It was so supposed to be an elaborate weekend.
Old friends yucking it up, overeating, overdrinking, etc etc.
And then there were work schedules and bad news and bad luck and pretty soon Operation Weekend Getaway was quickly aborted.
Enter Chris Rollins and the Staycation. She mentioned it to me on air last week. And while I doubt when she said it she had my intention of reckless spending in mind, it completely salvaged this wknd. And is turning out to exceed my expectations.
One word: ForrestalVillage. Ok so technically two words. Found an awesome online deal for the Westin which included breakfast. $139/nt. For two Heavenly beds!
Next, booked a massage and facial at Koi. Had this incredible facial (totally needed it) and massage. Now... I did not know the existence of the mysterious Relaxation Room located within the dimly lit confines of the Koi Spa compound. It's like appparently this Den of Zen.
More dim lighting, comfy seating, space-agey chillout music, and free bagels and Hershey's kisses. Hello! Drank way too much tea and had to use the equally chill and dimly lit Koi Spa Restroom. Almost fell asleep in there one of the fifteen times I had to "powder my nose". Oh, and of course The Relaxation Room has one major focal point (aside from the free grub) - the massive aquarium. LOL Yes, koi, no less.
The purpose of The Relaxation Room... a place to zone out in between services. Unfortunately for everyone else in The Relaxation Room... Toni Ryan. They arrived in this dimly lit quiet room and saw an opportunity to zone out; I arrived in this room and thought, yay! Comfy couches! Cosmo! Tea! Audience! Um, yeah, a good facial doesn't chill me out, it makes me hip-hip-hooray-happy! Oh, and by the way, apparently when you use the spa, you've also got access to the hot tub, pool, steam room, sauna, (oh, and the gym) at Cando. Took a twenty minute shower, and overswabbed my ears just coz there were a ton of qtips.
We did Tre Bar for tapas and red wine, then moved upstairs for dessert --- for this ridiculous chocolate lava thingy in phyllo dough. Opened up that pastry and bam! Oozing warm chocolate. As if all that isn't enough: world's awesome maitre'd, and yes, I mean the fabulous Giancarlo. You will know who I mean if you ever go to Tre Piani. It's like you've walked in to his palacial Italian palazzo where incredible food is served, and he is your best friend. If you haven't been, you must go, even if only to experience Giancarlo. He rocks.
OK, so I've discovered the benefit of putting yourself up for a night at a nice hotel: free shuttle. LOL. Our self-directed Nassau Street Pub Crawl, made better knowing I wouldn't have to sober up before going home.
So, I can barely remember everything in between that and the next morning, but the last bits of the Staycation were salvaged by this nice little hotel amenity (yes, even more than the adjustable power shower heads and the 8 million thread count sheets)... the in-room STARBUCKS coffee.
Thank God. A little too much celebrating over the free shuttle bus threatened to ruin the wknd.
But there it is -- my first Staycation... stayed local, had an awesome time rediscovering services that are just around the corner, and feel relaxed and completely chilled out.
Special thanks to Jim at the Westin, Christine The Facialist, Donna the Masseuse, and Giancarlo, world's awesomest Maitre'd. But most of all, thanks to CRollins for the idea. Cheers to you!
Now, someone get me a drink!
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CC: tryan@wpst.com
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