In case you missed our last episode of An Extra Dose, you can listen to that here!
A little about this episode:
On this episode of An Extra Dose Podcast, we are talking about our staycation at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas. We are sharing their “Commitment to Clean”, our experience at their famous restaurant, Fearings, our amazing spa and massage session, and time at their relaxing pool. We are also giving tips to have your own staycation at home. Our favorites include our must have travel organizers.
Their Commitment to Clean is a great initiative that the Ritz Carlton and Marriott hotels have in place. It involves treating surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectants, partitions at the front desks and counters, hand sanitizing stations, contactless services like mobile check-in, and more. We felt completely safe while there, and you will, too!
Rates start as low as $269 for 3 nights; $255 for 4 nights
Valid through Dec. 30, 2020
Package Inclusions:
Luxury overnight accommodations in a deluxe room
Stay 3 nights and receive 15% savings
Stay 4 nights and receive 20% savings
“ A Suite Staycation”
Rates start at $429 per night
Valid through Dec. 30, 2020
Package Inclusions:
Executive deluxe suite accommodations
Overnight valet parking
In-room dining, American Breakfast for two daily
$50 room credit to be utilized at Rattlesnake Bar and / or Fearing’s Restaurant
One complimentary roll-away bed
“Local Escape to The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas”
Rates starting at $479 per night
Valid through Dec. 30, 2020
Package Inclusions:
Luxury overnight accommodations in a deluxe guest room
Overnight valet parking
In-room dining, American Breakfast for two daily
$100 Spa credit
Had a glass of wine on their beautiful patio before having dinner at Fearings.
Had the most amazing dinner at Fearings and had the “Flowerchild” cocktail- highly recommend! We even had the opportunity to meet Chef Fearing, and we were gifted a copy of his incredible cookbook. Can’t wait to try the recipes in it.
This vegetarian menu option was absolutely incredible! It was a cauliflower curry with basmati rice and asparagus on the side.
Relaxing right before our amazing massage at the spa. We both received a deep tissue massage that was incredible, and left us so zen.
Spent some time soaking in all the rays at their pool, and snacked on some yummy food, of course! We had a spread of fresh salads, veggie wraps, and guacamole and salsa.
We had the pleasure of traveling to Los Cabos and staying at the beautiful Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort. While we were there, we got to take part in their Wellnessing Getaway that was three full days of all things wellness: skincare, cooking, education on nutrition, fitness classes and yoga, and more!
Before we get into the retreat, we wanted to share a little more about the property first. We have stayed at some of Grand Velas’ other properties: Riviera Nayarit and Riviera Maya, both stunning. The Los Cabos property, where we were most recently staying, is the newest of all of their properties.
THE PROPERTY:
Grand Velas Los Cabos is a AAA Five Diamond, all-inclusive resort. It has tons of amenities and incredible views of the beautiful ocean. It has 307 ocean view suites (yes, all suites are oceanfront, which is not common!), and the rooms are all over 1,180 square feet with their own private terraces. These rooms are super luxurious and spacious!
LOCATION:
This resort is located about 30 minutes from the Cabo airport, and is between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
THE ROOMS:
Welcomed us with in-suite mezcal 🙂
They offer a few different types of suites, and all are gorgeous.
-Ambassador Suites: these are the suites we stayed in, and 80% off the suites can be made into connecting rooms, so it is perfect for families traveling together.
-Grand Class Suites: these suites are adults only and have a plunge pool on the terrace. They also come with a water ceremony in their incredible spa, which we highly recommend experiencing!
-Governor’s Suites: these suites are absolutely gorgeous. They have 2 full bedrooms and bathrooms, so it is great for 2 adults and 2 kids. There are only eight of these suites in the entire resort so they are great for larger families.
-Wellness Suites: we are all about wellness, so these were right up our alley! They come with some amazing amenities like two full bathrooms, a shower with vitamin C, a daily personal training session, a 50-minute massage every three days, and healthy snacks in the minibar.
FITNESS STUDIO AND SPA:
We absolutely loved the fitness center because they have a huge space with lots of light and equipment. Everything from dumbbells to barbells, cardio equipment, smith machine, bosu balls, and more! They also offer fitness classes.
Their Spa, Se Spa, is incredible and has a hydrotherapy facility, a hair salon to get your hair and nails done, and they also offer some skincare classes.
POOL/BEACH:
They have three pools at the resort, one is the Serenity Pool for adults only. This pool is very calm and quiet, and they don’t play any music. The other two pools are for families and have jacuzzis as well.
