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My First Wellness Resort Experience

To be frank, I’ve never been especially interested in a wellness or spa vacation.  I’m not really into yoga or meditation. I enjoy working out, but I never hit the gym when I’m traveling. I have a couple favorite massage therapists at local day spas so I rarely book those at hotels, either.  For self care generally I hike or kayak or garden, I need to be outdoors.

I also love to eat, and I find it hard to imagine a vacation without wine. So I worry about feeling deprived.

But when I toured the brand new Canyon Ranch Woodside last January, I felt like this place was designed for me. After months in a pandemic and all my 2020 travel plans cancelled, I was seriously ready for a wellness boost.  The resort is less than a hour’s drive away, virtually all activities are outdoors, and is set up to allow easy social distancing for the small number of guests.  So I felt comfortable booking myself a 2 night/full 3 day stay right after Thanksgiving.

The staff provided trays if you preferred to eat in a chair by a firepit.

Lots of seating areas all over the property, like this one next to the pizza oven where orientation is held.

This private space overlooks a labrynth below.

(By “full” stay, I mean 3 days full of activities.  Not checking in at 4 pm and being hustled out before lunch.  Guests are welcome to arrive as early as noon and start activities, and stay until late in the afternoon on their last day. And I could easily have stayed another day, as I didn’t get to try all the activities I had hoped to.)

So how did it work out?

Would I get enough to eat?  Yes, I could order as many menu items as I wanted and have as much as I wanted.  I went with an open mind and even tried things that normally I wouldn’t care for (like sweet potato hash browns, which tasted just like regular hash browns).  All the food was farm to table fresh, creative, and flavorful. I hiked with the chef one day, and learned just how passionate she was about her food and the guest experience.

My introduction to the fantastic food were these tacos at orientation.

The hiker’s breakfast. I asked for more of those muffins every day.

I couldn’t decide between steak or salmon so I had both!

 

Would I get wine? This wellness resort knows the local demographic well. Not only do they have a nice wine list, but an indoor/outdoor bar with pizza oven. We could take our wine anywere on property, and it was common to see guests relaxing out by firepits with a bottle or glass.

It’s small, but it’s sufficient!

Hanging out on the top deck at sunset. Heaven for introverts!

Would I spend a lot of time outdoors?  The resort takes full advantage of the property’s acres of redwood forest, with activities like Qigong in the Forest and Outdoor Functional Fitness.  Even in my room I felt immersed in the woods, since I had floor to ceiling windows and a balcony in the treetops. Every morning excursions are offered off property to local parks and farms, an artist residency, and, of course, a winery.

Watching the sunrise from bed.

Over 400 sq ft of relaxing and well-lit private space.

The treehouses suites are stacked in groups of two, with a king room on top and double queen on the bottom.

The forest trail is used for fitness and relaxation. This natural fairy circle is the perfect place to meditate.

The Santa Cruz mountains offer lots of parks with hiking trails, and expert guides will make sure you don’t miss anything interesting…

…like this surprising sandstone feature.

Our goal: a view of the ocean. (Yes, it’s out there.)

Did I get a massage?  Yes I did, and it was one of the best ones I ever had. I also spent some time relaxing by the indoor/outdoor pool (gotta love sunny winter days in California), foam rolling in the gym, and riding an exercise bike on the third story deck with a view of the redwoods.

The wall at the end opens completely to an outside patio with chaise lounges. Even in December it can get warm on a sunny day!

It sure was easier to be motivated to work out with this setup.

Did I do yoga or meditation?  No, but I participated in a breathing workshop, a creative sketching class, and the free coaching sessions offered by staff and the guest speaker. (If you ever get the chance to take a private walk in the woods with a life coach, do it!) I am not one to sit still for long, but it was easy to have some quiet contemplation on a bench tucked out of sight by a seasonal waterfall just for that purpose.

The treehouses encircle the resort with the forest trail far below.

I had a Qigong lesson down in that circle.

This Buddha is not what it seems.

