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 work hard and I play hard, then I relax…at the spa.
The spa is a place to relax and unwind. Here are 10 guidelines, helpful tips, and basic etiquette to follow for a more enjoyable experience at the day spa resort.
Arrive early – Arrive at least 15 minutes before your service to check in, find your locker, change into your robe, and have a few minutes to wind down before starting your service. Better still, arrive 30 minutes or more before services and familiarize yourself with the amenities. I usually look at each of the relaxation rooms, use the bathroom, pour myself a drink, and scope out the snacks before I settle in with a book or magazine waiting for my service.
Spa locker area
Use the lockers provided. Real day spas/resort spas will provide a locker, robe, and usually sandals. Do not lug a diaper bag sized handbag around with you during your treatments (or class at the gym), you will not need it.
Silence your mobile phone. Most of the time, my phone is in my locker anyway, but if you carry your phone keep it quiet. Part of the quiet phone is not talking on it. If you must make or take a phone call, leave the relaxation areas and head back to the locker area or other appropriate area. Look around and observe, it will be obvious if you are disturbing everyone around you.
Silence – not just your phone, but keep your voice down. I have a naturally loud voice, so I make an extra effort to lower my voice and not disturb everyone around me. The tile floors are great acoustics for sound, just this evening I heard everything several ladies discussed just outside the steam room. I doubt these women planned for everyone to hear their conversation, but we did, loud and clear.
Enter rooms slowly – many relaxation rooms are dark or dimly lit, enter slowly to let your eyes adjust and avoid startling anyone. Some of the relaxation rooms are small and you could run into someone if you barge in.
No photos – okay, I admit I do take photos for this blog. I do not take any photos when people are around. Most of my photos are towards the end of the day, or a slow period when no one else is around. I am referring to avoidance of the group photos and selfies with semi-nude guests in the background. Wearing only a tiny towel, I was recently in a background shot from an idiot teenager taking selfies in the mirror.
There are robe hooks near each sauna, steam room, hot tub, and other areas. Only take towels into the sauna & steam rooms, leave the robes outside. Remember to take the towels out with you when you leave.
Coordinate where to meet after the service – knowing where you are going to meet up after service will make life easier for you and avoid wandering around lost or disturbing others while you are in search mode.
Keep your possessions contained to your area and avoid spreading out to multiple chairs for each person. Most spas will have tables for books, magazines, drinks, and snacks.
Leave someone with your stuff, or take it with you doing your service. Consider staggered start times for private services (such as individual massages) if you want to save a specific area for your group.
There is also a significant amount of cross-over between the spa, gym, and many other places. I have seen many of these behaviors at the spa, gym, and hair/nail salons. Share this with folks that could benefit, in the end it will make spa time a happier time.
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.
