#Biltmore aerial

[concertphotos]

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina with Snow Aerial View by David Oppenheimer Via Flickr: Biltmore Estate with snow - close up aerial view of the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina - © 2024 David Oppenheimer - Performance Impressions aerial photography archives - performanceimpressions.com

[vintagelasvegas]

Las Vegas, late 1940s.

Aerial photo facing north; Huntridge neighborhood in the foreground.

Outlines below highlight the newest communities: Biltmore addition, Vega Verde addition, Huntridge subdivision, and Charleston Square.

World War II Era Residential Housing in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada ('40-'45)

[livefuntravelposts]

Exploring the US on a Budget

The United States is a vast and diverse country that offers a wide range of experiences, from bustling cities to stunning natural landscapes. Contrary to the perception that a trip to the US has to be expensive, there are plenty of wallet-friendly destinations that allow you to soak in the beauty, culture, and history without breaking the bank. Join us as we uncover some of the best places to visit in the US on a low-budget trip, proving that unforgettable experiences can be had without a hefty price tag.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Jazz, Culture, and Cuisine

New Orleans is a city known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant music scene, and mouthwatering cuisine. Wander through the French Quarter, soak in the rhythms of live jazz performances, and savour delicious beignets at Café du Monde. Many of the city's attractions, like the French Market and Jackson Square, offer affordable or free admission, making it a budget-friendly destination for culture enthusiasts. Also, get out of town and explore some of the antebellum homes such as Oak Alley.

Asheville, North Carolina: Mountain Retreat on a Budget

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a haven for nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike. Explore the stunning landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and don't miss the chance to visit the Biltmore Estate's gardens. The city also boasts a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries and studios that often host free exhibitions and events.

Austin, Texas: Live Music Capital

Austin's reputation as the "Live Music Capital of the World" is well-deserved. Experience the city's vibrant music scene by catching free concerts in parks, at local venues, and during the famous South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. Stroll along South Congress Avenue to explore unique boutiques and enjoy affordable food truck fare.

Portland, Oregon: Eclectic Charm and Natural Beauty

Portland is a haven for budget-conscious travelers who appreciate a mix of quirky charm and outdoor adventure. Explore the city's distinctive neighborhoods, such as the Pearl District and Alberta Arts District, where you can browse art galleries and enjoy street art. Take advantage of Portland's extensive public transportation system and explore the nearby Columbia River Gorge for hiking and stunning waterfalls.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Southwestern Delights

Albuquerque offers a taste of Southwestern culture and a multitude of affordable activities. Immerse yourself in the city's rich Native American heritage at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and take a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a budget-friendly spectacle not to be missed.

Kansas City, Missouri: BBQ and Beyond

Foodies and history buffs will find plenty to love in Kansas City. Sample the city's famous barbecue at local joints, some of which offer budget-friendly meal deals. Explore the National World War I Museum and Memorial, where admission is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Country Club Plaza.

Tucson, Arizona: Desert Beauty and Culture

Tucson's unique blend of desert landscapes and cultural attractions makes it an ideal destination for budget travelers. Hike in the nearby Saguaro National Park, home to iconic saguaro cacti, and explore the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac. The city's lively arts and music scene often feature free or low-cost performances and exhibitions.

Detroit, Michigan: Urban Revival and Creativity

Detroit's resurgence as a cultural and artistic hub has transformed it into a budget-friendly destination with a unique charm. Explore the Detroit Institute of Arts, which offers free admission to residents, and wander through the vibrant Eastern Market to experience local food and crafts. Take a stroll along the Detroit Riverfront and enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline.

Salt Lake City, Utah: Outdoor Adventure and Scenic Beauty

For nature enthusiasts seeking budget-friendly outdoor activities, Salt Lake City is a hidden gem. Visit the nearby Antelope Island State Park to witness stunning views of the Great Salt Lake and its unique landscape. Take advantage of the city's bike-sharing program to explore scenic trails and visit attractions like the Utah State Capitol.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historic Treasures

As the birthplace of American independence, Philadelphia offers a wealth of historic sites and landmarks that can be explored on a budget. Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, both of which offer free admission, and explore the diverse neighborhoods like South Street and Reading Terminal Market for affordable dining and shopping.

St. Louis, Missouri: Gateway to Exploration

Nestled along the mighty Mississippi River, St. Louis offers a plethora of budget-friendly attractions. No visit is complete without a trip to the iconic Gateway Arch, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city and riverfront. Explore the historic Soulard neighbourhood, known for its vibrant farmers' market and lively atmosphere. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the St. Louis Art Museum, which offers free admission to its impressive collection.

San Antonio, Texas: Rich Heritage and River Walk

San Antonio's blend of history, culture, and natural beauty provides an enticing backdrop for budget-conscious travellers. Wander along the famous River Walk, where you can enjoy the lively ambience, free public art installations, and occasional live performances. Don't miss the chance to explore the historic Alamo, where you can delve into the city's past without spending a dime.

Buffalo, New York: Rust Belt Revival

Buffalo's resurgence has transformed it into a hub of creativity and culture, making it a surprising addition to this list. Discover the city's architectural gems, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Darwin D. Martin House, and explore the vibrant Elmwood Village neighbourhood. The Buffalo City Hall offers free guided tours, providing insight into the city's history and unique design.

Boise, Idaho: Urban Adventure and Outdoor Escape

Boise's blend of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure makes it a budget-friendly paradise. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the scenic Boise River Greenbelt or hike the trails of the nearby Boise Foothills. The city's downtown area is home to affordable dining options and local boutiques, while the Basque Block offers a glimpse into the region's cultural heritage.

Providence, Rhode Island: Creative Charm and Academia

Providence's artistic spirit and proximity to prestigious universities create a unique atmosphere for budget travelers. Explore the RISD Museum, which houses an impressive collection of art and design, and stroll along Benefit Street to admire historic architecture. The city's Water Fire events, featuring bonfires along the river, provide a magical and free evening experience.  

Our Final Word

With these additional budget-friendly destinations, our list of must-visit places in the US for thrifty travelers becomes even more enticing. From the urban revival of Detroit to the natural beauty of Boise, and the historic charm of St. Louis to the cultural richness of San Antonio, the United States is brimming with diverse and affordable options. Embrace the spirit of adventure, make the most of free and low-cost attractions, and immerse yourself in the local culture to create a memorable and budget-conscious travel experience. Whether you're exploring bustling cities or serene natural landscapes, these destinations prove that a low-budget trip doesn't mean compromising on quality or enjoyment. So pack your bags, hit the road, and embark on an enriching journey through the heart and soul of the United States, all without stretching your wallet.

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[literalliterature]

[ID: Two photos showing distant aerial views of the Biltmore Estate, a massive mansion on extensive, lush grounds styled after a luxurious French chateau. End ID.]

