How can I get a good deal at a luxury resort?

HEALTH, FITNESS, DRUG THERAPY, LUXURY SPAS

• OK FOLKS...HERE IS THE QUESTION OF ALL TIME FOR ME...YA'LL HAVE GIVEN ME A GREAT DEAL OF HELP IN PAST BUT I NEED THE BEST OF THE BEST TO HELP ME NOW...I NEED HELP...IF I DON'T GET IT I'M CONVINCED I WILL DIE...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO...SYNOPSIS REAL QUICK..56, RETIRED, LIVED SEDENTARY LIFESTYYLE MOST OF LIFE AND WANT TO CHANGE....FIRST I 'M LOOKING FOR A PLACE I CAN GO TO THAT'S NOT A STRICTLY REGIMAN BOOT CAME LIKE PRITIKIN...MORE LIKE LUXURY SPA THAT CAN PROVIDE ME OUTSTANDING ACCOMODATIONS AND 3 STAR CHEFS OR BETTER THAT CAN PREPARE AND CONSULT WITH ME ON EATING ...WONDERFUL MEALS I CAN LIFE WITH WHEN I GO BACK HOME BUT ARE SAY 1000 CALORIES DAILY ..I HAVE TO DROP AT LEAST 30 POUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...CURRENTLY WEITH 225...THIS PLACE HAS TO HAVE NICE PERSONEL..IT CAN BE A HOTEL LIKE A RITZ OR FOUR SEASONS THAT HAS HEALTH SPA FACILITIES AND CAN PROVIDE A PERSONAL TRAINER DAILY FOR LIGHT EXERCISE AND A WALKING REGIMIN....I DON'T LIKE CLASS SURROUNDINGS...I AM A PRIVATE PERSON....WELL NOW WE'VE COVERED THE FOOD AND EXERCISE...WHERE...WELL REALLY, ANYUWHERE IS FINE JUST SO LONG AS THEY SPEAK ENGLISH...I'M NOT LOOKING FOR QUIET SURROUNDINGS LIKE NEW ENGLAND BUT MORE LIKE A BIG CITY LIKE LONDON, NEW YORK, AND I LOVE VEGAS..SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MIGHT COME IN TO PLAY...I DON'T WANT TO SIT AROUND EVERYNIGHT READING BOOKS...I'D LIKE TO TRY AND HAVE SOME FUN WHILE I'M DOING THIS....I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A PLACE LIKE THIS OUTSIDE VEGAS AND ONE IS LONDON THAT FITS THE BILL BUT CAN'T REMEMBER THE PLACES...NOW, NEXT...I NEED A PLACE THAT HAS IN THE AREA PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP ME GET MY BODY TONED UP THRU COSMETIC SURGERY...LIKE THAT TV PROGAAM WHERE THEY TAKE AN UGLE DUCKLINE AND TURN THEM INTO A SWAN..I'M WAY BEYONE SWAN STAGE BUT I'LL TRY...I NEED COSMETIC SURGERY ON TEETH TO MAKE THEM BRIGHT AND SHINY...I NEED LIPOSUCTION...LOTS OF SAGGING GOES ON BY THE TIME YOU ARE MY AGE IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN CARE OF YOURSELF AND I HAVEN'T...SO WE HAVE TO BE IN A CITY OR AREA WITH A SUPURB MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME FIND THE BEST PEOPLE....NEXT...I'M SICK AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME...LISTEN TO THIS....I TAKE AN ASPERIN DAILY TO HELP PREVENT HEART ATTACK...ZOLOFT FOR DEPRESSION...NORVASC , ATENOL, AND CLONADINE FOR HIGH BLOOK PRESSURE AND OCCASIONALLY A DIURETIC LASIX...I TAKE CLONAZEPANN AND EL DOPA SOMETHING FOR LEG PAIN...METAFORMIN FOR ELEVATED SUGAR...VIAGRA FOR MY SEX LIFE BUT I DON'T HAVE A SEX LIFE...MY WIFE TOLD ME SHE DOESN'T LIKE SEX SO I'VE HAD A TWO YEAR DRY SPELL AND I'M READY TO START UP AGAIN WITH SOMEONE...MABEY WE CAN FIND A CONSULTANT TO TEACH ME HOW TO MEET WOMEN....LIPATOR FOR CHLORESTOL...CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS...I AM WALKING DEATH...I WANT TO COME OFF ALL THESE AND I DON'T BELIEVE I WILL NEED THEM AFTER WEIGHT LOSS, EXERCISE, TONING UP, AND TALKING TO A THERAPIST ABOUT MY LIFE...I NEED SOME HELP...I'M RICH AND CAN WELL AFFORD THIS BUT WHEREEVER YOU RECOMMEND, I'LL NEED ACCESS TO A PSYCHIATRIST...NOW I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A WITHDRAWAL PLACE...JUST SOMEONE AT THE SPA OR A LOCAL DOCTOR TO HELP ME GRADUALLY COME OFF ALL THIS MEDICINE...I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN..I USED TO BE REAL BAD GUY IN BUSINESS BUT I'VE MELLOWED AND CAN ADMIT I NEED HELP...I ALSO WANT A PLACE, IF I HAVEN'T MENTIONED IT THAT I CAN BE PAMPERED DAILY...I LIKE GETTING A MASSAGE, HAVING MY FINGERS AND TOES DONE. ..STEAM AND THE WHOLE WORKS...PREFER A PLACE WITH TRAINED CHINEES MASSAGE THERAPISTS THAT CAN DO SHIATSU MASSAGE LIKE THE GUYS IN PALM SPRINGS AT THE MARRIOTT RESORT..THEY ARE GREAT....I NEED A FACILITY THAT CAN SET UPO MY ROOM WITH CONMPUTER, FAX, COPIER , AND ACCESS TO CLERICAL HELP ...I MANAGE MY OWN AND OTHER PEOPLES STOCK PORTFOLIOS...TAKES TWO HOURS DAILY...LORD, WHAT ELSE...SUMMARY..THIS WILL TAKE SOME WORK...I WANT SAY 3 TO 5 PLACES TO CHOOSE FROM AND I WANT ONE OF THEM TO BE FROM LONDON, ONE FROM VEGAS, AND ONE FROM BEVERLY HILLS AREA....OTHER TWO AT YOUR CHOICE...I HAVE NEW BENTLEY AND NEED SOMEWHERE IT CAN BE PARKED SAFELY...I'M RAMBLING NOW...ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ME...I'LL PUT DOWN A ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR FEE AND IF WE FIND A PLACE THERE IS ANOTHER TWO HUNDRED FIFTY ON THE BACK END...THANKS RANDY

• Answer:

