Today we have the award-winning speaker and author Allyn Evans with us. Allyn is the author of the inspiring book Grab Your Queen Power and Live Your Best Life. Recently she was very much a Vacation Gal when she took a girlfriend getaway to a Mississippi spa (fun!) and today she’s going to tell us all about it.
1. You recently went on a getaway to a spa. Where did you go and who did you go with?
My first cousin, Sheryll, started it. For her birthday she wanted us to all chip in to fund a massage at The Alluvian Spa in Greenwood, Mississippi. She’s a school teacher and mother of two boys and said she needed some self-care. This has turned in to annual event for her.
My cousin, my sister, Suzanne, and I all have birthdays around the same time. We all decided to join in Sheryll’s annual fun. We invited my mother and aunt and made plans to experience The Alluvian Spa!
This wasn’t my first time to visit The Alluvian. A few years previously, I had attended a book signing event at Viking, a Greenwood, MS based corporation that manufactures professional kitchen appliances for home use. Morgan Freeman, a famous Hollywood actor who also lives in a nearby Mississippi town, agreed to host the event. Much to my dismay, at the last minute Morgan was called away for a Hurricane Katrina event. However, his wife and granddaughter joined us making the event special as well as successful. Because the event took place in the evening, we spent the night at The Alluvian Hotel. Remembering the luxurious room, the private dining available next door at Gardianas and the amazing complimentary breakfast, I called Sheryll back a few says later and said: “We have to spend the night!” Our plans turned into an overnight trip and evening out at Gardiana’s, the restaurant next door.
The Alluvian is a new place and the mastermind of Viking CEO Fred Carl. Wanting to create a “Viking” experience, mainly for the many Viking distributors and guests who travel to Greenwood, Carl led the renovation of The Hotel Irving, which had opened in 1917 and thrived throughout World War II. Later converted to a residence hotel it stayed viable through the mid-70s. The accommodations as explained in their promotional material are “surprisingly cosmopolitan luxury boutique hotel”. The 45-room Alluvian also includes five suites. All the rooms are custom decorated and feature Mississippi artists.
2. How did you prepare your daughter for your trip?
She’s 11 and spent our one-night away with her cousins and grandfather, who treated them like kings and queens! Because we had planned a fun get away for the children too, I didn’t have to prepare her at all.
3. What was it like to have time for yourself?
I rarely am without my daughter, except when she’s at school or with friends. But on the other hand, I have always been very protective of my personal boundaries and need to rest and rejuvenate. For me, it wasn’t about needing to get away and relax, but more about being with my favorite people — my sister, cousin and my aunt. My mother was scheduled to join us, but had to change her plans at the last minute.
4. What was the best experience you had at the hotel and spa?
The hotel staff treated us like Queens! We all enjoyed our massages and facials. I suggest skipping the manicure, pedicure and make-over. Transitioning from the Tranquility Room and other treatments to the pedicure, manicure and/or make-over rooms seemed abrupt and mood-spoiling. And the makeover seemed more about selling products than delivering a service.
5. What do you think about moms and getaways? Should it be a requirement for a mom?
Definitely and in all stages of her life…even post children!
6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of the highlights of our trip was meeting one of the Viking dealer groups. They were from Holland. As we left the restaurant and returned to Giardina’s Bar, members of the visiting group stopped us to ask about living in America and Mississippi. We spent the rest of the evening laughing and talking with our new friends. I imagine that any night of the week one could find interesting people to meet at The Alluvian. We certainly did.
Thanks, Allyn. It sounds fabulous! Next time can we join you girls?
