Envy Man Magazine Online

by: michaelandreadams

Man, oh man, it is definitely about a spa! And if the resort does not have one, well, next!

This year’s roundup contains a unique list of some of the most amazing spas one could hope to experience. Set yourself free with a visit to a minimum of three between now and next year’s feature...
 
In the Desert
Rancho La Puerta / Tecate, CA.

In 1940, Edmond and Deborah Szekely founded the concept of a fitness resort and spa getaway. Straddling the Mexican border at the tip of California, the resort is situated upon 3,000 acres of the mountains and meadows encompassed by Mount Kuchumaa—the first geographic feature in the U.S. to be named a National Historic Site by the Department of Interior based on spiritual significance.

The natural beauty at every turn throughout the spacious grounds of Rancho La Puerta will blow your mind! “You will walk at least three miles a day between coming and going,” explains owner, Deborah Szekely.

The morning hikes, ranging from 2.5 to 10 miles, accommodate everyone from neophyte to master hiker. And the beauty of the mountain trails will take your breath away. But my absolute favorite was the Organic Vegetable Garden Breakfast Hike... The 4-mile trek (2.5 hours roundtrip) is well worth the special breakfast you will experience, followed by a tour led by one of the resident horticulturalists. To counteract the effects of hiking, numerous stretch, yoga and Pilates classes are offered, making the property a perfect fitness escape.  Check out the website for the many specialty weeks including Wyoma’s African Dance Week.

Culinary Notables: Meat eaters steer clear from here! Instead, delight your colon with a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet including a low-fat/sodium, refined flour/sugar gourmet menu with seafood served five to six times a week for dinner and several times for lunch.

Spa Highlights: Visits to Rancho La Puerta are usually booked from Saturday to Saturday and include a daily complimentary spa treatment.

Rates: All inclusive rates (including service/tips, ALL meals, etc.) range from $2,690 (double) and $3,260 single in a Ranchero, to $4,065 in a Villa Suite Double and $3,210 for a Villa Suite Triple/Quad for a one week stay (Saturday to Saturday).     

Contact: www.rancholapuerta.com     800/443-7565

By The Sea
One & Only Palmilla / San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

Imagine the soothing sound of crashing waves in view of the great Pacific and the Sea of Cortez beneath a moonlit sky all from your luxuriously appointed, oceanfront suite. Options from the airport to your accommodations consist of a Hummer H2, a Land Rover, or 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450 SUV. Onsite you’ll be greeted by a warm and courteous host whose desire is to serve and please as you meander through the white exterior building with clay rooftops, enhanced by intricate wrought iron patterns, massive wooden doors and lush foliage. From the yesterdays of Hemingway and Harlow to the Emitt Smith’s and Nicolette Sheridan’s of today, One & Only Palmilla is Cabo’s preeminent hideaway for solitude-seeking A-listers.

The spacious suites with fully furnished verandas and oversized daybeds, and bathrooms featuring products from Lady Primrose, are created exclusively for Palmilla (www.ladyprimrose.com). Another notable accolade is Palmilla’s beach—one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo.

Culinary Notables: Culinary excellence prevails at each of the resort’s restaurants. For the spa, renowned Epicurean, Charlie Trotter, collaborated with noted nutritionist and author Mary Abbott Hess for the creation of spa cuisine unmasked by creams and fat- laden sauces. The flavor screams of natural decadence! Libation anyone? Palmilla has an exclusive on Pinky Vodka, which gets its natural flavors from rose and lilac. Ask for the signature martini at Agua Restaurant, or Agua Bar. Charlie Trotter’s C Restaurant and C Bar feature mouthwatering cuisine for an all-out splurge, accompanied by live entertainment.

Spa Highlights: The Sublime Lime & Ginger Ritual begins by invigorating the senses with an exfoliation treatment including a mixture of fresh limes, ginger, sea salt, Kukui Nut Oil and essential oils to deeply cleanse, then polished and softened, followed by a lush immersion in moisturizing Exotic Island Flower Body Lotion by Elemis. The process concludes with a 60- or 90-minute custom massage.