All pools overlook the ocean, and have waiters coming by all of the time to bring you food or drinks. We were really surprised at how quiet the adults only pool was, despite being so close to the other “louder” pools.
They also offer fun activities by the pool like yoga and pilates, and games like pin png and jenga. They always have a calendar of events taking place like salsa lessons and water aerobics.
DINING/BARS:
We have to say that the food here is ON POINT. They have five a la carte restaurants on the property, and a breakfast and lunch buffet. All are gourmet and incredible.
Frida: gourmet Mexican cuisine
Piaf: traditional French cuisine
Lucca: Italian/Mediterranean cuisine, also offers 2500 wines
Cocina de Autor: this restaurant is home to a two-star Michelin chef and is a creative and evolutionary cuisine. They offer 8-10 courses with a wine pairing
Cabrilla: ceviche and seafood restaurant
Velas10: fine seafood and steaks
Azul: incredible breakfast and lunch buffet
Amat Cafe: coffee and pastries
In Room Dining: available 24 hours
They also have three bars on the property:
Sky Sports Bar, Koi Bar, and Miramar Bar
KIDS:
They are SO accommodating at this resort for families. They have a club for kids and for teens, and both are open until 11PM, so the parents can go to dinner, without worrying. They also have strollers and cribs available for parents to use while they are staying on the property.
WELLNESS GETAWAY:
This part of the trip was absolutely amazing. It was our dream retreat! They offer these wellness retreats once a year at some of their properties, and they are definitely worth attending. If you book a stay during the time of the wellness retreat, you can participate in all of the activities, which is super fun.
Some of the fun actives we got to do during ours were:
-Opening Ceremony with Tonatiuh Garcia: cleansing ritual with sage
-GOOD SWEAT program with Racheal DeVaux (who we have ben friends with for years!) : HIIT workout on the beach that had everyone breaking a sweat!
-Skincare Workshop with Adriana Azuara: we learned about practical skincare routines and tips and tricks to properly wash your face. We used ingredients like Blue Agave, and other natural ingredients.
-Glow Yoga with Danica Johnson: this was super fun! We had our bodies painted in fun, neon paint and then went through a flow yoga in the dark, so all of our arms and legs were flowing and glowing!
-Dinner by the beach cooked by Chef Gabriel Kolofon: stunning table setup and such a fun and warm way to kick off the retreat with some amazing people.
-Active Stretching with Rachael DeVaux: this was overlooking the ocean in the most dreamy setup, and was perfect for our sore muscles the day before.
-Breakfast at Azul: we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast and lunches at Azul. They had tons of fresh fruits, omelettes, healthy options like chia pudding and acai parfaits. They also had tons of salads, grilled veggies, made-to-order tacos and grilled seafood, sushi, and breads.
-Aromatherapy Workshop with Adriana Azuara: this was super fun because we got to use natural ingredients like salt, agave, and herbs like basil and mint to make our own body scrubs. We also learned about different essential oils and infused our own body creams with oils and mashed berries.
-Plant Powered Workshop with Sabra Seligman: this was right up our alley because she taught us all about plant-based nutrition, and the benefits of it. She showed us different recipes for heavy metal detox smoothies, juices, and healthy drinks to make at home.
-Sound Therapy with Roberto Gopar: this was an interesting experience! He used sound and music to treat physical and emotional discomforts, such as stress. It is supposed to help with our well-being and achieving vibrational harmony within our bodies.
-Mindful Yoga with Danica Johnson: we loved this peaceful yoga flow right on the beach. The ocean and waves crashing right in front of us was incredibly peaceful.
Overall, this resort is AMAZING, and truly is one of our favorites. If you want to book a trip, you can do so here.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
*for all outfit links, simply click each image to be taken to all links!*
We are so excited to share our amazing stay at The Pointe On 30A with you all! We had the most incredible and relaxing time, and it was so peaceful. This full-service resort is luxurious, modern, and brand new!
**PS- for all outfit links, click each picture to be taken to shop*
GETTING THERE
We flew into Panama City from Dallas. It was a direct flight for us, so very convenient. The drive from the airport to the property is only about twenty five minutes!
We typically rent a car at airport, and then drive to wherever we have been staying! We have stayed at other properties before, but this one was way closer to the beach and airport, which we loved! This property is also super close to states like Georgia and Alabama, so this would be a great area to drive into and get some relaxation!