Canyon Ranch Woodside exceeded my expectations, and I cannot wait to go back, especially with a friend. The location halfway between San Jose and San Francisco is perfect for a staycation for Bay Area residents, and an easy addition to a northern California sightseeing tour.  I think it would be perfect for honeymooners to spend a few days here to decompress together before heading off on other adventures. I also met babymooners expecting their first child.

I didn’t miss indoor dining at all!

 

I am happy to share with clients my insider tips on how to prepare and what to expect, plus local travel planning and sightseeing tips for out of town visitors. My clients also receive Virtuoso amenities, which include an upgrade on arrival if available, and a $100 activity credit.  Just send an email to suzette@suzettemacktravel.com.

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Why A Windstar Tahiti Cruise is Ideal for Active Travelers

Our family unanimously agreed that this was one of our best vacations ever.  We love to snorkel, and being in the water in general, and my husband and kids got certified to dive just for the trip.  We liked that it was very active during the day, but relaxed at night.   Service was exceptional, and the staff came to know all of us within the first day (the bartender could tell me the last time one of my kids came by for a beverage).   The food was excellent and abundant, and I was impressed with the design of the cabin.  It was small, but comfortable, and we had more storage space than we could use.  (I recently posted about how to pack for it.)  So it’s a great trip for just about anybody.

Windstar Wind Spirit anchored in Moorea

Beautiful Wind Spirit anchored in Moorea.

But here is why I especially recommend a Windstar Tahiti cruise for travelers who like to be active on vacation:

Relaxed luxury – It’s upscale in terms of service, amenities, food, and decor, yet casual.   You feel pampered without the pressure of having to dress up, even in the dining room. It’s perfect for honeymoons and celebrations, where you want the setting to feel special but not pretentious.

Cocktail at sunset on deck of Wind Spirit

Cocktails at sunset on deck never gets boring. And is great for meeting people!

 

Dining on the deck of the Windstar wind spirit

“Specialty dining” is when they turn the deck into a restaurant. Shorts are acceptable!

Adventurous excursions – And the variety!  Hiking, diving, snorkeling, cycling, jet-skiing, to name a few.  Though it’s ideal for travelers who want to be in the water every day like us, there are plenty of land and cultural activities as well.  It’s great for families with older children who like to be on the go, even those who say they “don’t cruise.”  (It’s nothing like a big ship cruise.) Divers have opportunities almost every day to do easy to advanced diving, and they also offered beginner excursions which required no certification.

diving in french polynesia

First offical dive after certification!

Insider tip:    I recommend that more advanced adventurers hire a private guide. They can tailor activities to your experience level, and you can do more in the same period of time. We are experienced snorkelers, so we went out in a speedboat instead of catamaran, and visited 5 locations in a 2 hour period. We also had a private jet ski tour which was really fun, and I felt more comfortable zipping around in a smaller group.

jet skiing in bora bora

The best way to travel around Bora Bora, literally all the way around it.

snorkeling pictures of manta ray, eagle rays and lemon shark

On our private “snorkel safari” we saw eagle rays, manta rays, and lemon sharks in just a few hours. And snorkeled through a gorgeous coral garden (cover photo).

Lots of beach time – Being on a cruise often means giving up beach time.  No worries with Windstar, there were three opportunities for the entire ship to hang out on a private island, equipped with all amenities.  Passengers could spend an entire day swimming, snorkeling, and using the kayaks and paddleboards.  And they set up a full bar!

beach in french polynesia

Happy to be stranded on this private beach all day.

bartenders on beach

Especially with these guys taking care of us!

There were also excursions to private motus, we enjoyed one in Huahine which was led by a lifelong resident.  It was interesting to hear about her life on the island, and she made it fun, too.

Learning to make poisson cru.

Learning to make poisson cru .

Flexibility – Most of the islands are easy to explore on your own. I do caution travelers to attend the shore talks the night before to get tips and safety advice.  Or you can just hang out on the ship and enjoy the water sports platform for swimming, sailing, SUP and kayaking. Even tendering was easy, as it was fast and there were never lines.

street art in french polynesia

Amazing street art in Raiatea

sports platform on wind spirit

Hanging out off the back of the boat with all the “toys.” They even have sailboats.

