Jennifer2413

My two best friends and I are planning a trip for next July to celebrate our mutual 40th birthdays. We want to head to a great resort with spa services and fabulous food where we can relax, sit by a pool and/or beach with a frozen drink and not be moms for a few days. ;-) We're pretty wide open budget-wise. We don't need golf or tennis -- just a great vacation!

We're each researching different locations (Caribbean, et al) and I'm charged with coming up with the domestic suggestions. We will be traveling from Baltimore, Boston and Boulder respectively and prefer not to make the traveling too complicated. We're thinking of a 4-5 day trip.

I'm thinking for that time of year we should consider California (Ojai??) and Utah...Florida would be beastly hot, right?

I know this is a pretty wide open request, but any and all input or suggestions to help me get started would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

MiamiBeachMomma

Florida is really hot in July, but you get great deals - if you stayed on the beach the entire time you would do fine.

Jennifer2413

Thanks so much. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I was hoping seasoned travelers could suggest some resorts in the U.S. to look into.

Thank you!

Fodorite018

Red Mountain Spa in Utah is fantastic. Course in July it would be hot, but at least it isn't humid. I have been there several times and absolutely love it. I go with girlfriends and it is the ultimate girls trip, IMO.

ucsbalum

Try the Oaks at Ojai:

http://www.oaksspa.com/

iamq

Montage Resort in Laguna Beach.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.

Casa Palmero in Pebble Beach.

Four Seasons Maui

Amangani in Wyoming

Have fun.

bnbtraveler

Emerson Spa and resort in the Catskills, NY!!!

beanweb24

Mii Amo in Sedona...but will be hot. Just went there for 3 nights in October and it was the nicest thing I have ever done for myself!

mrwunrfl

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

TahitiTams

San Diego is gorgeous in July and you can go to several wonderful resorts..
La Costa Resort is beautiful and we just stayed there for 4 days and had a great suite, Deepak Chopra center, fab spa, pools and excellent food..
Hotel Del Coronado with it's gorgeous beach and great resort.
Cabo has some really nice resorts and it's less than 2 hours flight from SD...Palmilla is really nice.
Lot's of great resorts in Hawaii too.
Everyone has given you great ideas.
Sedona has the lovely Enchantment Resort while July will be warm it won't too hot..you could probably get some great deals in July on Expedia or direct..
All the best Jen!

lacostaresort.com
hoteldel.com
enchantmentresort.com

ncounty

I would agree with TahitiTams. San Diego is one of the few places I can tolerate in July. It is great there....I would add two places to stay: one is the Estancia resort in LaJolla (elegant Santa Fe style) and the second is Hotel Solana, a Kimpton boutique hotel on J and 6th in the very hip happening gaslamp area of downtown San Diego. Great shopping, dining, and night life in the immediate area. I have heard Rancho La Puerta across the border in Tecate (?) Mexico is very nice and seems like a great girlfriends place but I haven't been there myself.
Another area I like in July is Park City Utah. It may be warm but not intolerably hot due to the elevation. Deer Valley or The Canyons are nice places to stay there. This would be a quieter getaway than San Diego but hotel rates may be much lower than at their ski season winter high.

Cheweyhead

The Island of Lanai, Four Seasons Manele Bay. Had the best time. They offer four nights with 5th free including great breakfast. Relax or, they have lots of activities if you choose.

Jennifer2413

Any thoughts on Taos as a destination? Possibly el monte sagrado?

Thx.

POlson

I was going to suggest Santa Fe though the southwest may be too hot in July.
We love the Four Seasons - Aviara (in Carlsbad, CA), La Jolla and San Diego. Nice combination of sunning, shopping, "spa"ing and dining.

Santa Barbara might also be nice for a low key girls getaway.

I've been to a Las Vegas 40th birthday weekend and that was a blast - terrific dining and shows.

We are currently planning one to Jackson Hole (Four Seasons) and Grand Tetons (Jenny Lake Lodge) for August.

rattravlers

I would not rule out Florida just because it is summer. Often the temps are the same as "up North"; our humidity is bad, but at the beach there is almost always a nice breeze.

I'd look at some of the Florida Ritz Carltons (Coconut Grove, South Beach, Palm Beach), South Beach might fit the bill nicely...?? How about Key West? Hyatt Key West is very nice...

We had a fabulous time in July at Enchantment Resort in Sedona. Very quiet, beautiful & awesome spa!

Have you thought of a cruise? 3 or 4 day out of Miami to Bahamas or even New York to Bermuda...might be worth a look!

cabovacation

I am following this thread and wondering whether there would be anything in the Northeast or Montreal/Quebec areas. The weather, barring rain, would be quite lovely.

emcash

I second the Montage in California. Not crazy about the Ritz there. In FL would do the Ritz in Naples or SOuth beach. The Cloisters in georgia might be good, but it sort of family oriented. I know you are in charge of domestic, but bermuda might be a thought too. SO much fun to plan a girls' trip like this! I love the montage though-- would really look into that one! Oh, and Shutters in Cali, but is that too romantic?

starrs

What about the Del Coronado?

http://www.hoteldel.com/

adventureseeker

What a great way to celebrate your milestones!

I think Ojai or Santa Barbara are your hot tickets. Each will offer you a myriad of options besides pool time. These listed have world class spas and are exceptionally classy properties.

CALIFORNIA
Ojai Valley Inn has an outstanding Spa and is the place for some fabulous R & R while being in a very charming arty/boutique town. And it is very close to Santa Barbara for day trips and the SB Wine Country for wine tasting.
http://www.ojairesort.com/

Another fave for a Girl's Getaway is the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara. Very low key yet upscale all the way. They, too have an excellent Spa and fab infinity pool area for lounging. The Bacara is a celeb hideaway, so you may have some sightings. In Santa Barbara you've got excellent shopping, dining and wine tasting to keep your days busy when not lounging poolside.
http://www.bacararesort.com/

Montage in Laguna Beach, CA. This is a gorgeous property and is very pricey. It is much larger and busier than the 2 Cal options listed above. Another resort in a great beach town full of arty boutiques. (the Ritz-Laguna is no longer the prime spot, the Montage is).

OTHER AREAS:
Best bang for your buck: Las Vegas. Options galore with a slew of 4-5 star resort hotels for a song with outstanding pools, nightlife, gambling, fab dining, etc. Top picks: Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Caesar's.

Any destination of the One and Only resort group. This is the creme de la creme of a splurge getaway. Some locations may be a bit more "couple oriented" than others. http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com

BAHAMAS
Atlantis-Paradise Island....a definite splurge, but the way to go to ring in 4-0. You get it all here..luxe, beach, casino, top notch dining, spa, resort, etc. But, it comes with a hefty price tag. They have a range of room options to fit most (highend) budgets.

NON-BEACH OPTIONS:
A great place to celebrate 4-0 (sans the beach) is do NYC in style. A fab girls getaway destination with some great shopping, dining and nightlife. Stay at any of the W hotels for a hip vibe. Dine in Soho and shop in Greenwich. See "Wicked", walk Central Park, take in the Art, and shop 'til you drop!

Good luck!

adventureseeker

Oops...Here's the links to the above post:

Atlantis: http://www.atlantis.com/
Montage: http://www.montagelagunabeach.com
W Hotels: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html

Another note: I'd rule out Hawaii for sake of distance. The East Coasters have a 9 hour trip (at least), probably a connection and time change to adjust to.

Although I listed Las Vegas, truly...I'd rule it out if budget isn't an issue.

This is your 4-0 and you should do something ultra-spectacular.

Have fun....