Wednesday, February 27, 2008

...more on our Spa Resort stay:

As I said in the last post, I'm not ordinarily known for an ability to lay around and do nothing. But, this place just soothed the beast! For 3 days my golf clubs sat in the corner... and those who know me would be shocked to hear that it didn't bother me a bit! We did spa treatments each afternoon (I didn't go in for any of the exotic treatments - just some great massages) just before getting dressed for cocktails and wonderful dinners. After dinner, we would go to the wine bar off the outdoor section of the lobby and just sit overlooking the grounds and the ocean. What a way to end a perfect day!

OK; so what's so great about a massage? We all have had them at our local health clubs or day spas, right? Apart from the fact that spas in these 5-Star Resorts are something special, the total environment is one of relaxation. They are so quiet and peaceful that you generally will feel as if you are the only client in the spa.

And here's the real difference: When I go on a golf trip with the guys, the thing that makes it so special is that we are away from all the normal commitments. Nobody is late to the course because of a business tie up. Nobody has run off after golf because of a kid's game or concert. Nobody is pressured to be home in time for dinner. After golf on these trips, all we need to worry about is how much time we have for the pool or hot tub before getting ready to go to dinner! Same thing here: You have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, taken a walk on the beach and relaxed in the sun at the pool before going to the spa. After your massage, you have as much time as you want to relax in the spa's lounge or whirlpool. Cocktails and dinner are on your terms.

If you are one who THINKS you are not a "spa resort type", think again!!!!!

Cheers,

Dick

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Saturday, February 09, 2008

"Our Cabo Stay Got Even Better..."

... the meeting that we were managing in Los Cabos broke up Sunday morning and we headed for a few days of personal time on the Pacific side of Cabo. And, what a treat we were in store for! We drove down through the town center of Cabo San Lucas and up the hills (almost mountains) and down the other side (a winding road for sure!) to the Pacific coast and our new home, the beach side Pueblo Bonito Pacifica - a quiet adults-only holistic spa resort.

The resort is the only structure of any kind on a mile and a half long beach (the picture in my previous post gives you some idea of how expansive and "private" the beach is). So, now, I am a good 30 minutes from the nearest golf course and I wondered how I would exist for 3 days without playing. It was no problem!!! This place was the most relaxing and regenerative place I've ever experienced. Being one that has a hard time sitting still for very long, I had some reservations about this stay. It didn't take long for me to know that I didn't care a hoot about leaving this oasis - much less beat myself up on a golf course.

Passing through, not one - but two security guard stations before arriving at the front door, we walked into the lobby which exuded the soothing spa aroma of lavender that immediately relaxed us. The first thing we did was to go to the spa to reconfirm our treatment reservations. The eucalyptus aromas in the spa practically put us to sleep!

Our suite overlooked the pool, grounds (the picture above and that with the last post were taken from our veranda) and ocean. We were welcomed to our room by soothing "spa music" which was playing from the television. And a candle diffuser that was emitting more lavender aromas.

No children! OK, we all love kids, right? But, who doesn't look forward to a break? This place was soooo peaceful - without being boring! The atmosphere there just breeds "quiet relaxation". Even those of us that aren't exactly known for being quiet and docile just fall into this state of quiet. People all around were visiting but everyone seemed to converse in low volume - almost at a whisper.

Whale watching from our veranda! What a show we were treated to! Because the ocean gets very deep very fast, we saw whales surfacing "up close & personal". A few times we saw 5 at a time and once, while walking the beach, a whale surfaced so close I could hear the exhalation (the water spout). From our veranda one morning, we saw a whale jump completely out of water (as in those Pacific Life Insurance commercials). WOW!

Gotta go... I'll add more to this later.

Dick

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas!


(Note: This post was created last week from Mexico but, because of a cyber road block, I couldn't upload it until I got home...)

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas! If you look back to my post of mid-December, you'll see that I have developed a new view of Mexico in the last couple years. Nothing could have demonstrated how far Mexico has come than this "return to Cabo". This is my first time back here since 1999 and the changes were astonishing! The "aeropuerto", (still very small) has a new terminal building; the number of private jets parked throughout the airport grounds was particularly eye-catching; a new highway from the airport to "resort row" and the town is now open. And, the new resorts and villas... Our magnificent 5-Star Resort, The Marquis, didn't even exist back then. In fact, there are about 20 high-end resort hotels that are new since then! Finally, a major sign of the "new" Mexico went almost unnoticed - At least if you are staying at an upscale resort or hotel, the old "don't drink the water" mantra is a thing of the past. (All bets are off if you venture into eateries away from the resorts!)

If you are at all familiar with the "Leading Hotels of the World" group of which the Marquis is a member, you know that's all you need to know of a hotel's quality! The service was friendly & efficient and the food was
wonderful. If you're a golfer, Cabo is THE place in Mexico for you. And the Marquis is just across the highway from my favorite among the many great courses here - Cabo Real. (For more on the golf, go to my Golf Blog.) The Marquis is a relatively small property that has you feeling quite well-attended. you don't get lost in the crowd - and you don't need to wait for a table or fight for a poolside lounge chair. The best way I could describe the Marquis would be "understated elegance". If you want over-the-top splashiness, I would recommend the Palmilla Resort or Las Ventanas.

It gets even better! We were at The Marquis managing a corporate incentive group (and this place is great for meetings of 50 to 150 people) but when that group disbursed on Sunday morning, we headed to the Pacific side and spent 3 glorious days at quiet adults-only holistic spa resort - the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (pictured above). Those of you who know me have just fallen off your chairs!

More on that experience in the next couple days.

Dick

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