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The Meritage Resort & Spa

The Meritage Resort & Spa: When most people think of lodging in Napa, they think of up-valley resorts such as Meadowood or Solage. This is precisely what makes the Meritage Resort & Spa different. The upscale property opened toward the end of 2006, and remains one of the only high-end resorts in the southern part of the county (the new Westin Verasa is scheduled to open near the train depot in downtown Napa in September).

Despite its location at the back of an office park, the Meritage is regularly hopping with independent travelers and corporate visitors. Two adjacent buildings make up the Vino Bello Resort, part of the Shell Vacations condo-hotel program.

Comfort zone

My standard room on a recent visit evoked a field of mustard – the walls, the curtains and the comforter on the firm king-size bed all were in shades of yellow. The similar-colored night tables, desk and dresser provided little relief from this monochromatic immersion, though the comfy (and white) his-and-hers robes were a welcome touch. My favorite spot was a wicker chair and ottoman, from which I could look out the window at seemingly endless vineyards. Sloped ceilings provided a sensation of spaciousness.

Bath and beyond

Bathrooms were compact but modern. A glass-enclosed shower (great water pressure) was positioned next to a spacious marble counter with two sinks, and the toilet was a separate water closet. A hair dryer and Bare Escentuals toiletries were provided. Towels were soft and plentiful. No tub.

Grounds for approval

The U-shaped hotel frames a pool, hot tub, fire pit and bocce court that are open from sunrise till 10 p.m. A modest fitness center is also available. Perhaps the resort’s biggest attraction is a 22,000-square-foot Estate Cave dug into the hillside behind the hotel. Wine tasting is available in the cave’s Estate Wine Bar until 7 p.m.; the facility also features the full-service Spa Terra, complete with steam grottoes, soaking pools and Mediterranean-inspired decor with custom mosaics. For true indulgence, spring for the Vino Bello, a 50-minute body treatment that includes a grapeseed scrub and a wine mud wrap ($130).

Geared up

The usual suspects: flat-screen high-definition television, DVD player, clock radio and two telephones. All rooms also come with coffeemakers and mini-refrigerators; there’s no minibar, but guests receive one bottle of wine and a daily allotment of soda and water as part of an inescapable $15 daily resort fee. The resort fee also includes wireless and Ethernet access, among other “amenities,” such as access to the 24-hour business center. No safe.

In the vicinity

Not much (unless you like office parks), though downtown Napa is a short complimentary shuttle ride away. Have the driver drop you at the new Oxbow Public Market and grab a glass of Pinot Noir at the Oxbow Wine Merchant. For dinner, walk over to Azzurro Pizzeria & Enoteca, where you can watch chefs make thin-crust personal pizzas to order. Try the farro and fava bean antipasti.

Good to know

Siena, the resort’s on-site restaurant, is another good choice for hearty meals. To get the most of that $15 daily resort fee, check out the nightly wine reception in the inviting lobby on Thursday and Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Servers usually pour samples of wine from Trinitas Cellars, which is the resort’s private label. On Saturdays, the hotel also sponsors yoga by the pool at 7:30 a.m.

Highs and lows

Considering all of the beautiful views in Napa County, the Meritage’s location is a bit underwhelming. Still, for high-end lodging close to the city of Napa, the clean and comfortable property is a good option – at least until bigger and better properties open downtown.

Spa Terre

Located entirely underground in our 22,000 square foot Estate Cave, Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort is an experience unto itself. The hushed serenity of the cave, with natural stone and copper water features combined with Old World Florentine architecture and furnishings, offers guests an environment unlike any other.

Vitals: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. (707) 251-1900, 274 rooms (including 10 with disabled access). $269-$429, double occupancy rate.

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Dolce Salon & Spa
3 Arizona Locations
480-722-0500

” Largest Spa in Arizona“

I dread getting my hair cut. Even more than that I hate getting it colored. Not because I don’t like going to the salon, and not because I don’t like the way it feels when I get a great cut and color, but because it seems to be so hard to get a great cut and color.

Finally, I think I’ve found a place that will end my hair nightmares. Dolce Spa and Salon in Chandler, Ariz.

I made my first trip to Dolce with a group of girlfriends on a weekend outing. We decided it would be fun to treat ourselves to a trip to the spa, but since we all needed haircuts we skipped the massage and got cuts and color touch-ups instead.

The experience was great. The wait was short, and the staff very friendly and professional. The salon itself is sleek and modern, but without a pretentious feel. It’s easy to sit back and enjoy the upscale atmosphere without the “snootiness” some salons try to portray.

Although we each had a different stylist, and some of us chose different skill levels (they offer one to five, and beyond five by special request) we all received personal attention and a detailed analysis of our hair and what we wanted done before they ever picked up the scissors. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when my stylist spent several minutes examining the natural growth pattern of my hair before suggesting a cut.

Special care was taken to mix just the right color, and the salon keeps records of what color was used, what products were suggested and which stylist did the work, so when you come in again and want the same thing they simply review your records and do a great job all over again.

My hair can be difficult to work with, and I often have to go back get the strands that the stylist missed fixed, but that was not the case at Dolce. My stylist took special care to make sure he had done the job right the first time. I was even more pleased the next day when I found out how easy it was to recreate the look he had given me. In the past, I have asked several stylists to cut my hair so that it naturally falls the way I want to style it. To me, this seems basic and I shouldn’t even have to ask, but it is amazing how few stylists actually carry out the request. I was thrilled to realize that I wouldn’t have to be fighting my hair to style it after I had it cut at Dolce.

Although I have not had the opportunity to try the other services offered, I am anxious to see if the massages and facial treatments are as wonderful as the salon service. I highly recommend Dolce Salon to anyone. It is well worth the price. I wouldn’t hesitate to try the spa either.

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Related Locations

Dolce Salon & Spa
6166 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85253-5438

Dolce Salon & Spa
3325 W Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85226

Dolce Salon &Spa
8385 West Mariner’s Way
Peoria, Arizona 85382

Largest Spa In The Southwest

Dolce Spa Specials

Dolce Spa Gift Certificates

Arizona Spas, Day Spa, Spa Etiquette, Spa Gift Certificates

If you are going to the spa, pleave leave all of your valuables at home.  They really are not safe in your locker, or in the pocket of your robe.  Have you noticed that more and more spas are giving you robes without pockets? It is so tempting to put things in there, wallets, hair clips, diamond rings, necklaces. After showering, when you are changing back into your clothing, it is so easy to forget them. I would always have my clients put their jewelry back on prior to leaving the spa room if they wore jewelry in for their service.  If you do not heed this advise,  you may find yourself  running back to the spa, in a panic, “I lost my diamond ring!” They send someone to dig through all the robes in the laundry basket. Maybe they find it, or maybe it has already gone to the laundry room, either way it may be long gone.   Personally, I like pockets in my robes at home, but I think spas are right to purchase robes without them or even sew them shut. At least if you lose something, you know that’s one place you didn’t put it. But better yet, please do not wear your jewlery to the spa. Spavelous Spa Ettiquette

Resort Spa, Spa, Spa Day, Spa Etiquette, Spa Treatments, Spas