Tag Archives: Fitness Ridge

An Affordable Spa with the Biggest Loser Appeal

fitness.ridge 754174 An Affordable Spa with the Biggest Loser AppealAn Affordable Spa with the Biggest Loser Appeal
by Susie Ellis

Before leaving Utah, I wanted to take a quick look at Fitness Ridge which was the spa featured in the USA Today article in which we were also quoted (In particular they listed our top 10 Readers’ Choice winners for Most Affordable Spas.”) The story was titled “Fit & Frugal – Affordable spa resorts promise to lighten the load, not the wallet” and was in the September 21 issue.

I knew that Fitness Ridge used to be called the Body Shop Spa but recently they moved and also changed their name. Both seem to have been good decisions.

I have to say I really liked the place…and the idea that people can go and have a true fitness and spa experience for as low as $1,295 per week, including all of the activities, food, and accommodations. It is sort of a Biggest Loser setting with the trainers being a tad nicer. They also have the one-week required program I am so fond of. You arrive on Sunday and leave the next Sunday. Temptation is removed and they do call if you miss a hike or class.

It reminded me of the program at the Golden Door when I began there in 1975. Low calorie, lots of exercise, and real bonding between the guests. A couple of novel elements…..all guests are in all of the same hikes and classes together and they accommodate the various levels. And some evenings they show movies in the gym and everyone walks on a treadmill for the entire time.

I emailed my “recognizance” to our Spa Finder office before arriving back in New York. Two members of our staff are ready to sign up. I think Biggest Loser fever is catching on.

Spa Bellagio Las Vegas Delivers Consistently Good Massage Treatments

bellagio 701919 Spa Bellagio Las Vegas Delivers Consistently Good Massage TreatmentsSpa Bellagio in Las Vegas Delivers Consistently Good Massage Treatments
by Susie Ellis

Sallie and I are in Las Vegas at Virtuoso’s Travel Mart where approximately 1,500 of Virtuoso’s top travel agents and 1,500 of their top resort and hotel property representatives meet yearly. It’s a time for agents to become more familiar with the products they book (cruises, properties, spas, etc.) and for strategic alliances to strengthen. It’s held at the Bellagio Hotel & Resort each year (fittingly since all attendees are used to five star travel and accommodations) and this is Spa Finder’s third year in attendance. We are their partners in selling spa vacations and teach a course to some of the top spa booking agents to become Spa Travel Specialists.

Except for the smoke in the casino, which I had to walk through several times a day on my way to sessions, I really like the Bellagio – as well as their spa.

In the training we give agents “insider info” so they can quickly become knowledgeable and skilled in understanding the differences between various spas all over the world. I love helping them learn the “DNA” of each hotel/resort or destination spa, so they can ultimately make an ideal match between their client and the best spa for them. It’s also fun to give them the vocabulary and resources necessary to talk like an expert – even if their client has been to many more spas than they have.

After the training class we went on a special tour of Spa Bellagio – all 65,000 square feet where we get to peek into various treatment rooms (including those where they do Ashiatsu), the waterfall and candled relaxation lounge (smelled too much like chlorine for my taste), the Watsu room, the bamboo movement studio, the gorgeous hair salon (where there were brides upon brides getting their up-dos), the soaking pools, fitness center (lots of neon and whirling fans), etc. It is a privilege to get this back house tour and the staff is very accommodating.

bellagio.candleroom 742953 Spa Bellagio Las Vegas Delivers Consistently Good Massage Treatments
The day after our training I decided to treat myself to a spa treatment and was able to get a last minute booking for a sports massage (OK, not very adventurous but this was because my body needed it). Once again I was surprised at how good the Spa Bellagio therapists are. Don’t know how Shane and his staff do it…..but it is heartening to know that it is possible to train an army of therapists 100+ strong so that whatever treatment you get, you come out saying “wow, that was great.”