Spa Recommendations Needed
 

My friend and I are interested in going to a spa in late October/early November. We're from mid-Atlantic states and prefer to go to "warm" climate. Interested in finding a spa that has exercise and fitness classes and offers massages, facials, etc. We prefer an all-inclusive (meals, classes, etc)type spa, however, we cannot afford the top of the line, very expensive luxurious spas but also do not want a "bare bones boot camp" type place either. Does anyone have any suggestions that might fit our needs? We would love to have some personal recommendations and hear of other's experiences. I've already checked the archives and there's not much specific information that's current. Thanks in advance.

how do you feel about texas? there is a spa at the guadalupe river ranch, in the texas hill country between austin and san antonio. i have a short stay booked there next week and will report back if you'd like. I don't know how much traditional exercise equipment/classes they have, but there is horseback riding, hiking, etc. Also, many of my friends love the Lake Austin Spa, near austin, which is a more traditional spa, think it's a little pricier than the ranch one, but everyone i know who has gone has loved it.

Check out Spa Finder's web site. It should help you decide. <BR>http://www.spafinder.com

texasgirl: Yes, please let me know about your stay at the spa next week. You may answer here or e-mail me directly. Thank you. <BR> <BR>Dick: I already checked spafinders.com and found lots of information but personal recommendations and experiences from real people who have been there mean alot more than the "canned" information about each spa.

Pat, Arthur Frommer recommended the Tennessee Spa & Fitness Center about 10 months ago in his on-line newsletter. You could do a search on his webite, Frommers.com. However, like you, I want to talk to someone who has actually been.

pat, just returned from a too-short visit to the guadalupe river ranch, about 40 minutes north of San Antonio. i really liked it; it's an old texas ranch that once belonged to olivia de havilland and has a long colorful history. (Some of the cabins were built by a man who wanted to turn the place into a brothel _ it never actually opened but still kinda a fun fact to throw out at your next dinner party) It is not exactly a full spa yet _ there were no exercise classes _ but apparently they are going to start organized exercise sometime in september. in the meantime, there is horseback riding, tennis court, two pools, and several good hiking trails _ i went out at 7 a.m. one morning, walked by the river and into the woods, and saw five deer in 90 minutes. The spa is new, not very big, but very nice _ i recommend the dead sea mud body mask, warm and gooey and messy but my skin felt amazingly soft afterward. And the food was great _ kind of southwestern cuisine, relatively healthy but not at all restrictive. (dinner one night was goat cheese and mushrooms in phyllo, a fruit salad with poppy seed dressing, and trout with saffron mashed potatoes _ and chocolate mousse cake for dessert.) good wine list. check the website.... www.guadaluperiverranch.com... or let me know if you need anything else...

texasgirl: Thank you so much for the info. I will definitely check out the web site. This is the kind of "first person" information I wanted.