After her massage, Emily gave her happy client a neck wrap and led her to a quiet lounge, where she

SUNDAY CALENDAR WARNING SUNDAY CALENDAR WARNING So...when an event is ongoing, the calendar has no way of indicating that it might skip a day, like Sunday. If you see an event, like a sale, that is ongoing on Sunday, be forewarned: The store or business in question may not be open. One-time events listed on Sunday, like parties and wine dinners, should be accurate. amsterdam hotels all day
La famille Shop Tart had a great meal with great service at Tabouli amsterdam hotels last night. Really fantastic experience. As they were leaving, a smiling hostess made sure to let them know that children eat free on Thursday nights, when they also offer $4 martinis. The Shop Tart thinks this is an excellent combination. (And they have some pretty cool martinis. The Shop Tart did not indulge, but saw a tasty looking pomegranate concoction at the next table.)
And the Shop Tart was happy to go out to eat, because she had returned the day before from the Grove Park Inn and Spa in Asheville. The Shop Tart is blessed to have wonderful friends. Friends like Tracie Broom. Friends who get writing assignments from publications like Spa Magazine . Tracie was working on a piece about the newly renovated Grove Park Inn and the Shop Tart was more than happy to accompany her. They were kind enough to offer the Shop Tart her very own room and she happily booked a massage, a small expense considering the free accommodation. Do you know what a private room in a hotel means to a mother amsterdam hotels of three? A lot. In fact, she has considered getting amsterdam hotels a hotel room right here in town, just to sleep.
When they arrived, the ladies headed straight to the spa to take full advantage of the day. With any service, you are invited to spend the day enjoying the serenity: swimming in the indoor and outdoor amsterdam hotels pools, relaxing amsterdam hotels in a sauna or eucalyptus steam room, lounging outside by the fireplace or in the whirlpool, or just reading in the quiet lounge. There is also a talking-allowed lounge, where ladies can chat to their hearts content. In fact, a day spent in the spa without a single treatment would be heaven. (And you can do that. Non-resort guests can purchase day passes for $80 Monday through Thursday amsterdam hotels and resort guests pay $55 Monday through Thursday amsterdam hotels and $80 Friday through Sunday. As with everything else, availability is limited so sign up early.)
The Shop Tart started with vegetable rice noodle spring rolls (210 calories, 5g fat, 6g fiber, 6g protein). The menu lists nutrition information amsterdam hotels for each dish. The Shop Tart is not a calorie counter, but she was interested to see just how much she really eats, so that was pretty cool. As an aside, she would not object to having this information on all menus. But that may be because she doesn t do food guilt. Unless you are being gluttonous - which in many faiths is a sin - she doesn t see how food can be bad or good. She supposes that, technically, we are all gluttonous, because most of us consume more than we need for simple survival, but she really likes food and is going with the everything in moderation cop out theory. The nutritional information is just that - information. And she likes it, because it serves as an excellent reminder of how much she actually needs. The Shop Tart would be more likely to take leftovers home for another meal if she was reminded of what she was eating. Does this make her a fun hater? She thinks not.
After the healthy and fairly tasty spring rolls, she enjoyed a Spa Green Salad (336 calories, 16 g fat, 6g fiber, 15g protein) topped with tenderloin (for which no nutritional information was provided, but it was good!).
After lunch, the ladies were offered a tour of the spa. This is where it gets embarrassing. The Shop Tart felt a little funny, but she tried to ignore it, because she really wanted to get the lay of the land so she could enjoy her day completely. She made it through the first part of the tour and - while viewing one of the outdoor fireside lounges - realized the waves of nausea were not subsiding. She made the announcement, turned on her heel toward the locker room and made it just in time. Lovely. A less determined woman might have called it a day. Sparing you any more gory details, she could tell this minor kerfuffle was food-related (but not Grove Park food), not contagious. It would pass.
Bravely, she donned her swimsuit and spa-provided fluffy robe and slippers. This act made her feel better already. amsterdam hotels She had brought two magazines and a great book , which she took to one of the quiet lounges, where she read and enjoyed a soothing amsterdam hotels cup of ginger and orange tea before taking a long nap under a skylight. When she awoke, it was almost time for her massage.
Her therapist, Emily, came to get her and led her back to the treatment rooms. They had the usual discussion about the Shop Tart s preferences and any concerns. (The Shop Tart made sure to tell Emily about the kerfuffle.) She was offered a choice of three massage oils: Citrus, rosemary or lavender. amsterdam hotels The rosemary was lovely. The table was warm and held a nice surprise: It was adjustable. Instead of using a bolster, Emily raised the area behind the Shop Tart s knees. The table could also go up and down, which is much better for the massage therapist s back health. The massage itself was absolutely lovely. It included a scalp and face massage, two of the Shop Tart s favorite things. She is wiping a tear from her eye right this second, just thinking about it.
After her massage, Emily gave her happy client a neck wrap and led her to a quiet lounge, where she brought her another cup of ginger tea and two delicious chocolate-covered strawberries. The mother-of-three read in peace for a nice long while. She adored the neck wrap and meant to purchase one in the gift shop. In her relaxation-induced haze, she forgot. Lucky for her, they are available online .
Slowly, she made her way outside, feeling healthy enough to get into the whirlpool amsterdam hotels overlooking lush greenery. She relaxed in the heated pool with jets, occasionally getting out to wrap herself in her robe and read on a chaise-lounge. There was a fireplace outside and she felt really happy for the ladies enjoying amsterdam hotels wine around it. (She herself was not ready for wine, though she was feeling much, much better.) She spent the rest of the afternoon outside, inside in one of the waterfall mineral pools, and in the eucalyptus-scented steam room. (Photos below courtesy of Grove Park Inn.) Ahhh
Tracie and the Shop Tart had planned to go to Salsa s in Asheville that night. The Shop Tart still wasn t feeling 100 percent and she didn t want to rock the boat. Besides, when she got to her room and saw the view, then opened the windows to inhale the cool, mountain breeze and ran her fingers across still-soft, clean skin, she knew she wasn t going anywhere.
Tracie came to her room and they indulged in every woman s dream. They ordered room service and watched tv, including a fab film that was simple enough not to tax the Shop Tart s relaxed brain . The Shop Tart s chicken salad croissant and french fries were just fine. The kitchen kindly agreed to wrap the fries in tinfoil to keep them extra hot, just like she likes them.
The next morning, the Shop Tart woke up at the luxurious hour of 9 am and felt great. She went to the lobby for breakfast in the Blue Ridge Dining amsterdam hotels Room - where they had a great buffet as well as anything a girl could want available à la carte - and used the inn s free wi-fi to blog away. She also did a little exploring and lamented the fact that she hadn t been able to enjoy this bar overlooking the spa and the mountains behind it. Maybe next time!
There are several restaurants at the resort, but next time she s there - and there will be a next time - she would like to enjoy the Sunset Terrace, an outdoor, covered restaurant with a beautiful view.
Going to Asheville tomorrow for my brother s wedding and staying at the Grove Park! Next time you are there, check out his restaurant. He is owner/chef of The Market Place on Wall St. in Asheville. I would go even if it wasn t his place!