Tag Archive for spa

Say Happy Mother’s Day With One-of-a-Kind Getaways!

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Ah, Mother’s Day. The time of year when we try just a little bit harder  to show how grateful we are for all the times she held our hand when we were sick, protected us from the monsters under our bed, turned simple pancakes into an iconic mouse, or magically made everything better with a kiss. Cards are wonderful (who doesn’t love letters?) and flowers are lovely, but is there really any better way to say thank you than with a memorable getaway you both will cherish for years to come. We think not.

With this in mind, we give you four escapes tailored to different styles that are sure to show your favorite lady just how much you care.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Spa Escape: Treat you mom to a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway—you know she deserves one. The Body Holiday LeSPORT in St. Lucia offers a tropical, all-inclusive stay that even comes with a 50-minute body treatment.

Wine & Dine: Toast to motherhood with a wine getaway. The Riverbend Inn and Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, boasts a cozy escape in the heart of wine country. The inn also produces and serves its own varietals, so you don’t even have to leave the property to sample the local wines.

Adventure: Take mom for the adventure of a lifetime. The Parador Resort & Spa in Costa Rica sits on a 12-acre rainforest near the Manuel Antonio National Park and white-sand beaches like Playa Biesanz, making it a luxurious home base for exploring the countryside.

Cultural Getaway: Talk history, art and politics with your mom during a trip to the nation’s capital. The George, a Kimpton Hotel, provides an eclectic and artistic escape, with a prime Capitol Hill location ideal for seeing city sights.

Make Today a Spa Day with Mineral-Rich Products

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Let’s face it: Sometimes we don’t even have enough time to throw a coat of clear polish on our nails, let alone treat ourselves to a full day at the spa. So while writing about the Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga, California, we were inspired to bring the spa to us. Once a wellness retreat that catered to wealthy Californians, Calistoga entices travelers with its natural, mineral-rich hot springs. The hotel even offers mineral mud baths that help warm muscles, increase circulation and detoxify skin. Here are a few mineral products that we’re eager to add into our daily routine.

Photos courtesy of Glamour Box, Metro Beauty and Infomercial Reviews

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Aqua Mineral Redefining Facial Mud Mask ($149): Based on Dead Sea mud and water, this mineral-rich mask reduces blemishes, freshens skin and improves skin completion, making it worth the splurge.

Evian Mineral Water Spray ($11): Made with 100% pure Evian mineral water, this spray soothes and rehydrates dry skin, so it’s perfect for the office, the beach or just about anywhere.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum ($27): This award-winning powder is packed with crushed minerals like zinc oxide (a calming ingredient with UVA and UVB protection) and mica, which makes skin appear smoother and more radiant.

Après-Ski Spa Serenity

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If you’re not already heading to Vail Cascade Resort & Spa for Vail Mountain’s festive 50th birthday celebration (or for this month’s S’More Happy Hour), well give you another reason to visit this lofty destination: The spa. Vail Cascade’s own 78,000-square-foot Aria Spa & Club is the Valley’s largest; we were blown away by its mix of aromatherapy steam rooms, yoga classes, indoor tennis courts and tantalizing spa treatments (we could go on…).

Aria Spa & Club, Vail Cascade Resort & Spa

Photo courtesy of Vail Cascade Resort & Spa

So if you find yourself in Vail this winter season, we recommend splitting your time between the slopes and the spa. Hint: Try the Coco Cream Wrap, which combines organic coconut oil and ultra-moisturizing cocoa butter infused with vanilla extract and bergamot. Everyone together now: Ahhh.

Skip the Stress with Our Holiday Travel Tips!

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Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa, Cancun, Mexico

Photo courtesy of Holiday Group

We can all agree that traveling over the holidays can be stressful. Between visiting relatives and fleeing the frost for destinations like Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa in Cancun, it seems like everyone’s on the move. Avoid a Home Alone situation (a.k.a. a mad dash to the airport followed by the realization that you’ve left little Kevin at home) by following a few of these handy travel tips:

Prepare: Print out boarding passes ahead of time, get to the airport a half-hour to an hour earlier than you typically would and, by all means, take potential power outages that may cause your alarm clock to stop working into consideration (we’re looking at you, McCallisters).

Pack light: If you’re traveling sans-children for a week or less, skip the 5-piece luggage set and opt for a carry-on. That way, you’ll skip the dreaded wait at baggage claim and won’t risk a lost-luggage meltdown.

Play around: De-stress during a layover by reading an entertaining book like David Sedaris’ laugh-out-loud (and entirely fitting) novel Holidays on Ice. If you have an hour to spare, pop into a salon for a pedicure; Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle contains a butter London nail salon, where manicurists will find out what time your flight leaves before dolling up your digits.

The “Ruff’” Life in Playa del Carmen

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Man’s best friend also happens to be our best friend, which is why we love it when a hotel (much like the Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel) welcomes pooches with open paws, err, arms.

Photo courtesy of Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel

This particular hotel features pet-friendly rooms, which come equipped with a doggy bed, blankets, leash, toys, treats, water and food bowls. You pup can also play while you’re away with pet sitting services available through its Dog Holiday program. And the hotel’s spa offers the perfect reward for your pampered pooch with its Canis Pet Massage. A dog’s life just got so much better.