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC, USA

[jkmhoffman]

7Inside the Government’s Top-Secret Doomsday Hideouts

Christopher Klein

As the Cold War heated up in the 1950s, the U.S. government devised top-secret plans to ensure its survival if the Soviet Union launched a nuclear attack. These “Continuity of Government” preparations included building dozens of underground bunkers and arranging to move high-ranking government officials out of harm’s way. From a White House at sea to a subterranean capitol at a posh resort, learn more about seven of these doomsday plans.

A view of the West Tunnel Blast Door, which weighs 25 tons and serves as an entrance to a former government relocation facility codenamed “Project Greek Island”. This 112,000 square-foot shelter was constructed beneath the Greenbrier Resort’s West Virginia Wing, to serve as a relocation site for members of the U.S. Congress and associated staff in the event of a nuclear attack on the U.S. soil.   (Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Greenbrier—White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia For decades the most ambitious Cold War hideout for the U.S. government was hidden in plain sight at a mountain retreat 250 miles southwest of the capital city. When the Greenbrier resort undertook construction of a new conference center in 1958, the expansion project included a top-secret doomsday bunker for the U.S. Congress that included everything from a dentist’s office to a 400-seat cafeteria.

While much of this intended wartime capitol was hidden behind reinforced concrete walls, the resort’s public meeting spaces included some of the facilities that would have been used by lawmakers. “For decades, you had conventioneers and conference-goers filing through the public spaces, never realizing they were actually sitting in the doomsday chambers of the House and Senate,” said Garrett M. Graff, author of Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself—While the Rest of Us Die.

Although the construction project stirred local curiosity—workers were particularly puzzled as to why so many urinals were required—the 90,000-square-foot complex remained a secret until The Washington Post revealed it in 1992. The bunker is now open for public tours.

USS Northampton (CLC-1) off Boston in 1953 (Credit: PJF Military Collection / Alamy Stock Photo)

Floating White House—Atlantic Ocean Beginning in 1962, two special Navy command ships—the light cruiser USS Northampton and light aircraft carrier USS Wright—were considered the best options for evacuating the president from Washington, D.C., in the event of a nuclear attack. Under the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA) plan, one of the two “Floating White Houses” was always at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay or shadowing the president around the world.

The ships carried special Joint Chiefs personnel and featured elaborate staterooms with full communications capabilities. “The Soviet Union had such a weak navy that it was thought almost impossible to find the ships in the grand expanse of the Atlantic,” Graff said, “but once satellite technology made it easy to track ships and get aerial observations, it was quite clear it was no longer feasible to hide the president in the Atlantic Ocean.”

The NECPA plan was dropped in the early 1970s, and both ships were eventually sold for scrap.

Aerial view of the Grove Park Inn and its golf course in Asheville, NC (Credit: Aurora Photos / Alamy Stock Photo)

Grove Park Inn—Asheville, North Carolina The Supreme Court’s doomsday digs would have been more luxurious than those of Congress and the White House. The nation’s highest court decided in 1955 that in the case of an apocalypse it would convene inside one of the three banquet halls of the palatial Grove Park Inn, which sported a golf course and—as an added perk—was in the process of building a new swimming pool.

One problem with the plan: Chief Justice Earl Warren said he would never leave Washington, D.C., after learning wives would not be allowed to evacuate with their husbands.

“There’s a funny intersection between government plans and normal human psychology,” Graff said. “The government still doesn’t plan for spouses and children, and the expectation is still today that people will leave their families behind and evacuate to whatever bunker they are supposed to go to.”

The curator’s cottage built to house the National Gallery of Art treasures in doomsday scenario, now Maier Museum of Art at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.  (Credit: William F. Campbell/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)

Randolph-Macon Woman’s College—Lynchburg, Virginia During World War II, the National Gallery of Art hid dozens of its most precious paintings and sculptures—including Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington—in a first-floor music room of the Biltmore Estate, not far from the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.

With the advent of the nuclear age, a pre-staged convoy of trucks in the gallery’s garage stood at the ready to evacuate its masterpieces to a $550,000 privately funded facility at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) that included a fully stocked, three-bedroom cottage for the gallery’s curator. The facility is now home to the Maier Museum of Art.

Tunnel gateway into Cheyenne Mountain (NORAD) near Colorado Springs. (Credit: Ulrich Baumgarten via Getty Images)

Cheyenne Mountain—Colorado Springs, Colorado Unlike most of the other doomsday bunkers constructed during the Cold War, no secrecy surrounded the underground fortress built for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). A public groundbreaking was even staged in 1961 as burrowing work began at the 9,000-foot-tall granite Cheyenne Mountain.

Two tons of dynamite a day were needed to build the five-acre complex that contains reservoirs of water and fuel and chambers capable of housing three-story buildings. The facility became fully operational in early 1967, but has since been re-designated as an alternate command center.  

The Conservation Laboratory building of the Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation is the only part of the facility which can be seen on the side of Mount Pony. The rest of the 45-acre campus is underground as it was originally part of a of a previously existing Federal Reserve Bank facility. (Credit: Melissa Golden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Mount Pony—Culpeper, Virginia Built into a hillside 75 miles south of Washington, D.C., the doomsday bunker constructed for the chairman, board of directors and staff of the Federal Reserve System included an enormous vault that held more than $4 billion—enough to replenish currency east of the Mississippi River and maintain the money supply for the two years it would take for the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to resume operations.

Opened in 1969, the facility held 700 million pieces of currency, many of them the unpopular $2 bills reintroduced in 1976. “Rather than scrap them, the government packaged them all up and put them in the Mount Pony bunker. It would ensure that after nuclear war we would be largely using $2 bills, figuring people would be a lot less choosy about currency post-apocalypse,” Graff said. The underground bunker now houses an audio-visual archival facility for the Library of Congress.

(Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Outpost Mission—Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Beginning in the 1950s, a helicopter search-and-rescue unit remained on standby outside the capital’s blast zone at Olmsted Air Force Base to save the president’s life. Wearing dark visors and lead-lined flight suits to protect against the effects of a nuclear blast, members of the special unit were trained to rescue the president from the rubble of the White House and relocate the commander-in-chief to a bunker or the Floating White House.

Although the unit disbanded in 1970 when advances in atomic weaponry practically eliminated the chances of surviving a nuclear blast, Graff says there is a modern analog to Outpost Mission still posted outside Washington, D.C. “It was put on alert in the hours after the 9/11 attacks to possibly dig Vice President Dick Cheney out of the rubble of the White House bunker,” he says.

