My Special Valentine
I have never been away from my baby for a full day until this weekend. My parents poked fun at me after our stay was over because of the fact that I packed so many things; there was almost absolutely nothing they didn’t have. My heart did sink a little when baby getting transferred, raised her hand at mommy as if saying, ” No more kisses mommy, I’ll be ok. I’m going to be with grandma and grandpa.” I fully expected cries and a fight, but there was none of that. In fact, y father told me that she started clapping once I closed the door.
Anyway, I had just gotten out of having the best experience of my life with the Westin La Cantera Resort spa Nature Facial, so even though it killed me to see my baby be OK without me, there was hardly anything that could bother me at that moment. I came out with an amazing glow, a smile, felt like I had new skin, and then to top it off, the staff was friendly and sincere, and it was just an overall relaxing experience. If you have never gotten a facial with the full experience, you have to get one! You are truly missing out. I’m spoiled now, and now I think I need a facial at least once a year.
After my daughter left, we explored the resort, and let me tell you, that place is MASSIVE! We got lost just trying to get back to our hotel room. The best part of the resort was that it felt like I was in a parallel universe where all my needs where important, and my every desire was taken care of. We felt like were were half way across the world, where there was not a responsibility to be seen.
Later we took a nap, got dressed and then off to dinner reservations at Francesca’s at Sunset. One word: Spectacular! The dinner was a full and separate and breath-taking experience all it’s own. To start we enjoyed a cocktail at sunset, and got the complete experien
ce from start to finish. After we decided we’d enjoy the Valentine’s day menu, that’s where the experience really began.
From chocolate consomme with white chocolate shavings on to sea scallops with lemongrass, sweet and sour mango with orange- perfumed chocolate sauce, and cocao nib juiles (Bluefin Tuna Tataki with white chocolate shavings, sancho pepper, crispy rice, citrus and yuzu sauce for hubby).
For our entrees I had poached lobster tail with creamy white chocolate, lemon and verbena, over sauteed spinach (prime beef fillet with rum marinated grapes and Tahitian vanilla and chocolate demi for hubby) .
For dessert we were graced with the delectable chocolate pillar with saffron, and sauteed pear. Delish! In addition to all of the food, we also went ahead with the wine pairings, and it was all perfectly matched. My personal favorite was the wine that came with dessert: Brachetto D’Acqui, Rosa Regale, Banfi, Strevi, Italy, 2007. The way the sweet wine matched a sweet treat was superb. I was gushing the whole time about how everything was so perfect, including the service and attentiveness of all the staff, and of course the beautiful view.
We even added a cup of coffee to the very end of the meal, which perfectly completed the meal.
After dinner, we watched a few Olympic Ice Skating races while in Steinheimer’s and then decided to go do some more exploring, and eventually made it in the whirlpool when it was freezing outside! I don’t know if it was because it was so cold, but the whirlpool wasn’t very hot, but we still had fun.
Then I was so exhausted from all the excitement and probably the wine, that I passed out on the king sized bed that wasn’t too hard, not too soft, but just right. I actually got to lay out and roll around in my sleep for just one night. Some cuddling did happen, but it was sort of hard to while I was sprawled out (something I haven’t done in a VERY long time!)
We woke up in the morning, and had breakfast away from the resort, then came back to indulge in our two 50 minute full body massages. A perfect way to spend Valentine’s day, getting an essential oil infused body rub. My husband had never had a professional massage before, so he was a little hesitant to go, but after some convincing, he came along and after we got out, his aching back was gone, and so was his headache (just a little too much to drink!)
Upon our arrival to the room, we decided we should get one more rest in the bed, then we got up. I took a final shower in the deluxe bath tub, which had a double shower head, and put me over the top in relaxation and pleasure. AHHHH, I feel good. *breaks out in song*
Check in and out went smoothly and every single person at the hotel was cheery, happy, helpful and sincere. It seems like everyone that works there truly loves their jobs, and why wouldn’t you when you have such a great view of the hill country, and are in such a beautiful resort. Just being there made me happy, for sure.
I can’t even think of anything that I wasn’t happy with, besides the temperature of the hot tub and the lack of robes, but that may have been attributed to the temperature outside and to the Valentine day weekend. It’s ok though, because my husband and I are already discussing when we’re going back. Perhaps we’ll go back for our anniversary later in the year.
My special little Valentine was waiting for retrieval, but when she saw me again after a whole day, she looked at me, and sank back into grandma. My heart sank just a little more. That little girl almost made me cry! She seemed to have so much fun, she didn’t even want me to pick her up! Then after a moment, it seemed as she was just yanking my chain, then wanted me to pick her up. I think it was only after the sight of daddy that she realized oh yeah, I remember them. *sigh* My baby really can survive without me within arm’s reach of her at all times.
I’m glad my parents were able to come and give us the chance to have some time out and enjoy ourselves. It was a very special Valentine’s day this year, and I thank Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio for every minute of it. The stay has truly opened my eyes to luxury and every place I stay in the future will be compared to our stay for Valentine’s day 2010, and the bar has been set VERY high!
*Disclosure: This review was a result of my stay from a contest I won with the Westin. The opinions are my own and are NO way influenced by the contest, Westin’s marketing strategy, or anything else for that matter.
