Visit Orlando Blog -  Spas

Orlando’s Top Relaxing Experiences this Holiday Season

Need an escape from the holiday hustle and bustle? Although most widely known for its world-renowned theme parks, Orlando also offers opportunities to rejuvenate body, mind and soul as you escape into a world of peace and relaxation. Whether you are traveling with family or just seeking some "me time," Orlando has relaxing options for everyone.

The Wine Room on Park Avenue is the perfect place for a low-key evening with your special loved one. Whether you are a novice or a wine connoisseur, this fantastic location gives visitors the opportunity to taste a variety of wines by the glass. For those looking to master the art of wine, sign up for a series of wine classes or advanced seminars. Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Consider purchasing their "Wine Room Gift Card," for a new and relaxing experience for all pallets. Indulge your taste buds with an array of world-class wines as you top your evening with a selection of fine cheeses.

Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain provides several new and complimentary experiences in December. Join the team Monday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Dec. 30 for Essential Skin Care. This program invites guests to learn how to properly treat their skin through exfoliating and masking techniques. On Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Wednesday, Dec. 28, Spa by Guerlain is offering the Couples Instructional Massage Techniques program. Solo, or with a partner, learn some excellent massage tips to share with someone special this holiday season. Working on starting the New Year looking glamorous? Visit the spa Thursday, Dec. 29 for The Smoky Eye workshop on getting that perfect look for the big festivities. Advance registration is required.

The Nutcracker is a classic ballet piece that cannot be missed during the holiday season. Each year, The Orlando Ballet performs their interpretation of this two-act dance from Russia at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. The story takes place on Christmas Eve and includes special interactions between nutcrackers, children and mice. The performances will take place Dec. 15-18. The Russian Ballet of Orlando will also be presenting their interpretation of the Nutcracker at venues around Orlando including a complimentary performance at Lake Eola.

The Mall at Millenia offers specialties to take your shopping experience to a whole new level of ultimate relaxation.  Upon arrival, shoppers are automatically greeted as they would be at a 5-star hotel with the option of valet parking. Once inside the mall, multilingual concierges are on-site to assist with directions, dining reservations and even with securing Personal Shopper services. These Personal Shoppers use their time wisely to gather the list of items you are in need and are responsible in delivering them your way. With all that extra time available, holiday shoppers are then encouraged to indulge in other mall services such as the Salon Cielo day spa or image and make-up consulting offered by Neiman Marcus. Personal Shoppers are a great way to get pampered and have your holiday shopping taken care of all at the same time.

The Barefoot Spa is the first spa in Orlando to make the "guest of honor" your feet. This unique spa is located in Ivanhoe Village, in downtown Orlando, and focuses all their treatments on spoiling your feet. This holiday season, guests are encouraged to bring in their own wine and snacks at no additional charge. All foot treatments begin with Foot Tea, a piping hot mix of organic dried herbs like chamomile, peppermint and lavender. Visitors can then choose to add a sprinkle of fun to their massage such as the Happily Dying of Chocolate, a treatment featuring a shea butter blended with cocoa. 
              

Guest Blog: A Break for Moms During Orlando Vacations

Enjoy this special post by syndicated travel writer and mom, Eileen Ogintz:

We moms know the dirty little secret of family vacations: They're no vacation for us, especially when young kids are part of the equation.

Here's how to make sure you get a much deserved vacation break:

1. Go off on your own for a few days with friends. Come to Orlando for spa, shopping and good eats. (Pictured below: The Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain)

2. Invite grandparents along so you have extra hands-and eyes-on the kids. But if you're planning a trip with the in-laws, discuss beforehand exactly how much they're willing to baby-sit and who is paying for what.

3. Join forces with another family. Not only can you share costs for that vacation condo or cottage and food but you can share child care chores and the kids have built-in friends. This is an especially good bet for single moms.

4. Bring along your favorite sitter. Let her (or him) entertain them while you steal an hour to yourself!

5. Hire a sitter for a few hours or evening. See if the resort or hotel has an employee list of approved babysitters. If you have friends in the area, ask for their recommendations. Sign the kids up for the hotel's kids' program (even several Disney hotels have them). Even if you only go so far as the hotel restaurant or the adult pool, you will still get a break.

6. Negotiate "just me" time with your significant other: you get an hour to sleep in while they get the kids fed; you watch the kids at the pool while he plays golf.

Most important, let go of the guilt! It's your vacation too.

To read more family travel tips from Eileen, visit takingthekids.com.

Fourth of July Deals in Orlando

From patriotic packages to "spa-tacular" specials, Orlando offers dazzling deals for Independence Day celebrations.

