Hammam, Vegas style

Posted by Staff in Nevada, Sundays Spa Report

Drift Spa at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas has just added a hammam or turkish bath.  This is the first of it’s kind in Las Vegas.

The hammam is coed, but the rest of the spa’s saunas remain separated (except for the private couples rooms of course).  As with traditional hammams, Drift offers exfoliation treatments.  The most innovative is the “Cherry Blossom,” which involves a cherry blossom scrub followed by a silk massage with rice bran.

For more info click here…..

Camping at it’s finest

Posted by Staff in Canada, Eco Saturdays

Rumor has it that actors Scarlett Johanssen and Ryan Reynolds tied the knot recently at the uber-luxe Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, located in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere reserve, in British Columbia, Canada.

The resort consists of 20 white tents, decked out with lavish antiques, remote-controlled propane wood-stoves, oil lamps, each with a private bathroom.  For families, the resort has nine suite tents with a seating area and sofa bed.

Gourmet meals are served in the ranch-style cookhouse, or for a more intimate experience, dinner can be served in either the ‘bistro’ or ‘family’ dining tents.

Every outdoor activity you could ever imagine is offered, from fishing to bear watching.  For those (like me) who prefer the creature comforts, can spend the day at Healing Grounds, an “eco-safari style massage and therapeutic treatment centre.”

Rates for the all inclusive resort start at $4,750 CAD (per person) for three nights and include return floatplane transfers, 1 hour massage, all activities and meals. For more information visit wildretreat.com

Hotel Virginia, Santa Barbara

Posted by Staff in Budget Thursdays, California

Santa Barbara, California, is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the west coast.  

Popularity comes at a price, and budget travelers often get left out in the cold.

If you want to visit Santa Barbara but don’t have the $500 a night to stay in one of the many central and luxurious hotels/inn…..I have a solution and its the Hotel Virigina, a Holiday Inn Express.

The Hotel Virginia was originally built in 1916 and is a historical landmark.  The recent renovations have left the rooms looking like mini-four seasons digs.  

Not only are the rooms great, the location can’t be beat.  The hotel is in the center of downtown and only a few blocks from the beach…..it is so central that you can park your car for the weekend and see everything by foot.

Rooms start at $159 and although you might be able to find more budget accommodations in Santa Barbara, you would be hard pressed to find a place so central and with so much charm.

Visit them at HotelVirginia.com

Avia Spa

Posted by Staff in California, Sundays Spa Report

Avia Spa, located in the Californian resort town of Santa Barbara, calls themselves “The East West Sanctuary”….I could think of no better way to describe the spa.  The popular day spa attracts customers from all over who come for the unique blend of Asian and Western spa services.  The service menu is large and varied.  If you are looking for a massage you have choices ranging from a traditional swedish, a Hawaiian dance, Japanese shiatsu, Thai massage or even the Indian Abhyanga massage.  The facials and other treatment offer an equally varied “world tour” of treatments.  My favorite treatment is the “Salt Stone Aromatic Glow”…..you’ll spent the day after the treatment caressing you new baby-soft skin.

For more information visit their website here.