Tuesday
Aug102010
Flutterby, Butterfly
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 05:49PM
OK, where's my summer vacation?
I'm trying not to be bitter, but it just seems as if everyone around me is kicking back on the beach or having fun on vacation. It's even tougher when you feel like everyone around you even looks relaxed and tan.
That's why I jumped at the chance last weekend to check out the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, a AAA Five-Diamond chill-out haven tucked onto a scenic stretch of
Orange County coastline just north of Dana Point. It's an indulgence, for sure (room rates start at $675 per night), but families – many of whom are from California – flock there to take advantage of the relaxing Mediterranean vibe and family-oriented activities. I also came to check out one of the most unique activities I've ever experienced at a resort: the release of monarch butterflies.
Every Saturday evening in the summer through Labor Day, the St. Regis hosts a Butterfly Ritual designed to honor of the breeding grounds of the colorful insect. A white-gloved St. Regis Butler leads a procession through the lobby to the ocean view terrace, where he offers a toast (champagne for grownups and sparkling cider for kiddos) and shares the legend that if "you whisper your wish to the butterfly, your wish is kept secret from all but the spirits who listen and attend to our dreams."
The kids love it, and the butler makes sure all youngsters get to whisper their wishes and release a monarch.
After the butterflies were wistfully sent skyward, we wandered down to the fire pits in the resort's expansive lawn for story time and s'mores.
My wishes for a restful weekend were granted, too. I got a massage, and the resort's private beach club set us up with chairs and drinks while the kids played for hours in the surf, making friends and filling their bathing suits with sand. I had the option of yoga, time in the spa, live music at sunset, pool time, golf or tennis or a cardio beach workout (who are we kidding?).
Ultimately, I decided to stick with the plan of the butterflies, who begin their long journey here before heading south for the winter in the hopes of migrating here again.
I'm trying not to be bitter, but it just seems as if everyone around me is kicking back on the beach or having fun on vacation. It's even tougher when you feel like everyone around you even looks relaxed and tan.
That's why I jumped at the chance last weekend to check out the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, a AAA Five-Diamond chill-out haven tucked onto a scenic stretch of
Orange County coastline just north of Dana Point. It's an indulgence, for sure (room rates start at $675 per night), but families – many of whom are from California – flock there to take advantage of the relaxing Mediterranean vibe and family-oriented activities. I also came to check out one of the most unique activities I've ever experienced at a resort: the release of monarch butterflies.Every Saturday evening in the summer through Labor Day, the St. Regis hosts a Butterfly Ritual designed to honor of the breeding grounds of the colorful insect. A white-gloved St. Regis Butler leads a procession through the lobby to the ocean view terrace, where he offers a toast (champagne for grownups and sparkling cider for kiddos) and shares the legend that if "you whisper your wish to the butterfly, your wish is kept secret from all but the spirits who listen and attend to our dreams."
The kids love it, and the butler makes sure all youngsters get to whisper their wishes and release a monarch.
After the butterflies were wistfully sent skyward, we wandered down to the fire pits in the resort's expansive lawn for story time and s'mores.
My wishes for a restful weekend were granted, too. I got a massage, and the resort's private beach club set us up with chairs and drinks while the kids played for hours in the surf, making friends and filling their bathing suits with sand. I had the option of yoga, time in the spa, live music at sunset, pool time, golf or tennis or a cardio beach workout (who are we kidding?).
Ultimately, I decided to stick with the plan of the butterflies, who begin their long journey here before heading south for the winter in the hopes of migrating here again.