  Hello Randy! Wow! This is a tall order, but not only is it doable, there are places on this list that I think may even exceed your expectations?who knew that such paradise on earth existed? Your requirements truly are unique in combination! And as I?ve searched for just the right places for you in just the right areas, I?ve been impressed (okay, and yes, I?ve done quite a bit of daydreaming, too!) by the caliber of the settings and services of such spectacular spas! I want to go to one of these places! All right, Randy, be prepared! As you look through this answer, I?m guessing you will want to hop on a plane (or in your Bentley) immediately, if not sooner! The virtual tours alone have made me antsy for a relaxing vacation right now! Ah, well, a girl can dream anyway. I think you will really enjoy what you see. I?m excited to share my findings with you! (Have I mentioned that these places are amazing?!) Okay, here we go! *********** LAS VEGAS *********** This is a really great one. Since Vegas is one of your favorite places, I really wanted to make sure to get a good place for you there. So, here it is! Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Venetian http://www.canyonranch.com/spaclubs/venetian/index.asp The site boasts about Canyon Ranch?s facilities: ?Our 69,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility features a health and wellness center; massage, skin care and body treatment rooms; gyms and weight rooms; therapeutic pools; and the centerpiece of the facility ? a three-story rock-climbing wall.? http://www.canyonranch.com/spaclubs/venetian/all_about.asp And please check out this link to learn more about their health and wellness services: http://www.canyonranch.com/spaclubs/venetian/health_wellness.asp The section specific to nutrition can be found here: http://www.canyonranch.com/spaclubs/venetian/health_rates.asp?ListMode=Menu&TID=12 Here?s a little bit from that page. ?At Canyon Ranch SpaClub you can improve your Nutritional Intelligence. Our registered dietitians help you assess your personal goals and establish a healthier eating pattern. Learn how to balance your meals for energy and vitality or develop a practical weight-loss plan. We can create an optimal supplement program for you or teach you to use nutrition to help manage a health concern.? It also goes on to list the nutrition services available, including a Lifetime Nutrition Consultation: ?Need a few great nutrition tips to maintain your good health? Meet with a registered dietitian to optimize your food choices and eating patterns based on your current lifestyle and life cycle. Take home nutrition suggestions designed with convenience in mind. A Lifetime Nutrition Consultation will help you optimize your energy, enhance your vitality and maximize your health potential.? For your information, Canyon Ranch has other locations, including Tuscon, AZ, Lenox, MA (in the Berkshires), and even on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship (please refer to http://www.canyonranch.com) that look VERY relaxing, but I know that you are especially interested in being close to the action in Vegas, so the Venetian location is perfect for you! And because of its location, you?re right on the strip! Here is more information about Canyon Ranch from a different source: VacationIdea.com http://www.vacationidea.com/spas/las_vegas_spa_canyon_ranch.html And, in case you?re interested in knowing more about other spas available to you in the Vegas area, please reference the information found at the following link: VacationIdea.com http://www.vacationidea.com/las_vegas/las_vegas_spas.html And here is another interesting page that discusses spas in Vegas. It is from the Press and Research Department of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. http://www.lvcva.com/press/kit_spas.html Did you notice this line on that page? ?An article in Condé Nast Traveler included the Canyon Ranch SpaClub among the top 10 resort spas in the U.S.? I think you?re in for a treat! *********************** SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA *********************** Believe it or not, this was the trickiest one for me to find for you. There are SO many spas in Southern California, but many of them are day spas and even those that aren?t don?t necessarily offer all of the services that you seek, so I really had to do some sleuthing. The good news here is that this place is amazing and will, I think, exceed your expectations. La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, California http://www.lacosta.com/ ?La Costa Resort and Spa is a legendary resort known for it's superb guest rooms and meeting space, nestled amidst the beautiful coastal climate of Carlsbad, California. With 473 guest rooms to choose from, all decorated in beautiful Spanish-style theme, guests will lose themselves in comfort and style. La Costa Resort and Spa also boasts the finest in golf and tennis facilities, with two championship golf courses and twenty-one tennis courts on more than 400 lush green acres. It's a mecca of fun and relaxation combined. The tranquil services of our full-service Spa and