Tag: travel

Miramonte Resort and Spa : Desert Escape

“I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence, something throbs, and gleams…”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

We headed out to Indian Wells on a Saturday afternoon. It had been a hectic morning, and the sun was blazing, the traffic, late star, hectic morning made for a grumpy crew. The short 2-hour ride from OC felt longer.

When we arrived at Miramonte Indian Wells Resort and Spa, bathed in the familiar desert heat, we switched to vacation mode. Lying at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Miramonte immediately puts one in a relaxed state. All around the property are bougainvillea flowers, fragrant citrus trees, olive trees and… We stayed at one of the newly-renovated villas and found the accommodations absolutely perfect.

The resort has three swimming pools with cabanas, luxury lounge chairs, and daybeds. Since it was 114 degrees, we made sure we had a cabana. They even had a movie (E.T.) showing by the pool! It was part of their summer promo called “Starlight Sip and Swim,” which includes cabana rentals, a new poolside menu, and cocktails!

When the kids took a break from the movie and pool, they headed out to the lawn to play giant connect-four, Jenga, ladder ball and other outdoor lawn games.

Later they would discover a function room in the main building, near the reception, which has been converted into a game room. It was just some old school pinball machines and Pac-Man but my boys were all over it!

I met with Chef Paul Hancock, who showed me his garden and excitedly shared the dishes he made with the herbs and produce grown right there on the property. There are two restaurants at Miramonte: Citrus and Palm and The Tavern at Citrus and Palm.

THE WELL SPA
Perhaps the thing I looked forward to the most at Miramonte was a visit to their award-winning Well Spa.

The Well Spa is right next to the pool and has its own building. It has nine indoor treatment rooms and three outdoor relaxation spaces. It has a home-y feel that made me feel, well, at home. I experienced a Tailor Made massage that began with a stone that said “Trust.” My therapist was cool and very skilled. I was so relaxed.

Some of their signature treatments are the Himalayan Salt Stone Mineral Massage and Rain Massage. They also have an array of facial, waxing and nail services as well as other body treatments. One other thing I hope to experience in the future is a Body Canvas Party! Imagine painting you and your partner or girlfriends with therapeutic and colorful muds on the body, ending with a relaxing massage! Sounds like fun and definitely, a reason to come back.

If you’re looking for a relaxing escape to the desert, consider Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells. Learn more at miramonteresort.com Just under 2 hours from Orange County, Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells is an ideal staycation location for the family and it’s pet-friendly too!

DISCLOSURE:
I paid discounted media rates for my stay at Miramonte Resort and Spa.

August 13, 2018
Motorcycles, Ice Cream and Keanu Reeves in Carmel

Last May, I had the privilege of attending and working on “The Quail Motorcycle Gathering” in Carmel, CA. As social media manager of Acorn Woods Communications, we worked with The Quail Events group of the Quail Lodge a few months before the event. The event is a celebration of the Evolution of the Motorcycle, honoring both pre- and post-war eras of the world’s finest sports and racing bikes. Not being a rider myself, what I did appreciate was the history and physical beauty of the motorcycles. Not to mention, the camaraderie of riders. Plus, there was the location! The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel Valley! Besides, any chance I get to travel up the coast to Monterey County, CA is a welcome one.

The Quail Lodge and Golf Club is a Peninsula hotel nestled in Carmel Valley. The resort features an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, an outdoor pool, meeting/event spaces, plus 2 on-site restaurants and a bar.

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Since this was a work trip and not a vacation, I didn’t really get to explore the Quail’s amenities but I did interact with their very warm and hospitable staff. We dined at the onsite restaurant Edgar’s and it was delicious.

We got a good view of the greens where the Motorcycle Gathering was held.

The food at Edgar’s is made from local farm fresh ingredients and our dining experiences there over the weekend were truly enjoyable.

The impeccable service of the hotel plus the awesomeness of the Quail Motorcycle Gathering event organizers made my stay at the Quail Lodge and the event itself a truly exceptional experience.

But perhaps, what took this event to the stratosphere for me was meeting, the one, the only Keanu Reeves, who was in attendance with business partner Gard Hollinger and their Arch Motorcycle Company.

An estimated 3000 people were in attendance at the Annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering, now in its 8th year. It was such a beautiful day and I felt that the event had something for everyone. Motorcycles for all enthusiasts naturally but there was also something for history buffs and the families who just wanted to spend a nice afternoon on the greens. There were so many things to look at and the barbecue lunch was exquisite, and did I mention an afternoon ice cream social too?

