Tired of the played-out mint offered by most hotels’ turn-down service? Then stay at Amara, where a bright red fortune cookie kisses your pillow (just one of the many special touches that tells you this ain’t the Holiday Inn).

Of course, that fact becomes readily apparent immediately upon setting foot into this resort, at which point you are confronted by an enormous Zen Garden smack in the middle of the lobby. Guests, by the way, are welcome to groom the garden’s sand and rocks with the accompanying wooden rake, not that we were inclined to do so. But it’s nice to have options.

Though a stay at Amara normally runs upwards of $200 a night, we were lucky enough to have booked a Travelzoo deal for only half that cost. (If you’re wondering, yes, it would have been worth the full rate!)

One dilemma I was faced with when booking our reservation was whether or not to upgrade our "deluxe" room (which is the a basic, low-end room offered at Amara) to a "courtyard view" or "creekside" room. While the deluxe room was nice, the creekside rooms looked spectacular. Go ahead and shell out the extra cash for creekside, baby.

Beautiful Oak Creek hugs the posterior end of the property, where huge rocks and assorted sculptures and benches line the water’s edge. Don’t miss the opportunity to sneak a peek from your sweetheart (or at least snap his/her photo) in this picturesque spot.

Near the creek, you will find the resort’s beautiful tree-engulfed courtyard, which houses a disappointingly small pool, but a romantic outdoor fire pit that makes up for it. (Be warned! Snag your spot by the fire pit early, as it is quite popular.)

If you’re like me, room service is a reason in and of itself to stay at a hotel. My friend, you will not be let down by Amara’s room service menu, which offers an array of inventive and fairly reasonably priced dishes. The coconut shrimp was delicious, but the real show-stopper was the turkey sandwich. Yeah, I realize how ridiculous that sounds, but this turkey sandwich was topped with thinly sliced apples, perfectly ripe blackberries, melted Gruyere cheese, and a pinot reduction sauce. You know you want it!

Still not sold? Would it help if I mentioned the fabulous peppermint-rosemary Aveda shampoo that will be waiting for you in your bathroom? How about the extra-comfy bed and down comforter? The miniature desktop-sized Zen garden in each room? If that’s not enough for you, you deserve the Holiday Inn.