If you’re looking for a romantic spot for Valentine’s Day, the newly re-opened Riviera Resort & Spa offers several options that are worthy of your consideration.

The Palm Springs resort covers 24 acres, and was once the playground for the famous and infamous.  Elvis Pressley and the Rat Pack spent time here, and back in the 60’s this was the largest and most famous of the Palm Springs resorts.

Re-opened in 2009, the resort has a vibe reminiscent of its former glamour days.  Sleek line, bold graphics, abstract details and vivid colors combine with retro furnishings and mirrored walls to make this a hip place to see and be seen.

I love the improvements that have been made, and the efforts to restore the Riviera to its rightful place in hotel lore.   You enter the resort through a bright lobby area that’s bursting with color with orange flowered walls, reminding me a little of the flower power of Laugh In days.

The two story buildings, with 406 rooms and suites, surround a central swimming pool, outdoor living room area, and the Bikini Bar.  There are general lounging areas and private cabanas, along with fire pits and seating areas.  The fire pits make for a lovely touch, and would be a great spot for a nightcap on a chilly desert evening.

Spas have become a staple of resorts, whether its for relaxation, treatment, romance, or for a fun of a girls day out.  SpaTerre features a Zen-like oasis of serenity sure to satisfy the most discriminating spa goer.  Although I didn’t indulge in any of the treatments, the area looked comfortable, full of the expected appointments – and a few very nice unexpected ones as well.  Several treatment rooms accommodate two people.

Use of the spa is free for guests, and a variety of pampering treatment packages are available.  This would make a great escape for a wedding party or girl’s weekend.  Day passes for the facilities are also available.

Romance kicks into high gear with the resort’s choices of restaurants and bars.

Circa 59 is the resort’s fine dining restaurant.  Although dinner wasn’t on the agenda this visit, the aromas wafting out were heavenly.  I’ll put a dinner visit and review on my to-do list for another time.

I stopped off for a cocktail at the Starlite Lounge (top photo) with my traveling companion, Anita.  Located on the mezzanine opposite the lobby, the seating area includes tables, chairs and banquettes.  A video wall behind the bar shows vintage images of stars.  For awhile, we nearly felt like one of the stars ourselves!

We wanted to try some of the signature drinks on the menu, and asked our server Paige what was unique and special about their cocktail menu.  Paige explained that the resort has taken many of the classic retro cocktail recipes, updated them with a new twist, and that they only use fresh juices and ingredients.

So far, so good!

After explaining our taste preferences to Paige, we put ourselves in her hands and let her create something that she thought we’d enjoy.  She came back with a watermelon mojito (although refreshing in its lightness, there wasn’t much of a watermelon taste) and a Rock Hudson-tini (a raspberry based martini, a bit on the sweet side, but oh so yummy).  On a return trip, I’d like to try a house made Bloody Mary and a margarita – two drinks that are often made from a mix – but so much better when made from scratch.

Other bars include the Bikini Bar alongside the pool, the name derived from the many beauty pageants that have been held at the resort, and the Side Bar, for sophisticated patio cocktails.

The Riviera Resort & Spa is located at 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs (map)

Photo credits:  personal collection

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I’m in the process of putting together my “bucket” list for travel destinations and experiences, and will be posting it in a couple of days.  A bucket list is a list of those must-do and must-see things that you want (or need) to accomplish before you die.  The expression comes from the movie The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, where their two characters created a list of things that they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket.

My travel bucket list is long, and every time I cross a few things off, it seems like I discover something new to add.  Perhaps that doesn’t make it a true bucket list, but it’s my list and I get to call it what I like.

One of the destinations that’s on my bucket list is Thailand.  Best gal pal, Anita, and I continue to talk about travel to Thailand, and may be able to make the trip sooner rather than later.

