Consider one of these spa gift ideas for you mother, daughter, husband, son, wife, partner or close friend. Give them the ultimate gift of wellness: a visit to the spa. To make it twice as nice, why don’t you tag along, too?
Spa Gift Ideas for The Beauty
L’Auberge Del Mar, San Diego, CA
In one of Southern California’s most picturesque coastal villages, L’Auberge Del Mar is a historic hotel boasting 120 rooms (and suites), a surf-inspired spa and an aromatic path that winds seductively toward the sea. One of the many feasts for your senses in Del Mar, just south of San Diego, Spa Director Misty Stewart and her team have revamped the 10-room Spa’s treatment menu to feature more seasonal ingredients such as healing minerals, elements of local sea and citrus, and organic collections like Red Flower Rituals and Aromatherapy Associates.
It’s a casual seaside atmosphere, says Stewart, and very restorative. “Roughly 50 percent of our spa guests are local residents and return customers in search of a deeply relaxing, memorable experience,” she says. Designed by architect Cary Collier of Blu Spas, Inc., the Spa’s new headline act is a Seashell Antioxidant Facial ($200 for 80 minutes) featuring hand-harvested organic seaweed, cowry shells and plankton enzymes to help repair and reverse signs of aging.
Many of the new treatments utilize the Spa’s new seaweed-based Ocean Rescue product line, which was developed exclusively for the spa and incorporates advanced research in marine-based skincare. Captivated by thoughts of local citrus groves, I gratefully submitted to the Refreshing Grapefruit Scrub and Wrap ($185 for 80 minutes), with a detoxifying body gel and light massage performed with aromatherapy oils. Afterwards, at the Spa’s seamless relaxation lounge, I lazily nibbled a late lunch from award-winning restaurant, KITCHEN 1540. An organic kale Caesar salad and local oysters with Bloody Mary mignonette completed my rare and perfectly relaxing afternoon.
My last thought as I sunk back into a well-cushioned spa lounger was, “Why don’t I do this more often?” laubergedelmar.com —Nicole Dorsey
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Spa Gift Ideas for the Workout Warrior
Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico
North America’s oldest destination spa, which turns 75 next year, isn’t slacking off on offerings for the most discerning wellness warriors.
Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, is known for its muscular roster of classes—sometimes a half-dozen choices in a single hour. The latest: a 30-minute “Ropes Gone Wild” cardio/strength workout that sets pulses racing.
Partners take turns whomping and waving two long black strands to pounding music, while one anchors the rope ends with his or her foot.
The rope-gripper pumps both hands up and down simultaneously and in alternate directions, then side to side as instructors yell, “Yeahhhh!” Advanced students use heavier ropes and add squats and lunges. It’s a full-body, low-impact, stamina-building workout, says Coco Bennett, a spritely, seriously toned instructor who looks half her 56 years.
Wrangling ropes may appear easy, but “it’s deceptively hard,” says guest Robyn Roth, a Los Angeles lawyer. Adds Barry Shingle, Rancho director of activities: “Many cardio routines don’t benefit the upper body. This is a super-intense cardio and muscle experience.” rancholapuerta.com —Kitty Bean Yancey
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Spa Gift Ideas for the Man
Mr. C Spa, Beverly Hills, CA
Forget tacky ties this year and give Dad what he really wants: two hours of pure relaxation. Beverly Hills luxury boutique hotel Mr. C just introduced its brand new ESPA men’s treatments and the 120-minute Back, Face & Scalp treatment ($345) is a perfect way to plunge into the new year. Start with an aromatherapy steam and a full back exfoliation before moving into a deep muscle back massage, facial and a scalp massage using ESPA’s signature red clay-based Pink Hair and Scalp Mud. Finish with another half hour of hot river stone back massage and start 2015 feeling like a new man. mrchotels.com —Jason Kessler
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2014 Holiday Gift Guide Index
The Beauties
The Workout Warrior
The New Parent
The Man
The Animal Lover
The Traveler
The Stylista
The Foodie
The Home
The Mindful
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