My birthday this year consisted of me by myself, behind the wheel of my MINI, listening to audiobooks and road-tripping up to Whistler, Canada for a solo 1-night stay at the ultra-luxurious Nita Lake Lodge. It was heavenly. Alone with my thoughts for 24-hours was something I hadn't had since the babe was born. As an introvert at heart, the idea sounded like total bliss. Hal was totally on board and agreed to keep Bowie at home - papa points!
I arrived just before check-in which gave me ample time to tour the grounds. The lodge sits at the edge of a huge glacier-fed lake, which happened to be completely frozen over during my visit! I was tempted to walk out on the ice, but chickened out and stayed on the dock. Other brave guests ventured out on the lake at their own risk, even clearing an area to ice skate.
Inside was so warm and cozy. I nestled into a big leather sofa by the fire and ordered myself a cheese plate and celebratory glass of wine from Cure Lounge.
When I checked in to my suite, I was delighted to find an assortment of mini macaron chocolates and a sweet note welcoming me to the lodge. The room had a huge fireplace, a deep soaker tub and a big fluffy white bed that was calling my name the moment I stepped into the room. Can you believe that view of the lake? I made myself some hot tea and sat out on the private deck, taking in the winter wonderland around me.
Dinner at Aura Restaurant was to die for. I had the 3-course meal, starting with a winter beet medley with apples, followed by crispy brie cheese with grilled asparagus, and a chocolate peanut butter bar with popcorn gelato and peanut brittle for dessert. Yes, everything was just as incredible as it sounds.
My kundalini spa treatment that evening incorporated chakra and sound healing to realign some dormant energy around the spine. I walked out of there a new woman! And if the night wasn't perfect enough, a private soak in the outdoor rooftop hot tub sealed the deal. I tipped my head back into the water and floated in stillness while the huge full moon smiled down on me, just as it did on the night of my birth.
I crashed hard the second I hit the sheets. Slept for a good 9 hours, plus another 1.5 hours of the snooze button. Don't even ask why I turned the snooze button on in the first place!
The next morning, I FaceTimed my boys while eating brunch at Fix Cafe, replenishing myself with a green smoothie, butternut squash soup and a cranberry goat cheese salad. Note to self - return on a Friday night when the cafe turns into a fondue hut!
After check-out, I didn't want to leave just yet. So I borrowed a pair of snowshoes for a nature hike. There's a convenient lakeside trail that leads directly from the lodge to Whistler Village, but I was told it's a bit of a trek. So I hopped aboard a complimentary shuttle which dropped me off just beyond Whistler Blackcomb at a beautiful cross-country ski and snowshoe spot on the mountain. I had the trails all to myself! Absolutely breathtaking.
Words cannot describe how much this trip meant to me. As a physically and emotionally worn out mama of a 16-month old, I needed this getaway like nothing else. Nita Lake Lodge couldn't have done a better job at restoring my energy and refueling my spirit. I wish for every new mum to experience a similar solo escape. Your next birthday? Make it happen. You deserve it.
This post is sponsored by Nita Lake Lodge. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!