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[sunshinemediamiami]

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The beautiful and bendy @elliemaymarshall will be performing on the @hell_city MainStage all three days of Hell City Phoenix. Ellie May Marshall is New Zealand’s Circus sweetheart by day and our tattooed twisted sister by night. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand – this little firecracker Aerialist & Hand Balance Contortionist will have you on the edge of your seats. Spinning at the speed of light she captures her audiences with an entrancing ballet style movement infused with elegance from her figure skating background…and you can’t forget the injection of tattoos and rock’n’roll! She has trained, taught, collaborated and performed nationwide in NZ and internationally for her circus arts career, as well as having modeled since the age of 18 and has taken out two national Tattoo Beauty Pageant titles in 2016. Causing a ruckus on the NZ Circus scene with her high energy Contortion & multi-disciplinary Aerial acts – there’s been balloons, blood and mind bending displays of flexibility and graceful strength…with a bit of eccentricity and a whole lot of attitude. You won’t want to miss her at Hell City Phoenix with her reinvented Aerial acts to give you a shiver down your spine as she twists and contorts her body in the air right before your eyes! @elliemaymarshall @hell_city #hellcity #hellcity2018 #hellcitytattoofest #hell #festival #hellcitytattoofestival #artwork #tattoo #art #convention #liveart #artist #tattooartist #2018 #hc #tattoos #tattoos #performance #apocalypse #theapocalypse #hellcityphoenix #hellcityatthebiltmore #hellcityarizonabiltmore #elliemaymarshall (at Arizona Biltmore)

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New Online: Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted

New Online: Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted By Wendi Maloney Published July 26, 2018 at 09:00AM

This is a guest post by Barbara Bair, a historian in the Manuscript Division.

Frederick Law Olmsted, 1893. Engraving by T. Johnson from a photograph by James Notman.

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is most famous as the creator in the late 1850s of New York City’s Central Park with Calvert Vaux. But Olmsted had an enormous and geographically widespread impact on America’s lasting ideas of what cityscapes should be.

As we bicycle today in Riverside Park in New York, feel the spray of Niagara Falls, picnic in the forest at Biltmore, hurry to class at Stanford University, climb a hill in Mount Royal Park in Montreal or fly a kite with our children in the Emerald Necklace in Boston, we may be unaware that we are visiting and enjoying places Olmsted had a hand in creating. We might not even be aware we are in a place that was planned or carved by a human hand at all.

Olmsted believed philosophically in the important restorative powers of natural beauty to help humans cope with harried and often depleting urban environments. In Central Park, and so many other public parks in other cities, he created pastoral places of respite where people of all classes could go for relaxation, exercise, inspiration, fun and renewal of their worn psyches. He brought idealized rural landscapes into urban environments and designed gathering places where people could meet friends and family and children could romp and play away from dangerous city streets, regardless of their economic backgrounds.

Aerial view of Central Park, circa 2000. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith.

Olmsted became inarguably the most important landscape architect in America in the 19th century. Indeed, through his work he pioneered the entire field of landscape architecture that thrives today. His name and legacy continued on past his lifetime through the work of his stepson, John Charles Olmsted; his son, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.; their Olmsted Brothers firm (1898–1961); and their many associates.

The digitized collection of the Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted, newly available from the Library of Congress, consists of approximately 24,000 items (over 47,000 images) of Olmsted’s personal papers, most of which were digitized from 60 reels of previously produced microfilm. While the collection spans from 1777 to 1952, the bulk dates from 1838 to 1903. The collection contains primary materials stemming from both Olmsted’s private and professional life. These include diaries, letters, printed reports, drafted manuscripts, clippings and other documentation.

A June 11, 1862, letter from Olmsted to his wife, Mary Cleveland Perkins Olmsted, about the horrors of war.

A May 20, 1865, letter from Calvert Vaux to Olmsted, urging him to commit to the field of landscape architecture.

A plant order Olmsted placed on January 15, 1877, for the U.S. Capitol grounds.

                  Despite his fame, and the many projects, big and small, accomplished in the United States, Olmsted did not always know he would be a landscape architect. As a teenager, he learned surveying, mathematics and other skills by apprenticeship with farmers and educated men.

View from Central Park bridle path, 1984. Photograph by Jet Lowe.

As a young man, Olmsted traveled to England and the continent to view great art and architecture. He discussed innovations with master gardeners, botanists, civil engineers, water specialists, arborists and park managers. He would later draw on what he learned to help shape the aesthetics of cities, campuses, hospital grounds and residential communities across the United States. Before doing so, however, Olmsted worked as a clerk in New York, sailed to China on a merchant ship and taught himself about scientific farming by reading, observing and sitting in on lectures at Yale College.

As a young farmer himself, bankrolled by his father on small farms near Guilford, Connecticut, and on Staten Island in New York, he experimented in using organic methods and growing for local markets. He became a writer, a publisher and a journalist, a friend to antislavery advocates and reformers. He traveled on commission as a reporter through much of the pre-Civil War South, narrating to northern readers his opinions on agricultural economics and slavery.

Olmsted was working as an administrator at Central Park when the Civil War began. He turned his managerial skills to a leadership position with the wartime U.S. Sanitary Commission, reforming ways in which wounded and ill soldiers were transported and treated for battlefront maladies and attending to the public health of Union troops. He tried his hand briefly as the manager of a gold-mining estate in the foothills of the Sierras and investigated other business ventures in California.

Grounds of the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston.

It took the prodding of his friend Calvert Vaux to lure him back East to work in partnership on Prospect Park in Brooklyn after the war. Vaux advised Olmsted to make a commitment to landscape architecture as a profession, and the two paired on several important projects before striking out on their own.

During Olmsted’s later life, when the Olmsted firm was based at the Olmsted family’s Fairsted home in Massachusetts, the architect H.H. Richardson became another important friend and ally. Olmsted became deeply involved in planning the grounds for the U.S. Capitol. His crowning design achievements before he retired in ill health were the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

Over the course of his career, Olmsted accepted private commissions and designed estates and institutions for wealthy clients, and he built a thriving business in doing so. But the heart of his work was in urban planning for public good and shared enjoyment.

Olmsted’s belief in the importance of creating and preserving natural spaces within cities extended to his commitment to wilderness preservation and forest conservation. As an original commissioner in California for what would become Yosemite National Park, Olmsted helped lay the groundwork for the idea of a national park system and the modern environmentalist movement. Fighting against overly intrusive commercial use, he argued that wilderness areas of extraordinary historic or natural consequence should be preserved for public use and be managed in ways that made it possible for ordinary citizens to visit for recreation and to witness the grandeur there, while the landscapes were protected to last as a public legacy into many future generations.

The Yosemite Valley from the Mariposa Trail, 1870s. Photograph by Carleton Watkins.