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I cannot wait for next year’s Quail Motorcycle Gathering. The Quail Lodge and Golf Club is located at 8000 Valley Greens Dr, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923.

June 26, 2016
#TravelTuesday: Discover Dreamy Destinations in the U.S. and Beyond at the Travel & Adventure Show

One of my favorite shows to cover as a journalist is the Travel and Adventure Show in Long Beach. This year the 11th Annual Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show took place last February 27 and 28 at the Long Beach Convention Center. It was awesome! Talk about a virtual tour around the world. There were hundreds of exhibitors including local US destinations as well as countries across the globe.

I always go to the National Park Service section first during the Travel Show. They have tons of information on parks including Sequoia and Kings’ Canyon, Yosemite and more. This year the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. Now more than ever, I am jonesing to “Find My Park.”

It’s all about new discoveries. This year for example, I learned about the Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival on November 5-6, 2016. For more information, visit rpfestival.com

Ever gone on a ranch vacation? I’ve never gone myself but after meeting the people from Rankin Ranch, I am seriously considering it.

There are just so many wonderful places to visit in America alone and the Travel and Adventure Show provides excellent opportunities for discovery as it features travel providers and destination experts to help travelers plan their next adventure.

It’s always nice to discover and meet new people behind new services, like this wonderful mother and daughter duo behind Enjoy the Mountain, which specializes in offroad adventures, including ATV, mountain bike, and jeep tours and rentals.

And this New Zealand-company, Jucy, that’s just launched in the U.S. providing camper van rentals.

This year, travel personalities Rick Steves and Samantha Brown were just two of the experts featured at the Travel Theater. They’ve been at previous Travel Shows too and always play to a packed house.

Rick Steves at Travel Show LA. Photo courtesy of Travel and Adventure Show.

They even had a live cooking demo from Thailand.

Interactive booths, cultural presentations and special travel deals added to the excitement of the show. I cannot wait till next year.

Hola from the Baja California Sur/ Mexico Booth

Sawasdee Ka from the colorful Thailand booth

Hola from Guatemala

March 29, 2016
Travel Tuesday: I left my heart in San Francisco at Hotel Zephyr to be exact

We had less than a day and one night to spend in San Francisco, so we wanted it to count! The best decision we made was to book a room at what is possibly the coolest hotel on Fisherman’s Wharf. Just one night at Hotel Zephyr not only provided a great home base from which to explore the city but it was also a destination in itself. You’ll have to watch the Periscope videos I made below to get a taste of what I mean.

Our room was not large but the interior design was so hip. There was even a magnetic dart board, which my kids loved.

My room with a view.
Taken with my iPhone 6.

Hotel Zephyr used to be the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf and it spans over the entire block bound by Jefferson, Powell and Beach St. It has this totally hipster vibe with it’s maritime theme, one-of-a-king upcycled art pieces and the use of recycled corrugated metal and cargo containers as furniture. And yet, it was also super family-friendly, with a game room and a back patio with unique and welcoming fire pits and more.

Here’s the Periscope video I shot not long after we arrived. Thanks to Katch.me I was able to save the live stream.

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco features 361 guest rooms and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and it’s right next to Pier 39! The decor is playful and quirky and the staff is so warm and friendly. The common spaces have such a “community” feel that makes it easy to relax and even make new friends!

And speaking of new friends, I met Kevin “KT” Thomas, Senior Sales Manager of Hotel Zephyr San Francisco, the next morning for a tour of the hotel. I live streamed the hotel tour using Periscope and it was so entertaining to have Kevin there with me. He was a hilarious guest, we felt like we were on a live TV show.

And as live programming goes, we did hit some snags (like the hotel key not working) but it made the video even more delightful.

Kevin shared that there would be even more cool things coming up at the funky pet-friendly hotel. We cannot wait to return. You can check out some special hotel deals from Hotel Zephyr here. Be sure to follow them on social too @hotelzephyrsf on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

February 9, 2016
#TravelTuesday: Weekend at Hyatt Regency Monterey

It’s not about the destination but the journey getting there. But when driving out to Monterey for the weekend, then the destination is everything. The last time we drove up the Central Coast to Carmel by the Sea, we took the scenic winding road up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was going very well until the kids started feeling queasy. So this time, we decided that we could try to get to Monterey from Huntington Beach under 6 hours, by driving up the 5 to the 101. It took slightly longer than 6 hours through not very scenic rural views. An exception was the drive through the pretty vineyards of Paso Robles.

