A Girls’ Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur, Oklahoma
Every once in a while, I think we all need a little break from the normal routine. For me, that break came in the form of a girls’ getaway and Consumer Queen staff retreat in Sulphur, Oklahoma.
We planned a weekend that combined business, shopping, good food, spa treatments, and plenty of time to catch up. I wanted the retreat to be productive, but I also wanted it to feel like a fun weekend away with friends.
We stayed at The Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa, which made a great home base for our weekend getaway & retreat in Sulphur. Having several rooms at the hotel and having everyone in the same place made everything much easier. We could meet for meals, walk around the hotel, head to the spa, and have our business meeting without spending the weekend driving from place to place.
Sulphur was also a fun choice because there is plenty to explore without needing a packed itinerary.
Starting Our Girls Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
Kelly and Rebekah met up with me at The Mix Mercantile, a boutique that includes Patio 1924 restaurant in Sulphur. I always enjoy finding locally owned boutiques when I travel, and this was exactly the kind of place I love.
I had just ordered the avocado toast with pasta salad and a Dr Pepper when they called to let me know they had arrived. The portion was a nice size, and I thought the avocado toast had good flavor. Rebekah and Kelly split an Oreo bar for dessert, and they said it was delicious. It had a mousse-like texture that made it a fun treat after their lunch at El Jimador just down the road in Sulphur.
The Mix has a really cute selection of clothing, gifts, accessories, and other merchandise. We spent time looking around while chatting, and I found plenty of things I wanted to take home. There was a nice changing room area, making it simple to try on the outfits I was considering.
Of course, I ended up buying a sweater. After Oklahoma’s hot, hot summer, I guess I was ready to believe in sweater weather—even if Oklahoma wasn’t quite ready to cooperate!
I loved the clothing selection, and the boutique had that fun small-town shopping atmosphere where you can browse at your own pace and actually talk to the people you are traveling with. I would definitely recommend giving yourself some time to look around if you visit. Upstairs had a Loft area with Wedding and Prom clothing, which I’m sure is nice for people locally.
I really enjoyed starting our weekend at The Mix because we could eat, shop, and catch up all in one place.
A Stop at an Old-Fashioned Thrift and Antique Store
After The Mix, we did a little more shopping around Sulphur. We found an older thrift and antique store, The Gettin’ Place, that was having a 50% off sale. It looked like the business was closing, although I would check locally before making a special trip because the situation could change. We always enjoy finding thrift and antique stores when we travel, so naturally we had to look around.
There is something about digging through an older store with friends that makes shopping more fun. You never know what you will find, and we enjoyed looking at all the vintage and secondhand items. For me, local shopping is one of the best parts of a weekend getaway. I would much rather find something unique from a local shop than spend the entire weekend in a chain store.
Our Consumer Queen Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
Later that afternoon, we headed back to The Artesian to get checked in. We rested up a little before Chyann and Rachel got to town and checked in. Everyone met up in my room for our Consumer Queen business meeting.
Since this was also a staff retreat, I wanted to make it special for everyone. I put together gift bags and snackle boxes for the girls to fill with goodies for the weekend. If you have never used a snackle box for traveling, it is basically a snack box with different compartments that you can fill with your favorite treats. They are fun for road trips, hotel stays, and just about any getaway.
We spent the late afternoon talking about Consumer Queen business, upcoming plans, and the things we needed to work on as a team. I really enjoyed having that uninterrupted time together. When everyone is busy with their own schedules, it can be difficult to find time to sit down and talk about the bigger picture. Getting away gave us a chance to focus on the business while also enjoying each other’s company. Once our meeting was finished, it was time to get ready for dinner.
Dinner at Springs at The Artesian During Our Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
We stayed at the hotel for dinner that evening and ate at Springs at The Artesian.
I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo. I thought it was good, but I especially loved the queso and chips that we ordered for the table. The service was also great, which made for a nice first dinner at the hotel. The restaurant was not really crowded, and it was easy to hear each other to chat. Probably because it was a Thursday evening. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.
Everyone ordered something different during our getaway & retreat in Sulphur. Rachel ordered the sirloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus. She thought the steak was cooked well and really liked the asparagus. Rebekah ordered the Chicken Alfredo. She thought the chicken was flavorful, but felt the Alfredo Sauce itself was a little bland. Kelly had a baked potato as she was still full from lunch at El Jimador. Chyann ordered the Teriyaki Udon Bowl, which was probably the most different dish at our table. She loved it and thought it was flavorful with lots of vegetables.
