Inspiring Travel and Wellness. Join me for adventures above and below the ocean, exploring nature, luxury travel experiences, spa and wellness activities.
The right food and drink not only provide nutritional substance, but cleanse & calm the mind. I drink a lot of tea of many different varieties. High quality Tea is a thing of beauty.
My friend and I often share Tea stories, varieties, recommendations, and have enjoyed Japanese Tea at Nobuo for lunch earlier this year. Looking for another great tea experience, we consulted TeaMap.com and started on the list. Some of these locations have closed, and others are quite a drive. Another Tea enthusiast friend just had Afternoon Tea at the Biltmore Resort last weekend, and it was the perfect choice.
Biltmore tea seating for 5 people
The Arizona Biltmore Resort is Waldorf-Astoria property built in 1929 in the art-deco style of design. The atmosphere is old Hollywood glamour. It was a stark contrast to Afternoon Tea at the American Girl Doll Cafe in Chicago last year, but both very enjoyable. Tea at the Biltmore is served in the main lobby, near the restaurant, by the front windows. Continue reading “Tea at Arizona Biltmore Resort”
Earlier this week we attended the Rush 40th anniversary concert at US Airways center arena in downtown Phoenix. Not wanting to miss a moment of the show, we called our Uber car and arrived almost 2 hours early. Our plan was to avoid traffic, and get a light snack & beverages at Cityscape before the show, since we had plenty of time. Great plan, except that every lounge and bar was packed! We could see the bar at the Blue Hound, but it was so crowded with people it was impossible to order a drink.
Bitter & Twisted bar and a few signature cocktails
Feeling frustrated and claustrophobic, we wandered toward Central Avenue and discovered the most delightful cocktail lounge. Bitter & Twisted is deceptively simple on the outside, and a wonder on the inside. Reclaimed red brick from Chicago and a massive bar, complete with old-tyme bar stools, greeted us on entry. There are luxurious golden upholstered booths along the outer wall and a stunning wall canvas. The atmosphere is glorious! There were only a few people, which we later learned is because B&T opened on their normal day off to serve the concert-goers (thank you, thank you!).
Fish & Chips
The drinks are exquisite. Each one is poured with skill and attention to detail. Average drink price was $12 and took a couple minutes to make – worth it. We ordered cocktails exclusively, but they do serve wine and other beverages. I shared the Fish & Chips with my friend, and it was the best that I have had in Phoenix! Next time I will not eat before going, so that I can try more menu items.
B&T are self-proclaimed “Purveyors of fine cocktails, spirits, and good times” and that is the honest truth. We had such a nice time before the concert that we all met back at B&T for a post-concert beverage before calling our car to take us home. Traffic and crowds were overwhelming after the concert, so it was a strategic withdrawal to B&T.
The bartenders are funny, charming and talented. Explaining each drink ingredient when we asked, and offering dead-on suggestions for the next delicious beverage to try. The staff is clearly having a good time, and they ensure that everyone around them has a pleasant evening, as well. The bartenders were telling us about the New Year’s Eve party, and a few other events that we need to attend. Turns out, B&T hosted a fabulous Villain’s Ball during Comicon – I missed out!
B&T is located at Central & Jefferson, close to US Airways arena, the Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix convention center, and many downtown events. Bitter & Twisted is my new top pick for Downtown refreshments!
I love a good spa experiance, and I am a sucker for a great pool. The promotional photo for Sanctuary Spa on Camelback is stunning and serene. Travel Zoo offered a fantastic deal, so I immediately bought a spa deal and booked an appointment.
Sanctuary Spa on Camelback is nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain. There is no indication of being in the middle of metro-Phoenix, it feels like you are far-far away.
Sanctuary Infinity Pool
This is what the pool really looks like, not as exactly the same as the promo photo using the super wide angle lens to make the pool look much, much bigger. The slate tile surrounding the pool is beautiful, but dark gray and horribly hot (not a good plan for a pool in Arizona). The only shade is from the few cabanas (in the photo) and the umbrellas for the majority of the lounge chairs to the left of the pictured pool. The pool was refreshing, but lacking any breeze or shade, I cut my time short. The pool is shared between the resort & the spa and was starting to get crowded when I left. The view is beautiful, just not quite as remote as the promo photo indicates.