Coming from our own beach town of Huntington Beach, the pine tree-filled landscape was a welcome change. The vista was so awe-inspiring that my son remarked it looked like we were driving into a computer screensaver!

Weekend at the Hyatt Monterey

We checked into the Hyatt Monterey and felt right at home. The hotel has a country club feel minus the snobbery. Maybe because it feels like a country club because it is located on Old Golf Course Road? (Right by the Del Monte Gold Course.) Or maybe because the staff makes you feel like you “belong.”

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel is set among 22 acres of Monterey Pines and is made up several buildings with 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, villas, and standard rooms. We had adjoining rooms, giving the kids their privacy, which they loved! (As you can imagine, so did we.) Between the rooms, there was a family room with a TV, sofa and coffee table. So it definitely felt like home. The understated décor was also tastefully done and very relaxing.

I met with Steve McNally, General Manager of the hotel and David Lambert, Director of Sales for drinks at the Fireplace Lounge before grabbing dinner with the family at the onsite TusCA Ristorante. Dinner was delicious and the service impeccable.

After dinner, we watched the live jazz band at the Fireplace Lounge. It was totally chill. I was told that the drummer was a local doctor, who gathered musicians to jam.

And now for some #jazz… #livemusic weekends @hyattmonterey Too cool! #music #athyattregency

A video posted by Marcie Taylor (@marcietaylor) on Nov 20, 2015 at 8:27pm PST

Later, the kids enjoyed making s’mores by the fire pit at the hotel’s gazebo.

The next day, we met up with the Hyatt’s Sales Manager David Lambert for a “secret hike.” He shared that it was something he liked to show hotel guests from time to time. We got up rather early for people on vacation and headed out to nearby Carmel. Let me tell you, this was a perfect way to start one’s day in Monterey Peninsula.

We drove just a few minutes from the hotel. Then, we parked our cars on the side of Hwy 1 and hiked up the Soberanes Trail, part of Garrapata State Park

It was breathtaking.

Amazing hike this morning at #SoberanesPoint in Carmel. Thank you so much to David Lambert of @hyattmonterey for sharing your secret trail with us. #Monterey #CarmelHighlands #nature #hike #beauty @seemonterey #california

A photo posted by Marcie Taylor (@marcietaylor) on Nov 21, 2015 at 4:49pm PST

Back at the hotel, I visited the Marilyn Monroe Spa, where I experienced Marilyn’s Signature Massage. The facilities were clean and relaxing as one would expect from a hotel spa. But the splashes of red in the décor made the place playfully chic, as well. Some of the neat spa features included: walk-in rain showers, saunas, and a couples room too. The Marilyn Monroe Spa also offers salon services including hair, makeup, pedicures and manicures. You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to avail of the spa’s services.

What’s a trip to Monterey without a visit to the Monterey Aquarium? This public aquarium located on the site of a former sardine cannery on historic Cannery Row is a destination on its own. Founded in 1984, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has permanent exhibits that represent more than 600 species including the Giant Pacific Octopus, Sea Otters, Kelp Forest. There are a lot of interactive exhibits for both young ones and the young at heart. We truly enjoyed the historic aspect of it all and of course, the up close and personal look at Life on the Bay.

After our visit to the Aquarium, we walked along Cannery Row. We talked about John Steinbeck, as my son, had just read some of his books for school. And we reflected on how inspiring all of Monterey is…how can you not write a novel or create art in such a place of beauty! We returned to the Hyatt and relaxed the rest of the evening. We went to Knuckles sports bar at the hotel for dinner and later listened to the jazz band again. Saturdays are busier at the hotel, because locals like to frequent the place too. Like I said, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa makes you feel like you’re part of a club. We look forward to visiting again soon.

January 5, 2016
Staycation Destination: Carlsbad

There’s more to Carlsbad than Legoland. Don’t get me wrong, Legoland is definitely a family favorite, but for this little weekend getaway, we wanted something else. Something low key and relaxing. Only an hour away from Huntington Beach, Carlsbad is an ideal staycation destination. Though it is a beach town like our Surf City, it has a different vibe.

The Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa was an ideal place to spend the night. It has comfy accommodations and is conveniently located to many points of interest, yes, including Legoland. But as I mentioned, we didn’t even visit the amusement park.

