Military Officer - April 2007 - (Page 62) eliminate stress. Yeah, right. We all know what we should do, but turning virtuous intentions into wholesome action is something else entirely. ■ A change of scenery, without daily distractions, could do wonders to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. That was the idea behind my getaway to Arizona’s “Valley of the Sun,” where bougainvilleas bloom, jackrabbits jump, javelinas roam, and saguaro cacti reign. With its invigorating open space, near-constant sunshine, and decadent spas at every turn, Scottsdale seemed like the ideal destination. And so I mapped out a five-day itinerary at three resort spas, where Damon, my significant other, and I could work out, de-stress, and detoxify in the desert. fall (perfect for sitting under) that cascades over stones into a warm pond below. Fresh-baked muffins, crisp apples, hot and iced teas, and prickly pear lemonade were available for the taking. The combination of wholesome nourishment, warm fireplaces, bright sunlight, and cool water made the space feel cozy, refreshing, and se- E XERCISE more, eat right, rene. But Damon, who’s not the spa type, was fretting about wearing a robe. Luckily, the spa also had taken steps to welcome and reassure manly “spa virgins” like Damon. The guys’ treatment menu offers a “Keep Your Shorts On” package that includes jersey athletic shorts and a T-shirt to wear and then take home — no robes required. And the men’s lounge and MVP treatment rooms for guys are furnished with flat-screen TVs, sports magazines, and business journals. “We’ve found that men are more comfortable if the spa feels like a golf clubhouse,” explained assistant spa director Ruth Timmerman as she showed us around. Damon and I sat down on the sunny patio to enjoy a “bento box” lunch — a healthy meal with balanced servings of protein, legumes, grains, dairy, and a dessert — and a cactus-kiwi drink. Then I entered the women’s area, and he disappeared into the men’s section. Willow Stream is not the sort of spa one runs into for a quick massage or manicure. It’s the kind of place to stay and savor the stress melting away. By the time I finally left, the Let stress melt away Our first stop was the 651-room, 44,000-square-foot Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The hotel’s Willow Stream Spa is the southwest’s largest and one of its most magnificent. Located slightly apart from the hotel, the terracotta structure with striking sky-blue trim, hand-cut stone walls, flagstone walkways, saltillo tiles, and fountain courtyards has a peaceful atmosphere. Inside were fires crackling in fireplaces, an open-air atrium, skylit Jacuzzis, aromatherapy steam rooms, room-temperature eucalyptus “inhalation” rooms (for those who can’t stand the heat), and a comfy, coed “living room.” A rooftop swimming pool melds into a water62 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2007 After a day at the spa, guests at the Fairmont can relax by the pool. PHOTOS: PREVIOUS SPREAD, PIXLAND/CORBIS; ABOVE, COURTESY THE FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS
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