(October 2010 E-News)
Do you remember the movie “Oliver”? Based on the Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist there was a scene where the young starving orphan, Oliver, looks longingly through a window at “Food, Glorious Food”…
Close - but yet, so far.
That’s kind of how I feel during hotel site inspections when the sales manager insists on showing me their Spa. Sure, I want to know the number of treatment rooms, the overall square footage, and what amenities or signature treatments the spa has to offer, but it seems so cruel not to be able to lie back and relax and be guest of the spa, instead of just a voyeur.
SERENITY, NOW
Such was the case – big time – when I went to see the new Sparkling Hill Resort which promises to “introduce North Americans to new and unique treatments that will stimulate their wellbeing and go well beyond the norm of current industry offerings”. Located 20 minutes from Kelowna airport (complimentary shuttle service available) and 15 minutes from Vernon, British Columbia the resort incorporates a staggering 3.5 million Swarovski Crystal in its décor throughout the property. There’s over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and 152 uniquely-designed guestrooms, but the true centerpiece of the resort is the 40,000 sq. ft. Kurspa which includes pools of different temperatures, a Fitness Studio, customized treatment rooms, seven very different sauna/steam rooms, and the ‘no talking allowed’ Serenity Room with a spectacular view of the north end of Lake Okanagan and Predator Ridge Golf Resort.
http://www.sparklinghill.com/
ASIAN SENSATIONIn contrast, Chi at in the Shangri-la hotel Vancover offers just six treatment rooms, and each is self–contained with its own fireplace, private bath, shower and relaxation lounge (there are no common areas) for complete privacy during your spa experience. “Chi” is the name of Shangri-la hotels’ signature spas – the one in Vancouver being the first in Canada; Toronto’s “Shang” is not scheduled to open until 2012. “Chi” is also the Chinese word usually translated as “life force”, the concept of which drives the spa’s approach to the treatments it offers. The hotel itself offers just 119 guestrooms, all with complimentary internet access, and meeting space options include a state of the art theatre with roomy leather chairs with tray-tables built into the armrests.
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/vancouver/shangrila
DESERT FLOWER
I recently received an invitation from AZA Tours of Arizona to attend a special Destination Showcase for Canadian meeting planners. The purpose would be experience first-hand some of the activities they arrange for our conference clients such as Guided Hummer Tours of the Sonoran Desert, or Day Trips to the Red Rocks of Sedona. It caught my attention for a couple of reasons: I’ve been travelling to Arizona quite often lately for personal reasons, and it includes a great rate at the fabulous Fairmont Scottsdale Princess including 15% off services at Willow Stream Spa services. I remember conducting a site there few years ago and thinking it was the most beautiful spa I’d ever seen. Alas, I didn’t have a chance to indulge myself in any pampering then, and I won’t have the opportunity to take advantage of AZA’s offer now.
http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale
As I said: Close – but yet, so far.
Do you remember the movie “Oliver”? Based on the Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist there was a scene where the young starving orphan, Oliver, looks longingly through a window at “Food, Glorious Food”…
Close - but yet, so far.
That’s kind of how I feel during hotel site inspections when the sales manager insists on showing me their Spa. Sure, I want to know the number of treatment rooms, the overall square footage, and what amenities or signature treatments the spa has to offer, but it seems so cruel not to be able to lie back and relax and be guest of the spa, instead of just a voyeur.
SERENITY, NOW
Such was the case – big time – when I went to see the new Sparkling Hill Resort which promises to “introduce North Americans to new and unique treatments that will stimulate their wellbeing and go well beyond the norm of current industry offerings”. Located 20 minutes from Kelowna airport (complimentary shuttle service available) and 15 minutes from Vernon, British Columbia the resort incorporates a staggering 3.5 million Swarovski Crystal in its décor throughout the property. There’s over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and 152 uniquely-designed guestrooms, but the true centerpiece of the resort is the 40,000 sq. ft. Kurspa which includes pools of different temperatures, a Fitness Studio, customized treatment rooms, seven very different sauna/steam rooms, and the ‘no talking allowed’ Serenity Room with a spectacular view of the north end of Lake Okanagan and Predator Ridge Golf Resort.
http://www.sparklinghill.com/
ASIAN SENSATIONIn contrast, Chi at in the Shangri-la hotel Vancover offers just six treatment rooms, and each is self–contained with its own fireplace, private bath, shower and relaxation lounge (there are no common areas) for complete privacy during your spa experience. “Chi” is the name of Shangri-la hotels’ signature spas – the one in Vancouver being the first in Canada; Toronto’s “Shang” is not scheduled to open until 2012. “Chi” is also the Chinese word usually translated as “life force”, the concept of which drives the spa’s approach to the treatments it offers. The hotel itself offers just 119 guestrooms, all with complimentary internet access, and meeting space options include a state of the art theatre with roomy leather chairs with tray-tables built into the armrests.
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/vancouver/shangrila
DESERT FLOWER
I recently received an invitation from AZA Tours of Arizona to attend a special Destination Showcase for Canadian meeting planners. The purpose would be experience first-hand some of the activities they arrange for our conference clients such as Guided Hummer Tours of the Sonoran Desert, or Day Trips to the Red Rocks of Sedona. It caught my attention for a couple of reasons: I’ve been travelling to Arizona quite often lately for personal reasons, and it includes a great rate at the fabulous Fairmont Scottsdale Princess including 15% off services at Willow Stream Spa services. I remember conducting a site there few years ago and thinking it was the most beautiful spa I’d ever seen. Alas, I didn’t have a chance to indulge myself in any pampering then, and I won’t have the opportunity to take advantage of AZA’s offer now.
http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale
As I said: Close – but yet, so far.
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