Salon, make for an even more enjoyable experience. Guests will enjoy a variety of massages and treatments to help melt away the cares of the world. Experience the ultimate in rest and relaxation....come to La Costa Resort and Spa.? http://www.lacosta.com/about/default.asp Their spa is newly renovated to even better suit your needs. ?The moment you arrive at the new Spa at La Costa, you'll realize you've left everyday life far behind. This heavenly place has been setting the standard since 1965, and with 140 million dollars dedicated to renovation, it continues to do so. Enjoy the leading edge therapies that have made this place famous, in a striking new Spanish Colonial-style spa. A thundering Roman waterfall, a tranquil 15,000 square-foot outdoor courtyard, private VIP suites, a complimentary Bathing Ritual, healthful spa tonics - all available to help you re-connect with your senses. Our mission is to help you emerge from your spa experience having been inspired, indulged or invigorated. You select the feeling of choice and we will guide you in discovering the treatments to get you there. Our consultants are happy to assist you in planning your spa day.? http://www.lacosta.com/spa/default.asp Here, for your viewing pleasure is their spa menu and treatment guide: http://www.lacosta.com/spa/spa_treatment_guide_431.pdf One of the features that I think you will really enjoy is the health and wellness component. Chopra Center at La Costa http://www.lacosta.com/spa/chopra.asp From the site: ?We are delighted to share a combined vision of health and healing with La Costa Resort and Spa. The Chopra Center brings to La Costa an innovated, yet ancient approach to health, healing and rejuvenation. Drawing upon the perennial wisdom of Ayurveda, a 5000-year-old traditional system of natural healing and modern science, Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon have created a retreat that provides a quiet, peaceful and nourishing environment to bring balance and health to the mind, body, and spirit. The Chopra Center offers an integrated medical wellness program that provides a comprehensive overview of personal health. We offer mind/body medical evaluations, educational classes that include meditation, yoga, natural nutrition, daily fitness, lifestyle routine and emotional fulfillment, along with traditional Ayurvedic Spa body therapies. The Chopra Center Spa offers a unique blend of personalized body therapies that are medically supervised. Each treatment in The Chopra Center Spa takes you on a journey of nourishment, balance, relaxation and rejuvenation. We offer daily ala Carte spa treatments as well as 3 and 5-day detoxifying and rejuvenation programs that include medical evaluations, called Panchakarma. This unique cleansing and balancing program will leave you feeling refresh and energized.? You can also learn more about the Chopra Center itself on the Chopra Center Homepage. This will give you a better idea of what it?s all about. The Chopra Center for Well Being http://www.chopra.com And for more information about Dr. Deepak Chopra, please see this webpage, sponsored by Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/chopra/ Here is a section from Spa Magazine that reviews and offers information about La Costa Resort and Spa: http://www.spamagazine.com/new/advertorials/lacosta.asp Now, you?re not sure where to go, right? Well, if you think you?re having a hard time deciding now, just wait until you see the other places that I?ve researched for you! ********* LONDON ********* I don?t know whether or not you prefer to stay stateside or go overseas, but if you?re itching to go to another country at all, this will surely entice you all the more. My good colleague, Umiat-ga located this gem for you: Champney?s Health Resorts http://www.healthfarms.co.uk/default.asp Like the site states, ?Your journey to spa heaven starts here.? These places are all outside of London in very serene locales, but they are all close enough to the city (some more than others) to allow you the proximity to enjoy the city scene there. Champney?s has a location in London itself, but it is more of a city club and less of a resort, and it meets less of your requirements. Again, the resorts themselves are all outside of London, some being only 30-40 minutes away. This place even offers Cosmetic Surgery Consultations (in addition to the regular pampering, wellness education, nutrition help, etc.)