Before checking into the Sheraton, we had lunch at a hip new restaurant in Oceanside, Boulevard Chinese Kitchen.

Then we headed to Carlsbad Lagoon for an afternoon spent kayaking. We always see the lagoon from the freeway but it was our first time there and it was splendid. The Carlsbad Lagoon is a privately owned watersports center, offering rentals for boats, wave runners, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and aqua cycles. There are decks available for picnics and parties. And they also have a wakeboard and water ski shop. Did I mention that the rates are quite affordable? Kayak rentals range from $15/hour (single) to$25/hour (double); wave runners range from $70/half an hour to $175/2 hours.

Next stop: our hotel!

The Sheraton Carlsbad Resort is located on Grand Pacific Drive off of Cannon Road in Carlsbad. Yup, it’s the same exit you’d take if you were headed to Legoland.

In our room, we were surprised to find cookies and oranges by our bedside. It’s the little things like this that make a difference in hospitality.

We had dinner at Twenty/20 Restaurant and the food was delicious. It was Happy Hour too, which they have 7 days a week!

The next day, we hit the gym as a family. This is a rare treat since back home we all have different schedules and my younger son is not allowed at the gym yet. I was told that all Starwood hotels are on a health kick. Let me tell ya, this Sheraton was at the top of its game. The equipment was state-of-the-art and there were even practical guides for exercise for travelers, vacationers, business people etc. My husband and sons then proceeded to the pool, while I went to the Ocean Pearl Spa.

The Ocean Pearl Spa was heavenly. I do not give compliments lightly. You see, I am kind of a spa junkie and I didn’t expect to experience what could be the best massage I’ve had to date at Ocean Pearl! I had the signature massage therapy, featuring a heated herbal poultice that is applied to the body. My massage therapist Mary has magic hands. It was like a relaxing massage and chiropractic adjustment in one session. I cannot wait to go back.

In the end, our weekend in Carlsbad, just an hour away from home, was exactly what we needed. We unplugged, unwound and spent time together as a family.

March 10, 2015
Travel Tuesday: A Desert Escape at The Boulders Resort in Arizona

The drive to Arizona is smooth and uneventful. And then the landscape starts to change. There are cacti on the side of the road and tumbleweeds. Large granite boulders jut out from the desert and you wonder if they are real. In fact, they are 12 million years old kind of real. And that’s how this luxury Waldorf-Astoria Resort got its name – The Boulders.

Somewhere on the border of Scottsdale, we arrive at one of the world’s most celebrated hideaways in Carefree, Arizona. The Boulders, a Waldorf-Astoria resort, has 160 guest casitas and 60 villas shaped into the natural terrain, many bordering the two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Jay Morrish, Arizona’s only Platinum Medal award winner. Apart from the majestic boulders, desert cacti including the surreal saguaro dot the landscape. There are trails around the property that are easy to walk but you can also take a golf cart around. My family and I enjoyed walking the trails together (though I will admit that my two sons enjoyed riding around the back of the golf cart more!)

Photo courtesy of The Boulders

There are no kid clubs or movie nights for young guests here but fear not, there is so much to do for an active family. Apart from nature walks, jeep tours and rock climbing lessons, The Boulders also offers eight tennis courts, and two swimming pools.

Learn to rock climb at The Boulders | Photo courtesy of the resort

Being the spa junkie that I am, I could not visit The Boulders without getting a treatment at the 33,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa, that incorporates organic spa products and rituals that can be enjoyed at the labyrinth; an authentic Tipi, resident Shamanic Healer; a fitness center; movement studios and classroom for wellness lectures; tea room; full-service salon and spa café.

Within The Boulders property, there is a shopping plaza called El Pedregal and also six distinctively different restaurants. While at the resort, we discovered the deliciousness of prickly pear syrup at Palo Verde, a southwestern style bistro, where we had our breakfasts. And we snacked at the Bakery Cafe at El Pedregal before going on a Jeep Tour. For dinner, we dined at the Spotted Donkey Cantina, where we enjoyed “Modern Mexican” cuisine.