Chyann got the cheesecake for dessert and thought it was good! She said it was more of a fluffy cheesecake. It wasn’t too heavy or rich, and the strawberry on top was yummy! Kelly and Rebekah split a crème brûlée for dessert. It came with sliced strawberries and whipped cream, and the serving was huge. Rebekah said it was probably the largest restaurant portion of crème brûlée she has ever seen. The custard was rich and smooth, with a thin layer of hard caramel on top. The sliced strawberries offered a freshness and cut the sugar. She said it was slightly more liquid on the bottom than preferred, but it was still a fun dessert to share.
Exploring The Artesian During Our Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
After dinner, we walked around The Artesian and checked out some of the hotel’s amenities.
One of the things I liked about staying at The Artesian was that there was plenty to see and do without getting back in the car. The property has restaurants, a spa, pools, a fitness center, a casino, and shops. There is also a free parking garage across the street, which was especially convenient for our group. One of the things that I loved about the Artesian was that you didn’t have to walk through the casino to get to anything. It’s completely separate so this hotel is totally family friendly.
We walked around to see where the shops were located and get a better feel for the hotel. Since we were going to be there for the weekend during our getaway & retreat in Sulphur, I wanted everyone to know what was available.
The Artesian also has an interesting history. The original Artesian Hotel opened in 1906 and became part of Sulphur’s development as a destination for visitors. People were attracted to the area’s mineral springs, and the community grew around tourism and the natural resources in the area.
The original hotel eventually burned, and the Chickasaw Nation later became involved in redeveloping the property. The current Artesian Hotel opened in 2013.
Exploring Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Sulphur itself is located in Murray County and has strong historical ties to the Chickasaw Nation. It is also the gateway to Chickasaw National Recreation Area, making it a great place to combine a hotel getaway with outdoor activities. Chickasaw National Recreation Area, located next to Sulphur in south-central Oklahoma, is known for its beautiful natural springs, creeks, and wooded trails. Originally established as the Sulphur Springs Reservation in 1902, it later became Platt National Park before merging with additional land in 1976 to form the recreation area.
Today, visitors can swim and wade in the cool, clear springs and creeks, enjoy boating and fishing at Lake of the Arbuckles, hike scenic trails, and explore historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Several campgrounds also offer places to stay near the water and trees.
Breakfast at Bedré Cafe
The next morning, we all met at Bedré Cafe for breakfast. I love having breakfast somewhere that is convenient when I am traveling, and having Bedré right at the hotel made it easy for all of us to meet.
I had biscuits and gravy with a caramel macchiato, and the coffee was really good. Chyann also had biscuits and gravy with an iced caramel macchiato. She loved the coffee but wished the biscuits and gravy came with bacon or sausage. Rachel ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit with a caramel latte.
Kelly and Rebekah both ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with a mocha Frappuccino. The croissant tasted more like a store-bought sandwich than something freshly made. Additionally, they split a blueberry muffin, which they agreed was soft and fluffy with a nice blueberry flavor.
Breakfast gave us another chance to sit around the table and talk before heading to the spa.
A Relaxing Day at The Artesian Spa
After breakfast, we headed to the Sole’renity Spa inside The Artesian.
This was one of my favorite parts of our retreat. We all booked different treatments, so everyone had a slightly different experience. Our timelines were different, but the spa has several amenities that are available
The Aromatherapy Mud Foot Soak was a relaxing way to begin my spa experience. The treatment stimulates the soles while helping relieve stress, restore balance, and soften the skin. The warm mud and aromatherapy created a calming experience while giving my feet some much-needed care. I followed it with the Sole’renity Signature Body Service, which combines exfoliation, a cascading shower, and massage. The massage was wonderful, and I especially enjoyed trying an all-over body scrub for the first time. I thought it was heavenly and loved the new experience.
Rachel enjoyed several treatments during our spa day, starting with the Sole Serenity Swedish Massage. This relaxing massage uses long strokes with gentle to firm pressure. It was her favorite treatment of the day, and she enjoyed the chance to slow down and unwind.
She also had the Sole Essentials Facial, a mini-European exfoliating facial designed to leave skin looking fresh and glowing. Rachel said her face felt very soft afterward and enjoyed the treatment. It was one she would happily do again.
Rachel also chose the Sole Serenity Manicure, which includes exfoliation, a warm stone massage, and paraffin treatment. She enjoyed the warm stones and paraffin, which left her hands feeling soft. She also enjoyed visiting with the woman who performed the service. Her only disappointment was that the polish did not last through the week, but she still enjoyed the relaxing experience and conversation.
