Surf and Sand (resort) and Splashes (spa) in Laguna Beach

Written by Linda Lane


Continued from page 1

Tan Fans Stop HereClimbing a few stairs we arrived atrepparttar brick courtyard, a popular setting for weddings, charity events, and private parties. "We do very little advertising," John Gates tells us, explaining thatrepparttar 133639 Surf and Sand has become a yearly visit for many guests. "Some book a year in advance. They make their reservations for next year when they're leaving." He emphasized that it's best to book two to three weeks in advance duringrepparttar 133640 summer months. Special rates are offered occasionally.

Citrus trees linerepparttar 133641 entryway torepparttar 133642 new Aquaterra spa, built, according to our tour guide atrepparttar 133643 site ofrepparttar 133644 original motorlodge. All four ofrepparttar 133645 Surf and Sand buildings sharerepparttar 133646 same Mediterranean-style architecture, and one would never know that they had been built and rebuilt overrepparttar 133647 years. Flower-lined walkways lead torepparttar 133648 new spa reception area where a signature scent wafts throughrepparttar 133649 pungent sea air. The Aquaterra Spa has specially formulated its own crèmes, oils, and candles using many locally grown ingredients. Their brochure describes, The healing, therapeutic essences ofrepparttar 133650 ocean and land are blended with indigenous aromatic botanicals to be artistically expressed inrepparttar 133651 Aquaterra experience. The practitioners ofrepparttar 133652 body and healing arts are longtime employees. They are referred to as artists, and after my deep tissue massage with Anjelica, I would have to agree. Prices are in line with other top-rated spas, butrepparttar 133653 caliber of service andrepparttar 133654 quality of products send it torepparttar 133655 top of my need to repeat list. Spa hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and are offGet Sme Ahhhs For Your Blaahsered to hotel guests as well asrepparttar 133656 public.

Fromrepparttar 133657 spa we walked torepparttar 133658 10,000 square foot freestanding conference and meeting center. John Gates pointed outrepparttar 133659 spacious ballroom areas, noting high ceilings, with some ocean views. The three ballrooms are perfect for functions that require everything from state-of-the-art audiovisual displays to elegantly decorated weddings.

Upon leavingrepparttar 133660 center we passedrepparttar 133661 gift shop, a separate entity run by another charming, longtime employee. Knowing that many staff members have been there for a decade or more is a great indicator. Their feelings forrepparttar 133662 hotel are sincere, and when they describerepparttar 133663 owners as wonderful people, I find my experience even more refreshing. The gift shop sells signature clothing, artwork byrepparttar 133664 Rodrigo Kane,repparttar 133665 wonderful artist credited with many ofrepparttar 133666 charming watercolors throughoutrepparttar 133667 hotel; and sundries, including reasonably priced sunglasses.

We walked pastrepparttar 133668 Olympic-size swimming pool with luxurious chaise lounges and ocean views on our way to Splashes,repparttar 133669 award-winning restaurant that serves contemporary California-Mediterranean cuisine insiderepparttar 133670 dining room or alfresco onrepparttar 133671 palm shaded patio. "Seventy percent of our (Splashes) business is local," Gates tells us. And, it is easy to see why. Large windows open torepparttar 133672 pounding surf 25 feet below, andrepparttar 133673 expanse of blue createsrepparttar 133674 illusion of dining onrepparttar 133675 upper deck of a luxurious yacht. There is a separate bar and tiered outdoor dining. Executive chef Christopher Blobaum prides himself onrepparttar 133676 use of locally grown produce, and meat and fish flown in daily. The dishes he creates are unique, original, and healthy.

For breakfast there is fresh pressed organic carrot, orange, or grapefruit juice, Irish oatmeal with organic sun dried fruits and brown sugar, orrepparttar 133677 Three Oyster Mushroom and Brie Omelet. There is a full menu with everything from a toasted bagel to Eggs Benedict. Lunch includes unique offerings such as a Rosemary Marinated Roasted Rare Lamb Salad with sweet onions, roasted peppers, Kalamata olives, goat cheese and aged sherry vinaigrette, or a tree-ripened Peach and Watercress Salad with spiced pistachios and orange blossom honey vinaigrette. Dinner features everything from a daily prix fix dinner to a delicious a la carte menu. In fact, there are so many moutDine At Splasheshwatering choices that it is genuinely challenging to make a decision. There is an extensive drink and wine list.

Amenities abound atrepparttar 133678 Surf and Sand:

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/calif/surf/surf.html

Linda Lane, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com



Linda Lane, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com


Super Tan at SuperClub in Negril, Jamaica

Written by Tracey


Continued from page 1

Dining atrepparttar Grand Lido Negril is an equally pleasurable experience. Beingrepparttar 133638 Houstonian foodie that I am, I was skeptical that 'resort food" could compete withrepparttar 133639 posh French cuisine I'd enjoyed in metropolitan cities. I couldn't have been more wrong. From fine wines to decadent chocolate pastries. In a word: Magnifique! I hear Ralph Lauren lives onrepparttar 133640 island over by Round Hill, so this is probably a great place forrepparttar 133641 fashion runway types. And no bothersome check atrepparttar 133642 end ofrepparttar 133643 meal! This SuperClub concept was winning me over. Inrepparttar 133644 evening I had to check outrepparttar 133645 Atlantis Disco.

For over 15 years SuperClubs has been winning Jamaican culinary awards fromrepparttar 133646 Professional Culinary Arts Competition that runs for a couple of days in July each year. Every thing seems to be island themed. The lunchtime jazz adds a special soothing flavor.

The smoked shrimp is superb and you haven't lived until you try to coconut mashed potatoes. You have to taste everything jerked, from sausage, to beef, to chicken and even fish! I especially enjoyedrepparttar 133647 pumpkin soup which can be served cold or hot, or that other island soup staple, callaloo, made fromrepparttar 133648 malanga plant, that looks like creamed spinach, but is more divine. The national dish is salt fish and ackee and often you find ackee withrepparttar 133649 free ranged scrambled eggs at breakfast. Another native dish is chocho or St. Christophene a type of superlative squash. Each morning saw me with Blue Mountain coffee with orange honey, served espresso style.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/Jamaica/superclub/super.html

Tracey, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com



Tracey, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.


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