Relaxation room
The spa front desk staff were polite and after a quick check-in and payment (the mandatory tip is applied before treatment when using a discount voucher), I was escorted to the Ladies locker area. I was not offered a tour of the spa facilities, even after I explained it was my first visit, and I had to ask for directions to the pool.
I purchased a voucher for the Sanctuary Jewel 60 minute facial. The aesthetician asked very few questions and really did not explain what products she was using or why. One of the masks smelled delicious and she confirmed my theory that is was indeed a Pumpkin mask. Everything felt really nice and smelled wonderful. I opted for the additional foot moisturizer and eye treatments. My face is soft and glowing, so whatever she did, it was a good treatment. Continue reading “Sanctuary Spa on Camelback Review and Spa Tour | Arizona Spas”
Outside of San Juan, just a few minutes from the Airport, is beautiful Isla Verde district of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Close enough to Old San Juan for the tourists, convenient for business in San Juan city center, and perched on the northern coast beach. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, but any of the beach front hotels in Isla Verde or Condado are a good choice. The area is a popular destination for business conventions, family vacations, and weekend getaways from the Mainland South and East Coast cities.
I am a sci-fi fan, an IT geek, and I like to play dress up at Halloween. I have never been to Comicon, or any con for that matter. For the last several years many of my friends attend and cannot understand why I am not there. So, this year I bought tickets for Comicon. Actually, they do not sell tickets, you have to buy a Membership to gain entrance for one or more days. Fine, I paid for my membership and I am ready to explore everything “Con”, specifically Phoenix Comicon 2015, has to offer.
My guidelines and basic strategy:
I do not pay for autographs or for photo ops with anyone. I do not care who you are, not gonna happen.
I do not wait in long lines for very many things. Even Space Mountain has Fast Pass – totally worth it.
I really do not like crowds. I love to people watch, but I prize my personal space more.
Authors Wesley Chu (middle) and Myke Cole (black Brooklyn shirt)
I attended a few hours Thursday afternoon and all day Friday. Thursday I attended in regular clothes, then several friends told me that I would have more fun in costume. It was not possible for me to have less fun, so Friday I wore a Steampunk outfit. I attended several panels including science, costuming, and a couple SciFi/Fantasy author panels (the author panels were by far the best that I attended, and can be seen at BOOK events).
Star Wars photo ops
I walked around Mos Eisley (Star Wars area) and Lego displays, along with many other themed areas for photos. I waited almost an hour for the over-hyped 5 minute Zombie walk Friday evening (where there was little walking, Zombie security yelling “hold the line”, and play fighting). I walked the entire exhibition hall, which is a very large shopping area full of comics, dust collectors, costume stuff, and other over priced items that I do not need to clutter my house. I ended up buying a few items for Renaissance Festival (2 vendors that do not attend AZ Ren Faire, but 1 that I actively stalk on Etsy).
Lego display
Basically, I learned the most important/popular things to do at Comicon are:
# 1 Photos – People take lots of photos. Pay to have their photo taken with celebrities, pose for photos in front of decorative backdrop, group photos with similarly dresses people, photos with SciFi themed props, and more photos.
# 2 Celebrities – Pay for photo taken with celebrity (#1 above), Pay (separate transaction, complete with separate line to stand in) for celebrity autograph, listen to celebrity in a panel lecture or discussion.
# 3 Panels – Watch celebrity panels (#2 above), attend various themed panels on a wide range of topics (most of which you can watch similar or better on YouTube/Netflix), run a panel (the criteria to run a panel is a pulse and ability to verbalize sounds).
# 4 Costumes – People dress up as everything. I saw Harry Potter characters, Steampunk, Dr. Who, Super Heroes, Game of Thrones, Furries, and a crap ton of other outfits that I have no idea what they are.
Comic books and collectibles
# 5 Shopping – Comic books, art, t-shirts, costumes, collectibles, and so much more to buy.
Action figures and stuff for purchase
More Comic books
Long lines for an event that was overdue to start
The panels and events were poorly managed resulting in long lines, and late starts for scheduled events.
This is my first, last, and only time that I ever will attend Comicon, and most likely any time of con in the future. Some people had fun. Many of my friends look forward to this all year and have a great time. Not for me.