Rates: $550 to $2,200 and below through October. Highest November through late April.

Contact: www.oneandonlyresorts.com  866/829-2977

In the City
InterContinental Hotel / Atlanta, GA.

When visiting Atlanta, the gay mecca of the south, the correct address is either Buckhead, or Mid-town, with a build-up under way for the “long overdue for a re-do” downtown. If it’s Buckhead, hands down, it’s The InterContinental—an urban oasis for the style conscientious.

From the foyer to the reception area the theme is calm, comfortable and elegant, with butter-cream walls, marble floors and plushly upholstered furniture. The adjacent XO Bar features too many cognacs to mention, including my favorite, Louis XIII. The signature restaurant, Au Pied du Cochon is obviously French and worth the visit for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never closes, which is perfect after painting the town.

Spa Highlights: Wake up to a morning workout in the fitness center featuring city views above bustling Peachtree Road. Hit the Jurlique Wellness Spa either before or after you do the rooftop pool. In the spa your treatments are performed using quality products from Jurlique, a top brand based on natural plant-derived ingredients free from artificial colors and fragrances. Speaking of which, Jurlique has one of the best (if not the only) eye gels that can be applied to the eye lids without irritation. For dry skin, they offer a Daily Face Cream that’s full of moisture. The Signature Facial provides analysis, deep cleansing, exfoliation, a revitalizing mask and sealing reconditioning.

Rates: $149 to $3,500 during summer’s low season, with the best rate found online and generally over the weekend.

Contact: www.intercontinental.com/buckhead , 404/946-9000

To the Vineyards
The Carneros Inn & Spa / Napa Valley, CA.

The feeling is surreal upon arrival at The Carneros Inn & Spa, where the surrounding views of distant vineyards and mountains are nothing short of majestic.
 
Each unit is a separate bungalow in a wild and beautifully landscaped cluster that is the epitome of heaven right here on earth. Best stated, it’s where country charm meets city chic as defined by corrugated steel exterior fencing and interior ceiling fans, chaise lounge chairs with leather/pony hair accents, large screen plasma TV’s, oversized bathrooms with oversized bathtubs and separate showers—indoors and alfresco for moonlit romance.

It’s no secret that the wine country is a haven for amazing cuisine and the chefs on staff—under the direction of Kimball Jones—yes, definitely got the memo. With spectacular country vistas in plain view, I nearly cried with every bite at the Hilltop Dining Room. I had a scrumptious meal featuring Ahi Tuna Tartare with Black and White Sesame Seeds, Katz's Meyer Lemon Oil, Scallions and Yukon Gold Potato Chips;  Roasted Beets and Arugula Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, Blood Orange Segments, and Toasted Peanuts.

Spa Highlights: Therapists are quite knowledgeable. The boutique features a variety of skin care products from local companies utilizing indigenous ingredients. My favorite treatment, however, was the Sweet Ripened Apricot and Chardonnay body Scrub and Massage. Ripened apricots and organic sugar combine for a delightfully sweet body exfoliation. A rich oil pressed from Chardonnay grapes moisturizes apricot-kissed skin, which I extended to include a full body massage.

Rates: The Good Life package, a two night’s/ three day’s stay in a 900 to 1,200 garden cottage with fireplace includes a welcome bottle of Domaine Carneros and handmade chocolates delivered to your cottage; breakfast for two daily at The Boon Fly Café or The Hilltop Dining Room; dinner for two at FARM Restaurant; two 60-minute Warm Goat Butter Massages and two VIP tasting passes to The Vintner's Collective Tasting Room. Books for $1,435 (for two, mid-week) in June, which is a great time to visit.

Contact: www.thecarnerosinn.com , 707/299-4900, or 888/400-9000

In the Country
Chewton Glen / Hampshire, England

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler rated Chewton Glen “Favorite UK Spa Retreat.” And with just one visit, after arriving by way of the Queen Mary 2, it was perfectly clear as to why.

