Very rarely do spa resorts ever fall in the “budget” category.  But I just got word today that the spa-future of the budget-minded might be a bit brighter…

Opening on 6 November 2009 in the city of Berlin, a new and unique refuge from the bustling city will open behind the trees and noble façades of Berlin’s affluent Charlottenburg district: the Aspria Hotel, a 42-room retreat connected to a renowned 150,000 square feet state-of-the-art spa and sporting club. The result: the ultimate city health and wellness resort.

“Aspria never stands still. We’re always looking for ways to improve and continuous growth is part of our philosophy.” says Brian Morris, CEO of Aspria Group. “That’s why it is a priority for us to provide visitors to Berlin and our Club members with a truly special accommodation experience – the new Aspria Hotel. There’s really nothing in the city that will compare with this hotel, it will be a real ‘escape’ and we’re very proud of it.”

The generously sized open plan rooms have elegant furniture by Vitra and Walter Knoll. Guests enter their accommodation with a clear view of a panoramic window and a tailor-made pedestal bed that seems to float in the middle of the room. Along the length of the window stretches a desk with the same grey surface as the bed. It varies in height and can be used as a writing desk, a bench or an area to open suitcases. Even the television has not gone without a rethink: the cutting-edge Philips Ambilight screens are ceiling-mounted at an angle that corresponds perfectly with the bed’s backrest.

The three larger apartment suites contain the same mix of harmonious lines, soft colors and modern materials. Intended for guests who need more space, or might be planning a longer stay, these suites are larger, have a kitchenette and dining table, a sitting area with a sofa that can fold out to be a second bed, and have an expanded bathroom with separate bathtub and shower.

Equally as important as the rooms, however, is the hotel’s setting: in place of a standard lobby and a tucked-away afterthought of a gym, the Aspria Hotel allows guests to take advantage of 150,000 square feet of fitness and wellness space. The spa has been extended and refurbished, adding a hamam, a salt inhalation room and a wave dream installation relaxation room to the saunas, whirlpool, kneippbaths and the amazing rooftop terrace. Treatments and massages by the professional spa team complement this range of almost endless wellness opportunities. The club’s sporting offer includes state-of-the-art fitness equipment, an extensive class timetable, innovative training methods such as Power plates and highly qualified Personal Trainers.

Now here is where the budget twist is….room rates range from only 89-119 Euros per night, which is unheard of for a destination spa in the US. For more info visit: www.aspria-hotel.com

One good thing about a bad economy is the fact that luxury can be found at budget prices, since everyone is desperate for customers. On Monday our Luxury Travel find was the Encore hotel in Las Vegas, and although the Encore is a luxury destination, several of the guests I spoke to got their rooms for around $150…and one guy got upgraded to one of the large suites and still only paid that price.  So keep the Encore on your destination list, even if are traveling on a budget…www.encorelasvegas.com

Monday we spoke of two boutique inns on Catalina Island, the Aurora and the Avalon,  but on the other side of the Pacific, on the “mainland” there is another boutique inn worth adding to a So Cal getaway itinerary, Casa Laguna, in Laguna Beach.

Inconspicuously set alongside PCH, a surprise awaits as you enter. Casa Laguna was originally built in the 1920’s as a private residence and latter expanded as an inn.  At one point in time the Inn was left to ruins, until the current owners took it over and made it the oasis it is today.

Located on a hillside, Casa Laguna feels more like a small Spanish village than an inn. The rooms and cottages are in various buildings all intertwined together by lush gardens and tinkling fountains. A heated ocean view pool lies in the middle of property, as does a romantic breakfast garden…where the most delicious gourmet breakfast I have ever had was served.

Every evening the owners host a wine tasting and appetizer hour for guests that includes an array of boutique cheeses and local delicacies.

The Inn has rooms for all budgets, the standard rooms start at $150 and suites start at $260.  Casa Laguna offers a higher level of service than most five star large hotels do, but at a fraction of the price. CasaLaguna.com

On a side note, while you are in Laguna also check out Sapphire restaurant.  Also on PCH just a few minutes drive, the restaurant offers a great mix of global cuisine.  Located in the local landmark The Pottery Shack, the restaurant is an integral part of the complex which also includes an art gallery and an outdoor glassblowing demonstration area. SapphireLaguna.com

What I have always loved about Mammoth is that there are plenty of budget accommodations to be found…from Motel 6 to cheap condos for rent. But when booking this last trip to Mammoth I found that one of the best budget accommodations in town was the least expected…the Mammoth Mountain Inn.  

Located right next to the Main Lodge with ski in/out access, I had always thought that the Mammoth Mountain Inn would be one of the most expensive places to stay in town…but I was wrong. Turns out that rooms at the Inn start at $189 per night, which compared to the Holiday Inn and Quality Inn, which start at $140 per night, you only pay an extra $50 dollars to be on the slopes.

The reason for the great deal is that the hotel is older and not as up-to-date as other accommodations in town.  In the mornings I could hear the avalanche patrol bombing the mountain, and my neighbors yappy dog sounded like it was living in my closet…but being a few steps from a lift at this price is hard to beat.

Info at www.mammothmountain.com

First I must warn you that my budget find this week is not technically a budget hotel, but if you don’t have the means to fly your loved one to the South of France for romantic getaway, this little secret will get you as close as possible without dropping a large chunk of change on airfare (at least for westcoasters)…

Also on a hill, but not in France, is a gorgeous chateau…the Chateau Marmont. Located in the land of make believe, Hollywood, this hotel was built in 1927 and modeled after the Chateau d’Amboise in France’s Loire Valley. The hotel is a testament to Hollywood’s ability to make you feel that you are in another land, when in reality you are in your own backyard.  

As with La Colombe d’Or, this hotel and restaurant has had its many encounters with the artistic world…from Jim Morrison swinging from a drainpipe…to Jean Harlow and Clark Gable making it their secret affair rendezvous point…Hollywood legends have soaked their way into it’s walls.

The hotel’s rooms are decorated with period antiques and the lobby looks more like the grand salon of a chateau than a standard hotel. The most romantic part of this chateau is the garden restaurant; filled with imported French wicker chairs and lit at night by torches and candlelight…this is THE place for the ultimate non-passport romantic getaway.

As I warned earlier, the prices are not cheap (a standard room is $300), but considering you could pretend you went to France and did not need a ticket or jetlag…it is a great place for an extravagant getaway on budget. www.chateaumarmont.com