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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.