Day-Cations at the Chelsea

Tuesday was my birthday (hooray! I'm older!) As such, the dude and I planned to sit on the beach all day, then have a fancy dinner at night.

In between, we tried out a Day-cation Package at the Chelsea in Atlantic City. As many times so I've stayed here, I never hit the spa.

The Day-Cation lets you experience the Sea Spa at the Chelsea even if you're not staying overnight. For $99, you get a $100 Sea Spa credit, $30 Teplitzkys dining credit, complimentary use of Chelsea pools and solarium, complimentary use of beach chairs/umbrellas (in season), and complimentary valet parking for one car.

I started with with a Blond Ambition classic massage, which ended up also being part medical treatment. The masseuse could tell based on the way that my muscles were twitching that I carry my stress in my shoulders, and that I'm low on potassium and should eat more bananas. She was also the first person to tell me how to breath through pain in a massage (I ask for hard massage because I know it'll release knots - this is not necessary on your experience, of course). My masseuse was Laura, and the dude's was Donna. They are both recommended.

Then the dude and I took full advantage of the rest of what the Day-Cation offers: he used the sauna, and we both hung out in the salt water jacuzzi. We sat outside at the non-jacuzzi salt water pool to have a drink and a snack (the pretzels are amazing, and they have pretty good happy hour drink deals) before relaxing back in the solarium until the spa closed. I have never felt so relaxed.

I didn't take my camera into the spa, so here are the fancy photo they provided (credit ©2009 Don Pearse Photographers, Inc.):

Fine print time: Deal is good Monday through Fridays, 9am to 5pm. Does not include room, taxes, gratuities and alcohol. Want one? Call 609-428-4554.

Cape May Day

I know this post is late -- a week late -- but I lost the little do hickey that lets me upload photos from my camera to my computer. How did I lose it? By cleaning my desk, so it wasn't on the desk but tucked away somewhere that would make sense to an organizer but not to me.

Anyway...I was in Cape May last Thursday and Friday for work, and got the chance to check out the new Sea Spa at Congress Hall. How fun and sunny does this look?



I only had time for a half hour massage, but it was nice. Last Thursday was also the 20th anniversary of the Virginia (yes, owned by the same company). Here's a picture of owner Curtis Bashaw making a speech before the crowd that tucked itself into the lobby:



I've never stayed at the Virginia, but it's where my dad and step mom stayed when they got married in Cape May, and their plan is return every year on their anniversary.

I *did* however, much to the jealousy of local foodies, have dinner in the Ebbitt Room, the restaurant at the Virginia. Why would foodies be jealous? Because I sampled the new menu of the new chef, Lucas Manteca, former of Sea Salt in Stone Harbor. This was big news in the local food scene. To me? I'm no foodie know what tastes good, and the dinner was wonderful.

Too bad the weather stunk last week, but I did grab these shots of Cape May in the mist after dinner:





And then there's this:



I was feeling restless after dinner, so I checked out "Are You Smarter Than a Bartender?" at Cabanas -- it's a version of quizzo.

Cabanas is the bar downstairs of Martini Beach, one of the pieces featured in that New York Times piece I wrote about upscale bars. It was a rowdy crowd for a Thursday night, and I'd guess the average age to be 23 or 24. I spent most of the night chatting to a nice young man, 22 years old, who came out that night to play wingman for his friend. His girlfriend is 20 and couldn't come to the bar. I ended up giving him some career counseling, and while we were talking about where else he could work that summer, the body shots started not far from where we sat. And, no, that's not me. Come on now.

It was a fun night, but I was sluggish the next day. Not 22 anymore, I guess ;-) We'll see how I hold up at the opening of Dusk tomorrow night.

Cape May Day

What a beautiful day in Cape May yesterday! I made it into town around 10:45 a.m., and when I left at 7 p.m., the sun was still shining and the weather delightful.

It was a work day, for the most part. I toured a house in North Cape May for an article, wrote the story in the offices of Exit Zero, then hung out at the Cape May Chamber of Commerce May Social & Mixer -- a sort of kick off to summer for the folks whose livelihoods depend on it. The event was held at the newly renovated Chalfonte.



You can't see many of the renovations to the old hotel when you're downstairs -- a bump out for air conditioning in the dining room is about it.



The real changes are upstairs. The Chalfonte was a hold out -- a hotel that didn't have air conditioning and whose rooms all didn't have private bathrooms. The owners wanted that way, and when they decided to sell, they were very careful in selling to someone who would keep the spirit of the place the same. The result was that, over the summer, the layout of the guest rooms were changed so that they have AC (which is centrally controlled -- not per room) and private bathrooms. The hotel now has two suites.

It doesn't officially open until Memorial Day Weekend, so the long timers -- the people who liked not having AC -- haven't had a chance to give the place a review. I'll be interested to hear what they say.

The only non-work thing I did was get a manicure and pedicure at the Cape May Day Spa. It's not something I usually do, but have you seen runner's feet? I soak mine weekly to keep things under control, but I needed some help. I liked the spa a lot. My only complaint was being forced to overhear a conversation about baby poop between the person who got a pedicure before me and whoever gave her the pedicure. I almost had to leave the room.

I also saw a copy of the article I did about the Wonderland Pier carousel:

-- the article that accompanied this photo shoot (you're not surprised that the Uggs picture was axed, right?) Neat book. I don't have my own copy just yet, but will write more when I do.

