Arizona Chill Out!

Taking my own TRAVEL THERAPY advice I’m in one of my favorite places in the country, Scottsdale, Arizona. I came here because Arizona is one place I can always count on to help me relax and rejuvenate.    

Don’t get me wrong, I love living in New York City. My type “A” times ten personality fits Manhattan perfectly, but there’s something magical about Arizona that helps me breathe a little deeper and slow down enough to regroup and refocus and I really need that right now. With the TRAVEL THERAPY book coming out in book stores in a few weeks we’re ramping up promotion in New York City and I want to be sure that I’m on the top of my game.

I spent the morning at the always impressive Phoenician resort hanging out at the incredible Centre for Wellbeing spa where a new facial was top on my “must try” list. It’s called the rejuvenation anti-aging infusion where vitamins and anti-oxidents along with an amino peptide complex are uniquely applied to the face using a mist of hyperbaric oxygen.

Okay, I know it sounds a bit “out there” but trust me this tecnology works and already has a huge celebrity following. It hydrates, pumps up and smooths out your skin and you walk away feeling like a million bucks.

This spa is featured in the TRAVEL THERAPY book under where to go if you’re stressed out. When I was planning my quick trip to get out of NYC’s ridiculously cold weather I  thought BINGO…Phoenix/Scottsale, Spa Mecca, is where I need to be.   

I brought a close friend with me to the spa who is the loving mother of four adopted girls, all under the age of six, so you KNOW she needs some pampering! She got the Well Being Stone Ritutal and says it was phenomenal!  

Both of us are feeling pretty spoiled right now because yesterday we spent the morning at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch getting several treatments that left us feeling like we could conquer the world.  One of my favorites was the BlackBerry Balm Hand Massage. It’s amazing how much stress you carry in your hands and if your fingers are always flying like mine, emailing and texting, this massage is tailor made for you. Of course you have to pry your BlackBerry out of your hands long enough to get the massage!  

Another highlight, the 90 minute Thai massage with Denny where you’re stretched like Gumby but left feeling like melted butter. If you like deep tissue massages this Thai massage takes it to the next level of getting in there and digging the stress out of your muscles.

What I always loved about Spa Avania is it’s beautiful setting. The spa has its own mineral pool where almost a dozen stimulating minerals are flown in from France and the water is kept at about ninety degrees. You just feel healthy floating around in that pool. In the outdoor sitting area there are fireplaces and blankets to keep you cosy when it’s chilly and the over all vibe soothing and inviting.  

This quick trip to Arizona shows how even when you’re crazy busy you can always carve out a few hours of time with a good friend to chill out and catch up. This was just the TRAVEL THERAPY I needed. 

Thank you Arizona!

New York City I’m coming home more energized than ever!