Here are some of the reasons that we’ve identified why we think Thailand sounds so appealing, and some of the things we like to do and experience:

Bangkok – Spend a day in the busy city checking out the markets, doing some people watching, and getting a feel for the pulse of the city.  Sure, it’s crowded, noisy, and a bit gritty, but so are Rome and New York City and both of us love them.  I want to experience the city, although I don’t want to stay for any prolonged time here.

Luxury hotel and spa – After hearing so much about the pampering and service at luxury Asian properties, I’d love to spend a day feeling like I was one of the rich and famous.  The treatments that I’ve read about sound divine, and although my budget could only accommodate a day of this luxury, it would be fun to experience it.

Custom clothes – I still need to pull out business attire every once in awhile, and the suits in my closet are looking a little dated and shabby.  I’d love to have a custom suit made, one that fits perfectly in all the right places, is made of a fabric that I love, and serves as a practical, yet special, reminder of a vacation trip.  I know the prices for custom clothing aren’t at the bargain level that they were, but it’s still an affordable treat that I could fit into the budget.

Temples – A little taste of culture is good, and temples are an easy way to start.  The history and culture that surrounds the temples fascinate me, although my knowledge is minimal.  A little research and reading before arrival would help give me good basis to understand what I’d be seeing.

Cooking and food – I’m pretty adventurous in eating, within limits, so enjoying the local dishes would be a real treat.  Even better, though, would be taking a cooking class.  I know that many of my favorite dishes are time intensive, but it would be wonderful to know how to recreate them at home.  Noodle dishes are a real favorite of mine.

Beaches – After all that traveling, shopping, and touring, it’s time for a little rest and relaxation, and from what I hear about the beaches of Thailand, I can’t go wrong.  I’d love to stay somewhere that had those cottages that are built out over the water.  The kind of stilts, or at the end of a long dock, where the ocean surrounds you.  I can imagine myself sitting with a cup of coffee in the morning, perhaps reading a good book or doing some writing in the quiet hours.  Or, chatting with a friend over a glass of wine while watching the sunset and planning the day to come.  The quiet and stillness may be forced by the location, but it’s a necessity that I don’t often allow myself.  Oh, and a massage on the beach would be nice, too!

I know I’ve missed much of what Thailand has to offer, and even this list would require a fairly crowded schedule.  What do you think I’ve missed?  What can I comfortably do and see in a relatively short period of time?  And, if you can help with suggestions, ideas, accommodations, tours, or have other recommendations, I’d love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below, or email me.

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who also provide the photographs.  The opinions expressed are my own.

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Today I have a guest post from travel blogger, foodie, new friend, and South Florida resident, Katherine Lynch.  Katherine and I had the chance to meet in Miami last month, and I loved hearing about all the great good choices in that area.

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I keep hearing it over again  – relaxation is what your body needs. Nourishment, renewal and balance are so important, yet I often put them on the end of my list of things to do. It’s almost like a need to force myself to do those things. When it’s time to focus on some self-love, it’s time for me to book a weekend (or week) at the Canyon Ranch.

Canyon Ranch originated in Tucson, Arizona in 1979 and has since expanded to Massachusetts (in 1989) and Miami Beach (in 2008). These properties have set the standards for health spas worldwide. If you are looking just for a hotel, you’ve come to the wrong place as your stay at any of the properties will be an all-encompassing experience: the spa, daily fitness activities, outdoor pool, full time physician and wellness specialists, gathering spaces and in-house restaurants will all add to your experience. I’d say they are the focal point here with the hotel suites more of a side note.

The evening I arrived at Canyon Ranch was a night of chaos in Miami. The roof of the Fontainebleau had collapsed just down the street so I couldn’t have asked for a better night to have escaped from it all. From the moment you enter the door, relaxation is in order. There’s no waiting in line at the check-in counter, but rather you sit down to make sure everything is in order. You soon receive your itinerary for your stay, a list of classes offered during your time there (and there are hundreds), a glass of refreshing Hibiscus tea and go over any dietary restrictions you might have. They are here to nourish your whole body and nothing is left out.

It’s time to hand over anything that reminds you of work (cell phones are banned in most area) as relaxation is a must.