LOCATION:
First off, the property is SO close to everything! We have stayed in other places in 30A, and this was way closer to the beach and restaurants, and the airports, too!
We loved that they were close to our favorite restaurants, and they even had a huge shopping center across the street with some restaurants and healthy spots like Freshii!
They also had tons of parking right by the building! It makes it so easy to drive in or rent a car and park overnight without having to find a spot or pay additional fees.
ROOM
AMENITIES:
We absolutely loved the The Pointe on 30A property because it was super new and clean! Our unit had two nice sized bedrooms with bathrooms attached (both included a separate toilet and rain shower).
It also had a full washer and dryer, and full kitchen equipped with an oven, microwave, fridge, and gas stovetop. This is awesome for families or if you don’t want to worry about having to go out for every meal!
We also loved that it had a nice sized living room with a big TV. We even watched Bachelor In Paradise through an app on their TV on Hulu!
VIEWS:
Our unit had a huge patio that over looked the beautiful resort style pool, so it was beautiful to look at during sunset!
Our favorite part of the property is the amazing rooftop lounge! We went up there to watch the sunset and the view of the Gulf of Mexico and 30A was INSANE!
FITNESS
You all know we are all about having getting in a good sweat sesh, so having access to a nice gym while we are out of town is important, and we know many of you all are the same way!
Their gym was fully stocked with cardio equipment like ellipticals, treadmills, and they even had a Peleton bike! Our favorite part of the gym was The Mirror machine they had, which we have seen before on commercials and always wanted to try! If you haven’t seen it, you can do on demand workouts while looking at yourself in the mirror, since the class is in the mirror! Super cool!
The gym also had mats, tons of free weights and weighted balls!
In addition to the gym, they had bikes you could rent for free to ride around the area!
POOL:
There is a beautiful pool on the property with comfy cabanas that are perfect for relaxing during the day.
Right next to the pool, they have the La Cava lounge, which had TVs and couches to hang out!
We loved stopping by the pool after hitting the beach for a relaxing afternoon/early evening!
They also have a gorgeous fire pit to enjoy at night!
BEACH:
We were so happy when we saw that the beach was literally a three minute drive!
There was parking right by the beach, and they have a partnership with a rental company, so all you do is tell them your information, and they will set up two chairs and an umbrella for you!
This made its super easy to go to the beach without worrying about carrying chairs or setting that up!
We had such an incredible time at The Pointe On 30A, and can’t wait to come back soon. HIGHLY recommend this resort, even if you have been to the area before.
We shared some shoes for traveling that were more “summery”, but now, since it is fall around the corner, we wanted to share some comfortable shoes that you can wear all day long when traveling, or just whenever without being in pain.
Whether you are looking for a sneaker, a slip on sneaker, a mule, a bootie, or any kind of flat, we have you covered!
We wanted to point out some of our favorites:
#3 LEOPARD FLATS: these come in different colors, are cute, and comfy!
Traveling is something that makes us anxious. Well, everything making us anxious 😉 Besides figuring out what to pack, what to take on the plane, and literally remembering every little detail that you need, even if it is just for a weekend, you still have to remember snacks. We know, *insert major eye roll*! Well, some of you all may not care as much as we do about food, but, we take it very seriously.
We wanted to share some of our go-to snacks to take with us when traveling, or even if you are on-the-go! Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared or make better choices. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge every once in a while!
Preparation is key
If you do anything, always, always prepare! Without preparation, you will almost always fail. We are always planning ahead, and making sure that we have prepped and ready to go. Whether you are in town, or traveling, you want to make sure you have snacks that are accessible and enjoyable to eat.
Make a list
If you are headed on a road trip, make sure you make a list of things you want to pack with you whether it is fresh fruits, chips, popcorn, or other things (we will provide our favorites at the bottom of this post!).
Chop up any necessary items
If you’re packing food with you for a trip, make sure you have bags or containers you can take with you, and to chop up anything you can’t eat whole.
Chew mindfully
This is something we honestly struggle with A LOT. We eat so fast and on-the-go, but you ideally want to chew something at least 20 times before swallowing. Seems crazy, but it allows you digest your food better, and also helps to get satiated.
Load up on the fruits
Up until a year ago, we would eat fruits, but not the amount we eat now. Typically, we could eat at least 4-5 apples a day, each. Fruit is literally the best snack out there.
