After researching top fitness spas across the United States, I was overwhelmed with options. There are many outstanding choices with an assortment of focal points, but I chose the original fitness spa—The Golden Door. For women only, this escape has been famous since 1959 for incomparable individual service and devotion to the balance of mind, body and spirit. The architecture is inspired by the centuries old, palatial Japanese Honjin inns, designed to welcome the weary traveler. Fortunately for Nashvillians, the Golden Door is a direct Southwest flight into San Diego, a mere 40 miles from the property’s location.
A stay at the Golden Door begins weeks ahead of arrival, with a planner outlining what to expect and providing a questionnaire asking guests their goals for the stay. Choices range from an inner focus to intense fitness classes and activities. Every guest pairs with a fitness coach to select a balanced schedule of programs based on individual health and fitness.
Also included in the folder is a checklist of what to pack and leave at home. The “don’t bring” list may surprise you. The Golden Door provides athletic clothes, Golden Door skincare for your entire stay, maid service five times daily, personal laundry service and regular shoe cleaning. Stays are customized to individual needs. Included in the spa’s emmersion approach is a daily in-room massage, choice of skin care treatments, manicure, pedicure, make-up lesson, European-style deep cleansing therapy, herbal wraps, body scrubs, and a variety of options—all at no additional charge.
Upon arriving in San Diego, a driver greeted me, then ferried me to Escondido, Calif., and the actual golden doors that provide the properties name. Every guest arrives and departs on the same day as fellow visitors, whether staying for a week or three to four days. This builds a true sense of camaraderie—by the second day, I’d become fast friends with a group of very different women, ranging in ages and hometowns—from New York to Denver to San Diego itself—but all individuals devoted to bettering ourselves.
After meeting my kindred spirits for the week, a consultation with my personal fitness trainer immediately followed, to review goals that I’d mailed in weeks ago. Here my nutritional allergies were noted, as well as my body frame and weight, to figure my daily calorie count. I was informed a daily suggested routine would be given to me each evening on a Japanese-style fan for the following day. Every hour is accounted for. Breakfast is served in room, crudités accompany a standing 10:50 a.m. broth break and 2:50 juice break—guests are encouraged to eat every three hours—appetizers arrive at 6:15 p.m. with dinner following, then an evening lecture. Activities, lectures and classes are never mandatory, only suggested.
Fitness
Fitness classes—light, moderate and challenging—are held all day. Beginners can find basic classes, while athletes are challenged at their own level. I loved the five-mile hike each morning (a three-mile version is also offered). Hikers gather a few minutes before 6 a.m. and fuel themselves with sweet breads and fruit in the Wisteria Lounge, the central gathering locale. Each hike has a leader and a shepherd, so you can walk at your own pace. Afterwards, breakfast in your room allows you to to renew and focus for the day ahead (note: no TVs in rooms).
Guests have a multitude of additional cardiovascular classes to incorporate throughout the day—cardio box, super circuit, power cycle and outdoor cross-training, dance and water classes are offered, as well as classes for flexibility such as myofascial release and balletone for strength, balance and posture. One of my favorite classes was gentle yoga ball (in which classic yoga postures challenge the core by using a Swiss ball).
Golden Door
P.O. Box 463077
Escondido, CA 92046-3077
www.goldendoor.com/escondido
(760) 744-5777
reservations@goldendoor.com