personal training, heart rate workshop and Eat Well, Feel Well cooking demonstrations

Girlfriend Getaways: Destination Spas Picked by Woman’s Day

Need a summer break with the girls? Well, load them up and head to a Destination Spa! I was proud to see the Destination Spa Group highlighted in a May article from Woman’s Day. The topic was the benefits to women of spending time away with their girlfriends. I agree! I have been known to go on a yoga retreat with a dear friend in Mexico, road trips with my daughter (plus many Spring Breaks), as well as stay-cations spent receiving manis & pedis at local day spas.

Searching for the right Destination Spa getaway for your girlfriends? Here are two that I suggest:

• Spa Eastman – save by making it a girls’ getaway and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure. This spa package, at $239 per person, also includes lunch and access to pools, hammam, exterior pond and tubs
• Calling all 'wannabe' cowgirls. If you've ever wanted to ride the range and throw a lasso, yet still like a little luxury at the end of the day, the Echo Valley Ranch girls’ getaway package will get your spurs jingling and your spirits soaring. Set the pace with an early morning Thai yoga class, then saddle up and ride the trails of the Gold Rush days (including a gourmet picnic lunch), refresh mind and body with a spa treatment at the end of the day, and still have time to watch the sun go down

Celebrate Mom in Style at a Destination Spa

As a mom, I am biased in believing that Mother’s Day is one of the best days of the year. And, as a spa lover, there’s really no better way to celebrate than with wellness, spa goodies or, even better, a spa experience. Destination spas want mom to feel special and they’ve put together specials as well as tips to make mom smile. A sampling:

• At Green Mountain at Fox Run, moms are being celebrated the entire month of May. In fact, when mom and a child book a stay in May, they’ll save 10% and receive one complimentary massage each
• The team at the Heartland Spa says there's not a week that goes by that the spa doesn't welcome a mother and daughter!  The Heartland staff strongly recommends making time for mother/daughter bonding  It doesn't have to be extravagant... a simple trip to the grocery store together, a leisurely walk around the block, or a scheduled "catch-up" phone call once a week will keep moms and daughters feeling close
• From Lake Austin Spa Resort, suggestions for a budget-friendly Mother’s Day including an at-home spa day – watch a movie and enjoy hand scrubs, hand softening treatments and facials with items from your refrigerator and pantry. And, make a pressed flower card for mom with her favorite blooms

Here’s to Mom, Debra

Speaking on the Destination Spa Journey

I’m excited to be driving to the Windy City in a few days to speak about wellness at Face & Body Midwest. Held March 12-14 in Chicago, this event looks incredibly interesting from my perspective as a spa and wellness professional. I’ll be speaking on March 12 and will give spa owners, managers and therapists ways to integrate more aspects of wellness into their spa.

I’ll also be letting them in on details of an epic journey I’m working on for 2012. Next year, I plan to travel to more than 20 Destination Spas and open their amazing doors to the world. You will be privy to an unprecedented view into the workings of these spas, many of which are noted for starting the spa movement. Very cool.

I’d love your thoughts on what you’d like to learn about Destination Spas. No question is out of bounds, so pitch them at me. I look forward to hearing from you, Debra

Why You Deserve a Spring Spa Break

Ahh, spring is in the air. After the bone-chilling, snow-filled winter nearly all of us have experienced, this spring may be the most welcome to date! When I’m digging out my flip-flops and shorts, spring makes me think back to my younger years and taking a spring break from school. Though, why should kids and co-eds have all the fun? You don’t have to be a student to deserve a break this time of year. As my friend Harold Lebovic with the Heartland Spa recently shared, there are proven benefits to taking some time off:

• Three out of four executives regard regular vacations as an essential tool to prevent burnout and improve job performance, and two out of three believe that vacations improve creativity and innovation
• A Duke Occupational Mental Health report cites destination vacations as an important strategy to reduce stress and prevent burnout
• Men who vacation regularly are 32% less likely to develop heart disease and women enjoy a 53% reduction in heart attack risk
• Those who take regular destination vacations are two to three times less likely to suffer from costly depression than their non-vacationing coworkers

If you are waffling on taking some time off, the data is there to suggest that you should just do it! With 26 amazing Destination Spas from which to choose, there’s an experience that is perfect for you. Go ahead and take a break - the office will survive without you.

Would love to hear where you plan to escape to this spring. Best, Debra

Nuggets of Wellness Wisdom

How are those aspirations coming in making 2011 the year of wellness? I have my daily wellness goals – drink green smoothies, eat vegetarian meals, a little exercise, plenty of sleep – and some days are easier than others when it comes to reaching these goals. We can all feel overwhelmed by life’s curveballs and commitments. When I’m feeling stressed, I turn to these nuggets of wellness wisdom from our Destination Spa members…

NUGGETS OF WELLNESS WISDOM:

• Too many ‘to do’ items? Harold Lebovic, Managing Partner of The Heartland Spa recommends, “Creating a list of what really needs to be accomplished so you can keep things in perspective. After doing so, you may be surprised at how manageable your to-do list really is!”
• Things not going as planned? Golden Door’s Cindi Peterson says to shift your perspective. “If things don’t go according to plan, tell yourself that someday you will look back on this and laugh. Try to shift points of view and put the unpleasant event into a broader perspective.”
• Lake Austin Spa Resort’s Sharon Rekieta chimes in, “Feeling grouchy and stressed? Take some time to just lie down, attend a gentle yoga class, read by the fireplace, cuddle with your kid, or whatever else sounds inviting.”

What are your nuggets of wellness wisdom? I'd love to hear from you. Best, Debra