By Beth Landman. Healthy trekkers can now find spas and wellness facilities at even modest hotels from Bangor to Baton Rouge, but Southern California has always been ahead of the curve β Two Bunch Palms first opened as the Desert Spa in , and the famed Golden Door was unveiled in β and advances keep on coming.
New retreats continue to open, while favorites update, expand and innovate. Below, seven havens worth checking into. The acre expanse outside San Diego is designed to feel like Provence, down to the French Country furnishings, grape vines and lavender. The spa is not only filled with antiques, sold in a shop on the premises, but buildings from France have been brought over that date back hundreds of years, including a chapel from the 17th century.
Ten miles of private hiking trails were recently added, and this is one of the few destination spas that has an hole golf course on the grounds. It also boasts an impressive 5-to-1 staff to guest ratio. Dreaded rehabs with stern shrinks and spare surroundings have little in common with this luxe new sanctuary from recovery guru Richard Taite, who founded Cliffside Malibu.
Opened Jan. Facials with gold-infused products to stimulate collagen, stretch sessions, lymphatic healing and deep tissue massage are on the program along with intense therapy, hypnotherapy and fitness classes, and each facility only takes six guests at a time.
There are membership clubs based on networking, dining and sports, but this one, opening in Venice Beach this spring, is focused on wellness and self-care. In addition to sauna, steam and cold plunge, there will be IV therapy and spa services including myofascial release and lymphatic drainage.