Read more on https://loc.gov

[concertphotos]

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers acquired Asheville Outlets factory outlet mall in Asheville and being renamed Tanger Outlets Asheville

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Soaking in SoCal: 6 spectacular L.A. hotel pools

(CNN)Year-round swimming weather and a decent poolside fish taco are good enough perks at many hotel pools in and around Los Angeles.

Then there are those inspired South Californian oases striving for something even splashier.

Up on the roof, down in the basement, perched on a secluded peninsula, beckoning from a five-star oceanside resort a tad farther down the freeway, here are a half-dozen posh hotel pool experiences well worth the extra plunge.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles

For nearly a century, Downtown L.A.’s grand dame of hotels has hosted kings, presidents, the Beatles, nine Oscars ceremonies, and generations of businessmen milking their corporate expense accounts.

Hiding on a quiet floor below the hotel’s frescoed, fanfared lobby is the city’s best subterranean splash from the past: the Biltmore’s 90-year-old, Roman-style swimming pool.

Decked with columns, shiny brass rails, and blue-and-cream Italian faience tilework, the indoor pool was added to the property three years after the hotel opened its doors in 1923 — and was designed to “recall the days of Pompeii” according to Margaret Leslie Davis’s book, “The Los Angeles Biltmore: The Host of the Coast.”

It may also recall scenes from “Bugsy” (1991) and “Cocoon” (1985), among other movies filmed here over the years.

Add a co-ed wet steam, dry sauna, Jacuzzi and surrounding fitness room, and guests can feel good about skipping that date with the beach today.

Pool guest policy: Pool and facilities for hotel guests only.

Mondrian Los Angeles

At this point, one might expect the Sunset Strip’s seasoned epicenter of rooftop pool perches to be upstaged by some hot new West Hollywood arrival too young to remember old “Entourage” set pieces or the “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” wrap party.

Not so.

The storied-yet-ageless centerpiece of the Mondrian’s lofty Outdoor Living Room with its lovely teak deck, mosaic poolside tables, groovy up-tempo house mixes (pumped underwater), perfect LA panoramas and face-lifted Skybar lounge pulsing a few stairs up is still the place to be for the forever young-ish crowd.

The pretty pool itself might seem somewhat small — if anyone was here to work on their butterfly stroke.

For lounging with a $16 Poolside Spritz in hand, it’s resiliently Olympic-sized.

Pool guest policy: Private to hotel guests until 1 p.m. At night, non-hotel guests can bypass the doorman line with a Skybar table reservation.

The Standard, Downtown L.A.

About 15 years ago, The Standard (of West Hollywood fame) chose an old Superior Oil Company building in not-exactly-happening-yet Downtown L.A. as the questionable site for its next boutique hipster hotel.

Did the gambit pay off?

Join the party up by the rooftop pool and see for yourself.

Red AstroTurf.

Waterbed pods.

Cushy couches.

Fireplace.

Dance area.

German beer garden.

Weekend morning yoga classes.

Revolving DJs setting a seamless pool party atmosphere.

Much-improved aerial views of Downtown — especially from where you’re standing.

If there’s a cooler pool atop 12 floors of re-imagined concrete and marble in a resuscitated concrete jungle, the beautiful crowd congregating at this one doesn’t yet know about it.

Pool guest policy: Open to non-hotel guests by invite or for a fee.

Terranea Resort

Hugging the craggy Palos Verdes peninsula on L.A.’s southern tip like a pirated slice of the Mediterranean, the 102-acre Terranea Resort can claim the perfect quartet of oceanfront pools for every type of guest.

Awash with families, the main 5,000-square-foot-Resort Pool area is equipped with a 140-foot Peninsula Plunge water slide and jumping splash pad.

For less crowds, more Zen and the same spectacular ocean views, there’s the saltwater Vista Pool and a Spa Pool furnished with private cabanas and fire pits.

Our favorite pool of the bunch here:

The resort’s seasonal Cielo Point pool (open May through September, for guests 18-plus years of age) is about as close as a pool gets to the Pacific — with live music, craft cocktails, more cabanas and quick access to a private cove to sand your toes.

Pool guest policy: Open to resort guests only.

The one-foot deep reflection “pool” is for lounging in a waterborne chaise in a Philippe Starck-designed outdoor living area rimmed with giant vases, oversized art frames and assorted whimsical furnishings.

A range of luxury poolside cabanas (from $300 with a $500 food and beverage minimum) earn their price tag with the most buzz-worthy poolside grub in L.A. — featuring bite-sized delicacies and specialty cocktails from celebrity chef Jose Andres.

Pool guest policy: Pool use is for hotel and spa guests only. In spring and summer, Altitude is open to non-guests after 6 p.m. for music, food and cocktails.

The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach

Yeah, we know. We’ve crossed a line.

Newport Beach is not in Los Angeles.

But one look at the aptly named Coliseum Pool at five-star Pelican Hill and we think you’ll agree: What’s a quick drive down the 405 Freeway into neighboring Orange County?

Graced with more than a million hand-placed glass mosaic tiles, the resort’s 136-foot-diameter, saltwater showpiece is one of the world’s largest perfectly circular pools.

Inspired by its ancient Roman namesake, this is likely the world’s only pool that would make an emperor consider reincarnation in the O.C.

Guests can up the opulence quotient by reserving a private luxury cabana (from $200 per day) furnished with a Bose music system, flat-screen HDTVs and beverage-stocked mini fridge. Or by mixing their own Sunday brunch Bloody Mary at the bar.

Either way, Caesar should be by shortly.

Pool guest policy: The pool is for registered guests exclusively. Non-guests can dine at the Coliseum Pool & Grill.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/soaking-in-socal-6-spectacular-l-a-hotel-pools/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/183642409567

[allofbeercom]

Soaking in SoCal: 6 spectacular L.A. hotel pools

(CNN)Year-round swimming weather and a decent poolside fish taco are good enough perks at many hotel pools in and around Los Angeles.

Then there are those inspired South Californian oases striving for something even splashier.

Up on the roof, down in the basement, perched on a secluded peninsula, beckoning from a five-star oceanside resort a tad farther down the freeway, here are a half-dozen posh hotel pool experiences well worth the extra plunge.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles

For nearly a century, Downtown L.A.’s grand dame of hotels has hosted kings, presidents, the Beatles, nine Oscars ceremonies, and generations of businessmen milking their corporate expense accounts.

Hiding on a quiet floor below the hotel’s frescoed, fanfared lobby is the city’s best subterranean splash from the past: the Biltmore’s 90-year-old, Roman-style swimming pool.

Decked with columns, shiny brass rails, and blue-and-cream Italian faience tilework, the indoor pool was added to the property three years after the hotel opened its doors in 1923 — and was designed to “recall the days of Pompeii” according to Margaret Leslie Davis’s book, “The Los Angeles Biltmore: The Host of the Coast.”