You can take them anywhere you are going, they stay fresh when traveling, and they are good for you! They have so many health benefits, and we love that they have fiber, so they keep you fuller longer. Also, they treat a sweet tooth, which we always have! 😉
Carry snacks in style
We always like to pack our food in something that is practical, but not ugly. We love these silicon stasher bags (all silicon and free of chemicals!) and these glass containers if we are taking leftovers, or something like that.
Avoid processed foods and added sugars
If you follow one tip, it should be this one! You could try to be the healthiest person in the world, but if you are loading up on added sugars and processed ingredients, you are not doing yourself justice. Sadly, a lot of labels misguide us, and make us think we are eating something healthy, when in reality, it is all full of ingredients we don’t recognize. Pay close attention to things like “natural and artificial flavors” and preservatives.
You can wear them with so many things, and they add the perfect amount of print. We love Sole Society for all of their great accessories for summer and fall, and all of them are pretty much under $100!
We are back from our trip, and had SO many questions while we were there with our family on where we stay, places to eat, etc, so we are sharing some of our favorites with you all! We have been going there every summer for 12 years, so we feel like we know the spots pretty well.
Where to stay
There are a lot of places to stay here, and we have only really stayed at the same resort on Seven Mile Beach, which is STUNNING!
Resorts
You can choose to stay at a resort, which is what we recommend, just because you are truly on a vacation!
There are also homes and condos you can rent all along Seven Mile Beach, which is gorgeous! We haven’t personally stayed at any of these, but they look gorgeous! We recommend using sites like VRBO.com .
Where to eat
We could spend hours talking about the food! You all know we like to keep it pretty healthy, and now, with us eating plant based, it can get even more limiting, but we found some great options!
Where we ate
Saltwater Grill: this spot has everything from seafood to steaks! They were super accommodating and made us this veggie plate that was so good!
LeVele Restaurant: we ate here the second night we were there. It is a really cute spot on the water with great Italian food. We suggest sitting outside, and if you are a pizza fan, their pizza is delicious. They also has some vegetarian and vegan options like a stir fry and gnocchi!
We got grilled vegetable plate that was so good!
Agua Restauant: Another night, we ate at this spot, which is at their mall in Camana Bay. We got this really good green salad with a tahini dressing.
They also had a vegetarian menu that had this vegan ceviche with plantain chips that was delicious!
We also ordered this sautéed vegetable bowl!
Seven, Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman: we ate here for breakfast every morning.
We also ate at their club lounge for lunch every day, and they had the best salads with dips like hummus, guacamole, and more!
For our birthday, the chefs made us a watermelon carved with our names on it. It was SO incredible!
We also asked for fresh celery juice, and were so happy they made it for us!
Veranda Restaurant, Marriott Grand Cayman: we LOVE going there for their Wednesday night Lobster Night. Highly recommend going!
We got this green salad with veggies and pecans on it to start.
For the lobster night, they have a pre-fixe menu with a salad with mango, papaya, and lobster.
Then, it comes with lobster bisque soup, and of course the lobster tails and vegetables.
Ristorante Pappagallo: this is one of our favorite restaurants! They have the most beautiful birds there you can look at while you are there.
This is also an Italian spot, and they have the best pastas and seafood. We ended up ordering a few of their delicious sides: cauliflower, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, and asparagus. All SO good!
Other places to eat we recommend
Casanova
The Brasserie
Luca
Catch Restaurant
Grand Old House
Lobster Pot
Calypso Grill
Morgans Seafood
Abacus
Blue
What to do
There are a lot of activities to do, but we honestly spend most of our time at the gorgeous beach. The water is perfect and clear, and the sand is white and soft, so there is no comparison!
If you are wanting to do some excursions, we recommend:
Stingray City
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Catamaran Sunset Sail
Rum Point
Dolphin Discovery
Shopping in Georgetown
When is the best time to go?
Really, any time of year is great! It is warm there all year long, but summer is typically their rainy season, but it is also less expensive to go during that time. We usually go around June or mid August.
Their high season is in the winter time, so usually around Thanksgiving through the spring!
What is the weather like?
The weather is pretty much warm all year, but between November and April, it is a little cooler than it is during the summer months. It is tropical there, so it can rain in one part of the island, and not other parts. Also, if it does rain, it passes very quickly!
Getting there
We usually fly American Airlines direct from Dallas, but they don’t always offer direct flights all year long. Otherwise, you can fly a lot of other airlines like Southwest.
What we wear
We shared a bunch of our looks below we wore on our trip. Think a lot of swimsuits, cover ups, and cute summery dresses and rompers!