And with that, I'm off to Key West tomorrow. I won't be blogging while away (I won't even bring my computer), but stay tuned for more on Monday -- we're almost to the start of the summer!

Best of New Jersey Down the Shore

As I mentioned on Wednesday, Dixie Picnic's Upcakes were honored by New Jersey Monthly in its annual Best of Jersey feature, along with a few other South Jersey Shore spots.

You can read the entire "best of" here, and in the April issue of the magazine. I'm happy to say that all of these fine establishments are in my book, even if I didn't write about them for this specific article.

Here's the South Jersey Shore honorees:

Best Topless Upcake: Dixie Picnic in Ocean City, of course
Best Indoors as Outdoors: Harrah's in Atlantic City
Best Boardwalk Vehicle: Wildwood tram cars
Best Fried Flounder: Smith's Marina and Clam Bar in Somers Point
Best Health and Beauty Spas: Cape May Day Spa and Holistic Center

These lists always spark controversy as to who was and was not picked. It's never an easy feature to compile -- I've been involved in six different "best ofs," organizing two (SJ Magazine's "Best of" 2004 and "Best of the Shore" 2007) and writing for all six, and it can border on nightmarish because of all the logistics involved, from what categories to include, to who makes the cut, to how to organize the list, to what gets photographed. But I think they're fun to write and read, and worth the effort.

I wrote a few entries for the feature, and while we're not really supposed to say which "best ofs" we penned, I will say this: Mullica Hill won "Best One-Stop Antiquing" and somehow the entry still mentioned the South Jersey Running and Triathlon Company. Hmm...wonder how that happened ;-)

If you're thinking that the Best of Jersey includes too few South Jersey shore winners, never fear: the New Jersey Monthly annual shore issue is coming in June. I did a lot of work on last year's shore issue, and you can bet I'm playing a big part this year.

So if you were to write for New Jersey Monthly's Best of Jersey or shore issue, what would you include?

The Got Dumped Cure

Everyone has their way of getting over a break up. As I found out this weekend, I head straight for gourmet mac & cheese and Law & Order reruns (no more references to 'the boyfriend' -- sorry, folks). Then I get my hair cut and/or indulge in some sort of spa service.

The folks in Atlantic City seem to know just what a gal needs to wash that man right out of her hair. Here's what they have in store:

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s Sweet Revenge package
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa helps you leave the “dead weight” behind with:
-a Soothing Surrender body treatment that incorporates a float in the soft pack flotation system
-a Borgata Jade Stone facial to turn him green with envy
-skilled stylists at the Salon who will perfect your locks with a Deluxe Kerastase hair treatment and blow dry
-a Euphoric Hand Ritual manicure to help you spiff up your hands so you can retire that ring (the Spa will even offer up pawn shop locations)
-Euphoric Foot Ritual pedicure (those feet were made for walking….as far from him as possible)
-a personalized make up lesson and application from Spa Toccare
-a visit to Carina in Borgata’s retail area so you can be a styled single with hot new wardrobe suggestions
-two complimentary cocktails to show off all that effort at Gypsy Bar.
Times and prices may vary. Contact Spa Toccare for availability at 609-317-7555, or visit www.theborgata.com for details.

Caesars Atlantic City’s Pier Pleasure
What better way to get over Mr. Wrong than with a shopping spree at designer stores or world-class restaurants? Caesars Atlantic City offers the Pier Pleasure package, which allows gals to pick their pleasure: shopping at one of the 90+ Pier Shops at Caesars famous designer shops or dining at one of the renowned restaurants. Guests will enjoy a deluxe room and a $50 Pier Gift Card to use at a Pier shop such as bebe or Gucci, or restaurants including Buddakan, Sonsie and Continental. The Gift Card is only redeemable in the Pier at Caesars; valid through 12/30/2007, Sunday through Thursday, not available on holidays. Package starts at $139.47exclusive of taxes and fees; call 609-348-4411 or visit www.harrahs.com for reservations.

Bally’s Atlantic City’s Ultimate Pampering Experience
Recovering romantics can head to Bally’s Atlantic City for the Ultimate Pampering Experience, including overnight accommodations, one herbal wrap or manicure at world-class Spa at Bally’s, one Swedish or aromatherapy massage, and one 50-minute body treatment. Afterwards, indulge with a friend in a spa café lunch for two. Additional services may be purchased separately through a spa representative. Package is based on double occupancy and starts at $339, taxes included, Sunday through Thursday; package is not valid weekends or holidays and is subject to black out dates. Valid until 12/30/2007; call 609-348-4411 or visit www.harrahs.com for reservations.

Tropicana Casino & Resort’s Girlfriends Getaway Package
Girlfriends play a supporting role in breakup recovery at Tropicana Casino & Resort, as they indulge in spa-ing, shopping and show watching. The getaway package includes a $200 credit to bluemercury spa, two tickets to a Tropicana review show or IMAX movie, one $50.00 Gift Card to be used for dining, shopping, and entertainment throughout The Quarter, and overnight accommodations. Package is based on double occupancy and does not include taxes and fees; valid Sunday through Thursday. Prices start at $168 in October, $153 in November and December; valid through 12/30/2007. Advanced spa reservations required; show tickets subject to availability. Call 1-800-345-8767 or visit www.tropicana.net for reservations.

What I'm Reading: Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
What I'm Listening to: Ganging Up on the Sun by Guster