Posted by David Porter on March 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Portal Hotel ~ Brisbane, Australia – The Portal Hotel has declared a man-ban on the fifth floor of its trendy, boutique hotel.
Men are certainly welcome to stay at the hotel, but the fifth floor is ladies only, with female-only staff, ladies magazines in the rooms, and “all of the little touches that will make you feel at home”.
The special “Ladies Prestige Portal” offers fresh flowers in the bathroom and by the bed, fresh organic fruit, special women’s facial products, and candles will be lit and slippers laid out for their turn down service.
This “no men allowed” floor has cause quite the stir. Some are even crying foul, with echos of discrimination in their minds.
Discrimination, or a little harmless marketing to the ladies?
What say you?
Posted by David Porter on March 24, 2011 · 1 Comment
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa ~ Miami Beach, Florida – This morning we had the great privilege to witness another of God’s beautiful sunrises here at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa.
This morning, after another wonderful bowl of Canyon Ranch’s Alpine Muesli for breakfast, we were off to the 70,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch Wellness Spa, the largest in Florida.
For thousands of years, people have found that water movement and temperature variations provide relief to muscle and joint problems and create a higher sense of relaxation.
We were about to experience a complete suite of European-inspired thermal spa cabins, tubs, and aquathermal bathing experiences called Aquavana.
As you can probably imagine, cameras are not allowed in the Canyon Ranch Spa, so you will have to use your imagination coupled with this stock photograph from the Canyon Ranch photographers.
I started my Aquavana experience in the Herbal Lanconium (a warm, misty ceramic-tiled room with heated individual seating thrones and a color-changing fiber optic ceiling). This room was soothingly warm, not hot, very humid, and the air was infused with wonderful smelling fresh herbs. An absolutely delightful place to start the relaxation process.
Next, I was off to Experiential Rains (Invigorating, multisensory cooling rains – select from Polar Mist, Atlantic Storm, or Caribbean Monsoon with thunder and lightening effects). I did all three! Here, you walk into a small, shell shaped shower where changing colored-lights, mists, showers of water, and different sound effects create a relaxing way to shower your cares away. Nice!
My third stop on my Aquavana journey was spent in a Finnish Sauna. This was your traditional, wood-lined dry-heat sauna with a splash of herbal infused air. I love dry heat, which is one of the reasons we live in Scottsdale, Arizona.
After beginning a good sweat in the dry heat, I was off to the Crystal Steam Room (a large natural crystal and optical effects provide a meditative focus as you soak up steam enhanced with essential oils). This was by far the hottest steam room I have ever been in. If memory serves, it was 114º in there. There was absolutely no way I could spend my usual 15-20 minutes soaking up the steam. In fact, after about 7 minutes, I ran out the door looking for mercy. Wow! That was delicious, and HOT!
Fortunately, right across the way was the Canyon Ranch Igloo (Cool air and three Arctic Mist experiences – your choice of menthol, mint, or eucalyptus – enhanced by twinkling fiber optics. What a wonderful way to chill out after steaming away in the steam room.
After these five experiences, Aquavana also offers a large Hydrospa where jets of water continue to melt your tension away, followed by Thermal Heated Loungers where you can take a little cat nap to further your deep relaxation.
And if that weren’t enough, after all of this, there is the Atlantic Spa (Rooftop hyrdrospa enhanced by ocean views and beach pebbles).
Wow! I was one relaxed puppy after all of this. I am looking forward to going back again tomorrow! I want more!
After all of this pampering, we were off to the ultra-chic Bal Harbour Shops for lunch at Carpaccio where we noshed on scrumptious Italian fare and Carol made the Miami Beach debut of her new Latin-inspired fedora.
We spent the late-afternoon cruising the coastline along highway A1A, and in the evening found ourselves enjoying absolutely wonderful cuisine at Wish (Conde Naste’s “50 Best New Restaurants in the World!).
We will tell you a lot more about Wish Restaurant in a separate post.
For now, check out the cool frozen Mojito we enjoyed at Wish while we head off to bed to enjoy our day’s memories, and sleep in our wonderfully comfortable beds at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach.
Goodnight.
Posted by David Porter on March 23, 2011 · 3 Comments
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa ~ Miami Beach, Florida – This morning we awoke to splendidly beautiful, cloud-free skies to gaze upon from our 9th story suite.
The hotel features ten types of one- and two-bedroom suites, from 720 square feet to 1,200 square feet, all appointed with amenities that a luxury baby boomer traveler would expect.
For breakfast, we enjoyed in-suite dining of Alpine Muesli (blend of oats, fresh fruit, yogurt & almonds) containing 220 calories, 30 carb gm, 9 protein gm, 9 fat grm, and 5 fiber grams, with a side serving of House-Made Chicken Sausage Patty, and pomegranate juice.
Every single entree throughout the Hotel features nutritional information to help their guests make informed, healthy decisions when ordering.
By the way, Mr. Roaming Boomer LOVES muesli, and this was some of the best ever!
After breakfast, we were off to the spa were Carol greatly enjoyed a Canyon Ranch Massage, while I headed to the gym to work off the bite-sized Key Lime Pie from last night’s outstanding dinner.
After lunch, we decided to spend the day enjoying our own little piece of Miami Beach’s North Shore right outside the gate of Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa.
