Once we settled into our private lakefront room, we threw on our bathing attire, slipped into the customary robe that awaited us in our closet, and headed over to the grotto.

The grotto was an oasis, truly. Surrounded by lush landscape and wildlife, such as Monarch butterflies, turtles, and roadrunners, the grotto contains the hot springs that have made Two Bunch Palms famous. We had two hours before our Shaman experience, so we took advantage of that time to submerge ourselves in liquid healing. The heated waters engulfed us like a warm blanket as scattered rays of sunlight peered down through the towering palms. The unique composition of this mineral water is world-famous for its therapeutic and mood-enhancing properties, low in sulfur and rich in lithium. It’s fair to say that we experienced a level of nourishment and rejuvenation never felt before.

It was now time for our first treatment, a Shaman ceremony and blessing with resident Shaman Dani Burling. Wow. If you have never experienced a shamanic journey, you MUST do this. Dani took us on our individual journeys that we will never forget. Daniel reconnected with his ancestral lineage, and not only discovered his spirit animal but became aware of his life’s purpose. I was taken back to reconnect with my inner child to heal past pain that I didn’t consciously know existed. It was both moving and enlightening to experience the journey together.

Not only does Two Bunch Palms have the standard spa-like options, they have a series of movement & enrichment classes that include Tai Chi Qigong, Harmonic Vibrations Sound Bath, Vino & Van Gogh, Messages from the Angels and The Hypnosis of Attracting Love just to name a few. We would have to stay an entire week to experience all of these wonderful options. If you can only do one and you like wine, Vino & Van Gogh is the way to, well, go! You create a masterpiece using your non-dominant hand so you can sip wine with your dominant hand. It is guaranteed to raise your vibration with laughter and creativity.

And for a spa treatment that is unique as its name, try a Watsu immersion therapy, where you’ll experience the sensation of floating in the clouds! There are private WATSU® pools where you are submerged in womb-like water and given a gentle shiatsu-based treatment that includes stretches and subtle energy point work which increase flexibility, evokes peace, and restores balance. Amazing.

There are so many truly outstanding body and facial treatments available at Two Bunch Palms that we could spend this whole article writing about only them. We would be remiss, however, if we did not mention the history of this extraordinary resort and spa.

Rumor has it that it was built by Al Capone in the 1920’s and served as his west coast hideout. You can even stay in the Al Capone suite which is one of the remaining buildings from this era. The resort itself has been in operation since the 1940’s and was known as a discreet hideaway for Hollywood celebrities and those seeking to heal from its unique mineral lithium rich hot springs. Two Bunch Palms is the oldest hot mineral springs resort in the country and also the first carbon neutral resort in America.

We must also add that the cuisine was superb; to say that the flavors explode in your mouth is an understatement. Every dish was prepared with care and expert finesse. We had trouble deciding on what to order so we decided to eat “family style” and order several items to share. For an appetizer we chose the Ancho Cured Halibut with an Orange Habanero Mignonette, think sashimi with a kick. The Kohlrabi Salad with shaved fennel, frisee, cauliflower, haricot vert, avocado, shaved parmesan and a lemon-yogurt dressing was a blend of flavors that just worked, beautifully. The fennel played nicely with the dressing and did not overpower the other vegetables like we had anticipated.

Still hungry and ready to try more, we ordered the Seared Sea Scallops which was accompanied by a classic risotto, asparagus, and herb salad. The scallops truly melted in your mouth. Of course, we made sure we saved room for dessert which was a light and fluffy key lime cheesecake. Wow. A lovely meal we would go back for again.

In conclusion, if you are looking for the perfect desert getaway that allows you to reconnect with mind, body, and spirit, then Two Bunch Palms is a sure thing if there ever was one. CLICK HERE to find out more about Two Bunch Palms resort.