By Mary Rambin

If you’re a spa addict then you know The Golden Door name means creme de la creme of spas. The original is in Escondido (the destination of Spa Week’s Get Fit For Summer giveaway with Jillian Michaels – remember?); the one I visited is a lot easier to access. Just north of Scottsdale I found The Boulders Resort with a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, two award-winning golf courses, and a Golden Door Spa. It’s no wonder the resort has been named one of the world’s best several years in a row by Travel + Leisure. (Are you counting Phoenix locals, that’s three good reasons for you already!)

As you would expect, rates are usually on the high end, but their offering for Spa Week sweetens the deal, especially since you then have access to their other amenities like the pleasant pool, fully-equipped gym with group fitness classes (including yoga and spin), and the cafe. Saturday was already completely booked when I visited a few weeks ago and now I hear that they completely booked up, so if you’re interested, call ASAP and beg!

Ask about their signature turquoise wrap experience that involves exfoliation with blue corn meal after which you’re drenched in honey, rinsed, wrapped, and rubbed, then relaxed with a rain dance! Other unique Native American ritual experiences include shaman ceremonies and labyrinth meditations that have been said to be life-changing. They also offer Metabolic Typing and a monthly dinner under the stars in their natural herb garden (it sells out so book in advance).

In the back there’s a private suite for couples or girls’ retreats where you can get your treatments, enjoy an organic lunch, sun bath, and soak in the hot tub.

The decor is what I would call dessert chic and minimal. It’s not “cozy” if you know what I mean. Unlike most spas, the common areas are flooded with light. No complaints from me though; the pampering was superb.

(Full disclosure: Lunch was comped by the spa.)

Lasers are your new best friend. Don’t believe us? Michelle can tell you how much she loves them after having her photo facial last week. They are most commonly used to remove hair and can help even out skin discoloration, but they can also relieve muscle pain.  Have you been bent and stretched every which way possible but still can’t find relief? Ordinary massages can sometimes just be a temporary fix to a larger problem. In Touch Wellness Center in Phoenix, Arizona has the solution this Spa Week with an all-encompassing massage package that could potentially help heal your pain at the speed of, well, light.

THE $50 TREATMENT: A 50 Min Therapeutic Massage with Hot Towels for Neck and Feet plus Laser Therapy for Pain Relief to Accelerate Healing

The non-invasive process is very similar to photosynthesis where the Low-Level Laser Light (LLLT) penetrates the skin to help your tissue cells produce usable energy and is a natural option to the healing process. No drugs here! The direct benefits include:

• Relief of minor muscles and joint aches, pains and stiffness
• Increased local blood circulation
• Muscle relaxation and muscle spasm relief
• Relief of minor muscle and joint aches, pains and stiffness associated with arthritis.

You can also enjoy their 50 Min Customized Thai Massage from them. Remember, it all goes down October 10-16th.

No more getting poked and prodded, just simply relax and let the lasers do all the hard work. Zap away!

In Touch Wellness Center
2302 W. Greenway Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85023
602.548.1998

Spa Week isn’t forever, but the wellness benefits and memories are everlasting! We asked for your Spa Week stories to share with our readers (see the contest HERE); we’re so thrilled to have been able to touch so many lives with a small dose of pampering! We’ve managed to narrow it down to 5 winners, each of whom will be receiving a $50 Spa Week gift card toward their next spa visit. You’ll see them published here throughout the week. Here’s #3–enjoy!

In lieu of a capricious night of scandal and a painful morning hangover, the blushing bride chose to celebrate her bachelorette bash at a relaxing Arizona spa.

Submitted by: Sarah Mangan

I decided to use Spa Week as the perfect time for my bachelorette party.  Instead of a night out drinking and wreaking havoc on our bodies, I thought it would be way more fun to use this as an excuse to spend the evening at a fabulous resort here in Scottsdale and get pampered. We went to Jurlique Spa at the Firesky Resort in Scottsdale. I treated each of my bridesmaids to facials and they each got massages on their own as well!  With such great deals, there was no reason to settle for just one service =).  My sister who’s my maid of honor and I each got facials and massages as well.  It was the best bachelorette weekend!  In between our services we lounged by the pool and instead of waking up dehydrated with hangovers the next day, we all felt well rested and fabulous!

I heard there’s going to be another Spa Week in September – conveniently enough, that’s my birthday month so we’re already planning another spa party!

Image Courtesy of Aisle Dash

Arizona is one of those states that is known for the spa scene. The entire state is pretty much a spa in itself—perfect weather 365 days a year, a hot stone massage, you say tomato I say tomato.

We’ve got a number of spas from the great state of no humidity participating in Spa Week this Spring, and go figure they like to embrace capitalize on their surroundings when coming up with their spa name. Desert Bloom Skin Care spa is where we sent Aileen from Shades Of U for a Bio-Roller Anti-Aging Facial, and it turns out (as many facials tend to go) she was in for more than just a facial.

In short, here’s what Aileen’s afternoon looked like. And I quote:

“Basically it is a long, heavenly 90-minute treatment that includes cleansing, application of masks, two soothing massages, facial steaming, and the main procedure, the bio roller.”

In long, you’ve got to read her post, My Bio-Rolling Anti-Aging Facial at Desert Bloom Spa and watch her great video to vicariously indulge in the full experience. And yes we saw how she was rubbing your feet, and we’re totally jealous!

To book this facial at Desert Bloom Spa, or another decadently healthful facial during Spa Week, April 12-18, go to Spaweek.com and browse all those facials with hidden massage gems inside.

We thought that giving away a romantic spa getaway for two in Arizona was the ultimate gesture of love… but then we saw Google’s Superbowl commercial last night.

The story Google tells is not only one of the most romantic in the world, it’s also one of the most universal. Marketing perfection; la pièce de résistance of the Superbowl without a doubt. If this love story made you itch for one of your own, Spa Week’s got you covered. Scroll down and see how to enter our Arizona Foothills Giveaway… or you can write your own fairytale at one of our most highly recommended romantic resorts!

Win a Romantic Resort and Spa Getaway for Two
At The Fairmont Scottsdale

Two-Night Stay in a Deluxe Room at Fairmont Scottsdale Special Aphrodisiac Welcome Amenity Dinner for Two at either La Hacienda or The Grill (excluding alcohol) Hip-2-Hip Spa Treatment at Willow Stream Spa Morning Fitness Walk Approximate Retail Value = $1,500 Valid through December 30, 2010

Enter to win now >>

Et bonne chance, mes chers ;)