Camaraderie – The small size (<150 passengers) means you get to know people who also enjoy the same type of adventures.  We found ourselves on the same excursions with a couple other families who had kids the same age, so we naturally hit it off.

french polynesia snorkel tour with clear blue waters

The die hard snorkel group heads out on their first excursion.

pareo tying lesson on snorkel tour

Pareo tying lesson on the catamaran

Cultural activities– Locals came onboard or met the ship at the dock to share their culture and demonstrate crafts.  And on every Windstar sailing there is a special Destination Discovery Event. Ours was a celebration feast on a private motu in Bora Bora, with fantastic food and authentic Tahitian entertainment.

table set for dinner in bora bora

Ready to party!

bora bora feast

Tahitian dancers at our private Bora Bora feast

tahitian fire dancers

Have to admit, I was nervous sitting in the front row when some of these flaming sticks were being tossed around.

Year-round destination – There is a rainy season from December to March, but like most tropical areas, it can often mean just occasional, isolated showers. We had a few short showers but they did not interrupt any of the activities.  So you can pick the best time of year for your schedule, or plan around airfare deals.

sunset in french polynesia after rain

You don’t get sunsets like this without some rain.

vanilla plantation on ta'haa

Or lush vanilla plantations.

 

Fun and relaxing, with spectacular scenery, lots of outdoor activities on land and water, unique cultural experiences, and lots of good food and drink at the end of the day.  What more could an adventure traveler want?

To find out if Tahiti is the right fit for your family, send an email to suzette@suzettemacktravel.com.

sunset on windstar wind spirit

There’s never a bad sunset when you’re on a Windstar Tahiti cruise.

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Packing Lessons Learned On A Windstar Tahiti Cruise

The packing guidelines for our 7-night Windstar Dreams of Tahiti voyage seemed pretty straightforward: beachwear/casual during the day, resort casual in the dining room. But as I thought about the various excursions we booked, my packing list became quite long, and I still wasn’t sure what to expect on board. As I unpacked, I couldn’t help but judge how I did. Here’s my breakdown,

What I Should Have Brought

More sunscreen – We just barely had enough. Brought 2 tubes of lotion and 1 can of spray (Costco sized) for 4 adults. By the second to last day we were using more sparingly since we worried about running out.

More casual clothes – I needed more options for the downtime between the end of excursions and happy hour/dinner. While many people were lounging in swimsuits, we usually were in the water all day so we would shower as soon as we boarded. I could have used a bigger variety of t-shirts, tanks, and shorts for relaxing on deck.

Cultural show onboard Windstar Wind Spirit in Tahiti

A typical afternoon onboard the Wind Spirit, where the aft deck and pool bar was a gathering place for socializing and events.

A baseball cap – My wide-brimmed sun hat got a lot of use, but I didn’t want to wear it unless I was out on an excursion.  And with the wind and humidity, I pretty much wanted my hair covered at all times.  I now have a nice souvenir from Bloody Mary’s on Bora Bora!

On a catamaran with the Wind Spirit in the background in Moorea

In this sun it’s essential to keep your head covered and make sure hats won’t fly off in the wind.

Suzette Mack outside Bloody Mary's in Bora Bora

Bloody Mary’s is a must-see in Bora Bora, it’s such a unique place. And has great food!

Travel coffee mug – From past cruise experience I knew I would want one, but forgot to pack it. I am early riser and LOVE my morning coffee. A larger travel mug would have saved me extra trips between the espresso bar and upper deck where I enjoyed watching the sun rise or the ship pull into port.

Espresso bar on Windstar Wind Spirit

My first stop each morning, it opened at 6:30 am!

Special mention:
Rain gear – I actually did not need this, since it only rained once and stopped before we went ashore. And all our activities were water based, anyway. But I dodged a bullet because when it did rain one brief time, it poured. My hat and travel umbrella were fine for a light rain or quick trip outside, but if I had signed up for a hike or other land excursion, I would have been miserable. (Full size umbrellas are provided in the cabins.)

