Mainstream media, travel magazines and leisure websites seem to be inundated with ideas for exciting and enthralling girlfriend getaways -- rock climbing, sky diving, horse riding, extreme sports and adrenalin-boosting weekends. But to be honest, sometimes all a girl wants to do is to get away from her daily life (which may be work, a husband, the kids, or all three) and do absolutely nothing. She doesn't want to wake up at 6am for yoga, eat calorie-controlled morsels and have nutrition instruction classes. We women folk actually desire to be pampered, indulged, well fed (including dessert) and most of all, given time to sleep. Granted I may be speaking about myself here, but I know several other exhausted females who share my notion of what the perfect mini vacation would be. So for all you over-worked and under-valued ladies out there who are seeking some solace -- even if it is only for a few days -- this one's for you.
Costa Rica's boutique Rancho Pacifico (tel. 800/621-1975; www.ranchopacifico.com) is located where the mountains and rainforest meet the sea, on the pristine South Pacific "Costa Ballena" near Dominical. Get a group of your favorite friends together and indulge in a week of luxury and relaxation with their Girlfriends Special. For four people, pay just $1,050 per person for seven nights' accommodations in a two-bedroom ocean view unit with a private pool; breakfast daily; nightly gourmet dinners at Whale's Tail Clubhouse; five spa treatments per person (choose from a selection of wraps, facials, massages and scrubs); one manicure and pedicure each; a beach picnic. If you must do something energetic, for additional cost there are activities like diving, canopy tours and horse riding.
If you can only stay three nights, this package with two spa treatments and breakfast and dinner daily is priced at $595 per person. This special is valid for stays until May 31, 2008. Alternatively, if you only have a few days to take a break and there are only two of you, stay in one of Rancho Pacifico's luxury spa suites for $750 per room for three nights and add on a special spa package which includes two premium spa treatments, breakfast daily and dinner nightly for an additional $235 per person (a 15% saving over regular priced). This three-day package is valid for stays from April 1 to October 31, 2008.
Closer to home (well actually, almost a four-hour drive from Philadelphia), St Joseph Institute (tel. 866/678-7721; www.stjosephinstitute.com) in the mountains of central Pennsylvania is home to the Laurel Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art facility that is the region's largest wellness and medical spa. It has a Friends' Getaway (gender neutral) that features two nights' accommodations; five meals; and the following spa treatments: an AquaMed massage, essential oil sauna and an ionizing foot bath plus your choice of a Swedish massage, essential acupressure or a facial. With a minimum of three people, the cost of this package is $365 midweek or $369 on weekends per person. Additional treatments can be added and extra nights accommodations start from $65 per person mid week or $85 on weekends. Valid for stays until December 31, 2008.
Rosario Resort and Spa (tel. 800/562-8820; www.rosarioresort.com) on Orcas Island in Washington State offers a number of different ways to get away from it all. Their "Spa....aaahhh" package is priced from $259 plus taxes and fees for stays until the end of March. It includes one night's accommodations in a bayside king room and two 50-minute massages of your choice. Book an extra night at over 60% off ($99, room only) Package guests will enjoy a 30% discount in the Mansion Dining Room or Moran Lounge. For $40 less, stay in a hillside queen room and enjoy a Spirit of Orcas 50-minute massage with their Spa Saver package. And for a slightly longer and more indulgent stay, take advantage of their Chicks Ahoy special which includes two nights' accommodations in a hillside or gardenside queen room, two River Stone massages, Cosmopolitans in the Moran Lounge, a bottle of wine, handmade chocolate truffles, and all taxes and resort fees. This package is priced from $539 until March 31, 2008 and $699 for midweek stays from April 1 to June 30, 3008.
Sundara Inn & Spa (tel. 866/419-4632; www.sundaraspa.com) located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has a current special (until May 31, 2008) on stays in one of its private villas with spa services. The package includes one or two nights in a spacious private villa, spa credits for each guest and a sumptuous breakfast buffet each morning. One night rates start at $149 per person, for stays Sunday through Thursday with $75 in spa credits per person. Two nights start at just $119 per person per night, Sunday through Thursday with $125 in spa credits per person. Two weekend nights start at $169 per person per night, Friday and Saturday only with $150 in spa credits per person. All Sundara guests enjoy unlimited access to its Purifying Bath Ritual, heated outdoor infinity edge pool, and fitness studio.
Lakeview at Fontana (tel. 866/366-2517; www.lakeviewatfontana.com) in Bryson City, North Carolina is an intimate retreat offering magnificent views of the Great Smoky Mountains and located within a three hour drive of Atlanta, Charlotte and Knoxville. Its Girls' Night In package offers the option of three or five-night stays with a few added amenities like their signature Relax Pack (luxurious fuzzy slippers, candles and a relaxation book), popcorn, in-room s'mores maker, the latest magazines, and of course spa treatments. The five-night deal includes accommodations in a casual comfort suite, four 50-minute spa treatments of your choice, daily breakfast, four lunches, yoga classes and Aveda products. The cost is $1,165 per person with reduced rates for parties of four or more. Taxes and gratuities are additional. The three-night package features three nights' accommodations in a suite, two 50-minute spa treatments, daily breakfast, two lunches, yoga classes and Aveda bath products for $675 per person. Enjoy a "C" Your Skin Glow facial, an Aromatic Hot Towel massage and a Milk and Honey facial. These prices are valid for stays until June 15, 2008.
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