Top 7 Spas in Los Angeles
By Kamala Kirk & Lizzy Sherman
Whether you’ve had a stressful week at work, your body is sore from the gym, or you simply want to take a break and relax—nothing beats a day at the spa. Taking care of your body and mind is essential for good health, and treating yourself to a spa day offers many benefits including stress reduction, pain relief, relaxation and better sleep.
Los Angeles is home to a wide variety of spas, ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to independent and boutique spas. At Spa & Beauty Today, we’re constantly researching and visiting spas to share recommendations with our readers. We’ve put together a list of seven of our favorite spas in Los Angeles that each offer a unique and memorable experience. Read on for some in“spa”ration to help you plan your next spa visit!
- Hotel Bel-Air Spa
Since 1946, Hotel Bel-Air has served as a celebrity getaway due to its private and peaceful location. Set amongst 12 acres of tropical gardens with a swan pond, the iconic property features touches of Old Hollywood glamour throughout. Hidden in a corner of the 12-acre estate, Hotel Bel-Air Spa offers the perfect setting for relaxing and winding under the care of expert therapists. The spa has partnered with luxury skincare brand Valmont to offer a menu of treatments that blend nature and science to achieve powerful results. Among their amazing facials include the Purifying Ritual to balance the complexion and the Elixirs des Glaciers Majestic Treatment, which nourishes skin and incorporates specialized facial massage techniques. If you’re looking to take your spa experience to another level, book The Enclave—the spa’s private suite which includes a shower, bathtub, and patio with a soothing waterfall.
https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/
- DESUAR Spa
Right in the heart of DTLA, DESUAR Spa is located in the basement of the historic Jewelry Trades Building and features Moroccan décor with industrial touches. Owner Deisy Suarez-Giles is a licensed esthetician with extensive industry experience who has created a carefully curated menu of high-end yet affordable skin and body services, as well as CBD treatments. We recommend the Lava Sea Shell Massage to soothe sore muscles, followed by a relaxing Wine or Cannabis Soak in the copper tub. Other spa highlights include a Himalayan salt crystal bed and the surround sound system that plays a relaxing soundtrack of crashing waves to instantly transport you to paradise.
- Tomoko Spa
For an authentic Japanese spa experience, look no further than Tomoko Spa. A favorite among celebrities, the Beverly Hills spa offers incredible attention to detail accompanied by Japanese hospitality. Instead of traditional shared spa amenities, the spa offers each guest a private treatment suite with a rainfall shower (couples’ rooms include a Japanese-style bathtub.) If you come with someone, we highly suggest the Japanese Experience for Couples, which includes a foot bath, the spa’s signature “Tomoko Massage” and a relaxing ofuro bath. To conclude the experience, guests are served a sushi meal for two, Japanese sweets and organic teas.
4. Lifehood
Created by Amy Krofchick, one of the former co-founders of The Now (another great spot to check out), this unique wellness concept in Culver City encourages guests to indulge in self-care while paying it forward. Lifehood’s design aesthetic features a ‘70s California vibe that is chic and calming, while the treatment menu offers affordable table and chair massages. Choose from various add-ons such as CBD gumdrops from Lord Jones, custom audio meditations, and an immersive virtual reality experience that highlights iconic California locations. The other thing that makes Lifehood special is their ‘Love It Forward” model that allows each guest to purchase a discounted massage and gift it anonymously to a person of their choice, who upon redeeming their treatment has the option to do the same—thereby continuing the cycle of kindness.
- The Spa at Terranea
Situated on coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes, The Spa at Terranea takes a unique approach to wellness by paying attention to the timing of your visit and recommending treatments according to nature and the Circadian Rhythm. The 50,000 square-foot spa has indoor and outdoor relaxation areas with ocean views, as well as an adults-only pool, spa café, and oceanfront movement studio that offers a wide variety of classes (try their Morning or Sunset Seaside Yoga). The spa’s treatments are inspired by the coastal locale and incorporate local ingredients like honey from the resort’s bee hives. We recommend booking one of their signature rituals like the El Segundo Blue, which includes a slow rhythmic massage featuring aromatic botanicals and a cocoon of revitalizing sea blue mineral clay.
- Chuan Spa at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Located at the iconic Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Chuan Spa offers signature treatments inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. After identifying your individual element of the day in the Contemplation Lounge, your Chuan Spa journey begins when you walk through the round Moon Gates and concludes in the Dream Room (which features waterbeds) post-treatment. Try the Chuan Yu Facial, which incorporates gua sha to heal skin and promote circulation, as well as the Chuan Muddy Elements—the spa’s signature wrap that integrates the five Chinese elements into five signature muds to nurture skin. If you can come during the week, the spa offers special promotions like Mimosa Mondays, where you get 20% off all spa treatments 50 minutes or longer along with a complimentary mimosa; and Wellness Wednesdays, which offers guests their choice of a massage or facial at a discounted rate.
https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/pasadena/
- Spa Calamigos
Tucked away at Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club in Malibu, Spa Calamigos is the ultimate hidden gem. Surrounded by eucalyptus trees with stunning mountain views and treatment rooms named after national parks, you’ll instantly feel at one with nature in this serene sanctuary. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor lounging space, which makes it the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or bachelorette with a group of friends. Before or after your treatment, carve out some time to relax and order lunch by the outdoor spa pool or the main pool. We recommend the Chakra Massage, which incorporates specially charged chakra stones that will cleanse your energy and recharge your spirit, as well as In the Wild Outdoor Massage, which consists of a relaxing massage while surrounded by vineyards and mountains.
https://calamigosguestranch.com
For more information, visit spaandbeautytoday.com and follow @spaandbeautytoday on Instagram.
[Images courtesy of spas]