It may also recall scenes from “Bugsy” (1991) and “Cocoon” (1985), among other movies filmed here over the years.

Add a co-ed wet steam, dry sauna, Jacuzzi and surrounding fitness room, and guests can feel good about skipping that date with the beach today.

Pool guest policy: Pool and facilities for hotel guests only.

Mondrian Los Angeles

At this point, one might expect the Sunset Strip’s seasoned epicenter of rooftop pool perches to be upstaged by some hot new West Hollywood arrival too young to remember old “Entourage” set pieces or the “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” wrap party.

Not so.

The storied-yet-ageless centerpiece of the Mondrian’s lofty Outdoor Living Room with its lovely teak deck, mosaic poolside tables, groovy up-tempo house mixes (pumped underwater), perfect LA panoramas and face-lifted Skybar lounge pulsing a few stairs up is still the place to be for the forever young-ish crowd.

The pretty pool itself might seem somewhat small — if anyone was here to work on their butterfly stroke.

For lounging with a $16 Poolside Spritz in hand, it’s resiliently Olympic-sized.

Pool guest policy: Private to hotel guests until 1 p.m. At night, non-hotel guests can bypass the doorman line with a Skybar table reservation.

The Standard, Downtown L.A.

About 15 years ago, The Standard (of West Hollywood fame) chose an old Superior Oil Company building in not-exactly-happening-yet Downtown L.A. as the questionable site for its next boutique hipster hotel.

Did the gambit pay off?

Join the party up by the rooftop pool and see for yourself.

Red AstroTurf.

Waterbed pods.

Cushy couches.

Fireplace.

Dance area.

German beer garden.

Weekend morning yoga classes.

Revolving DJs setting a seamless pool party atmosphere.

Much-improved aerial views of Downtown — especially from where you’re standing.

If there’s a cooler pool atop 12 floors of re-imagined concrete and marble in a resuscitated concrete jungle, the beautiful crowd congregating at this one doesn’t yet know about it.

Pool guest policy: Open to non-hotel guests by invite or for a fee.

Terranea Resort

Hugging the craggy Palos Verdes peninsula on L.A.’s southern tip like a pirated slice of the Mediterranean, the 102-acre Terranea Resort can claim the perfect quartet of oceanfront pools for every type of guest.

Awash with families, the main 5,000-square-foot-Resort Pool area is equipped with a 140-foot Peninsula Plunge water slide and jumping splash pad.

For less crowds, more Zen and the same spectacular ocean views, there’s the saltwater Vista Pool and a Spa Pool furnished with private cabanas and fire pits.

Our favorite pool of the bunch here:

The resort’s seasonal Cielo Point pool (open May through September, for guests 18-plus years of age) is about as close as a pool gets to the Pacific — with live music, craft cocktails, more cabanas and quick access to a private cove to sand your toes.

Pool guest policy: Open to resort guests only.

The one-foot deep reflection “pool” is for lounging in a waterborne chaise in a Philippe Starck-designed outdoor living area rimmed with giant vases, oversized art frames and assorted whimsical furnishings.

A range of luxury poolside cabanas (from $300 with a $500 food and beverage minimum) earn their price tag with the most buzz-worthy poolside grub in L.A. — featuring bite-sized delicacies and specialty cocktails from celebrity chef Jose Andres.

Pool guest policy: Pool use is for hotel and spa guests only. In spring and summer, Altitude is open to non-guests after 6 p.m. for music, food and cocktails.

The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach

Yeah, we know. We’ve crossed a line.

Newport Beach is not in Los Angeles.

But one look at the aptly named Coliseum Pool at five-star Pelican Hill and we think you’ll agree: What’s a quick drive down the 405 Freeway into neighboring Orange County?

Graced with more than a million hand-placed glass mosaic tiles, the resort’s 136-foot-diameter, saltwater showpiece is one of the world’s largest perfectly circular pools.

Inspired by its ancient Roman namesake, this is likely the world’s only pool that would make an emperor consider reincarnation in the O.C.

Guests can up the opulence quotient by reserving a private luxury cabana (from $200 per day) furnished with a Bose music system, flat-screen HDTVs and beverage-stocked mini fridge. Or by mixing their own Sunday brunch Bloody Mary at the bar.

Either way, Caesar should be by shortly.

Pool guest policy: The pool is for registered guests exclusively. Non-guests can dine at the Coliseum Pool & Grill.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/soaking-in-socal-6-spectacular-l-a-hotel-pools/

[spagirlsclub]

It’s time to spa, Valley locals! Here’s your guide to summer spa specials across Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale.

We get it. It’s hot. It’s really, really hot. But don’t sweat it. Spa it, girlfriend! The Valley of the Sun  is dotted with arguably the best resort and hotel spas in the world. And, what’s even better is that summertime is the best time to score a sweet deal on your next treatment. Aren’t we lucky? Grab your summer tote and let’s hit the spa.

Here’s the best of summer!

VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale hotelvalleyho.com 480.376.2600

This jaunty boutique retreat will put a jingle back in your stride with these summer deals valid through September.

The Painkiller, 90 minutes, $160 (reg. $210): Celebrate summer with a full-body exfoliation and massage. The treatment begins with a tropical aromatherapy sugar scrub, transitioning into deep body work and stretching combined with a special muscle-easing balm for a surefire way to beat the heat. Afterward, enjoy a crafted painkiller cocktail poolside and revel in the relaxing vibes.

Botanical Enzyme Facial, 60 minutes, $95 (reg. $130): Replenish sun-parched skin with this special skincare treatment from EA Pro. The powerful botanicals in this facial deliver a dewy, glowing complexion and keeps your skin gorgeous and hydrated.

Cabana Boy Pedicure, 60 minutes, $50 (reg. $65): Revive heels, soles and toes with this handsome combo of pineapple and coconut. Scents of the tropics linger as you make your way to paradise with plenty of envy in tow.

Mo’ Mojo: The spa’s incredible Mid-Week Mojo deals are extended to Monday to Friday for summertime. Save up to 50% on some of our top treatments, including 60-minute facials for $69, 90-minute facials for $99, and nail services starting at $50. Details here.

Insider tip: Start your Valley Ho visit with a pittstop at Cafe Zuzu for a Frosty Orange Ho-J. Vanilla ice cream meets freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful grown-up summer treat.

The Spa at Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale talkingstickresort.com 480.850.4065

Take a ride up to the 14th floor of this entertainment complex and step out onto a tranquil cloud of coolness high above the Valley foothills. The Spa at Talking Stick Resort is offering up to 35% off select treatments to Arizona residents. Offers are valid through September 13, 2018, Sunday through Thursday.