The Spa

The center of activity should lie in the spa at Canyon Ranch. This 70,000 square-foot oasis combines all you need for a spa, wellness and fitness. What better location can you ask for than being situated on the Atlantic Ocean! Be sure to devote time each day to spend in the Aquavana. This thermal facility brings hot and cold sensations to you in a multi-sensory experience – an herbal sauna, hydro spa, Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, ice igloo, experiential shower-cabins (Atlantic Storm turned Polar Mist turned Caribbean Monsoon), your senses will be awakened. There are 54 treatment rooms on site, a men and women’s locker room and body treatments that are plentiful. Indulge in a signature treatment or head next door to the salon where even the manicures and pedicures use only vegan products.

The Fitness Center

Filled with state-of-the-art cardio, weight and strength-training equipment you will work with your personal trainer to reach your goals. There’s absolutely no cheating here as you are given a key that documents the number of reps, the amount of weight lifted and keeps a log of your workout history. All guests receive access to a list of complimentary classes ranging from a walk on the beach to Buff Ballet Booty to Kinesis Basics.

The Suites

All rooms are luxury suites here at this property equipped with a spacious living area (720 square feet to 1,200 square feet), large flat panel entertainment systems, fully equipped kitchens, high-speed internet access, plush robes and slippers, 400-thread count lines and a daily newspaper. And, don’t forget the gorgeous oceanfront views.

Restaurants

As someone who covers restaurants often, the dining experience is the center of my hotel experience and I believe that the Canyon Ranch Grill lived up to my expectations. It fits into the mode of healthful eating, provides all the nutritional information of the food on the menu, offers classes on how to create a healthy diet and bring it with you and still delivers a flavorful cuisine that all led to a memorable dining experience.  The stuffed spicy poblano peppers with goat cheese and shrimp were extraordinary, but you can find my entire review here.  It’s important to note that the  Miami location is the only property that serves alcohol, and while they do, everything is organic and biodynamic. In addition to the main restaurant, they do have EeZz’s Juice Bar (a smoothie bar), The Cabana (their poolside dining experience) and the Carillion Cafe where tea, wine and cheese are served.

What I truly loved about the Canyon Ranch was that everyone that I met on-site was passionate about this property. From the concierge to the waitstaff to the receptionist at the salon, I could tell everyone loved what they did at the Canyon Ranch and it was evident in the aura I felt walking around the resort. This is a rare find in properties in Miami, but one that I could easily get used to.

Next time I feel the overload of my everyday workload and need to break away, this is the perfect escape.

The Canyon Ranch is located at 6801 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-514-7474.

Today’s guest post comes to us today from Katherine Lynch, travel writer at The South Florida Traveler for PlanetEye. When she’s not exploring new destinations, you will find Katherine exploring South Florida Restaurants at Dine Magazine , enjoying a glass of wine or planning wine and food events in South Florida.

Photo credits:  courtesy of Canyon Ranch Miami Beach

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Today’s Matchbook Monday is from a top notch hotel, spa, and restaurant not far from where I live.

Salish Lodge & Spa is about 30 miles east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River.  The lodge is in a rustic setting, overlooking the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls, but it is also elegant and steeped in northwest history.  The lodge is just as romantic as its setting, and is a popular spot for proposals, anniversary celebrations, and other special events.

The lodge has gone through a variety of reincarnations since it was first opened in 1919.  Originally it was just a small in known as Snoqualmie Falls Lodge, catering to visitors to the falls.  Today the only remaining part of the original structure is the lobby fireplace.

You can take a look at the falls, the top of which is about 100 yards from the parking lot.  There’s a great viewing area that is perfect for a photo op.  Or, you can walk down the trail to the bottom of the falls and get a look from a different perspective.  (Hiking the falls was a popular day trip when I was a teenager, so the spot is a sentimental favorite for me.)

And, if you need a nap or just want to burrow in for the evening, there are wood-burning fireplaces in your room.  Very naturally cozy.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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