My Sonoran Breakfast Special at Palo Verde Restaurant. Yes, I posted this to my Instagram #foodporn

February 4, 2014

Travel Tuesday: Wellness Weekend At Shore Hotel in Santa Monica

There is so much I can say about the awesome weekend I had in Santa Monica, CA. I stayed at the LEED Certified, eco-friendly, sustainable Shore Hotel. I got a massage, ate raw, vegan, painted and even did beach yoga. But for now, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

http://instagram.com/p/fYL56Ak5aC/

October 15, 2013

Experiencing SpaRitual at Glen Ivy Hot Springs

One of my favorite escapes is historic and beautiful Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona. So when I heard about the event to launch Glen Ivy’s partnership with SpaRitual, I made plans to be there. Any excuse to relax at Glen Ivy and cover myself up with mud is good for me. The drive to the Inland Empire from Orange County mid-week is not too bad. When I arrived at Glen Ivy at 11:00am, the place was already teeming with people.

A room was set-up with SpaRitual’s eco-conscious product line and I received a mini-hand treatment. I love how SpaRitual is committed to providing spa and nail care products that nourish the mind, body and spirit connection and are also environmentally-friendly. They call it Slow Beauty, “where the practice of restoration and healing begins with a choice.”

To get started, I was asked to smell 4 different scent groups made up of essential oils and bath salts, with corresponding color palettes. These were: Close Your Eyes – calming and soothing,
with the scent of Egyptian Geranium and hues of blues, greens, violets and neutrals; Look Inside – healing and rejuvenating with the scent of Indian Frankincense and hues of browns, berries, grey-greens; Instinctual – energizing and warming, with the scent of Indonesian Ginger and hues of reds, oranges, magentas; and Infinitely Loving – settling and restoring, with the scent of Chinese Jasmine, and hues of peaches, pinks, roses and whites.

Each nail lacquer and body care product belongs to one of these 4 groups. It was totally a multisensory experience and I chose “Instinctual” – the scent of Indonesian Ginger was too hard to resist.

According to SpaRitual founder, Shel Pink, the partnership between SpaRitual and Glen Ivy is a natural fit since “Both SpaRitual and Glen Ivy share a similar philosophy of a holistic approach to wellness and the healing benefits of spa treatments.”

After viewing the SpaRitual line of products, I proceeded to my favorite place at Glen Ivy – Club Mud! If you haven’t experienced slathering up mud all over your body and baking in the warm sun, you are missing out. Club Mud is California’s only therapeutic red clay mud bath. Besides its therapeutic effects (your skin feels so smooth afterwards), when you come with a friend, the experience is totally bonding. (You can see a not-so flattering mud-covered image of myself on Instagram.)

I wish I had time for more relaxation and self-reflection and maybe some pool time but as I was trying to beat traffic, I headed home after a delicious lunch at Cafe Sole.

The partnership between SpaRitual and Glen Ivy simply makes sense – the two companies not only believe in being green but actually practice sustainability. Furthermore, they both focus on the well-being of their clients – both inside and out.

One of the pools at Glen Ivy. Photo courtesy of Glen Ivy Hot Springs.

July 22, 2013

Somewhere Beyond the Sea – Carmel-by-the-Sea

The six hour road trip, from Huntington Beach in Orange County to Carmel by the Sea in Monterey County, California takes you down a scenic route. And it can really be a relaxing drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, except when you are traveling with kids in tow. Driving for so many hours with no DVD to keep time can be challenging. Even with their Nintendo DS and iPhone devices, there was always that nagging question of:”Are we there yet?”

After taking in the breathtaking coastal views and stopping for lunch at San Luis Obispo, we finally enter Carmel. The first thing that hits you is the scent of pine. Trees tower overhead as you make your way down small streets. It is like discovering a secret town in the forest.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, streets are lined with art galleries and small Zagat-rated eateries. Everything is within walking distance, even the beach! There is a small town feel with added charm. Dutch doors and wooden signs give a distinctively Euro feel to this California town, that once had the actor Clint Eastwood as its mayor.

We stayed at the Hofsas House Hotel, one of the larger inns in the area, with 38 spacious rooms. The independent family-owned boutique hotel made us feel right at home. From the hot apple cider that greeted us at the lobby to the wine and cheese platter in our bedroom. Owner Carrie Theis was a gracious host, with Cajun, the canine concierge by her side. Everyone on staff was excellent too.

The weekend we visited, the weather wasn’t as sunny but still there were plenty of things to do. Just being able to go on foot around the charming town was a treat! We stopped at galleries and grabbed treats at Carmel Bakery en route to Carmel Beach. We also visited the Carmel Mission for a step back in time.

If you’re looking for a chill weekend getaway, consider Carmel by the Sea.

Carmel on Dwellable

Hotels.com

January 25, 2013