The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is an elegant oasis, blessed by natural mineral hot springs in the Sonoma Valley. An idyllic, world famous wine growing region abundant with local products, the hotels signature restaurant Santé is designed to exude the California Wine Country Spa experience.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa offers a wonderful retreat with rooms to suit every taste. Accommodations range from recently restored Fairmont Heritage rooms to signature suites. You will find beautifully appointed rooms, many with fireplaces to set the mood at the end of a perfect day touring the local wineries or enjoying the spa. All rooms feature telephones with voice mail, a selection of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa bathroom amenities, mini-bar refrigerator, terry cloth robes, and air-conditioning.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa features a variety of fine dining, from Santé Restaurant, with its international reputation for the finest in cuisine, with its 50-year history of serving wonderful food in a casual atmosphere. The hotel is blessed to be located in a region where fresh produce and exceptional products are in abundance for use to be paired with some of the finest wines in the world. The chefs are continuously at work developing innovative dishes for guests to experience. The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is one of the most comprehensive full service spas in Northern California.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is proud to be one of the only luxury spa resorts in the country with their own source of thermal mineral water, which flows from 1,100 feet directly beneath the Inn at 135 degrees. The Spa pays homage to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations, who believed in the axiom, 'Sanitas Per Aquas', or healing through water.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Top 30 Spas of America 2007

From dynamic city day spas, to exciting hotel & resort spas, and rejuvenating destination spas, Spas of America illustrates over 600 different wellness experiences from across North & South America. Spas of America's Top 30 Spas for 2007 includes spas from across the US, Canada and Mexico. The list is generated by the popularity of page views from customers around the world.

1. 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar & Post, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
2. Abhasa Spa, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
3. Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico
4. Turtle Cove Spa, Mountain Harbor Resort, Mount Ida, Arkansas
5. Secret Garden Spa, Prince of Wales, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
6. Adolf Beiker Spa, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7. Red Mountain Spa, St.George, Utah
8. Chrysalis Inn & Spa, Bellingham, Washington
9. Living Waters Spa, Desert Hot Springs, California
10. Aspira Spa, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
11. Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, California
12. Bonneville Hot Springs, North Bonneville, Washington
13. Grotto Spa, Tight-Na-Mara Spa Resort, Parksville, British Columbia
14. Foxhollow Spa, Crestwood, Kentucky
15. Amerispa Le Westin Resort, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
16. Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York
17. Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California
18. Golden Door, Escondido, California
19. Ancient Cedars Spa, Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia
20. ANARA Spa, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, Hawaii
21. Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, Pennsylvania
22. The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
23. Heartland Spa, Gilman, Illinois
24. Mandarin Oriental New York, New York
25. Spa Avania, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, Arizona
26. Hyatt Grand Champions Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, California
27. Ritz Carlton Naples, Naples, Florida
28. The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Carefree, Arizona
29. Park Hyatt Toronto, Stillwater Spa, Toronto, Ontario
30. Majestic Inn & Spa, Anacortes, Washington
    
    ~ Google Analytics, January 1- December 31, 2007

The Spas and Stars of Ojai

Finding the ideal small-town retreat is getting tougher these days, at least for urban escapees whose checklist for perfection includes some potentially contradictory traits.

It has to offer seclusion, but within a two-hour drive of a major city. Natural beauty, but no weather extremes. Relaxation, but plenty to do when the mood strikes. Interesting neighbors, but not so many that traffic backs up or real estate prices get out of hand.

On all but that last count, Ojai, Calif., may be one of the few small towns in America actually to meet those demands.

In a valley less than 90 miles northwest of central Los Angeles and 15 miles inland from the Pacific, Ojai is a low-key hideaway known for attracting an eclectic mix of artists, spiritual gurus, health devotees and entrepreneurs — and, more recently, Hollywood actors and executives.

Real estate agents generally avoid discussing celebrity clients, but local newspapers said that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, were house hunting in Ojai this summer, and the former “Dallas” star Larry Hagman owns a solar-powered spread there.

But by all accounts, high-profile residents tend to keep a low profile around town.

“Ojai is going to cater to a very nonpretentious type of buyer,” said Larry Wilde, co-owner of the Coldwell Banker Property Shoppe. “For those who want massive wining and dining and shopping, they’re going to go to Santa Barbara or Malibu.”

