Elation behind the Golden Door is coming from staff as well as guests at the famed Southern California resort.
The exciting news: a long-time guest is the new owner of Golden Door.
Plans to revive the resort's golden era were revealed by founder Deborah Szekely during her visit to Washington this week. A former resident of Georgetown, now living in San Diego, the 91-year-old doyenne of American spas is honorary chair of the Washington Spa Alliance.
"When we told the staff that a private investor was taking over," Deborah said, "there were cheers of elation." After a series of disruptive corporate takeovers, Golden Door is raising the bar on privacy. With suites for just 39 guests, the week-long program is more comprehensive, the all-inclusive cost is $7,750.
While the new owner wishes to remain anonymous, Golden Door's long-time manager Rachel Caldwell is busy with renovation and restoration of the facilities. One tradition isn't changing: Deborah Szekely's dinner talk. She looks forward to inviting wellness specialists to enhance the weeklong retreat.
Opened nearly 50 years ago in a wooded canyon north of San Diego, the 377-acre resort quickly became a favorite hideaway for the rich and famous. The Zen-inspired oasis inspires you to refocus and reenergize. Peaceful walks along stone walkways and waterfalls of the Japanese gardens lead to gyms and a fitness center where trainers engage your muscles with a personalized fitness program.
Surrendering your senses to blissful relaxation, you can soak in pools or have a massage at the bathhouse. Every day, a personal masseuse visits your room.
Gathering for lunch and dinner,most guests wear the Door-supplied sweatsuit or cotton robe. A sense of camaraderie and community levels the conversation.
Your personal esthetician will meet with you to develop a specialized beauty schedule to complement your unique skin type. Relax with a stress-release Signature Facial, manicure and pedicure, and soothing aromatherapy body wrap. Achieve a whole new look with a makeup lesson, or fresh, new hairstyle. To accommodate your every wish , Golden Door services include:
Personal esthetician, who designs your beauty regimen, to suit your needs and tastes
Bathhouse treatments, offering enticing body scrubs, wraps, and hydrotherapy baths
Skincare treatments, customized facials and masques
Hair, nails, and makeup, special scalp treatment, the Golden Door manicure / pedicure, and a full makeup lesson. For additional charge: hair color and design, lash and brow tint.
Men’s Week is guy time
From pre-breakfast hike to water volleyball matches, Men's Week at Golden Door takes guy time to a new level of fun and fitness. While many participants come back year after year, like Washington's Pedas brothers, there are now fathers bringing their sons. The program includes:
Arrival-day personal program interview and up to 4 sessions with a Personal Fitness Trainer
A customized take-home program to continue healthy new habits at home
Lighted tennis court, two swimming pools
7 gyms including a 1,000 square foot weight-training pavilion
20 miles of hiking trails for every fitness level
12 different mountain and meadow hikes
Over 65 fitness classes and activities including Golden Door Bootcamp, Six Pack Abs, Martial Arts for Men, Cardio-Box, and a Men's Week tradition, the High Noon Water Volleyball Game!
Three man-sized, healthy, filling gourmet meals (how about a bison burger, fresh-caught fish, mac & cheese) with just picked vegetables from the resort's organic garden.
An in-room massage to keep muscles loose and ready for action
A skin care hour (healthy skin helps you look younger) including one body treatment
A complete spa wardrobe, including warm-ups, shorts, t-shirts, and comfy spa robe which means almost no packing!
Arriving at San Diego's waterfront airport, or nearby Amtrak station, a limousine awaits.
Accommodations are in the style of Japanese country inns. Your private room has its own garden deck or patio, where breakfast is delivered. Known for its 4-to-1 staff to guest ratio,personal attention, Golden Door once again shines as the perfect California spa vacation.
For more information and reservations, call (866) 420-6414 or email reservations@goldendoor.com.
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