! The site states, ?The consultation is a detailed medical including , skin and wrinkle analysis , health and well being. Using digital photography we are able to study and analyse your skin and suggest which CESIDIO anti ageing treatments suit you best.? They also offer various treatments including, but not limited to brow lifts, jowl lifts, and Botox anti wrinkle correction. The tabs for ?Resorts,? ?Treatments,? ?Fitness,? and ?Cuisine? will especially answer a lot of questions for you should you decide to go the overseas route for your intense spa resort treatment! ******************** TWO OTHER PLACES ******************** Okay, I had a hard time deciding, and even picking ?just three? was a challenge, but I?ve decided to list 3, rather than 2, additional places from which you can choose! That way, there?s greater likelihood that at least one of them suits your fancy! I?ve made sure that all are in/close to metropolitan areas and that all spas are also close to good medical centers and communities. ============ Tucson, Arizona ============ Miraval Resort, Tucson, Arizona http://www.miravalresort.com Wow. That?s what came to mind when I read about Miraval Resort. As for the location, Tucson itself isn?t a huge city like Vegas, but it is a city with ?city life? and also has that college town feel in parts, so there is plenty to do. You are also about 2 hours from Phoenix, with all that that city has to offer. As a note, the Miraval Resort also has a sexuality and vitality program, which is fairly unique compared to some of the other spas listed. ============ Dallas, Texas ============ Cooper Wellness Center, Dallas, Texas http://www.cooperaerobics.com/default.aspx Randy, what I really like about this place for you is the medical component. They have an on-site clinic, several physicians, and a true commitment to your health and wellness, by focusing on diet, nutrition, exercise, and emotional balance. To say that it is an impressive facility is an understatement at best. ?Cooper Wellness Program is the lifestyle modification and medical spa program developed by famed physician and author Dr. Kenneth Cooper. Revitalizing four-, six-, and 13-day programs are held at the magnificent 30-acre Dallas campus of The Cooper Aerobics Center. Since 1985, thousands of men and women have reduced their risk of heart disease and stress-related illness by using the life enhancement strategies they learned at Cooper Wellness Program. Outstanding preventive medicine specialists evaluate your health, prescribe your optimum plan of action, and motivate you through a practical, results-oriented program designed to last a lifetime.? http://www.cooperaerobics.com/wellness/ This, combined with the spa, guest lounge, and wonderful dining facilities, are sure to be holistic hit! And being close to the Dallas metro area give you access to a good medical community for your health and medical needs. I think this place is very, very impressive. ============= Phoenix, Arizona ============= JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, Phoenix, Arizona http://www.jwdesertridgeresort.com/ This resort has both spa and wellness components and is right in Phoenix, a bustling city and leading medical community. From their debut press release: ?The fires are lit. The water is flowing. The earth is flowering. The sky is limitless. Where all the elements meet. Opened in November 2002, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa may be Arizona?s largest resort, but it?s also big on luxury. With 950 guestrooms (including 81 suites), this AAA Four Diamond award-winning, alluring resort is set on 316 acres in the Sonoran Desert where Phoenix meets Scottsdale and features sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains. Conveniently located in northeast Phoenix just 20 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (with easy access to the new Loop 101 freeway), the grand resort is the centerpiece in the Valley of the Sun?s burgeoning northeastern corridor. Inspired by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, Desert Ridge redefines the resort experience. Two 18-hole championship golf courses, Marriott?s first Revive Spa, a 28,000-square-foot European-style spa and fitness center and four acres of turquoise swimming pools and shimmering waterways set the mood for a relaxing getaway. Panoramic views of crimson-hued mountains, fiery Arizona sunsets and the picturesque, cactus-studded Sonoran Desert only add to the resort?s serene setting.? http://www.jwdesertridgeresort.com/about/DR_resort_release.PDF Learn more here about the fitness services that are offered there, including personal consultations: http://www.jwdesertridgeresort.com/spa/fitness.asp Learn more about their spa and the great services that are offered there: http://www.jwdesertridgeresort.com/spa/spa_services.asp Now, a word about your medical needs. Please note the disclaimer that information provided through Google Answers does not substitute for professional medical and psychiatric advice. I have been sure to choose spas and locations that are nestled in or close to thriving medical communities. I am including 2 websites that allow you to find doctors that suit your medical needs. I?ve tried them out to test them and have even looked up both plastic surgeons and psychiatrists. There seem to be many choices available to you in both of these specialties. I don?t think you?ll have any problem coordinating your medical and spa needs as part of your transformation! AMA Online Doctor Finder http://dbapps.