Brilliant Body Polish, 60 minutes, $89 (reg. $139): This full-body treatment renews and brightens, leaving skin ready for tank tops and sundresses. You’ll also get a tension-relieving shoulder and neck massage.

Complexion Essential, 60 minute, $89 (reg. $149): This custom facial is designed to soothe all skin types, focusing on repair, prevention and youth restoration. The treatment includes a light therapy for reducing the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles around the eyes.

Simply Essential Massage, 60-minute, $99 (reg. $139): This massage is truly an escape for the senses using the delightful summer blend of lemon hibiscus oil for the ultimate relaxation. Upgrade this treatment to 90 minutes and pay $149 (reg. $169).

Insider tip: Make time for a dip in the private hot tub and shower before or after your treatment. The floor to ceiling windows in each shower stall make for an extra exhilarating experience. Oh, and not an Arizona resident? Ask about their Summer Toes special. Details here.

Spa Biltmore at The Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix arizonabiltmore.com 602.381.7656

Walk in the footsteps of many a celebrity and dignitary at this iconic resort. Hurry, specials are valid through August 31, 2018.

Summer Tranquility Massage, 50 minutes, $99 (reg. $145): Give in to this light to medium pressure massage and allow the gentle movements of a Swedish relaxation therapy restore your energy.

Summer Spa Biltmore Massage, 50 minutes, $119 (reg. $160): When you need a little more or a little less, this tailored-to-you massage gives you what you need—from deep tissue to sports and facilitated stretching.

Summer Boost Facial, 50 minutes, $99 (reg. $160): Restore your skin’s balance with this youth-boosting facial. Includes highly active balancing serums custom to your skin type.

Also, enjoy 20% off an à la carte salon service of $40 or more and buy one skin care or hair care product and receive the second item of equal or lesser value at 20% off.

Insider tip: Don’t forget your swimsuit! Use of the resort’s Paradise Pool, including the 92-foot waterslide, is included on the day of your spa visit.

Luna Spa at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch destinationhotels.com/scottsdale-resort/ 480.596.7555

Luna Spa’s Summer Escape menu was specially designed with locals in mind. These great deals are available only through August 31, 2018.

Luxury Massage, 50 minutes, $89 (reg. $159): Melt into relaxation with this full-body Swedish-influenced massage that includes a cooling pain relief gel and lime essential oil aromatherapy.

Luna Lime Light Glow,  50 minutes, $89 (reg. $159): Bring out your glow with this invigorating body polish. An exfoliating lime-Himalayan salt scrub is followed by a decadent and nourishing avocado and coconut lotion.

Vita-Moon Facial, 50 minutes, $89 (reg. $159): Rejuvenate moisture-deprived skin with a vitamin C rich organic hydrating masque to counterbalance the effects of the desert sun.

Upgrade any of these treatments to 80 minutes and pay $139 (reg. $199). Also, add a Prickly Pear & Mullein Hand or Foot Treatment to any of these treatments for only $19 (reg. $29).

Insider tip: Locals love this retreat for its quiet seclusion. With 24/7 pool access, this resort is worthy of an anniversary celebration or date-cation. Bonus: Set up camp in a complimentary cabana (based on availability).

Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, Scottsdale omnihotels.com 480.627.3200

The magnificent Joya Spa has something for every day of the week this summer so no excuses! Offers available through September 30, 2018.

Spa-Tacular Sunday, $165: Choose a 50-minute Classic Massage or Transformation Facial, a Hydrating Manicure or Pedicure, and get a complimentary fitness class.

Monday Happy Hour, $105-$135: Choose a 50-minute Classic Massage or Transformation Facial.

Two’s Company Tuesday: Purchase one 50-minute or 80-minute spa service and get one of equal or lesser value for 50% off.

Wellness Wednesday: Get $40 off any full-priced 50-minute or 80-minute spa service plus a complimentary fitness class.

Throwback Thursday: Enjoy 50-minute services for $130 and 80-minute services for $185. Upgrade to a deep tissue or or specialty massage for just $20 more.

Afternoon Escape Friday: Treat yourself to a 50-minute Classic Massage or Transformation Facial for $125 between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Sensational Saturday: Enjoy a complimentary hot stone add-on or aromatherapy upgrade to all 80-minute massages and free lip repair therapy with an 80-minute facial.

Pampered & Polished, $89: Treat your feet to this indulgent pedi in the zero-gravity pedicure chairs. Includes a 30-minute petite manicure and 60-minute hydrating pedicure complete with an exfoliating sugar scrub and leg massage using luxurious body butter.

Summer Splash Mani & Pedi, 45 minutes, $59: Treatments begin with a “cocktail” body polish made of organic vodka, basil, watermelon and rice bran oil, plus sugar to provide a refreshing exfoliation. Hands and feet are then moisturized with a body milk containing green melon and natural cucumber extract which refreshes and renews the skin. Cuticle care, buffing and callus remover included.

Insider tip: If you’ve been to this gem of a spa, you know to make a full day of it. Catch up on your sleep in the quiet room or add an authentic Hammam experience to your day. Either way, pad your visit with plenty of extra time to slip into a Joya state of mind.

Well & Being Spa at Scottsdale Fairmont Princess scottsdaleprincess.com 480.585.2732

The lavish Well & Being at the Princess created a summer-centric spa menu to revive body and spirit. These special treatments come with a full day’s use of the spa’s expansive amenities, including a private adults-only spa pool.

Prickly Pear Summer Quench Massage, 60 minutes, $149: Experience this all-over cooling treatment starting with a prickly pear aloe gel application to soothe and hydrate skin. Then relax as your muscles are revitalized with a pomegranate restorative oil full-body massage. Top it all off with a prickly pear lemonade, perfect for sipping poolside.

Lavender and Lime Scrub, 60 minutes, $159: Get dewy smooth skin with this treatment, which starts with a gentle exfoliation infused with lavender blossom. Ripe coconut, lime and grapefruit scented moisturizer made of five natural oils is then applied leaving your skin hydrated and deeply nourished.

Moisture Bound Body Wrap, 60 minutes, $169: A candlewood and jojoba cream scrub exfoliates, replenishes and refreshes. Then, enjoy a soothing application of organic aloe vera and prickly pear gel to soothe, hydrate and heal. Receive a light acupressure facial lift with a repairing five-seed extract facial serum. Finally, an application of pomegranate oil interspersed with refreshing cucumber mist, leaves you with protection from dehydration and damage.

Coconut Cooler Pedicure, 60 minutes, $69: Enjoy a creamy coconut milk soak that envelops you in vitamins and skin-softening sweetness. A vitalizing sea salt scrub followed by a lavish massage with sweet cream body milk soothes, moisturizes and enriches the skin.