In fact, the valley’s slow pace is precisely why Eric Goode, part owner of New York City hot spots like the Waverly Inn and the Maritime Hotel, bought a home in Ojai nearly 20 years ago.

“I wanted a place that was the opposite of New York,” he said. “It’s just a funny, sleepy town.” Mr. Goode spent a couple of years in Ojai as a child and recently set up a sanctuary for 300 endangered turtles and tortoises from the Bronx Zoo — a project that has increased his visits to Ojai to about once a month.

“I’m torn between the urban world and the natural world, so I go out there for my dose of the natural world,” he said, though that doesn’t exclude merging Ojai and his work life down the road. “I would love to buy a hotel there.”

The town’s name comes from a Chumash Indian word meaning “moon” or “nest,” and a shot of the valley that appeared in the 1937 Frank Capra film “Lost Horizon” bolsters the area’s status as a modern-day Shangri-La.

With just 8,000 residents, Ojai has long had an anti-development stance, preserving its reputation as a haven for healthy living, in contrast to the crowds, pollution and excess of Los Angeles. It is also something of a spiritual mecca, home to the Krotona Institute of Theosophy and a retreat dedicated to the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti, once an Ojai resident.

These days, visitors and transplants are more likely to be seeking a massage or a Mediterranean-style ranch. Those in search of more active pursuits will find miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as golf courses, tennis courts and yoga classes. But the growing popularity of spa vacations has put Ojai on the map.

One of the main draws is the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, a 220-acre Spanish colonial-style resort that finished a $90 million renovation last year. With three pools, four restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, a 31,000-square-foot spa and activities ranging from guided hikes to art lessons, it’s a popular escape for Los Angeles residents as well as for travelers who fly in.

It’s also a favorite location for corporate retreats and special events, making headlines Labor Day weekend when the “Private Practice” star Kate Walsh held her wedding there.

With weekend rates starting at $400 a night and a 50-minute massage priced at $140, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa draws a deep-pocketed crowd for its style of deep-tissue relief. On the more economical end of the spectrum, weekend room rates at the Oaks at Ojai spa start at $190 a person, based on double occupancy, but include meals and classes, while a 50-minute massage costs $75.

Read the complete article from the New York Times

St. Regis Monarch Beach & Spa Gaucin, California

Situated high on a bluff overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, stands a landmark resort of legendary proportions. The five-diamond St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, built in Tuscan-style, is devoted to the pursuit of service and elegance with a seamless blend of comfort and technology. St. Regis Monarch Beach is the first of its kind, an ideal combination of luxurious rooms, a breathtaking location, world-class spa, private beach club, and oceanfront golf course.

St. Regis Monarch Beach & Spa Gaucin, California

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, South Carolina

Sitting upon a wide stretch of pristine sand beach amongst acres of lush landscaping, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is a premier escape destination where modern luxury is accented by traditional Southern charm. The resort is home to Westin's new spa brand - 'Heavenly Spa'. The experience offers guests a modern, yet simplistic architectural elements designed to enjoy the relaxing sanctuaries and alcoves complimented by soothing sounds and water features throughout the 8,000 square-foot facility.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, South Carolina

Cap Estel, Côte d'Azur, France

At the end of the 19th century, a Russian prince built on this historical site between Nice and Monaco. In the 1950’s the Cap Estel was developed into a deluxe hotel, welcoming luxury travelers for all over the world. After a three year renovation program Cap Estel has again found its former splendor with state of the art technology. In the guest rooms at Cap Estel, contemporary furnishings with pure lines opt for noble materials, delicate nuances or glamorous tones. Their balconies or terraces offer unique views of the Mediterranean. Cap Estel also offers suites, each with a different design and style. In order to preserve the privacy of the site and its personalized service, the establishment proposes restaurant service at the Pool House or in the dining-room.
Cap Estel, Côte d'Azur, France

An Investment in Wellness ~ Rancho La Puerta, Mexico

“Does it hurt?” Rosario asks me. Her question lingers in the air like a rare white cloud on a beautiful clear Tecate afternoon. I’m lying on my stomach with my eyes closed, somewhere between the lands of relaxation and nirvana. Rosario is at work on my legs, her 17 years of Rancho La Puerta massage therapy experience delicately unbraiding my tender calf muscles after this morning’s three-mile hike. “No,” I say through clenched teeth. “It’s like love ... sometimes it’s supposed to hurt.”

