Daily Pampering: Celebration of Life spa services at One & Only Palmilla in Los Cabos

by McLean Robbins on

One of the most magical sightings of the Baja Penninsula is the annual migration of the gray whale, which takes place each January through March. Skillfully combining the idea of renewal and water therapy, luxe resort One&Only Palmilla, has crafted a new “Celebration of Life” spa treatment at the resort’s 22,000 square foot spa.

Utilizing local salts harvested from the rich lagoons of Los Cabos, the one hour and forty five minute “Celebration of Life” treatment is choreographed to natural whale songs to soothe the mind. The treatment begins with a calming head, neck and shoulder massage. Warm salt compresses are then placed on the body while healing salts rich in vital elements are massaged into the skin to re-mineralize, gently exfoliate and increase circulation. A therapeutic massage to the back and feet is then performed to release any further tension. To conclude, the ESPA therapist floats the client in a bath of warm saline water allowing the buoyancy and support to gently massage the body and joints while easing stiffness and nourishing the skin.

The resort, beloved by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt and Eli Manning (just to name a few), is perched on the pristine cliffs of Los Cabos, halfway between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San Jose.

Just don’t let the idea that Speidi has visited the property ruin your experience.

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Daily Pampering: Curtain Bluff Resort’s honeymoon packages from $4200

by Melanie Nayer on

This luxury Caribbean resort is kicking things off in 2011 with a package for the lovers.

Curtain Bluff, one of the Caribbean’s favorite luxury all-inclusive beach resorts and a Condé Nast reader’s choice pick for the past three years, is offering honeymoon packages through May 14, 2011. This daily pampering comes with a lot of pampering! The 4-night package includes:

  • 3 meals a day
  • bar drinks
  • most water sports including motorized and non motorized water sports
  • use of the gym including aerobic, pilates, yoga and aquatic classes
  • use of tennis courts and squash court
  • round trip town car pick up
  • bottle of champagne in room upon arrival
  • private dinner in romantic garden gazebo
  • couples Destressor massage in our spa
  • sunset sail on 49 foot sailboat

You’ll spend time along the resort’s two stunning beaches, enjoy nightly entertainment, and take a peek at the resort’s 25,000 bottle wine cellar.

The cost of this romantic getaway starts at $4200 for a deluxe room; $5052 for a junior suite; or $7220 for the Grace/Morris Bay suite. Extra nights are available if you find yourself lost in paradise.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: Private cigar rooms at Davidoff Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Beijing

by Melanie Nayer on

Crystal chandeliers and red velvet furniture adorn what is possibly the most exclusive cigar bar in Beijing. But why would you simply hang out at the bar when you can have your own private room?

The Davidoff Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, attracts the discerning type, just as Zino Davidoff had intended it to be when he opened the world’s first cigar lounge in Switzerland back in the 1920s. Since then, Davidoff branded lounges have been catering to the world’s cigar affectionados.

The four private rooms at the Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, Davidoff Lounge were all designed by separate artists, allowing guests who want to purchase a private room the opportunity to pick one that suits their tastes. Grab one of the fine cigars and rare cognacs, and then settle into your private room for something truly unique and special: karaoke. Because really, what’s a good cigar and cocktail without your personal rendition of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is”?

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The Davidoff Lounge offers some of the rarest single malts you’ll find in Asia, perfect for those needing to loosen up a bit before grabbing the mic and choosing their song of choice from the touch-screen TVs located in each of the rooms.

Just to rent one of the four private rooms costs ￥2888-3888 (approximately $430 to $590 USD). Cocktails start around $12 USD and the cheapest bottle of wine will run you around $68 USD. If you’re craving a cigar, puff on a Cohiba or a Davidoff for around ￥300 (approximately $45 USD).

Rumor has it celebrities including Jackie Chan have made an appearance at the Davidoff Lounge …

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: $12,950 Leica M9 limited edition sapphire glass camera

by Melanie Nayer on

We can’t promise the camera will take better pictures, but we can assure you you’ll be making a statement when you snap away with this little piece of luxury.

For the photo-lover (amateur or otherwise), the Leica M9 limited edition silver chrome camera is the perfect gift. The body has sapphire glass and comes with a Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron lens. In addition, the camera includes:

  • Silver chrome body
  • Only 50 cameras were produced (the pictured camera has a serial #037 out of 050)
  • Scratch-resistant sapphire glass
  • Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 silver chrome lens
  • Brown ostrich leather
  • Matching custom ostrich brown leather strap
  • Includes Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3
  • 2-year warranty

Price: $12,950

According to the Leica website, the camera kit is available at the Leica Boutique in Palm Beach and Popflash.

Daily Pampering: Master Chef classic in Beaver Creek

by Melanie Nayer on

Beaver Creek is more than just fancy slopes and skiing. This January, celebrity chefs will convene in Beaver Creek for the 13th Annual Beaver Creek Master Chef Challenge, and you can have up-close-and-personal seats with some of your favorite chefs (for a fee, of course).

Bon Appétit is sponsoring the a yummy three-day epicurean affair, which takes plans Jan. 27-29. The event includes an awe-inspiring Master Chef Challenge, intimate cooking classes, an après-ski cocktail seminar and a Grand Tasting at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.

In the kitchen:
John Besh – Chef: August, Besh Steak, Luke, La Provence, American Sector, and Domenica (New Orleans)
Joey Campanaro – Chef/Owner, The Little Owl (New York); Chef, Kenmare (New York), Owner, Market Table (New York), Village Bele (Philadelphia)
Stephanie Izard – Executive Chef/ Partner, Girl & The Goat (Chicago)
François Payard – Pastry Chef, FPB (New York, Las Vegas, Japan and Korea), Payard, François Chocolate Bar
Jacques Van Staden – Chef, London Club (Las Vegas); Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises
Jose Garces – Executive Chef, Mercat a la Planxa (Chicago); Owner/ Executive Partner, Garces Restaurant Group (collection of restaurants in Philadelphia)
Marco Canora – Co-Owner/Chef, Hearth and Terroir (New York); Finalist on”Next Iron Chef”
The price? Master Chef Classic lodging event packages are available starting at $522 per person, which includes two nights of lodging, two days of lift tickets and one ticket each for the Master Chef Challenge and the Grand Tasting. This package is available Jan. 27-31, 2011.

Event-only ticket packages are also available including a Master Chef Package for $475, which provides one ticket to the Master Chef Dinner, Master Chef Challenge, Grand Tasting, one Seminar (choice of Chophouse/Wine Seminar or Osprey/Cocktail Seminar) and one Cooking Class (Marco/Splendido or Joey/Park Hyatt).

The VIP package is $575 and includes the Master Chef Package offerings plus early admittance to the Grand Tasting for exclusive access to the Chefs. The Just a Taste Package for $165 includes tickets for the Master Chef Challenge and the Grand Tasting.