I am looking for a place to go and be pampered and relax but I also like to take walks and go hiking in August. Can someone recommend a safe place for a single female. I live in Florida and I'm trying to keep the trip under $1500 for one week.
Thank you

Silvia -- I would offer for you to stay in my home, but unfortunately my wife will be here too. Failing that, you might consider the Tradewinds Resort in St Pete Beach for a resort type experience. But for a more laid-back and relaxed kind of different experience, check up on the Wakulla Springs Lodge in north Florida, south of Tallahassee. It's a wonderfully relaxed environment where you can just lounge around, take hikes, eat well, and ride the glass-bottom boats. Good luck.

Asheville, NC. The weather is usually pretty good there that time of year & the Grove Park Inn may fit the bill as they typically offer some summer specials. Chimney Rock & Lake Lure are close by as are Grandfather Mt. & Blowing Rock to the north. The Grove Park has a great spa & Asheville is also a great little town in & of itself. I believe Budget Travel has an article on Asheville this month that may help you decide.

Watercolors in Seaside? Ihave not personally stayed there, but have seen it and checked it out on-line. It looks pretty-nice spa and have heard first hand the rooms are great, the food excellent, and, of course, gorgeous water!

Sylvia - why not go to Cancun to celebrate? OK - one place in particular, Golden Crown Paradise Spa.

We've been to Cancun twice, to GCP once - and it was truly great, at such a reasonable price - will be less for you, as we flew from Chicago.

GCP is adults-only, small-ish property that occupies the best beach spot on Cancun stretch. The food and drinks are delicious (despite of it being All-Inclusive), the rooms are nice, if you get an ocean view - spectacular!
There are many activities during the day, and each night starts with staff's home entertainment - campy but funny, and ends with a group club going All ages - if you like to have a good time, go. Coco Bongo club is not to be missed.
I will not go into details regarding the GCP's features (not have someone else's screaming little brats running in packs being the best) - I have a long review posted on the matter with Tripadvisor; you are welcome to email for review and GCP pictures shot from our room balcony...

And oh - you will be pampered at GCP... they have a really nice SPA, with complete list of services. You can have a massage right under a beach palapa, facials, manicures, seaweed wraps, etc... GCP is all about R&R - I've been to more luxurios hotels that have better, but GCP does have a unique vibe... perfect balance of fun and tranquility. I think you'd enjoy it.

There is much to do in Cancun, and it's SAFE to go alone, just use common sense as anywhere else. You won't feel left out at GCP, there are often a few singles, or groups of friends. The staff is phenomenal and warm - especially to women (but very respectful as well... you will not be bothered, unless you wish to be). I went to GCP with my b/f; but I was considering going alone (and I would be too chicken to go elsewhere).

Before visiting, I thought Cancun was "not my cup of tea" - I'm somewhat conservative and OD'ing on free margaritas is not my idea of vacation. I'm also very active and have to workout regularly... But honestly, Cancun today is so much more than that... gorgeous lodging, spas/gyms, 5 star service and dining, various excursions to sites of interest, snorkeling, etc.

You said you like hiking - why not hike the beach? You may also visit Tulum, few hours of bus ride from Cancun - a spectacular Mayan ruin beside most beautiful beach one can imagine. Btw, just yesterday there was an episode on World's best beaches by [much-hated on Fodors] Travel Channel, which named Tulum #4 historical beach of the world - yes, it's that great.

Another area I can recommend is Playa de Carmen, which is quieter and more remote than Cancun, email me for ideas on good places to stay. Again, I considered going on vacation alone Mexico before (Cosmo says every woman must take one before she turns 30... I am a year late already... jk), so I have done some research as to what the most fun, eventful, relaxing and safe options are.

I hope you have fun wherever you go! take care.

nadya

Thanks for the offer Wayne-your wife is so going to beat you!!
I have been in Florida all my life, so I like to escape it for big vacations.
I gave serious thought to Asheville, but I've been there twice and want to try someplace new. I do LOVE Asheville and its hiking!!
Nadya - did you see any single females in Cancun? My other concern was going to a beach area during hurricane season. Last year around that time, we were boarding up for hurricane 1.
I considered Red Mountain Spa in Utah, but even this Florida gal may not be able to handle the heat in August.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions

Sylvia - I'm sorry... I should have read carefully - that you're looking for a place in August... please scratch Cancun You may be chancing a hurricane or some rain at least. Living in FL, I'm sure you'd like to avoid that possibility while on vacation.
Best time there, without a doubt, is January through March. And yes, we did see single women there. And single men. You can check into a smaller place with a great spa - like Le Meridien ($$$) or Golden Crown Paradise Spa ($$), and have a ball, and be really pampered - promise. This is truly a "something for everyone" place.

For August... May be CA? San Diego area will be very nice, I bet. Maybe Tucson, AZ - great mountain hiking there. Las Vegas would be fun, although a bit hot (ok, very hot, about 100) - but it's a dry heat

Maybe MI, lakeside resort areas around Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven? It supposed to be still warm (not hot), and there are plenty of things to do.

We're going to South Haven, MI for July 4th weekend, to stay at Yelton Manor B&B. There are tons of incredible B&B's in MI that I discovered! I have done much research on the topic before booking. I think it's a great choice for a single person - you can stay active outdoors, yet de-compress. Oh yeah - most nicer B&Bs do not allow kids.... lack of noise and chaos is a big plus for myself. The only major hurdle for you would be that you'd need to either rent a car, or get a shuttle - most MI lakeside towns are 45 min - 1 hr from major airports...
If you wish, check out this site for MI B&Bs http://www.bbonline.com/mi/water.html.

My hometown Chicago is fun in August, too! If you're up for urban getaway. Late summer is normally warm; does not rain much at all, either. Past 2 seasons were great - we were swimming in lake Michigan in late September! Have you seen our brand-new Millennium Park - it's hauntingly beautiful and unique! Of course, there are restaurants (great steaks), and bars, and clubs... museums, galleries, spas, and shopping on Michigan Ave (if you like; I hate shopping, but it's a popular thing to do in Chicago). And - there are always many single travelers (business, etc) downtown Chicago, so you won't feel awkward staying alone. You'll have someone to chat with at hotel lounge, bar, etc.
I'd recommend staying someplace close to the Lake and Downtown, so you can walk to everything. Downtown traffic can be a terror and most hotels charge as much as 30-50 USD for parking, a day. A great hotel close to all main attractions is Swissotel - walk to everything, nice decor, great service; you will get the best rate by calling hotel directly (do not go through Expedia, Orbitz, etc - or you'll pay double). Look up Swissotel on Tripadvisor You will not be bored in Chicago - so much to see here, really.

Good luck choosing!

Oaks at Ojai Spa in Ojai, CA. Spent a week there solo last April. Great hiking, good healthy food,& Ventura only 1/2 hr. away if you want the ocean. Well priced & town of Ojai is my "dream" residence. Don't know how hot it gets in August,
Have fun where ever you choose,