Luxury Travel: Europeby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 16 Mar 2008 03:02 PM Last night as I was watching FOX News I saw yet another story on the weak state of the U.S. dollar. I'm as guilty as they are. Looking through the Families.com archives I noticed that I have written about the pathetic downfall of the dollar at least four times in the last few weeks. Re-reading those blogs inspired me to write this one. Far be it from me to dissuade readers to explore Europe simply because it is more expensive than it used to be. After all, some people have money to burn. Especially the person who is holding the $276 million winning Powerball ticket... and it ain't me... I'm out three bucks. But I digress. I did some research and found some of Europe's most luxurious resorts. Places where you go to simply enjoy the services and amenities and don't ask how much anything costs. For example, in Paris, France, the Murano Urban Resort is where the rich and famous go to get pampered. You can enjoy a manicure, pedicure, massage or haircut in the privacy of your suite. Or, if you are feeling a bit more social you can venture downstairs to the hotel's in-house spa and get a personalized microdermabrasion facial and body peel while you sip champagne and munch on decadent truffles. In Langenlois, Austria aestheticians at the Loisium Wine and Spa Resort combine the property's best assets to offer vinotherapy--a practice that uses grapes and grape seed oil to improve the skin. The resort offers a menu that features "grape elixir" facials with grape extracts and grape seed oil to refresh the skin, as well as "salt glow" body peels, which include a variety of salts mixed with a glass of sparkling wine for exfoliation. In Switzerland, at the Omnia in Zermatt, each of the resort's 18 rooms and 12 suites has a panoramic view of the Alps, and all suites include a wood-burning stove, fireplace and telescope. Likewise, the new suites at the Park Hotel Weggis on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, offer panoramic views of the lake and are furnished with ultra-luxe Treca de Paris beds, Italian furniture, satin linens, surround-sound systems and flat-screen TVs. But nothing quite compares to what is waiting for you (and your wallet) in Girona, Spain. Currently, the Alva Park Resort and Spa is the only lodging in the world offering the motorized Super Cad Bed from Treca. The one-of-a-kind bed, which electronically adjusts for the perfect ergonomic fit, is covered with 300-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose and duck feather pillows. And if you get tired getting out of it on your way to the bathroom you can always take a catnap next to the loo. That's where the hotel set up a daybed and flat-screen TV---yes, in the bathroom---along with a round, hydro-massage mini pool. The super chic suite also features a dressing room; an automatic pants press, Swiss yarn kimonos and a private butler. Related Articles: What's in a Name? Presidential Suites Luxury Travel-Where The Millionaires Stay The Most Expensive Hotel Room In The Nation Luxury Travel: The Perks Of First Class Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Europe, hotels, luxury travel, Resorts, spas Discuss this article
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