While most of us would agree that the housewives on Wisteria Lane of the hit TV show “Desperate Housewives” have a lot of drama and juicy gossip that appeal to the masses that watch each week. We’re talking rave reviews about the treatments that make you feel good all over.
NC Housewives Choose
- Grove Park Inn – Carolina Mudd Pie
There’s a group of housewives (and their husbands) from the Carolinas that meet almost every year to enjoy their desperately deserved “Carolina Mudpie”. They are referred to as Desperate Housewives of NC not because of drama but for the hard work of balancing family life while working full-time.
They told me all about the “Carolina Mudpie”. No.. It’s not the Mudpie (cost $250 for 80 minutes) you can eat, this mudpie includes an exfoliation with warm mud along with a body wrap and the cool whip on top is the half-hour body massage. They also liked the “Aura Imaging Photo” which is a special camera that takes your image that reveals in colors the wavelengths of your energy fields before and after (cost $60) the body wrap treatment so you can compare the results with a professional expert interpretation. Their husbands also seem to like the wrap as well as the “Classic Gentlemen’s Facial” for the smooth and relaxing feeling. “You know it’s relaxing if you fall asleep and they have to nudge you when their done”! Most of the husbands preferred the facial after a morning round on the 18-hole golf course or tennis in the sports complex to help them to relax and daydream.
Spa Mineral Pool
So how far did the desparate housewives travel to their SPA retreat? It’s an easy 2 hour scenic drive from their NC home to the NC mountains of Asheville to the SPA at the Grove Park Inn. (address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804 877-772-0747) The Spa was opened in 2001. When you enter the subterranean spa you’ll hear the sound of the waterfall plunging into one of the many water centers. There are mineral pools, lap swimming and an outdoor whirlpool with heated deck. The spa houses 26 treatment rooms offering a myriad of treatments customized for women and men.
Some of the most popular treatments are the seasonal Epicurean treatments, Grove Park Classic ($140 for 50 minutes; $200 for 80 minutes); Grove Park Classical Facial ($175 for 80 minutes); Grove Park Spa Manicure ($80 for 60 minutes) and Walk-in-the Clouds Pedicure ($100 for 60 minutes) which also include a romantic touch w/ glass of champagne and chocolates.
If you have never been to a spa then here are the TOP 7 Spa Etiquette tips the desperate housewives would want you to know (like an experience pro) before you go:
#1. Expect to tip between 15 – 20% if the gratuity is not automatically added to the bill so check the bill first.
#2. All spas require that you arrive a certain amount of time before your treatment begins, some only 15 minutes other maybe 1 hour.
#3. All spas have strict cancellation policies. Most require 24 hours notice prior to cancellation.
#4. Know the spas minimum age requirements. Most require a minimum age of 18 or older. The good news is there are spas that are kid-friendly and offer kid spa programs..if you don’t see signage stating kid-friendly inquire if you’re not sure.
#5. Leave the tech gadgets behind..don’t bring your cell phone, pda, pager, laptop nor camera. Remember you’re there to relax and so are others.
#6. Spas stay booked up..so make your reservation in advance of your arrival if you’d like the earlier the better.
#7. Don’t wear jewelry to your appointment; most spas don’t have safes for client’s valuables.
What has been your best SPA experience? We wanna know..
One of the most scenic mountain lakes in North Carolina is Lake Lure, NC which has become widely known for both its magnificent landscape resort and the picturesque scenes for one of the most popular hit movie: Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze. 
Lake Lure Beach is located at 2724 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure – NC right across the street from Lake Lure Inn, now how convenient is that!
College of Charleston…a beautiful campus
Seated at the table by the window that overlooks the golf course with the sunset over the mountains in the distance was the most unforgettable dining experience with live, soothing, music from a local pianist added the right touch. The wall of glass windows that surround the dining room provides a Great view all around of the mountain. You can’t lose whether you choose “The Prime Rib Buffet” or the “Seafood Buffet” from the Blue Ridge Restaurant at the Grove Park Inn (Asheville, NC). Dinner at the Blue Ridge Restaurant is an elegant affair yet scrumptious enough and affordable for families and professional travelers . If you stay as a guest at the Grove Park Inn, you can get a dinner for 2 free on special holiday occasion. You can dress casual or formal it’s a really relaxed atmosphere with an awesome, breathtaking view of the mountains of Asheville.
The Prime Rib dinner included smoked and non-smoked prime rib, chicken, fish, rice, steamed vegetables, a variety of seafood salads and vegetable salads, soup, fruit and an assortment of breads, cakes, pies, ice cream, syrup and toppings. There was more than 40 items so beautifully displayed on glass tables with an ice sculpture and a tall flower arrangement as a colorful centerpiece. The food was BAM delicious!!
My favorite kitchen stop was in the Pastry kitchen where we met one of the staff members that turns food into artwork for banquets. For more than 10 years he has been creating unique designs in melons and all types of fruits that are amazing to see!! 
As I drive throughout North Carolina you can’t help but notice the beautiful fall colors, from vibrant red to peach, orange, yellow, gold and burgundy. But the one that stands out the most is the Red Maple sightings I spotted yesterday. Families from all across the country take an annual pilgrimage to the mountains of North Carolina to see the leaves changes colors. Some families have their favorite location where they come back to each year and others rotate and travel to a new location each year. 
