Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

WigamGolf Resort & Spa faces foreclosure

An 80-year-old West Valley resort and two Biltmore golf courses face foreclosure with an auction scheduled in July, according to a filing with the Maricopa County Recorder's Office. In jeopardy are the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park, as well as Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, which includes the Links and the Adobe, next to the separately owned historic Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

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New spa carts add relaxing treatments to room service menu

In-room spa services are on a roll.  Newly designed carts that hold everything needed for facials, massages and more are bringing treatments to guestrooms at Michigan's JW Marriott Grand Rapids. Even better, prices are no more than in the hotel's spa. The spas on wheels — which may soon be seen at more hotels — can turn each of the JW Marriott's 337 rooms and suites into a sanctum "where guests can crawl off the table and get into bed," says Vickie Bennett, whose Vasaio Life Spa provides the hotel's spa services. She designed the carts with husband Victor to expand on the tiny spa area and in response to guests who crave privacy or hate to get dressed and toddle back to their rooms after relaxing treatments.

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Oregon's first wine-country resort nears completion

A sagging economy hasn't stopped four stories of steel from springing up in Newberg, where Oregon wine country's first luxury hotel and spa is fast taking shape.

The 85-room Allison Inn & Spa, comparable in rates and amenities to just a few upscale boutique hotels in California's Napa Valley, is on schedule to open in time for this fall's wine-grape harvest.

"This is really a dream," said Bruce Hraba, a native of nearby Dayton and longtime consultant who conducted the feasibility study for the project. "To see Yamhill County go from growing potatoes, beans and strawberries to spawning a wine industry capable of supporting something like this is amazing."

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SPA: It's a Lifestyle, Not a Luxury

Enough is enough! For far too long, we've allowed the message of spa to be about luxury and pampering; caviar facials and champagne baths; an experience only to be had by the rich and famous. All the while consumers have been telling us the No. 1 reason they spa is to relax and relieve/reduce stress. Consumers are looking for wellness, for ways to live a balanced life - and spas are about living your best life!

"Spas are not about luxury - they're about re-charging your battery, taking time to re-new, and learning how to take care of yourself," said ISPA President Lynne McNees.

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Wellness centres turn their attentions to teens and tweens

There are new kids on the spa scene and they're indulging in princess pedicures, missy manicures and mom-and-me massages.

Wellness centres traditionally have served aging boomers looking for the fountain of youth and stressed-out execs seeking respite from the pressures of work. Now, even the most celebrated spas are turning their talents toward teens and tweens, recognizing that in 2009, many believe one can never be too young, too beautiful or too pampered.

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Spa at airport a trend toward upscale retailers

Out on Concourse C at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 15 soft, yellow, leather recliners wait to pamper passengers as they await their next flight out of the ATL. In a retail space bright with light from windows overlooking the tarmac, XpresSpa hopes the indignities and distractions that have become commercial flight can melt away at Hartsfield’s first full-service spa.The new salon — set to be one of five at the world’s busiest airport — is part of Hartsfield’s latest retail makeover. 

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PhoCusWright Analysts Identify the Top 10 Travel Technology Trends for 2009

With 2009 in full swing, PhoCusWright takes a fresh look at the technologies and innovations that have the potential to drive change in the travel, tourism and hospitality in its annual publication. ... These ten technology trends will reshape the way consumers search shop and buy travel." Carefully selected by PhoCusWright experts from a plethora of global business and technology initiatives, each trend is weighed for its business value and potential to change the face of travel.

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Starwood going ahead with $4 billion Sheraton overhaul

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide said on Monday it was moving ahead with a $4 billion overhaul of its Sheraton brand despite an economic slump that has spurred a sharp drawdown in travel spending. Like other hotel operators, Starwood has suffered from lower revenue per available room from the broad decline in leisure and business travel amid rising unemployment and political pressure on businesses to curtail corporate spending.

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Luxury is just getting killed

Hotels have been struggling for months as businesses and individuals cut back on travel. But what was a bad situation is likely to turn worse as a rapidly growing number of hotels — including many high-end and luxury properties — are forced into bankruptcy or foreclosure in coming months. ... The names on the front of the troubled hotels are well-known management companies like Ritz-Carlton and InterContinental. But the owners of the hotels are investment groups, wealthy individuals or companies that specialize in lodging and are generally little-known outside the industry.

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Milestone Internet Marketing Wins Best Hotel and Lodging Website Award

Milestone Internet Marketing, Inc. announced today that www.nylohotels.com website  won the Best Hotel and Lodging Website Award  in the recently concluded Internet Advertising Competition Awards.

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