Retreat In Luxury Close To Calgary

Mid November. The space that falls right after Thanksgiving and Halloween but before the onslaught of Christmas shopping, holiday parties and hours in the kitchen baking cookies. I can’t think of a better time for a battery recharge. Last week I spent a couple of days on a retreat in luxury close to Calgary with Buick Canada for the launch of the brand new 2017 Buick Envision.

My chauffeur collected me from my house in a black SUV promptly at 10:15am. Only 40 minutes away, the Azuridge Estate Hotel is hidden from view of the road that leads to the gates. Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Priddis, Alberta in the foothills of the rocky mountains on 13 acres, this private estate hotel is second to none.

Driving up the long driveway my first impression of the estate is beauty and luxury. Comprised of 2 stunning buildings, the main house and the guest house as well as a water tower and a multi level gazebo, the property is opulent inside and out. The 13 rooms in the guest house are all named after a gem of some variety and as the name of my room was amethyst, it was waiting for me as a gift when I arrived in my room, just part of the small details not overlooked. I also took advantage of the complimentary overnight shoe shine that was offered along with my turn down service.

My large (2 double bed) suite had a beautiful sitting room, mini fridge stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks, double sinks, huge glass shower and a stand alone, claw footed soaker tub that was too much to resist, even at 11pm when I finally returned to my room from the days adventures.

Alas the room would have to wait. We were on a schedule. First up was lunch and meeting the rest of the guests in the main house kitchen. Open and bright with floor to ceiling windows, the kitchen is only separated from the dining area by a massive 2 sided fireplace yet the room didn’t fill with echoing noise. Despite it’s vast size, it felt very welcoming and comfortable, even homey. I was paired up with Natalie Langston from Vancouver, BC for our afternoon photo tour of the foothills. We loaded ourselves and our cameras into a silver 2017 Buick Envision and we were off.

I will never take for granted how beautiful Alberta truly is, no matter what season we’re in. This November has been unusually warm and although the harvest is long over, the fields are dotted with hay bales and live stock for as far as the eye can see. We drove passed Millarville and thru Turner Valley and into Black Diamond and back again to Priddis. The whole time my new friend Natalie kept exclaiming, “there’s so much space here!”

Back at Azuridge I was treated to a relaxing pedicure in my room (ahhhh) before getting ready for the evening agenda. First up, we gathered in the kitchen of the main house and learned how to make sushi from Chef Yoshi. Salmon and tuna pieces as big as the palm of my hand, smoked eel and shrimp as well as a crab california roll. And this was just the starter for the night!

Dinner was held in the Carnelian dining room and was nothing short of amazing. 4 courses from a beautiful menu, started with the crustacean three ways as my appetizer. I then moved on to a caprese salad with asparagus for my second course. Pause for a customized pallet cleanser of berry sorbet. The main course I picked was a fresh fish trio. Followed up with a chocolate pate for dessert. WOW!

11pm, dessert was done and so was I. I bid my fellow diners a good night and retired to my suite and a soak in the tub.

I can’t believe it’s possible that such a place of beauty, peacefulness and luxury exists so close to Calgary. Azuridge would be the perfect place to host an intimate wedding, celebrate an anniversary or as we did, an exclusive retreat in luxury to match the new Buick Envision. And that was just day 1. Amazing!

Special thanks to Buick Canada for inviting me.