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm WebMD Physician Directory http://my.webmd.com/pages/dir/toc.asp Well, there it is. I?ve taken a while with it because I am a bit of a perfectionist and I sincerely want to offer you some wonderful choices from which you can select what?s perfect for you in the setting that appeals to you most. I?ve spent several hours of online research on this and I?ve made some phone calls as well and I am finding that these sorts of places are extremely accommodating, as they want you to enjoy your stay and be comfortable and relaxed. They are willing to make your accommodations a ?home away from home.? I?m sure that they?re willing to help you with your needs and requests. If I may be so bold, I?d encourage you to leave work behind and focus on YOU. Again, it?s up to you, but after the extensive research that I?ve done on these spas and resort packages, I can definitely see the value in letting it be a truly relaxing and invigorating experience?work would likely bog you down and not let you be as free and open to the wonders of the treatments and regimens available. Okay, that part right there was boquinha-ga bonus. I?ll try to keep my opinions to myself now. But, I really do hope that you enjoy yourself and that this treatment/vacation helps you greatly! I hope that this information is very helpful to you. Should you need any further clarification, please do not hesitate to let me know. I?m happy to help. Randy, this has been like really fun window shopping for me and I?ve learned a lot. Thank you for the pleasure of working on your question! And I truly wish you the best of success in your goals and aspirations! You know, we researchers have been discussing what a nice customer you are?I hope you know how much that is appreciated. Please keep us posted on the whole new you! Sincerely, Boquinha-ga Search Strategy: Searching and using your criteria list as a guide Consulting with other Google Answers Researchers Search Terms Used: spa village spa resort spa resort <city> spa resort <city> nutrition health spa spa resort wellness center find doctor (with search strategy: testing out the feature) doctor locator (with search strategy: testing out the feature) (other individual searches by name to do further research on various leads) I have to give a lot of credit to some wonderful people. Many of my colleagues, including voila-ga, crabcakes-ga, and umiat-ga, have been instrumental in helping me find some wonderful places for you. Together, we have come up with so many amazing spas, that it would be a shame to not at least list them here as part of the answer. In my answer, I?ve given you 6 spas, as you?ve asked (okay, so one was a bonus), that meet your specifications. The following list has some amazing spas, but admittedly many of them do not meet all of your specifications. But honestly, they?re worth a look, in case you?re interested, or if you decide to change your mind at all on any aspect of your requirements (though I wouldn?t blame you one bit if you didn?t change a thing?this spa resort vacation is, after all, for you!). Okay, here?s the list: Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California http://www.sparesortcasino.com/index.php?PID=WELCOME This has less of an emphasis on nutrition, but it does have both a spa AND a casino, for that Vegas flair! Cityscapes Resorts to Wellness Spas and Escapes http://www.resortstowellness.com/files/cityscapes.html This lists a number of wellness spas in British Columbia, Canada Spa Retreats Health Spa Vacations and Wellness Retreats http://www.resortstowellness.com/files/wellness.html This lists a number of wellness retreats in exotic locations, including Thailand, Mexico, and more! Cowley Manor in England http://www.cowleymanor.com Bliss in London http://www.blissworld.com/spa/location/uk Brenner's http://www.brenners.com/e/welcome.htm Ten Thousand Waves http://www.tenthousandwaves.com Be sure to check out the local art scene, too! Terme di Montecatini http://www.termemontecatini.it Les Thermes Marin at the Hermitage http://www.monte-carlo.mc/lodging-monaco/hotelhermitage/gb_index.html VacationIdea.com http://www.vacationidea.com/spas/lauberge_del_mar_california_spa.html Just thought you might be interested in what the celebrities like! And here are some wonderful resources for searching for spas and resorts around the country and around the world! Spa Directory?look up by location?popular metro areas or state http://www.heavenspa.com/search/Spa_Search_Form.asp?source=GOOG Spa Finder http://www.spafinder.com Spa Magazine?Search Feature http://www.spamagazine.com/new/search.asp?key=USA Spa Pass?search for spas all over the world http://www.spapass.com/index.htm