Rock Shic: Arizona

#823 A Luxurious Girls Getaway at the Four Seasons Resort at Scottsdale

That gorgeous Sonoran Desert landscape at the Four Seasons Scottsdale... it truly never gets old!

A post-breakfast pose, ready to seize the day!

The view from our back yard terrace... divine.

Oh, you know -- just lounging at one of the many pools at the property. Did I mention that they also pop by to bring you treats and help clean your sunnies for you? Talk about being pampered!

Quality time with my girly girls. Watch out for that cactus!

Margaritas all day long. I could get used to this!!! #PoolsideLounging

Early morning massage right after breakfast, truly getting spoiled!

Well appointed in-room decor. Check.

A fresh cocktail by the pool? Check check.

This is a perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset over the Sonoran desert.

The food and service at Proof, the hotel restaurant, was simply DIVINE.

Loving the desert-chic landscape

In my view, the photos actually don't do the natural landscape justice... it was just THAT breathtaking!

Getting ready to paint the town with my girly girls! #girlsnightout @fourseasons @fsscottsdale

I cannot believe that it’s been over two months since my amazing getaway to Arizona (and believe me, when you’re knee-deep in diapers and all-things-baby the way this mamma has been, a girls-trp/spacation to Scottsdale in March is just the ticket!!). See my prior post on the Omni Resort Montelucia and our lunch at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa.

What can be more healing and luxurious than a girl-trip at the beautiful and well-appointed Four Seasons Resort Scottsale at Troon North? A spectacular resort in every sense of the word!

Breathtaking views? Check. Casita-chic décor? Check. Amazing service and top-of-the-linel amenities? Check check check. Really, I couldn’t have asked for more as far as pampering and outstanding experiences went. Everywhere I went, this little mamma bird was literally reaching for her camera. Truly, I just couldn't help myself!!! Everything was just so darn picturesque (compounded by the fact that I am absolutely OBSESSED with all things cactus at the moment).

Myself and my two travel buddies managed to do a little bit of everything while staying at the resort… a dip in the pool on our first day coupled with cabana service? You betcha! Hiking the beautiful trail tucked in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak? Yaaas. As a matter of fact, one of my fellow traveler/partner-in-crime basically turned our time at the Four Seasons resort into her own personal hiking trip (she climbed the Pinnacle Peak not once, but TWICE!!!). Of course, it wouldn’t have been a true spacation without some indulgent spa treatments, and we did that aplenty as well! We even lucked out on our first day as they were doing mini-treatments outside of the spa post breakfast. Now is that great timing or what?

Of course, just the ability to sleep in, lounge by the pool, eat a leisurely brunch, and get some real adult time was the best gift of all – coupled with the beauty that is the Sonoran Desert… now it is time to say AHHHHH.

The Ultimate Power Luncheon at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Subtle but fab welcoming decor at reception @fourseasons @fsscottsdale #lovethatproperty

This mamma is one happy girl with her margarita and cactus!

Just a little pretty trail... that leads to our fabulous suite. If only my daily commute would be like this!

Good morning Scottsdale!

Pretty much my dream bathroom, no? #FourSeasons #SonoranLuxury

Loving the breathtaking views -- all throughout the resort!

Posted on 05/31/2017 at 09:11 PM in Arizona, Four Seasons, Luxe Lodgings, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (0)

#816 The Ultimate Power Luncheon at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Here's to good health, beautiful friendships, and more peaceful, glorious afternoons like these at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa! #PowerLuncheon

As I get older, I find that nothing beats quality time with your girlfriends, I find it both inspiring and revitalizing! #GirlPower #InspirationalWomen

Check here for more of my thoughts on the Executive Chic-Look and Style à la Sheryl Sandberg

Well well, hello to you too Tuesday! It might still feel like the start of the week but believe me when I say.... I will literally blink and this week will be over!

Sigh... as will April... and there I was just starting to gather all of my thoughts and milestones for the month.

One thing I will admit, mamma's tank is running quite low (I think I need another holiday!). One of my readers asked me what I've done LATELY.... Since all the great stuff about Paris in the Spring and zip lining in the jungles of the Mexican Riviera Maya that received so much hoopla on Instagram (full featured link of Mexican Riviera adventures with Selvatica here) certainly cannot be characterized as *recent*.

Well, in answer to your question.... Arizona... in the valley of the sun right next to the great city of Phoenix, to be exact. I was there meeting some work colleagues at the tail end of March, and we decided to make it a ladies power lunch outing (plus Spa retreat!) out of the whole excursion. I've only been to Arizona once before -- years ago when a friend and I visited the Grand Canyon, but have certainly not explored the area that is Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surroundings. Let me just tell you, it is simply gorgeous! Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, for starters, is a top-notch boutique resort and spa (which had its origins in Tennis would you have guessed). Upon arrival (straight from the airport, we don't mess around!!), I was absolutely taken by the serenity and beauty of the property (part desert chic and part Silicon Valley savvy). In some respects the landscaping, decor, and overall vibe reminded me of my time in the deserts of Dubai and Oman (more on that another time), and in other respects the clean beauty and stylish simplicity of the area made me think of the Rosewood Sand Hill, in particular of my sunny lunch at the Rosewood Madera almost three years ago.