More of Our Spa Day
Chyann started her spa day with the Sole Essentials Facial, also called the Glow & Go. She found it very relaxing and loved how soft her skin felt afterward. Her only wish was that the treatment had lasted longer. Then she had the Sole Restoration Pregnancy Massage, which became her favorite treatment. She felt comfortable throughout the massage, even though she had to change positions several times because she could not lie on her stomach. Chyann finished with the Sole Vitality Pedicure, which includes exfoliation and hot stones. She found it fairly basic, with hot stones and a hot towel but no massage. She also felt there were limited polish colors. Overall, the pregnancy massage was the highlight of her spa experience.
Rebekah had her first-ever facial, the Rejuvenate Oxygen Facial. She enjoyed the experience and appreciated that the esthetician explained each step. Rebekah found the Sole Vitality Deep Tissue Massage very relaxing. She said it eased her pain for several days and gave her a boost in mood.
Kelly had never visited a spa or had a facial, so her HydraFacial Signature was a completely new experience. Cameron, the spa manager and an esthetician, performed the treatment, which included cleansing, exfoliation, a peel, extraction, hydration, and lymphatic drainage. Before her facial, Kelly enjoyed some quiet time in the spa’s whirlpool.
Having the spa inside the hotel made everything easy. We could enjoy our treatments without worrying about driving somewhere else, then meet back up and continue our getaway.
A Relaxed Afternoon During Our Girls Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
After our spa appointments, we kept the afternoon pretty relaxed. We did not have a big lunch planned, so everyone grabbed snacks or ate from the goodies we had put in our snackle boxes.
I actually liked having some unscheduled time. Retreats can easily become packed with meetings, meals, and activities. Sometimes you need an afternoon where you can simply relax, visit, or do your own thing.
That was one of the best things about this weekend. We had a plan, but we did not have to follow a strict schedule every minute.
Dinner at Fat Bully’s by the Lake
That evening, we went out to Fat Bully’s by the Lake, a casual lakeside restaurant in Sulphur, Oklahoma, near Lake of the Arbuckles. It quickly became one of my favorite stops of the weekend. The laid-back restaurant is known for hearty burgers, fried cheese curds, cold drinks, and a relaxed, motorcycle-friendly atmosphere. It was a fun place to grab a meal while exploring the area.
We started with Wisconsin cheese curds for the table. They were breaded and fried until golden, then served with a choice of marinara or ranch. The crispy coating gave way to warm, gooey Wisconsin cheese that stretched with every bite. They were amazing!
I had the Rally Burger, a hearty ½-pound burger topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, mayo, BBQ sauce, and a fried onion ring on a soft brioche bun. The smoky BBQ, salty bacon, melty cheese, and crunchy onion made this a seriously indulgent burger. I loved the combination, and it was one of my favorite meals of the weekend
Rachel ordered the Vroom Shroom Burger and substituted pepper jack for the Swiss cheese. It came with fries, like the other burgers, and she said it was the best burger she had ever had. Chyann chose the F8 Back Fire Burger and said it reminded her of a chili cheese dog in burger form.
Kelly went with the V-Twin Burger, a classic ¼-pound patty with American cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. She thought it was the perfect size and exactly what she looks for in a burger.
Rebekah had the ½-pound Metric Burger with similar classic toppings. She made a couple of substitutions, and the restaurant easily accommodated her requests.
Dessert at Fat Bully’s was a Treat!
We also shared several desserts. We ordered fried peaches for the table. Here in Oklahoma, that always brings up memories of Harry Bear’s The mini butter toffee bundt cake was served warm with ice cream. It was warm, gooey, and delicious. The mini banana split was the third dessert.
Between the cheese curds, burgers, fried peaches, and warm cake, Fat Bully’s was definitely a memorable dinner.
Final Morning at Cup and Crumb During Our Getaway & Retreat in Sulphur
On the final morning in Sulphur, some of the team headed to Cup and Crumb for breakfast. This little coffee shop became another favorite. Cup & Crumb is a locally owned coffee shop and bakery in Sulphur, Oklahoma. They serve handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks along with freshly baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. Their menu also includes breakfast and lunch options such as wraps, sandwiches, salads, and rotating specials. With online ordering and pickup available, Cup & Crumb is a convenient stop for coffee, a quick bite, or a box of treats to share.
Rachel loved the coffee and cookies and said it was her favorite breakfast stop. Chyann loved it as well. She thought the coffee was the best and enjoyed the cookies and the egg bites.were great. She even wished the shop was closer so she could go back more often.