What I Should Have Left Home

“Special” deck shoes – I had bought a pair of slip-on closed toe deck shoes just for the trip. I ended up wearing my favorite cute Birkenstocks (yes, they exist!) when I wasn’t wearing my water shoes, and also had tan and black sandals for dinner.  Moral of the story: just bring one pair of non-skid, comfortable shoes for hanging out on deck.

Sunset over Raiatea from the Windstar Wind Spirit cruise ship

The deck was often wet around the pool and hot tub, or after mopping by the crew. They kept the yacht immaculate!

A few dinner outfits – I could have gotten away with 2 fewer blouses and one less pair of cropped pants. There were 3 casual evenings for dinner, so I really only needed resort casual outfits 4 times.

Dinner at Candles on the Windstar Wind Spirit yacht

This was a casual dining evening on deck, but these clothes also were suitable in the dining room, except the guys would change into long pants. Some guests even wore t-shirts and shorts.

My sweater – I was prepared to be cold in air-conditioned areas, but that was not the case. I never needed more than a blouse to pull on over a tank top if I felt cool (which was rare).  A light scarf would have been fine, too.  But my daughter wore a sweatshirt quite often in the air-conditioned cabin, so it depends on how sensitive you are to that.

A few hundred francs – I really only needed about half of what I obtained in advance from my bank. And I should have asked for more small bills, as I only used it for tour and transfer gratuities, and small purchases from local vendors. They were usually happy to take a mix of USD and XPF, or even USD only.

10000 French Polynesia currency

Currency conversion was easy. 100 XPF (or CFP) is approximately 1 USD

An extra purse – My go-to travel purse is a small, water repellent cross-body with several pockets that I can stuff in my carry-on bag when boarding a plane. I packed a larger “cute” purse thinking I would use it on shore for shopping. I never took it out of the closet. Most of the time my beach bag was my purse, since I also was carrying sunscreen, insect repellent, a phone charger, and flip flops or water shoes.

What I Was Glad To Have

Insect repellent – The wind kept many bugs away, but there were a few places where I would have been miserable without repellant. And After Bite saves me when I do get bit, since I react badly to mosquitoes.

Vanilla plantation demonstration

We really enjoyed our visit to a vanilla plantation. The insect repellent in those bottles is made from the nuts on the plate.

Lots of swimwear – I had 3 swimsuits, 2 pairs of water shorts, 1 long sleeve and 2 short sleeve rash guards, and a cover up. Since we were in the water every day, that allowed 2 days for each suit to dry which was necessary because there was no place outside to hang them.  I swapped the coverup for the rash guard when we were done snorkeling.

Reef shoes – I already had closed-toe Tevas, so I had the rest of the family buy inexpensive reef shoes. These protected our feet from the coral on many beaches, and while snorkeling with sharks and stingrays in shallow water without fins. We also had flip flops for sandy beaches.

Beach on a remote motu in Tahiti

The coral on this beach and in the water is sharp! The elegant Wind Spirit is in the background.

I should note that I lean towards minimalism, and prefer to dress casually whenever I can get away with it. The beauty of the Windstar Cruise is that almost anything goes. There were many people who dressed up more, and they didn’t look out of place, either. The only attire I didn’t see on board were formal gowns, suits, ties, and sports jackets.  The only exception was the crew, for special occasions. Some women wore lots of jewelry and accessories, some had none, and I made do with one set each of gold and silver.

Crew of the Windstar Wind Spirit

Our fearless crew, with the captain on the far right who is from Bulgaria. (He has a wonderful accent!) On our last night they sang a farewell song to us.

The most important advice I can give is be sure to protect your feet and your skin from the elements, especially on shore excursions. It is practically impossible to be underdressed, even in the dining room.  As long as you make an effort, you are fine!

Pareo tying demonstration in Tahiti

After a lesson on how to tie and wear a pareo, we had to bring some home as souvenirs!

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