on location: west ❖
lisa kasanicky
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rom sunsets framed by craggy mountains to dusty trails that harken back to a simpler time, the road West is paved with fun and memorable getaways for female travelers. Rates often vary by season thanks to the drastic weather changes brought on by arid air, so off-season values are usually available. As diverse as its landscape, the Great American West offers group travelers a potpourri of unforgettable experiences.
ARIZONA The Scottsdale and Phoenix metro area may be spa central but just less than two hours north sits one of the world’s top relaxation havens. Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, caters to women looking for a getaway that takes wellness to a new level.Tucked in a red rock canyon dotted with juniper and cottonwood trees, the resort’s crowning spot is the 24,000-square-foot spa complete with a cafe and demo kitchen, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, and fitness studio. Guests can stay in the Mii amo spa village for a full wellness immersion or in Enchantment’s casita guest rooms and visit the spa as day guests.The “Girlfriends Getaway”(from $1,239 per person) includes two nights at Enchantment Resort, breakfast each day, one spa service, one private group session (yoga, guided hike, tennis clinic or tarot card reading) and a welcome bottle of wine and cheese plate. Suggested side trips include Pink Jeep Tours, Verde Valley wine country tour, shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village or psychic reading at the Center for the New Age. (miiamo.com) CALIFORNIA While the southern beaches and northern vineyards are among California’s superstar destinations, Alisal Guest 26 August 2010
West
Go West, Girlfriends
Resort packages in the Great American West lure ladies looking for spa indulgences and outdoor activity California’s Alisal Guest Ranch offers the “Cowgirl Bootcamp” package.
Ranch and Resort in Santa Barbara County offers female travelers a trip to a simpler time laced with cowboy hospitality. Once the site of a working cattle ranch, the 10,000-acre property is dotted with charming, ranch-style cottages tucked among shaded meadows with a spring-fed lake, golf, fitness and riding trails all nearby. A getaway for the adventurous crowd, “Cowgirl Bootcamp” is a women-only, all-inclusive package available at predetermined dates throughout the year or privately for groups of 10 or more. Bootcamp includes three nights accommodations, welcome gift basket, evening cocktails, three meals daily including wine with dinner, a massage, wine maker’s presentation, lakeside picnic lunch, daily horseback rides, activities such as line dancing and barrel racing lessons, and nightly entertainment ($2,800, double occupancy). Outside the ranch, a must-do day trip is the Danish village of Solvang, where the girls can pose with a giant wooden clog or indulge in a fresh-made strudel. (alisal.com)
UTAH For women looking for adventure with a side of serenity, Red Mountain Spa is a fitness and health destination where adventurous outdoor programs for all levels are tempered by a menu of spa treatments, luxury accommodations and savory cuisine. The property is about a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and is nestled in the red rock bluffs of Snow Canyon State Park in southwest Utah, near Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. A playground of activities awaits – from self-guided hikes and back-country wilderness treks to stargazing, cooking demos and creative expression classes. The sevennight “Fitness Boot Camp” package answers the call of women looking to jump-start their fitness regimen with the support of comrades. Starting at $299 per person per night (based on double occupancy), the package includes accommodations, three meals daily, guided morning hikes, fitness LeisureGroupTravel.com
CASINO SHOWCASE Sky Ute Casino Resort The Southern Ute Indian tribe is proud of its cultural, artistic and military heritage—and the new Sky Ute Casino Resort. This premier Colorado property hosts national and international groups drawn to the splendor of the San Juan Mountains’ picturesque rivers, valleys and abundant wildlife. The Aspen Dining Room, with 70-foot windows, is one of four dining options. Walk away a winner and discover a new type of Las Vegas casino offering everything from slots, craps and roulette to high-stakes gaming. Millions have been spent on air purification. Just steps from the casino floor are over 20,000 square feet of space for conferences, weddings and banquets. The June 2011 opening of the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum is fast becoming the ideal casino partner regarding heritage tourism. It will feature a 52,000-square-foot structure in a living culture museum containing more than 12,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibit space. (skyutecasino.com)
consultation, metabolic profile, personal training session, heart rate workshop with take-home heart monitor, boot camp classes, massage at Sagestone Spa, cooking demos and welcome gift. (redmountainspa.com) COLORADO Located in Southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Telluride is a skiing destination beloved for its Old West charm. The walkable town
square offers a variety of dining options, unique shops and galleries. Telluride Ski Resort offers terrain for every level – from wide, groomed trails to challenging mogul runs in remote areas. Connected to Telluride by a free gondola transportation system, the high-elevation town of Mountain Village offers a bevy of ski-in, ski-out rental houses with ample room for girlfriend getaways. (tellurideskiresort.com)
Tulalip Resort Casino With 370 luxurious guest rooms, rejuvenating spa and award-winning dining, the AAA Four Diamond Tulalip Resort Casino is the premier gaming destination in Washington State. The 192,000square-foot casino features the best selection of games and the most cash back of any Northwest casino. Enjoy some 2,000 slot and video poker machines, 50 gaming tables, bingo, live keno and the well-appointed Slehal Room. Guest rooms in the 12-story hotel feature floor-toceiling windows, Italian tile and granite countertops. Standard amenities include 47� HD televisions, pillow-top beds, walk-in showers with three body sprays, and complimentary local calls and Wi-Fi. Tulalip Resort Casino offers five restaurants to suit any taste. Headlining the culinary offerings is Tulalip Bay, featuring sophisticated cuisine by James Beard House invitee Chef Dean Shinagawa. The full-service, 14,000-square-foot T Spa boasts native-inspired treatments in addition to a full range of skin and body therapies. (tulalipresort.com)
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Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, located in Lemoore, is in the heart of Central Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s San Joaquin Valley, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco/Sacramento and only 20 minutes from Interstate 5 and Highway 99. Guests of the crescent-shaped, 255-room hotel enjoy beautifully appointed rooms, valley and pool views, and a vast array of amenities. In addition, there are a variety of dining options and lounges, a conference center, a full-service spa, outdoor swimming pools, Jacuzzis and poolside cabanas. Private rooms for special events, with over 6,000 feet of banquet space, accommodate small and large groups. Casino gaming features 2,000 of the newest slot and video games as well as the best classics. Try a hand at one of 42 table games or play bingo in the 1,200-seat, state-of-the-art Bingo Hall. The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino offers ways to win beyond your wildest dreams. (tachipalace.com)
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