go_laura

Hi,

It looks like my husband may not be able to take a vacation for a while, so I'm thinking about 5 or 6 nights at an all-inclusive health spa by myself, mid January.

Places like Rancho La Puerta, Golden Door, etc. are way too pricey for me right now, unless anyone knows where any of these places are significantly discounted. Looking to spend around 200/night.

My goals in addition to the low budget mentioned, are to jump start myself exercising again, have healthy meals prepared for me, and have it be a nice place to just relax with some reading and writing. Warm climate (or if not, indoor pool) would be a plus but isn't required, tho' I did decide Tennessee Fitness Spa which looked good, is just a little too cold for me.

From searching online I think I've narrowed down to Red Mountain Spa or Oaks at Ojai. Anyone have anything to say about these, or have an added suggestion I may not have come across?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Laura

LoveItaly

Hi laura, I have never stayed at a spa in Ojai but have been in Ojai many times in January and I have never found it to be warm at that time of the year. That doesn't mean it never is but it sure never has been the multitude of times I have been there.

Fodorite018

I have been to Red Mountain several times and absolutely love it! I have been in January, and while it was not warm, it did not detract from it at all. There is a huge indoor pool, so you will be set. The classes are a lot of fun and there is such a variety of stuff offered. Even the activities off site are fun, like pottery, etc. Do not miss the cooking demonstrations! If you go, sign up for these upon arrival. Same with the guided hikes. The treatments are all very good, and the relaxation room is heavenly. I have been with large groups of girlfriends, small groups, and just a couple of us. If you want any other info on RMS, just ask.

go_laura

Thank you for the feedback!

Unfortunately I belatedly realized their $209/night special does not apply if you are coming as a single so I might not be able to afford it after all. I did email them tho' to find out what's the best rate I could get. I guess I could think of doing less nights (tho' I hate to do that, since I want to make the travel time worth it, and really feel like I got away).

In case I decide it's do-able tho' - here's a follow up question for you, since you offered I am very out of shape right now, had some surgery end of Sept. and just have not been able to get myself back on track. And I wasn't in all that great shape even before that...do you know if there is a decent selection of hikes and classes *truly* suitable for a beginner level?

Thanks again,
Laura

go_laura

LoveItaly, my research turned up high 60s for January, which is warm enough for me - has your experience been much colder than that?

I should have specified, I don't need "lie on beach" level warm, just don't want to be needing my winter coat. High 60s is by far better than the weather at Red Mountain Spa in Utah, or the Tennessee one which looked like it would be almost as cold as home.

I live in Phila. area where right now it is 48, which seems downright balmy compared with yesterday's low 30s.

LoveItaly

Hi laura, I would say that usually it was in the low 60's, which to me is chilly and I need a jacket. I always wore winter clothes (wool slacks or jeans with a sweater) One thing I will say is that the relatives I stayed with hardly ever turned on the heater as the husband like the house real cold so it seemed to me I was always uncomfortable, lol. That won't be a problem for you of course.

Fodorite018

Laura--Yes, you would be fine The hikes are varying levels, and you can sign up for the level 1. The fitness classes encourage people to go at their own level. Do not worry about it at all One time we went, my friend was postop by a couple weeks, so had to keep things toned down and she did fine.

go_laura

Thanks again for the quick and helpful replies.

Mms, I'm still a little concerned about the weather with Red Mountain - when you were there in January, did they offer any afternoon hikes? Their website looks like all the hikes are in the mornings, and I'd much rather go in the afternoon when it's in the 50s than in the morning in the 20s...brrrr. In fact, I'll never get myself to do the latter.

That being said, are there trails right there (no car needed) that you can go walk on on your own, whenever you want? Because then I guess it wouldn't matter as much, when the group ones are.

Fodorite018

Yes, the group hikes are in the morning. But it is really easy to go on your own later. There is a short loop right on the edge of the property (or maybe it is part of the property, I am not sure) that is nice, and we would do that every evening. There is also another area right near the spa that we ventured off to for afternoon hikes on our own. It is also an easy walk up to Snow Canyon State Park where there are loads of trails, or you could just follow the paved road too. Just be sure to let someone know where you are going if you are headed onto trails by yourself.

JBX

My suggestion falls into the 'other' category .... have you considered Rio Caliente? It's been quite a few years since I was there, however, a friend did go there this past May and she was pleased with the experience.

You fly into Guadalajara, Mexico and it's about a 45 minute taxi ride to the spa. The vast majority of visitors are from the States. When I did go there, it was in March ..... per the RC website >>> http://www.riocaliente.com
the weather in January sounds very pleasant, w/ temps in low 70's during day and cooler at night.

williamscb13

Since JBX suggested an other, let me also suggest one.
Hotel Spa Ixtapan http://www.spamexico.com/
It's about an hour outside of Mexico city and the spa will send a driver to pick you up. You can also do a day trip to Taxco from the spa if you wish. The spa is not one of the hard-core work out spas. There's a nice leisurely walk in the morning, water aerobics and maybe some kind of stretching. Not an all day go from class to class.

But the best part of the spa, was the actual spa treatments. We got some package that had so many spa treatments, we almost didn't have enough days to do them all. By the end I was a little tired of people touching my body, but that's just me.

There were two or three beautiful pools, the place was kept spotlessly clean. There was a main restaurant and also a spa restaurant. My skin has never looked to beautiful after being at the spa for 5 days.

patandhank

Go-Laura

What did you ever decide? Did you go anywhere? I was considering The Oaks too and wanted to hear if you ever went.

Anyone else been recently?