Girls Just Gotta Go
April 30, 2009
Six girlfriend-getaway spots perfect for decompression, relaxation, chatting, and good food & wine.
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Sometimes, as much as I love my family, it’s great to leave the husband and kids at home and get away with just the girls. And what better way to spend quality time with my friends than to spend a vacation together. You don’t need a lot of time. In many cases, a long weekend goes a long way to recharging the batteries.
What makes a destination a perfect girlfriend getaway usually entails a deluxe spa (a definite must!), great restaurants and a relaxing environment, but our two B&B inclusions adequately show that the choice for a relaxing weekend or long weekend excursion does not need to feature a megaresort.
The Water Club—A Signature Hotel by Borgata (www.thewaterclubatborgata.com) is the place to go for spa aficionados, as it boasts one of the most luxurious spas on the East Coast. The weekend I visited, I spent most of my time at the lap pool, ordering spa food service, getting treatments and talking to my girlfriends.
The Immersion Spa, on the 32nd floor, is a 32,000-square-foot sanctuary boasting 16 treatment rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing views of Atlantic City and the ocean beyond. A 25-yard infinity-edge lap pool, with plush chaises longues, is the centerpiece. Treatments range from massages and facials to cutting-edge water and wrap therapies, and what’s really nice is that they are 30 minutes longer than the standard 50-minute treatments provided at most spas.
When I wasn’t in the spa, my girlfriends and I were enjoying the fabulous restaurants at the resort, especially the Bobby Flay Steakhouse (who says steakhousesare just for men?). The resort attracts top talent from around the world, and we were torn between seeing John Mayer or Chris Rock.
Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com) also boasts a spa that attracts many women. When I visited, the relaxation lounges (separate ones for men and women) were packed with girlfriends. Its 23,000-square-foot Elemis Spa is much quieter, as are its large Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. The 13 treatment rooms are named for the moons that mark the Mohegan Indian tribe’s seasonal change.
The restaurants at Mohegan Sun offer diverse as well as delicious fare. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, the resort’s newest restaurant, is the perfect place for women to catch up over margaritas and cheeseburgersin-paradise. The atmosphere is fun and festive. The two celebrity restaurants—Todd English’s Tuscany and Michael Jordan’s—are great for upscale dinners.
Dancer Farm B&B (www.dancerfarm.com) proves that size is not everything. What better way to celebrate spring’s renewal than with a trip to New Egypt, in Central New Jersey, where the charming Dancer Farm shares 250 rolling acres with a network of horseback and hiking trails, an equestrian center and a winery? Massages can be arranged, and with only 10 guest rooms, peace and quiet is high on the agenda. The state’s famous Jersey Shore is a short drive away.
Want the whole place for you and your friends? Then look no further than The High Pointe Inn (www.thehighpointeinn.com), in West Barnstable on Cape Cod. Four of you can rent out the entire place and enjoy—in the package rate—a pizza party, full breakfast every morning, a three-course dinner at a nearby fine-dining restaurant, evening cocktails, views of the ocean and the dunes of Sandy Neck beach from each room and the freedom to relax in solitude. Its lounge has a healthy selection of DVDs. In the off-season, Cape Cod is a relatively uncrowded jewel, and the B&B is beside one of the most scenic roads in the United States.
Want to escape to foreign climes? The St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino (www.stkittsmarriott.com) offers the largest Vegas-style casino in the Caribbean, eight restaurants, a world-class spa and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, North Frigate Bay Beach. The sand is golden and soft, and both nonmotorized and motorized water sports are available.
Its Emerald Mist Spa features eight treatment rooms, hot and cold plunge pools, hot tubs, Vichy showers and a Roman bath. For girlfriends traveling together, the salon can host groups of 12 for manicures, pedicures and hair services, and there are plenty of places for the girls to sit around and gab.
Lastly, for women who want a Caribbean island vacation without technically leaving the United States, then Puerto Rico is the place to go. The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (www.marriott.com) recently underwent a $35 million renovation, and the new look is chic and stylish. The bedrooms now feature 300-thread-count sheets, down comforters, sheeted duvet covers, thick mattresses, plush toppers and superfluffy pillows. All bathrooms have rainforest showerheads and deep tubs, and its interconnecting ground-floor cabana rooms are ideal for groups who want to be close to the pool and resort amenities.
Top Ten Reasons to Stay at the High Pointe Inn
December 22, 2008
- Awarded Innkeepers of the Year 2009
- Selected Top Ten Inn in the U.S. 2007-2008
- Selected Top Ten Inn in North America, 2005-2006
- Selected Top Ten Most Romantic, Undiscovered Inn 2004
- Gold Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2008
- Gold Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2007
- Silver Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2006
- Gold Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2005
- Celebrating Ten Years of Innkeeping 2009
- Located near one of the Ten Most Scenic Drives in America…Scenic Route 6A, the Old King’s Highway, on Cape Cod
Receive a $10 High Pointe Inn Gift Card with every night booked now through April 30, 2009. You must mention this offer at the time of booking. May not be combined with other offers.
High Pointe Inn In West Barnstable, Massachusetts Wins Bnbfinder.Com’s Guest Favorite Award
November 10, 2008
West Barnstable, MA – BnBFinder.com, the world’s most comprehensive B&B directory, awarded the High Pointe Inn in West Barnstable, Massachusetts the Guest Favorite Award for 2007. The Guest Favorite Award, decided based on independent reviews posted to the site by guests, is the highest distinction awarded by BnBFinder.com.
According to BnBFinder President Mary White, “Guests of the High Pointe Inn gave it high marks for its beautiful location, delectable breakfasts and cozy and inviting atmosphere that was provided by innkeepers Debbie and Rich.”
Traditional travel guides, rating systems, and inspections are being surpassed by the demand for user generated reviews. According to YPartnership, nearly 40% of travelers read guest reviews before booking a trip, making guest comments one of the most valued decision-making tools for potential travelers.
About the High Pointe Inn: Spacious ocean view suites overlooking the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach with Cape Cod Bay in the distance are among the reasons inn travelers choose the High Pointe Inn for their Cape Cod getaways. Offering fine New England hospitality and superb service, this intimate inn is located just off scenic Route 6A in historic West Barnstable, Massachusetts, an easy one hour drive from Boston or Providence. All suites feature queen canopy beds, reading nooks with comfortable chairs, private baths, ceiling fans, writing desks, binoculars, and a CD player. Complimentary evening cordials, plus a full country breakfast with a choice of five entrées are offered each morning. Call 888-362-4441 or visit www.hpinn.com for more information.


