Elizabeth "Elle" H.'s Profile

My A/C went down last night and late on a Friday night with a Saturday looking to hit 107 degrees. Peak season and peak heat = ugh!

I called several A/c companies booking 2 weeks out and over burdened by the need currently Roman of Petro Mechanical came out within an hour early on a Saturday morning. He examined the unit and concluded my capacitor was on it's last legs. He replaced it and even stayed long enough to test the temperature of the A/C in the house.

I was impressed because too many times local AZ service companies all try to "up-sell" me into something I don't need. Roman was efficient and actually educated me on what possible solutions might  be the cause of my lack of cool air problem.

When I finally choose to replace my classic A/C model from 1983 I will think of Petro Mechanical for that project.

Javinos has been in my long list of favorite North Scottsdale business lunch locations. The dark stone and sistine chapel reminiscent ceilings add to the old world charms and remind me of many NYC - area Italian restaurants. The food is terrific especially the stuffed peppers!

The other evening I met friends for a wine tasting there. For cost, the value was exceptional. It included a dinner plate sampling of several entrees as well as a complimentary wine pairing. The experience allowed for a briefing sampling of their other menu items and I was not displeased.

One negative, when seated in the center of the dinning room the acoustics are exceptional. You can hear everyone else's conversations at other dining tables. The down fall is you cannot hear the person sitting next to you. I'm assuming it is the result of the way the ceiling is shaped. Best idea when you want to grab a serious conversation of business negotiation aim for the seating closer to the walls. The food is delicious where ever you sit.

Eat well!

See pics and my review on http://whentozen.com http://whentozen.com/2...

Full review:  http://whentozen.com/2...

Activities
This month, I have the extreme pleasure of visiting Sedona which is a two hour ride from Scottsdale, AZ. It was nice to escape the heat into the mountains with a high intensity cardio plan in mind.  I grabbed my CamelBak and totted my mountain bike up to the Solder's Pass Trail of Route 89A. If you are driving up to Sedona 89A from Cottonwood, AZ is an excellent and beautiful drive into Sedona. The trail is intense and is a long intense trail that winds down into The Village of Oak Creek through Schnebly Hill and Route 179.

Some local incredible features include Devil's Kitchen ( a huge sink hole from 1891) and Seven Pools where rain water pools. I've been visited Sedona every couple months for the last 5 years and every time I find a new location or unique rock structure unlike anything I've ever seen. From a fitness perspective, this is one of the many locations you can just jump into the wilderness and trail run or hike within an hour.

As you can imagine all this exciting outdoors adventures does turn into a lot of sweating, (one of my least favorite experiences) and I want to find some quiet and comfortable place to write on my laptop.

Location
To make a full day of it I headed over to the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Although, I did not stay at the resort I did indulge in all the amenities the Spa had to offer. The spa offers a private lap pool with poolside service, tennis courts, a fully stocked and overly accommodating ladies locker room, a fitness room that could keep me busy for hours, massages and treatments, and a luxury golf course across the street. In addition there is a cafe and a hairdresser on site. The cost for Hilton Spa access is $20.00 for the day for non-guests and gives you access to all the amenities except the spa treatments and golf.

User Experience
Upon walking in you are in a tranquil setting and the hostess behind the desk immediately welcomes you and discussed all the elements the spa has to offer. The offer you a private locker key so you can dump off you gym bag and travel light.

After exploring the spa my travels took me to the Fitness Center because well... I'm like a kid in a candy store around weigh machines. Have to try them all! The room was clean and the equipment was very new and fully functioning.  At the tennis courts I indulged in the ball machine which I scheduled for an hour with when I signed in to the spa. Special perks are the phones at the Hilton, from any blue phone you can order drinks/food and they bring it to you! TOTALLY fabulous experience! I am a big fan of feeling catered too and cared for.  (Many businesses seem to miss this element and fail on user experience).

After showering and heading to pool to set up in a cozy chair, views of the incredible red rock formations in sight, with my laptop I was very comfortable and the surroundings were quiet. So, awesomely quiet you could hear the white puffy clouds forming above you. Snapping back from my inspirational moment to write another chapter. My salad and margarita arrived as a good sign of another break to be had. The salad was delicious and fresh. The service was prompt and they came to pick up my plate and freshen up my drink moments after I finished. A particular aspect of service I crave is the clean up. If you eat outside the leftover plate attracts flies and bees and it is terrific if the area is cleaned promptly.

After and hour and handful of laps I retired to the ladies locker room to clean up and spend sometime in the hot tub before my ride home. There are many amenities including all toiletries are included. I particularly love the conditioner smells like something I can't recognize but calming. There are many facilities and amenities I have not mentioned but worthy of experimenting yourself. I would highly recommend if you need a private escape off the map for the day this is an excellent location.

Something about Sedona is a clarifying on a deeper level. The stress and deadlines just melt away into accomplishable bullet points and time management for the next week.

Extra Note: I grabbed dinner at A Fork In The Road down the hill. Read my review HERE.
Ratings:

(Very simply we rate on a 1-5, 5 being the best rating.)

Spa: 5
Sports: 3
Pool: 4
Fitness Center: 4
Meals: 4
Service: 5
Room: N/A

Yelp Reviews Online:

Following a pleasant visit to the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa this was a perfect dinner. The price was right and the ambiance was very enticing. We sat outside and listened to the fountain water ramble as we ate.
The service was prompt and I had the chicken which was fabulous and recommended by the waiter! So great when the server can recommend the best dish on the menu.
We sat for an hour and were not rushed out
Over all very accommodated and although located in Sedona the motif had hints of a classy NYC restaurant minus the NYC price tag. Family owned and not a franchise.

Delicious food and "special perk "owner blends exotic teas for traditional medicinal purposes.

Relationships matter and "Noah" the bartender there us phenomenal. He makes u feel right at home when you are there.
Great food and talented staff makes for a tasty experience at this hidden gem in Babylon. Worth the drive.

Usually I enjoy Ko's but the service was unusually poor this afternoon. I would stay away from the "spring salad" .. not so "springy" this time around.

I am a huge fan of Dunkin Donut's so I hesitate to share my secret new location with the world. This place has a drive through and being from New York a drive through dunkin donut's is unheard off makes this place a special treat!

The service okay. In general its fast food  and fast coffee.. don't go to the drive through expecting perfection.

I still love the coffee and it gets my mornings hoping so it's worth the trip.!

This place reminds me of a breakfast place my folks use to take us to back in New York called the Pancake House in Greenlawn, NY.

The food is delicious, and geared towards a healthy lifestyle. You can find all protein breakfasts too all veggie meals. They are very accommodating and polite. Sometimes there is a wait on Sunday morning because of the church going crowds.

I shop for all my pool supplies here because it cuts out the middle man of Leslie's or some other popular pool supply place. Hence, the chemical supplies are extremely economical.

They also offer pool service as well.

The techs on hand are also incredibly well verses and will even answer your questions about misfiring pool pumps with out trying to "up sell" you anything.

All around a place that reminds me of an east coast mentality of respect for their customers. Also, a mom and pop business which I always choose over franchise business.

just and FYI: they are closed by 5pm during the week.