On the edge of the New Forest National Park, just two hours outside of central London, the resort is a short walk to the sea. The combination of countryside and coast makes for great exploration, assuming you can pull yourself away from the multitude of activities (hiking & biking trails, clay pigeon shooting, archery, a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, a croquet lawn, a putting green and more) within the resort’s 130 acres of ground. 

Rated among the top 25 restaurants in the UK by Egon Ronay, the food at the signature Marryat Restaurant is an event at Chewton Glen. The use of fresh local produce such as wild mushrooms, vegetables and game from the New Forest, and seafood from Christchurch and Lymington undoubtedly and consistently make the difference.

Spa Highlights: With over 60 beauty and body treatments, featuring skin care products by Molton Brown, the spa is a not-to-be-missed event. At the top of the list under the dome of a blue sky mural is hydrotherapy, including an Olympic-sized ozone treated indoor pool, hydrotherapy spa pool with various high-tech options, crystal steam rooms and outdoor whirlpools for the ultimate wind down.

Rates: Take a Midweek Overnight Spa Break for three nights now through October for 337 British Pounds, which is equivalent to approximately $671 per night, for a junior suite, gold level. The package includes a continental breakfast, three course dinner, one 60-minute Molton Brown spa treatment per day, unlimited use of spa facilities, dance and aerobics classes and all VAT and service charges.

Contact: www.chewtonglen.com , 800/344-5087

At Sea
The Queen Mary 2

The Queen made her illustrious debut back in January of 2004, at which time she was the largest, longest, tallest and grandest liner ever built! She carries a total of 3,056 passengers and over 1,200 in crew. The Envy Man definitely wants the Queens Grill, or no less than Princess Grill accommodations, each offering convenient amenities such as spacious balcony suites, tiled bathrooms with bathtubs, and daily dining at your convenience in a private restaurant to name a few. There’s also the 156-seat Todd English Restaurant for a $20 (lunch) or $30 (dinner) supplement.

Spa Highlights: Canyon Ranch operates the spa with an amazing team of therapists offering a complete line of health and fitness options. The most valuable benefits gained from my experience was the significance of reducing my sugar intake through the use of stevia and fructose, along eating sweets first, meat and vegetables in the middle of the meal, followed by leafy salads for the finale. You’ll be amazed at how much better the body’s digestive process works when eating in that order!

Rates: Six- and seven-night transatlantic cruises between New York and Southampton, England and onto Germany are offered now through August roughly from $3,900 Princess Grill and $5,200 Queens Grill (Early Booking Savings). If traveling eastbound to England and Germany, make plans to visit Chewton Glen, which is just a 30-40 minute drive from the Southampton Port.

Contact: www.cunard.com , or contact your travel agent.

Worthy of Honorable Mention

The Ritz Carlton / Laguna Nigel

On the heels of a $40 million renovation, the Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel has been transformed from traditional to sophisticated-serene via frosty blues, soft whites, deep shaded wood, polished marble, plasma televisions, Bose stereos and Bvlgari bath amenities. Perched on a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it is the perfect place to take a morning yoga class. Head down to the beach to wade in the water, sunbathe, or for a lovers’ stroll at dusk.

Overnight accommodations on the Concierge Level offer multiple food presentations daily, along with onsite attendants for assistance with all needs. It’s pretty much an all-inclusive deal!

Spa Highlights: The fitness center faces the ocean and they have no problem performing an amazing aromatherapy massage for same-sex couples.

Rates: For the Envy Man, the absolute, must-do package is The Mercedes Benz Key to Luxury Package. Rates from $755 per night will incorporate everything you need for a coastal escape to remember, including elegant Club Level accommodations; access to a Mercedes-Benz (either the S550 Sedan, the CLS500 Coupe, an SL500, the two-seater Roadster, or an R500 SUV) with unlimited mileage and a full tank of gas each morning; daily resort fee and valet parking.  It just doesn’t get much better than that here at home in the great US of A!

Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com , 949/240-2000