Justifying a solo destination spa visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP golden door is fine, but I much prefer Rancho La Puerta. Almost the same travel but the campus is much bigger and prettier and imo there are more offerings, also the hiking is much better. And the kitchen farm is lovely, if they have a visiting chef I definitely recommend that.

Golden door is a little cultier and has some Asian-inspired stuff that frankly feels tone deaf.

At least take a look at Rancho La Puerta. But they’re both really nice and ultimately pretty similar.

If you've been to both can you explain "cultier" and ease of planning. One thing I like about GD is few decisions. I think I just talk to a person and they make a schedule. I like that. I make about 1K decisions a day between home and work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP golden door is fine, but I much prefer Rancho La Puerta. Almost the same travel but the campus is much bigger and prettier and imo there are more offerings, also the hiking is much better. And the kitchen farm is lovely, if they have a visiting chef I definitely recommend that.

Golden door is a little cultier and has some Asian-inspired stuff that frankly feels tone deaf.

At least take a look at Rancho La Puerta. But they’re both really nice and ultimately pretty similar.

If you've been to both can you explain "cultier" and ease of planning. One thing I like about GD is few decisions. I think I just talk to a person and they make a schedule. I like that. I make about 1K decisions a day between home and work.

They’re both sort of like summer camp, and as I recall the process of picking activities was the same or close? You definitely don’t need to make a lot of decisions at RLP. I’m sure they will happily make a schedule for you. This intel is old, also, like a decade on golden door.

Golden door had breakfast in the room which was nice but I prefer the big dining hall at RLP. Golden door also had matching robes for dining which was not my fave.

Like I said I just prefer the campus at RLP, I like the casitas too with the tile roofs and the fireplaces. But the golden door rooms were probably fancier? I didn’t see all of them obviously.

They’re a lot more alike than different and I’m sure OP would have a great time at either one, I just think it you’re considering one you should at least look at the other.

Being in Mexico is sort of irrelevant unless you want to leave campus for some reason but I guess you do need a passport.

[Anonymous]

^^ Thanks. Looking at both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: If you've done it, how have you justified it to your spouse?

Not sure this is the right place but I am married and am not sure how my DH is going to react to my desire to go away for a week alone. I've never had a solo vacation in our 20 years of marriage. I came into the marriage with my own money and have always earned more than my partner. Together we have a total NW of over 3M. But we don't live like it. The only joy we get out of money is when we travel. We've been to some very nice places but when we are on family vacation, I'm discouraged from having a spa day or even half-day.

Also, I'm curious about spa services. I am having a milestone birthday and think it will help me relax. The ones I'm looking at are expensive but I have never overspent on anything in my life. I've worked since I was 12 (babysitting, housekeeper, fast food, preschool, apartment leasing agent, then my professional jobs. I've had some physically and mentally demanding jobs and b/c I have special needs kids, I have a mentally and physically demanding home-life too.

Not sure what my DH would say, honestly. I'm afraid he'll either say no or say if you get that, I get a vacation home or some other outrageous thing. I should also note that he's taking a 10-day solo trip over the summer with a friend. It's not the same cost but it's about the same days if I fly, go for 7 days so the child-care burden is a wash.

If you've done it, how did you justify it?

Mine was a three day trip with friends but it was: “hey, I want to go on a girls trip. What week works for you?”

That’s how I justified it.

[Anonymous]

Don't overreact to a conversation that hasn't even happened. Bring it up. See how he reacts. But if he's going away with a friend, I don't see how he can push back on you taking a trip that you would like.

[Anonymous]

OP, Please go on this trip and enjoy every minute. I wish I could afford to do it!

You are worth it.

[Anonymous]

OP with update.

Conversation with husband was a non event. I said (like others suggestion) that for my milestone birthday, I'm going to a destination spa for a week, alone. He asked if i wanted him to book it or if I would do it myself.

That's it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP with update.

Conversation with husband was a non event. I said (like others suggestion) that for my milestone birthday, I'm going to a destination spa for a week, alone. He asked if i wanted him to book it or if I would do it myself.

That's it!

Great! Let us know where you go so we can live vicariously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP with update.

Conversation with husband was a non event. I said (like others suggestion) that for my milestone birthday, I'm going to a destination spa for a week, alone. He asked if i wanted him to book it or if I would do it myself.

That's it!

Great update! Now relax and look forward to it, OP!

[Anonymous]

Start the conversation with...for my "milestone" birthday, I'd like to spend a week at this spa.

[Anonymous]

Happy for you OP. Since he also does solo trips that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Girl, you don’t have to justify shit. Go. You’ve earned it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Girl, you don’t have to justify shit. Go. You’ve earned it!

heart emoji

[Anonymous]

UPdate. I booked the trip! Yes. Almost two years later. Since I started this thread, my well being has taken a hit. I told DH I needed to go and he's traveling that same week with both kids.

He said it was great and he was fully supportive and didn't even question it. Also, I booked first class on the way back to continue my zen.

Regarding my poor inner child, I did a lot of therapy b/c I realized that it was me holding me back.

I very much appreciate all the support that I got on this thread. A DCUM unicorn. I will report back once I go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UPdate. I booked the trip! Yes. Almost two years later. Since I started this thread, my well being has taken a hit. I told DH I needed to go and he's traveling that same week with both kids.

He said it was great and he was fully supportive and didn't even question it. Also, I booked first class on the way back to continue my zen.

Regarding my poor inner child, I did a lot of therapy b/c I realized that it was me holding me back.

I very much appreciate all the support that I got on this thread. A DCUM unicorn. I will report back once I go.

OP great update! Sorry whatever happened that delayed your trip. Awesome that your DH is being supportive!