"4"^^ . "3"^^ . . . "4"^^ . "3"^^ . . "2007-06-29T00:00:00"^^ . "Ugh I have a massive headache due to staying out till 1am last night and not going to bed till 3am and I have a date pending tonight. On top of that it's Friday and all I can think about is the fact that I have FIVE days off for the July 4th holiday...WOO HOO!!!! And then I started thinking about the 90 min massage I have scheduled for Monday afternoon, which then prompted me to think about some great massages I've had and I thought immediately of the spa at Hyatt Gainey Ranch. \n\nIt's been a tradition for I don't know how long that 2 of my girl friends and I go to a spa on Christmas Eve to celebrate my friend, Christine's birthday, which is actually on Christmas Eve. Then we go to our favorite restaurant in Scottsdale, Bloom, afterwards. First we started out going to a day spa that changed ownership and names, but then decided to upgrade to the full-on resort experience. We've been going to Gainey for probably the past 3 years and we love it. They remodeled not long ago and the place is very beautiful. I didn't see it prior to the remodel, but it is one of my favorite spas by far and I've been to one at an expensive boutique hotel in Barcelona that didn't even compare.\n\nMy friends and I always go early to enjoy the pool and jacuzzi. You gotta love being able to wear a bikini in December! The pool and jacuzzi don't have any chlorine. They are all mineral water pools/jacuzzis. And like all expensive resorts, you get a robe and slippers and can have your choice of lemon or fruit infused water to sip on. The waiting room where they call you for your appointment is very relaxing and comfortable and have lounge chairs/chaises for you to lay on while you wait. Every room comes equipped with an iPod and Bose system so that when you walk in there is a card listing different playlists that you can choose from for your massage. I always get the hot stone massage and I have yet to be disappointed with any masseuse I've had. Of course, I only choose females to massage me and so does my friend Britt. I'm sorry, but there is no way a man I don't know is going to massage me, especially when I like to go naked for my massages. The reason why I gave this 4 stars is because Christine once went during the summer for a massage and had a male masseuse who completely molested her here. We laugh about it, but it was seriously not right. He had a total hard-on and kept pressing it into her and he kept grazing her hoo-ha during the massage. WHY she never reported the guy I do not know! BUT SERIOUSLY DO NOT let that deter you. I've never had an experience like that here or anywhere else. Just stick with a female masseuse. =)\n\nMoving on...I am always SO relaxed by the time I leave here that it doesn't even register that I still have to drive 2 hours to get to Tucson to spend Christmas with my family. It definitely preps me! And as if the massage wasn't pure bliss, the swedish shower is also heavenly. There's only one, but it's the only shower I use. It's huge and sprays at you from every direction. They've got shampoo, conditioner and shower gel all ready in the showers for you to use, unless you're like me and like to bring your own shampoo/conditioner. Hey! I spend nearly $200 on my hair every time I go so I will only use the best products. \n\nI highly recommend this spa over many I've tried in Scottsdale. The Phoenician is also very good, but it's not as nice as Gainey. It's going to be just as pricey for any other resort massage, which means at least $125 for a 50 minute massage, not including tip, but the amenities are superb! It's definitely the best way to spend my Christmas Eve and my friend's birthday!"^^ .