As our attendant was setting up our umbrella, beach chairs, and towels, I glanced at the couple next to us and immediately saw this photographic composition in my mind.
Ahhhhhh…
As late afternoon approached, the tide started to head out and we walked the beach collecting sea shells and captured this beautiful scene.
And, before leaving the beach for the day, we found ourselves irresistibly called to leave our calling card etched in the sand.
For dinner, we asked our Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa concierge to recommend a close-by local restaurant in order to sample some of the local flavors.
She pointed us to Fifi’s Place Restaurant, which was an easy 5 minute walk from the hotel.
First of all, Fifi’s World Famous Royale Ceviche White Fish and Shrimp is to die for, make sure you get yourself some.
And for dinner, we greatly enjoyed their Seafood Paella.
I might also add that our waitress, Wendy, was from Cuba, and her accent was so beautiful I could have easily listened to her reading the dictionary to me.
Well, a splendid day at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach.
We look forward to sharing tomorrow’s adventures with you. Stay tuned!
Posted by David Porter on March 22, 2011 · 1 Comment
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa ~ Miami Beach, Florida – This morning we were up at 3:30 a.m. to jet our way across the country to spend Spring Break at Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, Florida.
While countless thousands of college age kids are in Miami Beach’s South Beach whooping it up, we opted for the more tranquil beaches and azure waters of Miami Beach’s North Beach.
We arrived to our Canyon Ranch 9th floor suite around 4:00 p.m. and were greeted to the spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean in my photograph above.
Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach opened in 2008, and like its sister properties, is dedicated not only to a luxurious experience, but its “Wellness Spa” is world-renowned for its healthy living approach.
On property are physicians specializing in integrative medicine, life management professionals, chiropractors, Healing Touch practitioners, massage therapists, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, acupuncturists, fitness instructors, and physical therapists.
One of our objectives is to come home with a few life lessons in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
For dinner last night, we were joined at the Canyon Ranch Grill by Canyon Ranch’s Marketing & Communications Manager Daniella Gallego.
Together we noshed on gluten free, baked Artichoke Fries (w/ organic ketchup), Devils on Horseback (dates stuffed w/ matag blue cheese, wrapped in turkey bacon), and Fig and Maytag Blue Cheese Flatbread.
For our main course, Daniella and I enjoyed South Georgia Island Chilean Seabass (Maine Stewardship Council Certified Catch, garbanzo puree, citrus vinaigrette, wilted greens), while Carol enjoyed Naturally Raised Chinook Salmon (roasted pineapple, hearth fired bok choy, forbidden rice, sweet soy glaze).
We learned that Canyon Ranch Grill has a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable farming and fishing methods for their ingredients. Further, the menu presents calories, protein grams, fat grams, and fiber grams for each dish.
This morning, I was up walking on the beach and caught this beautiful sunrise.
We look forward to sharing with you our Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach experience with you.
Stay tuned!
Posted by David Porter on March 19, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel ~ Hawaii, the Big Island – In 1960 Hawaii’s Governor William Quinn invited American venture capitalist Laurance S. Rockefeller to visit the Big Island and scout beachfront sites for potential resorts. A noted conservationist and lover of the outdoors, Mr. Rockefeller believed that buildings should conform to, not intrude on, beautiful natural surroundings. As they flew over the white sand crescent of Kauna‘oa Beach, Mr. Rockefeller asked if he could go in for a swim. From the water, he looked upslope at the towering summit of Mauna Kea and was inspired to create a great hotel that reflected the spirit of this special place.
When it opened in 1965, The Mauna Kea was the most expensive hotel ever built at the time, at $15 million. Praised by travel writers and critics worldwide, the luxury resort hotel was named one of the “Three greatest hotels in the world” by Esquire magazine, one of “10 best buildings of 1966” by Fortune, and presented with an honors award by the American Institute of Architects.
I’ll say one thing for Mr. Laurance S. Rockefeller, he sure knows how to pick a beach location. Our stay at his former Virgin Island plantation (Caneel Bay) certainly proved that point.
We were unable to fit a Mauna Kea Beach Hotel stay in our calendar during our most recent visit to Hawaii, the Big Island. However, Dan Conklin (Director of Sales and Marketing, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel) was kind enough to give us a site tour, and buy us dinner at the resort’s Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar.
The setting for our dinner at Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar was one I imagine to be written in the pages of a romance novel. We sat under tiki torches and watched the sun set and then sizzle into the Pacific ocean. As darkness approached, a spotlight shined into the gentle waves of the ocean as a sort of calling beacon to any nearby manta rays.
Carol and I started our meal with a shared bowl of Kabocha Pumpkin Soup (Kalua Pig, Volcano Ohelo Berries, Truffle Marshmallow). Let me just say that this was hands down, the best serving of pumpkin soup we have ever encountered. Absolutely mouthgasmic!
The rest of our meal was absolutely epic, but I will save a little suspense until we again visit Hawaii, the Big Island (which we plan to do each year), and have the opportunity to actually stay at the historic, and luxurious Mauna Kea Beach Restaurant.
We can’t wait to stay here and share it with you. Stay tuned!
PS – Check out that beach! The best resort beach on the island! Can’t wait!
The Roaming Boomers
Portal Hotel ~ Brisbane, Australia – The Portal Hotel has declared a man-ban on the fifth floor of its trendy, boutique hotel.