Things to do:
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is offering free admission July 4 from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
407-645-5311

Orlando Balloon Rides is offering discounted hot air balloon rides at $150 per person for bookings made July 1-8, and with each paying adult, one child (ages 4-10) rides free. The sunrise adventure includes a one-hour flight, champagne toast and buffet breakfast after the flight. 407-894-5040

Orlando Premium Outlets is hosting a "July 4th Summer Sale" June 30-July 4 at both the International Drive and Vineland Avenue locations. Enjoy extra savings on top of already low prices at stores like Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. 407-238-7787 (Vineland Avenue); 407-352-9600 (International Drive)

The Spa at The Peabody is offering a "Spa-tacular" special July 4 that features select 50-minute facial and massage treatments for $99 each. Spa treatments include the Deep Tissue Massage, Gentle Swedish Massage, Hydra Memory Moisture Facial and Anti-Aging Collagen Facial. 407-345-4431

Places to stay:
CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort Orlando is offering a special package for stays July 1-3 that includes a one-night stay, $10 food/beverage credit, free parking and up to four water park passes for $149. 407-351-2626

At Hapimag-Lake Berkley Resort, stay two nights and get the third consecutive night at 50 percent off for stays July 1-8. Mention promo code "4th of July 2011" when booking. 866-694-2746

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is hosting an old-fashioned cookout celebration July 2 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. featuring an all-you-can eat barbeque, live music and carnival games with prizes. Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for children ages 3-9. 800-227-1500

For a list of special July Fourth events, including the Independence Day celebration at SeaWorld Orlando (pictured), check out our calendar of events.

Father’s Day Deals in Orlando

Show your appreciation for dad this Father's Day in Orlando without breaking the bank. Here are some of the special deals going on June 19.

Celebrate Father's Day family-style at Bok Tower Gardens, where dads get in free. June 19 is also "Bring Your Own Picnic Day," so find a peaceful spot, spread out a blanket and relax to the sounds of the carillon.

Bring out his inner kid at Orlando Science Center (pictured) where dad gets in free or Dinosaur World (free for dad with a paid child's admission).

Explore Central Florida's history with dad at the Orange County Regional History Center where he gets in free.  

If your dad is more of the meat-and-potatoes kind, treat him to a free steak at Charley's Steakhouse (with purchase of an adult entrée of equal or greater value) or another Talk of the Town Restaurant. Looking for a more sports pub atmosphere? Beef ‘O' Brady's is offering dad a free meal.

Catch the feature film, "Field of Dreams," at Enzian. Dad receives a complimentary beer after the movie. Admission is $8 per person.

Experience the exhilaration of aviation at Fantasy of Flight, where dad gets in free when accompanied by a paying guest.

Pamper pops at The Spa at The Peabody. Father's Day packages include the "Daddy and Me" manicure/pedicure service and the "Dad's Retreat" full-body treatment. Service and package prices range from $50-$210. 

For more activity ideas for dad, check out our trip ideas generator.

Girlfriends Getaway in Orlando

Sometimes you just need to get away from it all, but for Iris Renoux and her friends from California, even planning one girls night out was challenging. With city-life schedules and different personalities, these 20-something ladies needed a vacation makeover.

To create the ultimate girlfriends getaway for this Orlando Vacation Makeover winner, the Visit Orlando team and Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, went all out with the most luxurious, indulgent and exhilarating itinerary yet.

See how we turned these girlfriends' stress into serenity in our final Vacation Makeover video. To see all the Vacation Makeover videos and to learn more about the featured activities, click here. 

The Montgomery Family Vacation Makeover

For Jerome Montgomery, being a single parent has its own challenges, so planning a weeklong vacation with the kids tends to fall to the bottom of the priority list.

As one of the entrants who won our Vacation Makeover contest earlier this year, Jerome wanted to show his kids that there was a "whole world" of adventure outside of their hometown in Ohio. But he had one special request -- that his mom could come along since they hadn't been on vacation since he was a little boy.

With that, the Visit Orlando team and Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, set out to create a dream Vacation Makeover for this multi-generational family. See how their Orlando adventure unfolds with high-flying fun, up-close animal encounters, swashbuckling pirates and more. To see all the Vacation Makeover videos and to learn more about the featured activities, click here. 

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Orlando

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift for this weekend? Here's a list of relaxing, entertaining and thoughtful Mother's Day events and specials in the Orlando area for all different types of moms.

For the "I need a break!" mom
Enjoy a lakeside Mother's Day Tea May 7 at 10 a.m. at the Waterhouse Residence Museum at the Art & History Museums - Maitland. The tea time experience will include a tour of the museum followed by tea and assorted pastries served lakeside. Mothers will also receive a special gift. Reservations are required. Prices are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 16.

Get breakfast in bed at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek with their special package May 7-8. The package allows children to help create and plate a special breakfast for mom, including heart-shaped pancakes, with the assistance of the chefs at Harvest Bistro. The breakfast, served in the guestroom, will include a freshly-cut floral bouquet assembled by the children.