Insider tip: Tired of your same ol’ fitness routine? Hang 10 with an Aerial Yoga class—just one of the unique movement classes you’ll have access to on the day of your spa visit (class offering vary by day so check the schedule before you book).

Agave, The Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland Resort, Scottsdale kierlandresort.com 480.624.1202

Agave, The Arizona Spa is keeping things simple this summer with cooling summer treatments and packages served with a side of AZ-inspired tranquility. To take advantage of these special rates, mention booking code “SpaLonger” when you make your appointment. Specials are available through September 2018.

50-minute Cucumber Mint Sugar Oasis & choice of 50-minute Agave Master Massage OR 50-minute Agave Signature Facia, from $229 (reg. from $318).

80-minute Cell Renewal Facial OR 80-minute Body Contour, from $159 (reg. from $229).

50-minute Agave Signature Pedicure & 25-minute Let Me Brief Manicure, from $99 (reg. from $128).

50-minute Agave Scalp Treatment, Shampoo and Style, from $49 (reg. from $89).

Insider tip: Wednesdays are for locals at Agave! Book a service on Be Well Wednesdays and enjoy locals-only rates of 30% off all Agave Spa and Salon services, 20% off all Agave Spa retail purchases and a complimentary Agave Spa fitness class (as available on the day of your visit).

Oh, and here’s an idea: Just want to hang out by a resort pool or take a hot tub dip? Check out resortpass.com for a daycation pass to resorts such as the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and The Wigwam.

Also be sure to check out our picks for best Valley resort pools.

Finally, please note that prices are subject to change at the discretion of each spa. Restrictions and gratuities may apply. Please contact the spa directly for full details. And thank you for mentioning Arizona Spa Girls when you book your service. Happy summer!

Know of any summer spa specials good to pass up? Let us know in the comments below!

Summer Spa Specials: It’s Our Time to Spa! It’s time to spa, Valley locals! Here’s your guide to summer spa specials across Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale.

[vidmuze]

Shooting at the Biltmore for a TV spot. #aerial #aerialcinematography #drone #dronestagram #tbt #alta #dronegear https://ift.tt/2HMM1Js

[pabstville]

Have you tried Pabst American Pale Ale yet? Why not come out tonight to The Block on Biltmore?@tbobavl (3/21) I’ll be in the house giving to give away a PBR record player to one lucky attendee!!! On the bill is Abominable Creatures playing that chill shit, @jedboone will be there dropping the Ill ambient loops, @bensurvant will be there playing the beautiful acoustic folk jams, and @ellaminnope will be dancing in the style of aerial arts and some hooping. Who cares about the ❄️, it’s a great night for a show and beer! (at THE BLOCK off biltmore)

[dailynynews-blog]

The Best Spas in Arizona

New Post has been published on https://www.usatelegraph.com/2018/best-spas-arizona/

The Best Spas in Arizona

Arizona is spa country. The southern Sonoran desert landscape of Tucson is home to the legendary destination spas Canyon Ranch and Miraval, while in the north, Sedona is a magnet for spiritual seekers.

The great resort cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix are really one big, sprawling urban center with loads of great natural beauty and views of beautiful Camelback Mountain from all sides. Both cities are known for catering to sunshine seekers in the winter, so as you would expect, great spas are thick on the ground here. There’s an experience for every taste, from small historic hideaways to glamorous golf getaways.

Finally, there are other specialty spa experiences throughout the state, including a classic dude ranch that offers massage after a long day in the saddle. Here are the very best spas Arizona has to offer.

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Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

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This is the original Canyon Ranch and offers an unparalleled level of wellness support, with medical doctors at the cutting edge of integrative medicine, exercise physiologists, movement therapists, energy healers, hypnotherapists, psychologists, even spiritual counselors. The classes are top quality and it’s known for its hiking through the surrounding Santa Catalina mountains. Up to 240 guests overnight in one-story adobe cottages on 150 acres.

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Miraval Life In Balance in Tucson, Arizona

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Miraval Life in Balance is known for its challenge activities and Equine Experience, where working with a horse gives you insight into yourself. You can talk things over with a therapist, have a cocktail, and take your pick from 120 wellness activities every week. Set on 400 acres near the Santa Catalina Mountains, it has 118 adobe-style rooms, suites and villas, most with private patios and great views. This is the spa that has been famously featured on television shows Oprah! and Dr. Oz.

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Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona

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Nestled in a sacred canyon that the Yavapai Apache considered the birthplace of their people, Mii Amo is a small destination spa with just 18 rooms and casitas set apart from the larger Enchantment Resort. In part because of the location—those gorgeous red rocks and the earth energy “vortexes” that are said to be here—there is magic in the air. Not surprisingly, given Sedona’s love of the alternative, the spa caters to spiritual seekers with unusual treatments like psychic massage and aura-soma readings.

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Boulders Resort & Spa, Carefree, Arizona

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•••

Boulders Resort & Spa is a truly great resort spa just north of Scottsdale, so you feel a bit more out in the country. It boasts two Jay Morrish-designed golf courses, spacious southwestern rooms, and a wonderful spa with a wide range of healing treatments. The entryway’s brook and curvaceous architecture envelop visitors and there are many thoughtful touches throughout the facility, including an inspiring yoga room and little places for the cat-napper in all of us. The Labyrinth is an easy-to-miss amenity; it’s worth trying this age-old meditation tool.

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Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort

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•••

This is one of the newer and most glamorous resort spas in Scottsdale, a dreamy Moroccan-themed complex with Hammam-style facilities. In between treatments, enjoy the rooftop pool terrace with views of Camelback Mountain, or the quiet whisper lounges, serene areas with comfy daybeds and flickering candles. For a real splurge, try one of the suites, which offer private terraces and outdoor showers.

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Spa Avania Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

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•••

The Scottsdale Hyatt Regency’s spa seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces. Glass walls slide away in the separate men’s and women’s lounges, opening onto intimate patios with outdoor showers and hot-and-cold plunge pools. Book a massage in a garden treatment room, then spend the day by the French-Celtic mineral pool and lotus pond.

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Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort, Phoenix Arizona

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•••

If it’s romance you’re after, there’s no place better than Royal Palms in Phoenix, Arizona. With paths that wind past a grove of orange trees and Mexican-style fountains, this Spanish Colonial-style resort is the most romantic and intimate of Arizona’s famous spas. Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort is small, with just 8 treatment rooms, and unusually tranquil. Many spill into serene, private indoor-outdoor courtyards. It specializes in treatments for couples, with side by side Vichy showers and private patios where you can relax next to a fire.