Whereupon Rosario lets out a polite chuckle and quietly returns to my 90-minute Healing Massage treatment. A true professional, Rosario, like many other therapists on the Spa & Wellness team at Rancho La Puerto, has been at “The Ranch” longer than many other destination spas have been in business.

Over the course of 60 years, Rancho La Puerta, just south of the U.S. border in Baja California, has evolved from a rustic ranch to a sophisticated destination spa resort. It’s a palette of wellness awaiting your arrival, with creative organic cuisine, eye-opening nature at every turn, and hundreds of activities and programs to keep you busy -- or not, the choice is up to you.

In addition to set programs, the Ranch offers specialty weeks set out almost a year in advance. During my visit, Phyllis Pilgrim, the Ranch’s fitness director, and Irene Borger, a popular writing coach, held a daily class entitled Inspiration: Yoga and Writers’ Workshop. Activities carry on into the evening with movies, lectures on the changing political landscape of Mexico, and a not-to-be-missed bingo night.

The pre-breakfast morning hikes are an invigorating start to each day. Lasting 45 to 60 minutes, they offer stunning views of mystical Mount Kuchumaa and the rugged Baja California topography. Guests are free to choose from a variety of hikes led by experienced guides. Not to be missed is a hike to the Ranch’s organic farm and home to the new cooking school La Cocina Que Canta -- “The Kitchen That Sings.” La Cocina will soon be the hub of any food lover’s vacation dreams, featuring hands-on cooking classes with just-harvested organic ingredients.

With over 150 activities and classes available, guests may venture to try new activities such as Feldenkrais or Pilates or settle into old favorites. Although the majority of guests are women, more and more men are visiting, and the Ranch also offers custom programs, including circuit training, yoga and stretching classes.

One of my favorite memories is finding myself in the middle of a stretch class with a dozen other guys each bending in and out of shape. All the while, golden sunlight streams in from outside and James Taylor’s “Mexico” plays overhead as if on queue: “Oh, down in Mexico / I never really been so I don’t really know / Oh, Mexico / I guess I’ll have to go.”

(The yoga and stretch classes were so rewarding, they inspired me to continue the practice at home.) The well-appointed Men’s Fitness Center, with sauna, steam room and private outdoor Jacuzzi, was a welcome sanctuary, and conveniently located adjacent to the computer room --– for those of us who couldn’t leave home without it.

Read the complete article

Wild Spas of Italy

The steamy sulfur springs north of Rome may be out of Dante’s “Inferno,” but locals and pleasure-seekers find them refreshing. Bulicame is one of the natural sulfur springs that dot the province of Viterbo, near Rome. They were discovered by the Romans in the fourth century B.C.

"It's an inferno in here,” yelled a middle-aged woman as she plunged into a foul-smelling hot spring in central Italy. She wasn't the first to compare these scorching sulfur baths to Hell. In Canto XIV of “Inferno,” Dante wanders past a pool oozing with boiling red water and is reminded of these thermal spas about an hour north of Rome “whose waters are shared with prostitutes.”

Read the complete article from the New York Times

Win a Great Grape Spa Escape

You and a lucky friend will spend 3 fabulous nights in romantic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Straight from the vines to the spa, you’ll experience the healing properties of grape extracts in a signature vinotherapy treatment in one of Canada’s most intimate spas — Secret Garden Spa at Prince of Wales.

Enter the contest

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Arizona

Situated on 1,300 acres of pristine, multi-hued desert that invites exploration, The Boulders Resort & Spa is one of America’s premier destination resorts. Accommodations range from casitas (cottages) to villas to haciendas, all radiating a warm, elegant Southwestern atmosphere. Special touches include overstuffed leather chairs, hand-hewn wood beams and wood-burning fireplaces. Besides the best in golf and tennis, guests enjoy four swimming pools, six dining choices and numerous outdoor activities. For local flavor, there’s el Pedregal Festival Marketplace, with its upscale boutiques, sidewalk cafes and open-air concerts.