Just relax at The Spa at The Peabody (pictured) with their Mother's Day packages including "Sweet as Sugar" and "Bee Pampered" manicure/pedicure packages and the "Tranquility" and "Sweet Retreat" massage packages. Other packages include body treatments and facials. Package prices range from $125-$205. 

For the adventure-seeking mom
See life from a different perspective with the Bohemian Hotel Celebration's "Adventure in the Sky" package. Starting at $549, the package includes one night accommodations, two tickets for a hot air balloon ride plus transportation to and from the balloon ride landing zone. 

Kick up the adrenaline a notch with a free captain's package upgrade on Mauiva Air Tours through May 15. The package allows moms to actually take the controls and become the co-pilot during a flight.

For the thrifty mom
Moms experience Dinosaur World for free May 8 with a paid child's admission.

Play a round of golf "fore" free at Falcon's Fire Golf Club with a paying guest May 8. All women's apparel in the pro shop is 35 percent off.

Medieval Times is offering free admission and a free flower for all mothers on May 8 with one paid admission. In addition, a special Mother's Day package is available May 6-8, which includes a remembrance photo, one glass of champagne, a crystal heart, star or crown necklace, and a cheering flag to support her favorite knight. The package price is $30.

For the "show"-stopping mom
Enzian is hosting a Mother's Day brunch and a showing of "The Sound of Music" May 8. The event starts with a brunch buffet at 11 a.m. that includes mimosas and a carving station followed by the film at noon. Admission is $35 per person. Table reservations ranging from $100-$200 are also available, which include the buffet, film, and unlimited champagne and mimosas.

For the "let's do brunch" mom
Here are some of the spots serving special Mother's Day brunches: The Boheme at Grand Bohemian Hotel, La Coquina at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Rosen Centre's Café Gauguin, Rosen Shingle Creek's Café Osceola and Rosen Plaza Hotel.

Planning a Dream Vacation Makeover

Fans of "The Sound of Music" will know that one should always "start at the very beginning, a very good place to start," so that's what we did to create Orlando vacations of a lifetime for five winners of our Vacation Makeover contest.

Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, talked with each family about their past vacation challenges and family dynamics, so she could put together a one-of-a-kind vacation itinerary in Orlando.

The five families were chosen out of 4,000 entrants, who submitted stories of past vacation challenges for the chance to win one of our dream Vacation Makeovers.

Here's a look into Emily's process of creating a customized vacation for each winning family. 

Orlando Spring Break: Top 10 Things to Do

1. Trade your snow boots for flip flops and head to Orlando's world-famous water parks, offering refreshing excitement for guests of all ages: Aquatica - SeaWorld's Waterpark, Disney's Blizzard Beach, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Wet ‘n Wild - Orlando.

2. Catch the ultimate indoor wave at Fantasy Surf, an interactive water sport activity combining the look of surfing, the ride of snowboarding and the tricks of skateboarding all in one.

3. Catch an Atlanta Braves Spring Training game at ESPN Wide World of Sports through the end of March.

4. Enjoy a leisurely outing on a Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, Scenic/Eco & Nature Tours in Kissimmee or an airboat ride through Orlando's wildlife on Boggy Creek Airboat Rides.

5. Experience outdoor adventures with Grande Lakes Outfitters' interpretive eco-tours or visit Forever Florida for open-air eco-safaris and ziplining. The Central Florida ZOOm Air Adventures also offers ziplining opportunities.

6. Hit a hole in one at one of Orlando's celebrity-designed golf courses at Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Be sure to check out the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill March 21-27 if you're in town!

7. Celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida Saturdays and select nights through April 23 with top-name music acts, authentic Cajun cuisine, thousands of beads and a colorful parade.

8. Welcome spring at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and enjoy elaborate gardens, helpful seminars and nightly musical entertainment.

9. Spice up your visit with Viva la Musica at SeaWorld Orlando as Latin culture is celebrated through music, dance, crafts, food and concerts.

10. Catch up on some R&R at Orlando's most notable spas, including The Spa at The Peabody and Mandara Spa with two Orlando locations at the Portofino Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. In addition to a wealth of spa services for adults, The Ritz-Carlton Spa at Grande Lakes Orlando offers kid and teen-friendly services, including princess fizzing manicures and pedicures.

Orlando Spas: Redefine Relaxation

Dreaming of a spa day? Kick the mani/pedi routine up a notch with a full day of pampering at one of Orlando's 20 destination spas like our Smile Ambassadors Kyle Post and Stacey Doornbos did.

The two best friends from New York City spent 67 days experiencing more than 100 attractions in Orlando during Orlando's 67 Days of Smiles.

While they conquered the tallest and fastest roller coasters, wrestled alligators and even jumped out of airplanes, they needed a day to recover and be pampered.

See how The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes gave them just what they needed and became one of their favorite experiences in Orlando.