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JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa

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•••

The Spa at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn blends the fitness quotient of a full-service destination spa within a spectacular resort setting, offering the ambiance and magic of the Sonoran Desert. One of the nicest things about it is the expert-led exercise classes available to spa-goers, including yoga, fitness walking, Zumba, Pilates, Bollywood and body sculpting. There are usually three classes a day in the morning during the week and more on Friday and Saturday. You have access to the latest exercise equipment in the on-site fitness facility and personal training services in eight different disciplines. With such a focus on health and fitness, you’ll leave feeling not only relaxed but also ready to take on whatever life sends your way. Don’t miss Scottsdale’s only full-service in-spa restaurant, Sprouts. Yes, wine is served!

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Well & Being Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Phoenix, Arizona

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•••

Well & Being Spa at The Fairmont Princess (formerly the Willow Stream Spa) integrates a wellness focus with the classic resort spa experience of golf, dining, six pools and 750 rooms. Integrative Health Assessments, nutrition consultations, and acupuncture are offered alongside other spa healing services overseen by chief medical director Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an integrative physician. Fitness offerings include aerial yoga and  Zumba, but make time for the spa’s splendid, sunny rooftop pool.

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Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician in Phoenix, Arizona

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•••

Set at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona, The Phoenician is an unusually formal resort, contrasting with the southwestern style so prevalent in the Valley of the Sun. Even the gardens have a formal look! The Centre for Well-Being was one of the earliest big spas in the region and so is a bit dated in terms of the facility, but the services are varied and quite good. The spa embodies the spirit and vitality of the Southwest in its landscaping, architecture, and extraordinary art collection. Start with fruit cocktail and juice or tea in the waiting room, then pop over for guided meditation in the atrium, ease into a little whirlpool action in the locker room, head for poolside lunch and drinks, and cap it all off with a treatment, a shower, and some primping.

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Sedona Rouge

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•••

Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa is located on a busy commercial strip in West Sedona, but once you get inside you feel a world away—especially when you’re looking at views of the spectacular red rock cliffs. Sedona is just a couple of hours north of Phoenix and Scottsdale and known for its great beauty and vortexes, swirling centers of subtle energy emanating from the earth.

Locals say that Native Americans considered it so sacred that it was not a place to live, but today it’s a magnet for spiritual seekers, many of whom stay. Signs for psychics, crystals and vortex maps are everywhere. But if you’re a skeptic who just loves the outdoors, it’s still one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Spa lovers will find some wonderful therapists and spa treatments at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, a surprisingly urbane property that combines both modern and Mediterranean influences. Half of the 77 rooms and suites have dramatic views of Thunder Mountain right behind

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Arizona Grand Resort

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•••

Luxurious one, two, and three-bedroom suites and villas provide residential-style comfort in this large 744-room resort, with a water park considered one of the best in the country. The spa provides services that you can get in your suites or in the spa itself, such as aromatherapy, Swedish, therapeutic, pregnancy, and lavender milk body massages. It also offers hair salon services, healing treatments, and life coaching. Clients have access to indoor and outdoor fitness activities. Unlike many spas, this spa resort provides services and wellness treatments for the entire family, including children and teenagers. Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect.com has named this spa and resort one of the best places for families in Phoenix.

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Arizona Biltmore Spa in Phoenix, Arizona

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The Arizona Biltmore is a favorite with lovers of Frank Lloyd Wright, the legendary architect who spent a lot of time in this area. The hotel was designed by one of his students and very much evokes his timeless esthetic. Promoting the art of wellness, this spa offers a blend of all-natural approaches throughout each service. Relaxing skin treatments, hair, and makeup services are also available. Complimentary fruit and tea are offered to all guests as well. Before or after your spa experience, discover the tranquil outdoor retreat areas located on the Biltmore Spa complex.

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Aji Spa at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona

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Located at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, the Aji Spa is a leader in Native American healing treatments. Experience ancient healing traditions through a therapeutic native herbs cleansing wrap or partake in Pima meditation. Rejuvenating treatments followed by peaceful horseback rides make this one of the best and most unique spa experiences in the Phoenix area. The Aji Cafe offers a light lunch menu, and you can purchase the spa’s signature product line, Indigenous, on-site.

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Four Seasons Resort at Troon North in Scottsdale, Arizona

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Nestled at the foot of Pinnacle Peak, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is known for its golfing. But there are many other ways to spend time outside, including guided interpretative hikes for all levels introduce visitors to desert flora and fauna. Flowers abound in early spring, and you can sign up for the sunset hike up the Peak to view the desert landscape at its very best.

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JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge

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This is a classic resort spa, with championship golf, a wide range of restaurant options and multiple outdoor pools, complete with a lazy river and waterslides. Revive Spa’s 28,000 square feet and 41 elegantly appointed treatment rooms offer a diverse menu of spa experiences that incorporate beautiful, tranquil settings and indigenous ingredients. Its signature treatments combine ancient rituals with modern, cutting-edge techniques. Unwind in separate male and female indoor relaxation rooms offering cozy fireplaces and private patios. An outdoor co-ed lounge also offers a relaxing space for spa patrons to unwind together in the fresh air of the second floor Zen Loft’s soothing, restful ambiance. Revive Spa’s Sanctuary lap pool is lined by towering palms and seven private cabanas. The spa also has a  full-service salon.

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Agave, The Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

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The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa captures the essence of Arizona, beautifully intertwining a zen meets desert feel throughout everything from the treatments to the architecture. A full-service fitness center, fun lobby and catchy spa boutique greet visitors with energy and vibrancy. But once you walk through the spa doors, it’s down to relaxation business, complete with lush amenities and indulgent treatments.

Leave your troubles at the door: One of the most endearing elements of Agave, The Arizona Spa, is the handmade Apache Woven Baskets. With one hung at the entrance of every treatment room, guests are asked to place their thoughts, to-do lists, and worries in the basket so their mind is clear and available to enjoy the benefits of the treatment.

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Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort

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Tucked away on the side of Camelback Mountain, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is small and intimate, with sleek modern rooms. The spa features The Sanctum, a stone-wall hideaway couples can rent for the hour or half-day and enjoy the vitality pool, deluge shower and fire pit. The spa is elegantly understated, featuring Asian-inspired treatments, a Meditation Garden, 14 treatment rooms, a Sanctum, and a unique indoor-outdoor treatment suite. You’ll have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center and movement studio, a 25-yard lap pool, and a shop with fun boutique finds you’ll want—or need—to snatch up. Treatments include Reiki, acupuncture, tarot card reading, and table Thai massage. They also offer Watsu, a gentle modality that is good for moms-to-be.

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The Spa at Talking Stick

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The newest resort spa in Scottsdale is owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, at Talking Stick Resort. This 13,000 square foot, open-air spa on the 14th floor offers guests unparalleled views of the Valley and floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened during treatments.True to the heritage and traditions of the Native American community, The Spa at Talking Stick features treatments inspired by products made with culturally significant ingredients.