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa

The Carneros Inn, California

Nestled among 27 acres of seemingly endless rows of grape vines, unspoiled farmland, and scenic apple orchards, The Carneros Inn's design is based on cues from the local countryside - including barns, silos and ranchers' cottages - and combined with stylish, modern interiors - to capture Napa, California's distinct charm. Gravel paths that crunch underneath your feet, private gardens where you can enjoy a glass of California's finest wines, open-air fireplaces for chilly nights, exclusive dining, outdoor showers under a blanket of stars, crisp white linens, and decadent spa treatments inspired by local ingredients ensure an experience you'll never forget.
The Carneros Inn, California

Cliff House Resort & Spa, Maine

Since 1872, the Cliff House Resort & Spa on the South Coast of Maine has long been the vacation resort for greater Boston, only an hour away. Experience the vastness of seventy acres of oceanfront resort, high above Bald Head Cliff. Every room offers guests their own balcony with an ocean view. Hear the ocean roar, see the sun rise and set against the distant horizon, and... relax. The Cliff House Resort is ideal for spa getaways featuring a full service oceanfront spa as well as fine dining, conferences and corporate meetings.

Cliff House Resort & Spa

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida

Discover the healing powers of citrus-inspired beauty treatments amid a lush garden landscape. With 40,000 square feet dedicated to rejuvenation, the Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando provides an elegant and relaxing retreat from the outside world -- a place where the sense of touch can relax the spirit and refresh the soul.


The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida

The Hills Health Ranch, British Columbia

With a leading reputation for wellness, health and weight loss, the Hills Health Ranch, set on 20,000 acres in British Columbia’s scenic Cariboo region, offers a unique combination of rest, relaxation, education and adventure. Hike rangelands dotted with peaceful lakes or challenge yourself in a class of your choosing to reach new fitness goals.

The Hills Health Ranch, British Columbia

The Delano, Aqua Spa, Florida

Located in the heart of South Beach and directly on the ocean, Delano is the ultimate world-class urban resort and self-contained destination. The Aqua Spa, is cleverly located on the hotel’s roof, a serenely beautiful and peaceful space that offers state-of-the-art spa treatments aimed at rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit. Housed in a pristine white setting, with miles of sheer billowing curtains, an enormous private terrace and 360-degree views, Agua is the ultimate sanctuary.
The Delano, Aqua Spa, Florida

The Homestead, West Virginia

Built in 1892, the Homestead Spa is one of America’s most historic luxury spas. Still fed by the historic hot springs that have attracted travelers since the 1700s, the spa provides the ultimate in rejuvenation and relaxation. Treatments and amenities include massages, mineral baths, aromatherapies, steam and sauna, and skin, scalp and intensive facial therapies.
The Homestead

Spa Savanna, Montreal, Quebec

Drawing its inspiration from the natural restorative balance that exists on the African grasslands, Spa Savanna is a special place where the forest and the desert meet, allowing harmonious rejuvenation of the body and spirit. Centrally located in the metropolitan hub of Montreal, the spa offers elegant design, attentive staff and relaxed comfort.
Spa Savanna

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa, Hawaii

Awaken your senses with tropical facials, rejuvenating body scrubs, detoxifying wraps and tension-relieving massages, all while enjoying a stunning view of the vivid Pacific Ocean. The 10,000-square-foot, two-story Na Ho’ola Spa offers a wide array of specialty services in 19 treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite, plus a dry sauna, steam showers, relaxation room and fitness center.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa

At Ease Spa, New Jersey

Hillsdale, New Jersey's At Ease Spa offers guests an experience where beauty and health, mind and body, spirit and energy are integral components to a whole and inspired you. Each and every one of the spa's staff is a fully licensed and certified expert with years of training and experience to ensure that each time you visit you will be fully pampered and attended to. Sit back, relax, and rest assured at the At Ease Spa you're in the best of hands, and you can literally be at-ease.
At Ease Spa, New Jersey

Evensong Spa, Heidel House Resort, Wisconsin

Evensong Spa is wrapped in tranquility and set on wooded acres in Green Lake, Wisconsin. It's a place of nature, with woods and wetlands, paths and trails. The spa offers a unique blend of natural and high technology services and products which are customized for each guest's concerns and needs. The Spa's goals are to help guests achieve outer and inner peace, and to help them attain their desired physical results and well-being.
Evensong Spa, Heidel House Resort