Broughton Quarterly - Spring 2009 - (Page 8) plugged in THE INN-FORMER Broughton Vice President Jim Sichta Q Q On my next vacation, I’d like to indulge in a spa treatment. But all the ads make it seem like spas are reserved for the rich and beautiful. Any advice for a first-timer? Spa treatments aren’t just for tanned lovelies in luxurious robes; they’re for everyone, and can be the most relaxing part of your vacation. Believe it or not, that 20-something sipping Cristal while Fabio massages her neck and prepares chocolate covered strawberries is just there to grab your attention. See, it worked! Sure there are the opulent spas, but most are pretty simple. Once you get up the nerve to go, and get past the modeling school dropout at the front desk, you’ll likely find a clean, comfortable place that you will want to visit time and time again. Since you’re a first-timer, here are some general tips you should follow: Make your appointments early so you get the time of day and gender of therapist you want; ask a lot of questions so you truly understand the different treatments; arrive 30 minutes early and ask for a tour of the spa so you get comfortable with your surroundings. Your therapist will always give you privacy, and they won’t compromise modesty, so wear what makes you comfortable. Don’t feel you have to talk during your session; this is your time. But do let your therapist know if there is something that is bothering you or would make you more comfortable. Leave your jewelry and valuables in your room, and to ensure the integrity of the spa, don’t bring your cell phone. Most spas will have sufficient changing and shower areas, and lockers to store your belongings. You will also get a comfy robe and slippers to use during your visit. Although tipping is not required, 10 to 20 percent is recommended if your session was to your satisfaction. Just relax and enjoy yourself, and remember to try something new each time. You’ll be another addicted spa pro in no time. I’ve been doing some research online for an upcoming trip to Hawaii, and I keep running into the term “resort fee,” a charge that’s applied on top of the room rate. What’s this all about? You have found a bone of contention among many travelers, my friend. The term refers to a sneaky fee that some hotels charge daily in addition to the room rate. It’s for things like Internet access, newspaper, use of the fitness center, local phone calls, etc. You know, things typically included complimentary in the room rate. A resort fee is nothing more than a way for hotels to collect additional revenue. They try and sugarcoat it, offering guests unlimited use of these services—which is fine if you’re going to spend the whole trip online and making phone calls. But look closely at what you are getting and what you will realistically use, and you will see that you’re on the wrong side of the financial fence. My advice is to avoid the resort fee and use that 15 dollars a day for a couple of sunset Mai Tais. Aloha! Got a question? Send it to JS@BroughtonHospitality.com B GAIA ANDERSON HOTEL Chang, who is known for developing the first Gold LEED certified hotel in California. The LEED Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides a national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Gaia Anderson has been open for less than a year and is currently in the process of getting its LEED rating. A pet-friendly, upscale hotel on 10 acres, Gaia Anderson is located near wilderness meccas such as Shasta Lake, Mt. Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the Sacramento River. The property boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor saline pool and hot tub, and wireless Internet access. For more details, see GaiaAndersonHotel.com. Broughton Hospitality recently welcomed Gaia Anderson Hotel to its portfolio. The full-service, 120-room hotel, located near some of Northern California’s most spectacular wilderness areas, derives its name from the Greek word for Mother Earth and takes a progressive approach to environmental sustainability. Carpet and bathroom tiles are made from recycled materials; luxurious linens and towels are made of top-quality, long-lasting fibers; solar power helps conserve energy; recycle bins cut down on landfill waste; and large windows welcome natural light while providing postcard-perfect views of the outdoors. The company struck a management deal with the hotel’s owner, Wen C TRAvELERS’ CHoICE Inn of the Spanish Garden gets a nod to make the list. The most compelling thing about the award is that it represents the views of past guests rather than industry professionals such as travel writers, hoteliers, or inspectors. The highly regarded Zagat guides also recognized Inn of the Spanish Garden on its list of Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas for 2009. For more, log on to TripAdvisor.com and Zagat.com. Congratulations go out to Broughton Hospitality team members at Santa Barbara’s Inn of the Spanish Garden, one of the best experiential small luxury hotels in the world. TripAdvisor, the largest review forum on the Internet, recently bestowed the property with a Travelers’ Choice Award in the Best Luxury Hotel category. It was the only hotel from Santa Barbara 8 broughton Quarterly SPRInG 2009 http://www.GaiaAndersonHotel.com http://www.tripadvisor.com http://www.tripadvisor.com http://www.Zagat.com
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