spa

So…. I alluded to it a little bit on here, and if you follow me on Twitter, you definitely have heard the news.

I’ve been on a WHIRLWIND of a VACATION!

I haven’t traveled in about 5 months, since I flew home for Christmas. However, in true NTTC fashion, I went ahead and took THREE trips this week. Go big or go home, right?

First Stop: Phoenix

It’s that time of year again… time to head to Montelucia for my 1st trip of the year. Truly, I couldn’t wait for this trip.

Having spent the past few weeks shopping for new bathing suits and picking up odds and ends, I was ready to get there on Friday morning. When I arrived I was THRILLED to find the weather to be ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. It was in the 80s and breezy… I couldn’t have ordered better weather.

As usual, my friend Donna met me there and we spent our days lounging by the pool, working on our tans, and catching up. We also took advantage of the poolside service… enjoying a lot of the Montelucia’s amazing (and healthy!) dishes!

One of many great things about visiting a spa is that the menus are full of healthy choices, and often have calorie counts included. The challenge with visiting a spa with one of your best friends is that it becomes difficult to count all of the liquid calories that go in. Especially when they are so tasty…

On Friday night, we went to our absolute favorite italian restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale. If you’re ever in Phoenix, you HAVE to try Marcellinos… they have the most exquisitely delicious homemade pasta. We even got to eat on the patio because the weather was so mild.

You might not recognize Donna and I above… we just stepped out of the salon moments before that picture was taken. As for the pictures of the food, we split the most delicious pear, arugula, parmesan salad. I’ll be making this at home soon. It was that good. The dish to the right is the best pasta I’ve ever had in my life: Caco di Pepe – - Homemade parmesan cracked pepper linguini in a tomato ragu with pancetta and caramelized onions. I order it every time I go to Marcellinos, and it never disappoints.

After indulging in extra cocktails and pasta meals, we make sure that we get our sweat on. The spa has the most gorgeous yoga studio, and I took complete advantage of its offerings. I love yoga in the desert. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t have poolside yoga on the schedule for the weekend… maybe next visit! Next visit, I’ll also need to try that beautiful mountain again as well…

Saturday was another pool day… and we did something fun at the spa, too. A little peek at the future, we had our cards read. I love exploring new age and spiritual learnings. Donna and I have both been at unique crossroads… and really enjoyed our readings as a result.

Wait a second… I know what you’re thinking. We didn’t have massages?? Oh, fear not… we scheduled those for Sunday morning after yoga. I always get my massage and body scrub from Angela, and as usual, the service was phenomenal, relaxing, and just what the doctor ordered. Living in a VERY dry climate, a body scrub at the beginning of summer is always amazing to get my skin in shape for sundresses that the warmer season will bring. The pictures below are from outside Joya Spa and from its rooftop pool.

The worst part about visiting Montelucia is that it always comes to an end. Donna and I have our tentative fall plans to return, since that’s the only way I am able to leave the property without tears.

After three and a half days in paradise, I reluctantly headed to the airport for the second leg of this trip.

To Be Continued…

Ahhhh.... VACATION

3rd Reward: Spa Weekend at the Intercontinental Montelucia

Success and a SCALE

December in the Desert – Part Four

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been to Montelucia, and I’m still writing about it?

You Betcha!

I believe our story left off with Donna and I enjoying pool time at Joya. We both were enjoying new books, and just relaxing on the terrace. Gosh, I wish I was there now… as opposed to traipsing around the frozen tundra that is Colorado. Sigh.

Until then, I’ll just share the final details of our Montelucia adventure. To catch up on my recent trip, click on the links below:

December in the Desert – Part I

WOW – Hiking Camelback {AKA December in the Desert – Part II}

December in the Desert – Part III

When we’d finally had enough of spa time (including some extra time in the jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room), we hit the showers at the spa. Yes, we have our room that has all of our clothes and makeup and whatnot, but when you shower and get ready at Joya, you get to try out all of their products

Unfortunately, they don’t have all of the same styling tools that I use… so I sort of had poodle hair. I wish I had take a picture of it. Perhaps more accurately, I would call it cocker spaniel hair. REALLY.

When you have a fabulous look like that, you get creative about how you spend your evening. I had wanted to take some night pictures of the property, so we did that and ate our leftovers from Marcellinos on Thursday night.

Since I know that not all of you will be able to make it to Montelucia this holiday season… here’s a sneak peek at what I saw. How does it get any more beautiful than this??

Walking out of Joya Spa

A view of the fountains and Prado Restaurant

The Joya Spa Fountain by night

A View of the Joya Spa and Centro from the Fountains

The grand entrance to Montelucia – All decked out for the holidays

Where we dined on leftovers….

The Kazbah at Night

Very possibly my favorite picture from the trip….

I know a few of you have mentioned that you want to travel to Montelucia… and I just found something that you should jump on, if interested!

If you are thinking about hitting Montelucia in the new year, how about you can get gift cards from Costco for the property?? For $80, you can get two $50 gift cards. That’s a savings of $20 per 100 spent! I am definitely going to purchase a few for our spring trip.

Reminder… There’s snow on the ground everywhere here. Is it spring yet???

Beer Braised Pork Tacos

Even with the Best Laid Plans...

Surprise Visit Sunday