June 16, 2004 -- Every once in a while, you have to pamper yourself, and keepers of the keys at luxury resorts and spas do their best to oblige stressed sightseers. Even resorts with high-priced suites and whirlpools know how to have sales. So, if you feel like indulging yourself and spending big bucks, here are a few places where you can do so in real style, and one place where the price is not high:
Down in the exotic Yucatan, the luxury Hacienda Xcanatun (pronounced ssh-kana-toon), has come up with "A Suite for your Sweet," costing $695 per couple for the three-day (two-night) package. It includes "practically everything," they claim, and is still a 35% savings over regular prices. The deal includes lodging in a deluxe or master suite with private patio or balcony for two nights; daily continental breakfast in your suite or on the dining verandah; a champagne candlelight dinner in the hacienda's restaurant; an in-suite "Ancient Maya Interlude" performed by a Maya therapist (trained by her shaman grandfather) featuring candles and incense with His & Her honey and flower massages; roundtrip airport transfers in Merida; and all taxes and service charges (which amount to a hefty 22% per night). The price works out to about $174 per person per night.
Set on its own nine acres of flowers and trees, the Hacienda is a few minutes from colonial Merida. On your terrace you'll find hammocks, and on arrival you'll get a welcome fruit basket. There are 18 large, air-conditioned suites, and the bathroom has a handcarved stone tub for two, with its own waterfall, or you can use the hydrotherapy tub (flowers floating on the surface) on your terrace.
Getting there can be easy on nonstop flights from Houston or Miami, or direct flights from other cities. Contact them at 888/883-3633, e-mail xcanatun@xcanatun.com, website www.xcanatun.com.
Girlfriend's Getaway
For quite a bit more money, one may choose the "Girlfriend's Getaway" (although not gender specific) package in New Brunswick at the Kingsbrae Arms., an enchanting town. This 107-year-old-inn sits on its own 27-acre garden plot, overlooking the Atlantic and neighboring town, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, at the spot where the coast of Maine and Canada meet, about 100 miles northeast of Bar Harbor. The inn is the only Relais & Chateaux hotel in the Atlantic Maritime provinces of Eastern Canada. (The nearest airport is in Bangor, Maine.)
The deal starts from $1,775 (US), based on single occupancy, and here's what you get: three nights of lodging in luxurious quarters; full country breakfasts; Garden Café or gourmet picnic lunches; table d'hote dinners paired with fine wines; unlimited champagne and open bar; VIP Kingsbrae Garden passes; tea, snacks, tips; one soothing massage per person (your choice of reflexology, shiatsu, Jin Shin Doe, etc.); consultations with Chef Akey for customized diets (spa cuisine, chocolate decadence, etc.); a $50 gift certificate toward gift shop purchase; Bulgari bath products; and more. This all works out to about $591 per night. There's a 15% Canadian Tax on package rates, but you can arrange to get that back if you are a visitor from outside Canada. More details can be found at www.kingsbrae.com, by phoning 506/529-1897 or by e-mailing reservations@kingsbrae.com.
"The Most Romantic B&B in America"
From among 27,000 B&Bs worldwide, the Casa de la Paz Bayfront B&B in St. Augustine, FL was selected "the most romantic B&B in the country" in the first annual Best of B&B Awards run by the BedandBreakfast.com website. They say that more than 16,000 votes were received during the six-month voting process. The Mediterranean style inn, built in 1915, offers panoramic views of the Atlantic at Matanzas Bay, including the Bridge of Lions and lighthouse. There are only seven rooms, each enjoying décor reminiscent of the early 1900s, with some having whirlpool tubs and decorative fireplaces. To reach the Casa directly, check out www.casadelapaz.com or phone 800/929-2915 or 904/829-2915.
Specials this summer and fall include a Women's Escape program on September 24-26, costing $125 over the regular room price but including a long list of benefits. Participants receive a cookbook and activities include: wine tasting with speaker and artists, workshops, exhibits featuring local artists, a private performance of a Broadway show at The Limelight Theater, dinner at Raintree, and more. The Casa de la Paz is just one of 27 B&Bs participating in this program, more information being available at www.staugustineinns.com.
To help celebrate St. Augustine's 439th birthday, seven "Inns of Elegance" offer a two-night minimum program entitled "Sail Away to Romance" during August and September in which visitors at these inns (including the Casa de la Paz) get a free bottle of Champagne and a two-hour sail aboard the schooner Freedom. You get your choice of a sunset sail or a midday cruise, with snacks, fruit, beer, wine and soft drinks included. This is (they point out that the USA has had only 228, as of this year!). Normal rates for this Sunday through Thursday only promotion are $130 to $175 per room. There's a special website for this offer, at www.ioesail.com, or you can phone 877/616-6444.