My wife turns 30 on January 25 of next year and I want to send her to a 3 or 4 day ultimate spa experience. She has three college roommates who turn 30 around the same time that I think have the time and the money to join her. Need recommendations on the best spas where she can just relax from the stress of taking care of our 9 month old daughter and get some serious pampering. Thinking somewhere out west(desert or mountain). We generally travel on a budget so this would be a once in a lifetime experience.

Thanks.

Red Mountain Spa in Utah...its only 2 hours from Las Vegas so very easy to get to. It is an adventure spa...so she can do all sorts of things...or just relax. Went with a bunch of girlfriends last year and it was wonderful!

You are a great Hubby! Mine "spas" with me so I'm lucky too! My suggestion is Canyon Ranch in Tucson-she'll get desert and mountains. Do check their web site-
R5

How about Las Vegas, Tucson & Phoenix,AZ, Palm Springs, San Diego? Have also heard good things about Red Mountain Spa.

Not that your wife doesn't deserve a mini vacation with her girlfriends, I'm sure she does, but I don't understand what I keep hearing from the 20 and 30 somethings. The "stress of taking care of a 9 month old"???? JUST WAIT. Have a few more and let them become teenagers. I know you are well intentioned and I don't mean to jump on you but I don't understand the mentality of this generation.

Very true, Kathy K. Sometimes I wonder how women like my mother who raised three kids, without day care, without nanny, without EVER hiring a baby sitter, managed it all. And to top it all, when the youngest was 8, she went back to work full time, yet still did the cooking, the cleaning, and the full time mothering. I don't think she ever heard the word "spa".

Patrick, you sound like those old guys that say, Sonny, in my day we had to walk 30 miles to school and back, in a snowstorm, without shoes. LOL~

I think it is a very thoughtful husband who recognises that a young mother could use some Spa time and is willing to send her off to be pampered!
The nicest spas that I can think of are the Greenhouse in Texas or the Canyon Ranch in Tucson . I would wait until you can go together to do the Spa at the Bellagio in Las Vegas..that could be an anniversary trip!

Scarlett,
I agree that the original poster is a very thoughtful husband, I could just do without the "stress factor" of taking care of one infant.

Each person has their own stress levels.
We don't really know the situation nor is it our business. This generation or the last, women had stress with new babies.

my wife and I have 5 kids and a dog in a tiny 3 bedroom house, so I understand stress, teens (3 of them), hormones, wrecked cars and chaos beyond words. Regardless, you have the right idea - make your wife's milestone bday special...but maybe you should spend it WITH her! The spa idea is great, but it could be part of her special bday evening with you!

Here's my 2-cents:

Pre-Arrange a hair/spa appointment at her favorite local place (with her favorite stylist) for the morning of her bday (it will take 3-4 hours - while she's out get flowers, wash the car, take/pickup her favorite evening dress from the cleaners, take baby to parents house). Then take her out on the town for a great romantic dinner with live jazz, stay in a nice hotel (get out of the house for a night!), get champagne and room service.

dprahl,

You sound like one super guy. Hope 5pairs reads your post.

5Pairs, I can only recommend spas in the NYC, Houston, and Caribbean areas (let me know if they interest you), but I just wanted to say.....you're one heck of a husband to want to do this for your wife. What a great "30th" gift!

I also like dprahl's idea! How romantic.

I second dprahl's idea! Make the spa PART of the birthday present. I know I would absolutely love it if my husband took me out to dinner ON my birthday and handed me a little envelope with spa reservations inside it. That would be the best. I know for sure that my husband would go to bed that night a happy man!

5pairs~
You have the right idea. The thirtieth birthday is a milestone, and I remember after the first nine months with my new son, it was a fantasy of having a break and something special(with my husband, after a good restful day maybe). Don't let anyone make you feel like she doesn't deserve this. It would be nice if all spouses were this thoughtful, and that's when some take issue, I'm afraid. I hear regularly from certain friends that they want more, would like just the thing you are trying to plan. I'm sure that whatever great ideas you go with, she will no doubt appreciate the effort and love that made the birthday one to remember.There is a magazine called Spafinder, they may have a website for checking state locations. Also, Traveler magazine puts out a "best of" list(spas included). You could check into that. Good luck!

This thread has taken a very strange turn. The poor guy is just asking for ideas on where he could send his wife! I don't think someone wants to sit at home for a "once in a lifetime experience".

My best personal spa experiece was at the Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson. There are great rooms facing the mountains. The hotel is at the bottom of the canyon with trails up the hillside. We were able to watch lots of wildlife from our Lanai, the resort provides guests with a list of animals that you are most likely to see from your room. The star gazing at night is unbelieveable. And I had one of the best massages ever there. Have fun whatever you decide!

Just wanted to add that the hotel rates in AZ will probably be through the roof though. If one travels during the summer you can get the same packages for more than half off. Another nice consideration is Marriott's Camelback Inn in Phoenix. The spa has just been renovated and has a great signiture adobe clay treatment.

Nice idea! My son and daughter-in-law love the Enchantment Resort Spa in Sedona, AZ. She has gone there with her girlfriends as well and they had a great time.

We live in a different generation. Our generation has married later in life, has become "financially" secure and we DO travel.

Our parents do not understand this, because they had children at the age of 20 and did not have an education or a high paying job to have these opportunities.

In any case, I think it is a wonderful thing for you to do for your wife.

But I do have a great suggestion, why not have your parents watch the 9 month old and YOU go with your wife. She would probably love that even more!

Enjoy!

Great gift! If money really is not an issue, and you can arrange for her friends to meet her, (or even if she goes alone) Canyon Ranch can't be beat. I hve only been to their Berkshire site (MA) however, their home site in Tuscon Arizona is absolutely beautiful. Upon arrival, every guest goes through a one-one and an individual program is designed, in addition to having a staff that just caters to each guest.
In the Berkshires, a discount is available to individuals who book/ register together. My sister is a teacher, and every year several of the teachers put aside a set amount per week, and in June go for 3-4 days, by going together they for example, qualify for a discount.
Their site is www.canyonranch.com

Message: We wondered out of town and found this great little gem of a town. We had so much fun at the Nugget that we stayed the night. The buffet is great.

The little trip is well worth your time and effort.