I always love finding those little local places that make you wish you lived closer. Cup and Crumb was one of those stops.
My Honest Thoughts on The Artesian Hotel
Overall, I thought The Artesian was a nice place for our girls’ getaway and Consumer Queen retreat. Having several rooms made the weekend easy, and there were plenty of amenities to keep us entertained.
The beds were comfortable and had good mattresses, and I appreciated having a refrigerator in the room. There was not a microwave, though, so that is something to remember if you have leftovers from one of the restaurants or heat your own food.
The free parking garage across the street was another plus.
The bathrooms were probably the area where I noticed the most wear. Some of the shower rods showed signs of rust and age, and the vanities had chipped paint. The toilets were also very low to the floor. The bathtubs were tall, too. One of the women in our group had recently had knee surgery, and she found getting in and out of the tub difficult.
For anyone with mobility concerns, I would recommend asking about the bathroom setup before booking. Accessibility can vary by room, so it is better to know what to expect. Those issues did not ruin our weekend at all, but I believe in giving an honest review. A hotel can be nice while still having a few areas that could use some updating.
Nearby Attractions to The Artesian
Staying at The Artesian Hotel in Sulphur puts you close to some of south-central Oklahoma’s most interesting attractions. Just over a mile away, Chickasaw National Recreation Area offers hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and beautiful spring-fed waters.
You can also visit the Chickasaw Cultural Center, a little over 3 miles away, to learn more about Chickasaw history and culture. The Chickasaw Cultural Center is a great place to learn about Chickasaw history and culture. Visitors can see exhibits, traditional artwork, and learn about the customs and daily life of the Chickasaw people. The center also offers cultural events, demonstrations, and outdoor areas to explore. It is a nice way to learn more about the Chickasaw Nation and its history.
For a little more adventure, Lake of the Arbuckles is about 8 miles from the hotel. Lake of the Arbuckles is a man-made reservoir, created by damming Rock Creek in the 1960s. It sits in the natural landscape of the Arbuckle Mountains, but the lake itself was created by people. It is a popular spot for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. The lake has quiet areas for relaxing and beautiful views, making it a nice place to spend time in nature.
Fun Things to Do in Davis, Oklahoma
A short drive farther takes you to Bedré Fine Chocolate, where visitors can see how gourmet chocolate is made. Bedré Fine Chocolate has been making chocolate in Oklahoma for more than four decades. What began as a small chocolatier near Ada grew into a nationally recognized brand after the Chickasaw Nation purchased the company in 2000. Today, Bedré combines traditional chocolate-making with modern manufacturing while celebrating its Native American heritage and connection to the Chickasaw Nation. The company also gives back by supporting educational, health, wellness, and community programs.
If waterfalls are on your list, Turner Falls Park is about 15 miles from The Artesian. The park is home to Oklahoma’s famous 77-foot Turner Falls, along with swimming, hiking, and camping opportunities. With outdoor adventures, cultural attractions and plenty of places to explore, The Artesian makes a convenient home base for discovering the Sulphur area.
Why I Loved Our Sulphur Retreat
Looking back, I think this weekend was exactly what our team needed. We had time to talk about Consumer Queen and work on our plans, but we also had time to laugh, shop, eat, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.
I loved finding cute things at The Mix Mercantile. I enjoyed my spa treatments. Fat Bully’s was a definite food highlight, and Cup and Crumb gave Chyann one more great coffee stop before we headed home.
I also appreciated getting to see more of Sulphur. The town has a long history connected to its mineral springs and the Chickasaw Nation, giving it a character you do not get from a typical hotel destination. Sulphur was hit hard by a devastating tornado in April 2024, damaging homes, businesses, and much of downtown. The community has continued rebuilding, restoring historic areas, and welcoming visitors back. Today, you can see signs of recovery throughout town as local businesses reopen and new projects take shape.
For me, though, the best part was spending time with my Consumer Queen team. We spend so much time working, answering emails, creating content, finding deals, and keeping everything moving that it was nice to step away from our everyday routine.
And yes, I came home with a new sweater. As the Consumer Queen, I think that means the shopping portion of our retreat was a success!
If you are looking for a girls’ weekend, romantic getaway, family trip, reunion, or retreat in Oklahoma, Sulphur is worth considering. You can stay at The Artesian, enjoy a spa treatment, shop local boutiques, try different restaurants, explore the town, and still have plenty of time to simply sit and talk.
That last part may have been my favorite of all.
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