Gold Standard, our land transportation service,
picked us up at the Westgate Resort and drove us to Salt Lake
City.
This was to be our final stop on the tour.
The Grand America Hotel & Spa… service
fit for a Queen or King!
What a way to end our tour. After your stay here, you will protest
your return home. Inspired by the great hotels of European history,
this hotel sits on ten acres in the heart of Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted in grand-style by the utmost
attentive staff. We were shown to our beautiful suites overlooking
the downtown area of Salt Lake.
We went exploring around the hotel
after getting settled. We understand why shoppers appreciate
the seven lobby-level boutiques.
Just before dinner we were treated to massages at the Grand Spa.
Our female writer enjoyed the basic Swedish massage. This full-body massage
certainly relaxed the aching muscles from the prior day of skiing. She
was so relaxed, and ready for a wonderful dinner.
Our male writer was given the deep tissue/sports massage. This really
got to the specific sore muscle groups from skiing. This was just the
right ticket for the serious athlete or weekend warrior that he considers
himself. He was famished and ready for a great dinner.
The hotel provides transportation to the restaurants nearby so all that
is needed is a call to the concierge for a lift to the Roof Restaurant.
Our writers were hosted at the famous “Roof
Restaurant” for their first evening in town.
We enjoyed a spectacular view from our window table as we were serenaded
by glorious piano music.
There was a tremendous selection of cuisine offered. We would say
that it was the finest gourmet dinner served buffet style! Their
dessert display is a work of art.
Well, off to sleep in our beautiful suites. Surrounded by the charm of
period French Richelieu furniture, tapestries, brocades, and thick
English wool carpeting, we slept like royalty!
The next morning we were treated to the exceptional Garden Café Restaurant
located in the hotel.
This restaurant offers old-world charm, and international
influences and spacious gardens that create an elegant and inviting
ambiance. The Executive Chef, Vincent Ordonez’ creates
sumptuous dishes that appease even the most discriminating palate.
The Garden Café’s American Seasonal Cuisine is perfect for
any occasion, featuring light sauces that are bold in flavor. Menu favorites
include the freshest produce, game, seafood and fish—all prepared
with simple flair and presented in a contemporary manner.
The Garden Terrace has such a delightful view of the Garden.
Then we were off once
again to the magnificent Grand Spa! Some consider
the hotel’s Grand Spa its foremost attraction; we can’t
argue with that.
This Spa features a signature line of products, the
latest exercise equipment and the latest pampering treatments,
a grand salon, steam room, sauna, whirlpool, and heated
indoor lap pool.
Now, down to the list we experienced and recommend.
Our female writer experienced the “Green
Tea Body Wrap”. This will make you feel
really pampered with their popular, botanical green
tea. While the synergy of essential oils soothes and
moisturizes your skin, the green tea is designed to
stimulate the lymph system with its combination of
tea and vegetable herbs and nutrients.
Next she was given
the “M.D. Skincare Alpha-Beta Peel”.
This unique combination of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids immediately
improved her skin’s texture, firmness and radiance.
This treatment includes a complimentary supply of product for thirty
days to continue the care at home!
Our male writer was given the “Warm
Cocoa Balm Wrap”. This was a great choice since
the air quality is very dry in Utah and this really nourishes
your skin.
He was covered in a warm mixture of cocoa shea butter, mango, and aloe
Vera, and then wrapped in warm blankets while the therapist massaged
his scalp and feet. His skin was so radiant when finished!
Next, he received the “Men’s
Facial”. This is dedicated to meet the specific
needs of a man’s skin. The specially formulated products
address the challenges of shaving. They began with a deep pore
cleansing followed by the application of the facial mask.
Men become believers in treatments when they see the results, and this
one is a believer!
After our wonderful treatments we enjoyed the beautiful facilities.
What can you do after a perfectly
outstanding day of fitness and treatments; the only thing left
to do was to enjoy a very special dinner at a very outstanding
restaurant- Bambara.
Once again the concierge provided a ride to The
Bambara Restaurant, where our writers
were hosted for the evening.
Bambara Restaurant
202 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 363-5454
This restaurant features high ceilings and arched
windows with marble and brass accents that frame the comfortable
booths and cozy tables. The central exhibition is the kitchen.
Chef Scott Blackerby uses the freshest herbs from his roof garden
and finds the best sources for his ingredients.
After being shown to our table, we enjoyed a glass of wine
and started with our samplings of the Chef’s specialties.
Each dish was exceptional as well as beautiful, like art
work!
The menu is filled with dishes that are fresh and American,
with Asian touches and unexpected flavors. Fruit glazes and
natural reductions add subtle flavor. For appetizers, the
wild mushroom strudel with sweet onion jam or crab cakes
alerts your palate. Entrees range from the classics, like
a filet mignon with blue cheese crust, to thick pork loin
chops with sweet potato. The dessert sampler has exceptional
delectable delights.
Bambara has won nominations for best restaurant, best romantic bar,
best martini, and best service in the years of 2000, 2001, and 2002.
We highly recommend that you try this exceptional restaurant when you
are in the Salt Lake area.
Finally the next day, we were headed home. We called the concierge
to get us off to the airport. The hotel offers airport shuttle
service every 10-15 minutes.
Thank you again for joining us for our winter spa tour.
We want to thank all of our sponsors and hosts for our writer
team.
Information on upcoming events at certain
spas
