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.)

It’s no illusion, here at Spa Week we love Las Vegas! We are in a gambling mood with our p-p-p-p-poker manicure. We work our magic with $50 treatments and secret beauty tips. But some things should be left to the pros. The Las Vegas Hilton is having the incomparable Liza Minnelli with special guest Jeff Tracta and the Magician of the Year, Steve Wyrick, perform on their stage.

The woman needs no introduction with an Oscar, four Tony Awards, an Emmy and two Golden Globes! Liza is no stranger to the Vegas stage and her shows are just as great today as when she first started. Did you see her moves during her Sex and the City 2 cameo? Catch her October 7th and 8th!

Wyrick has quite the resume himself, having appeared on television specials which include “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Vh1’s “Celebracadabra,” TLC’s “American Chopper,” The History Channel’s “Science Impossible” and has even performed for the President!

His show wows the crowd with over-the-top stunts that feature a full size AS350 helicopter, a Pure Steel motorcycle and a 12-ton Lear Jet 35. He also likes to get intimate with audience members and perform good old fashion card tricks. He’ll be performing until December 29th.

Not only to see what promises to be one of the best magic shows EVER, score some Backstage Passes to:

• Take a tour of one of the largest theaters in Las Vegas.
• Walk on the original stage that Elvis performed on every night.
• See The King’s private dressing room, makeup room and personal bar.
• For the first time ever, See Elvis’ secret meeting room below the stage.

Don’t forget to book up to 4 nights stay at the Las Vegas Hilton from $139 until January 31st through our travel specials. Abracadabra!

“Do Vegas Differently.”

This is the slogan of Spa Week’s Exclusive Destination Sponsor, Vdara Hotel & Spa, on a mission to prove that Las Vegas isn’t just about the casinos; it can be a simply relaxing spa retreat. This AAA Four Diamond award-winning  hotel & spa is an eco-friendly, smoke free, all-suite boutique located in the heart of MGM City Center on the Vegas strip. We are sure you’ll have no trouble finding your chi in the 18,000 square foot Spa & Salon Vdara.

Got your bags packed already? Enter our sweepstakes for your chance to win the Escape To Vdara Giveaway:

• Spend 3 nights in a penthouse suite

• Indulge in 2 spa services totaling $300
  

• Enjoy a $100 dining credit

• Arrive in style with limo service from the airport

You may remember Vdara from our post about their cutting edge python sssssssssssssssnakeskin pedicures. Were you on team yessssss or no? They also offer “Glamour Packages” which include makeup application, blowouts or an evening updo for a night out on in Sin City. Or in this case, Spa City.

You can also take advantage of their $50 Spa Week offerings. Call 866.745.5654 to book.

• 50 Min Traditional Swedish Massage
• 50 Min Naturopathica Pure Results Facial
• 60 Min Signature Pedicure Hot Stone Treatment

Click here for full details about sweepstakes, and good luck!

There are so many exciting ways to get fit and stay healthy out there! And did we mention win? If you have already entered the Fast Track to Health Giveaway presented by Spa Week and Joy Bauer for a chance to get your booty into shape at the Biggest Loser Ranch, and have been bitten by the wellness giveaway bug, here is another luxurious giveaway you can enter: Check out the Weight Loss & Fun Program Giveaway to Spa Eastman presented by our friends over at Travel to Wellness.

From now until August 31, you can enter to win an All-Inclusive 7-night wellnes experience at Spa Eastman, Quebec (Prize valued at $3,000 Canadian) (Check the video above!) .
The grand prize package includes:

• Seven nights accommodation for one person, in a superior room with fireplace.
• Personalized nutritional program, according to a health assessment with Spa Eastman’s naturopath health coaches.
• Three meals of fine spa cuisine per day plus health snack every afternoon.
• A complete schedule of workshops, conferences and activities that will help you become more aware of your body and gain a general feeling of well-being.
• A 60-minute consultation with Spa Eastman’s naturopath.
• Training routines that can be done at home will also be provided for you at the end of the week.
• Complete access to Eastman-les-Bains Hydrotherapy zone (pools, outdoor hot tubs, polar bath, Kneipp bath and Kneipp circuit, hammam).
• Access to the hiking trail and access to the gym.
• Prize may be redeemed on these dates: October 21 to 28, 2011; or January 6 to 13 or April 7 to 14, 2012.

Enter your info on the bottom of the Travel to Wellness Giveaway Page to win!

Spa Week has joined forces with two health and wellness powerhouses: The Today Show’s nutritional expert, Joy Bauer and America’s favorite kick-butt getaway, The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA (where they actually film the hit TV show!). From now until Sunday, September 11, you can enter to win a complete lifestyle makeover package to get you on the Fast Track to Health. 

Meet the winner!

You and a guest could win a six-night stay at the Biggest Loser Ranch, plus three healthy, yummy meals a day. The total body makeover includes gut-busting, tushie-toning daily fitness workouts to kick-start your transformation into a lean, mean fitness machine. Enjoy burning cals and learning how to refuel with the right foods with daily nutritional and educational lectures with the resorts top fitness professionals, dietitians and life coach. You get all the personalized information and tips you need to succeed.

Then, relax with 4 spa services per person through the entire stay, that includes luxurious sports massages, toning and purifying facials, slimming body wraps — all to help you look and feel  your best. BUT- the journey doesn’t stop after you leave the resort! You get a nutritional at-home package that includes Joy’s best selling book, Food Cures, which helps you pick the right foods for maintaining optimal health and well-being. PLUS, you will receive a personalized nutrtional plan from Joy Bauer, herself that includes all of  the custom counselling Joy gives to her very special clients. Hopefully by now Joy has helped you kick that soda drinking habit… now get ready to transform your health like a real VIP with the chance for this life-changing  experience. Good luck!