My dining companions were already sipping on bubbles and waiting for me (they had flown straight in from NYC and I from Naples, Florida) by the time I drove in (literally it's no more than a 15-20 minute ride from the airport!!), and we were quickly escorted to an outdoor table on the patio with the most breathtaking views of the Camelback Mountain. Glasses clinked, cocktails flowed, and the rest was history! Mamma had the fresh catch of the day and it basically disappeared in ten nano seconds). All was delicious, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how fabulous the desserts were. The last time I had this much fun chowing on sweets was at the Untitled at Whitney Museum with another group of girlfriends. What is it with us ladies and our desserts eh? Extra laps in the pool later to pay for our sins!

We even took a little tour of the kitchen afterwards (how could you not after such fantastic farm to table fare)? The pictures speak for themselves, and I can certainly see why this is a popular destination wedding and event spot with the beautiful and airy venue space.

All to say, now I just need to plan a return trip back to the hotel, pronto, this time we'll be sure to book one of their private, newly renovated and refurbished suites! After all, mama desperately needs another break.... I tell ya, life of the never-ending saga when you're caring for two little munchkins -- it truly is something else. As a friend recently puts it, it's literally like Groundhog Day! Good thing there are travel days like these to break up that torrid routine!!!

Now, back to dreaming of more sunny days with flowing cocktails, great friends, and beautiful views à la Paradise Valley.

Desert Dreams in Dubai

A table at the Rosewood Madera -- Sand Hill

A glorious table for two... care to join me? #Sanctuary #Camelback #Paradisevalley #Arizona #Travel #Magical

Posted on 04/25/2017 at 09:57 AM in Arizona, Eat Drink Love, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (2)

#804 Hammam Magic at the Joya Spa -- Omni Resort Montelucia

The entrance alone, inspired by the Omni resort's Spanish and Moroccan designs, had me hooked -- and I realized that my girlfriends and I were in for a real treat!

We chose our jewels and placed them inside of the blessing bowl -- clarifying our intentions #theJoyofIntention

Relaxation time on the spa pool deck -- absorbing the tranquil surroundings. TBH I really, really did not want to leave! The scenery was truly breathtaking.

Besides the sun deck, I spent the majority of my time inside this whirlpool... felt sooooooo good!

I highly recommend the Joy of Purification, I swear it works!

Happy Tuesday! Mamma's back from her whirlwind trip to Arizona -- which was really something. For once I can also honestly say that I am feeling more rejuvenated than ever!!! Traveling sans children will do that to you. That... and being able to sleep uninterrupted through the night -- which on its own made for a truly marvelous experience.

While I can't say that I did everything on my itinerary/wish list (you can't have everything eh). I *can* say that I did get to do quite a lot.

As it was meant to be a spa tour-de-force in Arizona -- what better way to kick off the experience than at the Joya spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort at Montelucia? Located just 20 minutes from the Phoenix airport at 4949 East Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley, it was literally a convenient hop skip and a jump airport to the hotel. We arrived right after lunch with a view at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (more on that later), and wasted no time in completely immersing ourselves in the magical and decadent experience that was the Joya Spa!

This is by far one of the more spectacular spa visits I've made to date, and I don't say this lightly. I love the fact that the Joya is so much more than just a standard treatment place. Why, there are also multiple outlets for meditations in the whisper room, infused with spirituality via a touch of crystal magic and prayer/intentions, plus Turkish baths and Hammams (I believe this is the only resort in Arizona that offers Hammam!) -- capped off with an outdoor spa pool that will truly take your breath away. The view of Camelback Mountain at the spa is enough to warrant a visit to the spa!

"This reminds me so much of Israel, " gushed my travel companion. While yours truly have not been to Israel -- I have been to the lovely Six Senses at Zighy Bay in Oman, and I can honestly say that this is exactly what it felt like -- beauty combined with luxury in the best way possible.

What can I say, time goes by too quickly when you're in heaven, and before long we realized that it was getting dark and we had only enough time to do one more quick steam and sauna session before getting dressed and heading to the Four Seasons for dinner and check-in!

For more live updates of my Spacation tour of Arizona, you can check out the latest images posted on Instagram. Yes yes I know, this little mamma needs to get onto Snapchat! One of my travel companions even brought her Snapchat glasses, that alone made me realize that it is high time to get with the program.

Great Jones Spa -- Noho Manhattan

Thann Sanctuary at the Castle Hotel and Spa -- Tarrytown, New York

Six Senses Spa -- Barcelona