Pampering Places — A Spa for Every Body and Soul
Whether your idea of R&R is a luxury spa setting with all the accoutrements or a more eccentric but equally tranquil experience, the Bay Area is rich in great spa options.
San Francisco
NOB HILL SPA AT THE HUNTINGTON
Nob Hill is the tony top of the city, and the Scarlet Huntington Hotel it’s crown jewel. A landmark building circa 1924, the Huntington was refurbished recently. Within this legendary urban hotel, Nob Hill Spa is an exquisite oasis of its own, beloved by travelers as well as locals with a yen to book a massage or bliss out in the Zen Relaxation Room. Visitors can also choose to relax aquatically in the sauna, steam room, infinity pool, or whirlpool.
PRICE: Starts at $160 for a classic
50-minute massage
HOW TO RESERVE: nobhillspa.com
SENSPA
As the Presidio grounds have
evolved into a collection of choice restaurants, shops, and businesses, one exceptionally zen-like center serves as an anchor. SenSpa has a mission to “guide every guest to their optimal state of well-being” with a well-curated roster of services and a talented squad of healers. Yes, you can get a massage, but you can also sign up for acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, or a Senzen Body Ritual that includes a full-body lemongrass scrub. Go early and enjoy one of the tranquil reading areas before your treatment.
PRICE: Starts at $145 for a 50-minute Swedish massage
HOW TO RESERVE: senspa.com
BURKE WILLIAMS
To relax amidst the hustle of downtown San Francisco, head to Burke Williams in the Westfield Shopping Centre. The Parisienne theme of the spa’s decor imparts a cosmopolitan vibe of luxury while promising refuge from the city. Along with standard spa offerings such as massage, aromatherapy, and facials, Burke Williams is famous for its Wetroom Treatment. In a specially built Wetroom with custom shower heads, have mineral salts or sugars massaged into your skin for a sublime exfoliation experience.
PRICE: Starts at $150 for a 50-minute massage
HOW TO RESERVE: burkewilliamsspa.com
The East Bay
WOODHOUSE DAY SPA
“Welcome, and here are your reflexology sandals.” This first-class luxury spa in Walnut Creek takes stress-release seriously. Your visit begins with a cup of tea in the Quiet Room. Next you might choose to embark upon a signature service such as the Woodhouse Minkyti, an 80-minute “age-defying facial” replete with organic seaweed and utter relaxation. The family of Woodhouse Spas were voted “America’s Favorite Day Spa” by American Spa Magazine’s Professional Choice Awards — among many other accolades and awards — the Woodhouse Day Spa is the place to relax and unwind in posh style.
PRICE: Starts at $105 for a 50-minute Swedish massage
HOW TO RESERVE: walnutcreek.woodhousespas.com
CLAREMONT CLUB & SPA
Simply known as “The Claremont” to its devoted fans, this hotel and spa sits high in the Berkeley Hills overlooking the Bay. Built in 1905, the grand white building, surrounded by palms, gives an elegant impression at the outset, but the spa experience is remarkable. There are 32 treatment rooms, a full-service hair-and-nail salon, a eucalyptus steam room, saline whirlpools, a full menu of healing therapies… and childcare services available every day of the week.
PRICE: Starts at $165 for a 50-minute Therapeutic Relaxation massage
HOW TO RESERVE: fairmont.com
THE SPA AT THE PARK
The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
(in Lafayette) has old-world charm that starts with the European decor and extends to the exceptional treatments delivered in a secluded spa. Signature treatments include hot stone massage, aromatherapy massage, and couples’ candlelight massage. Or consider the Lush Vanilla Fig Wrap, the Blossom Exfoliation, or the Organic Enzyme Facial. Make sure to save time to sit by the outdoor pool in an atmosphere reminiscent of the French Countryside.
PRICE: Starts at $105 for a 50-minute Park Classic Massage
HOW TO RESERVE: lafayetteparkhotel.com
The North Bay
CAVALLO HEALING ARTS CENTER & SPA
A visit to Cavallo Point’s day spa in Sausalito is not merely a massage; it’s an integrated experience in a tranquil setting. You might arrive early to read by the fireplace in a plush robe, or opt to stay late for dinner and drinks at Farley Bar or Murray Circle across the way. But the centerpiece of your experience will certainly be the treatment itself. Cavallo Healing Arts Center lives up to its name with a full suite of integrative medicine services including acupuncture, nutritional counseling, yoga and martial arts practices, and a lovely tea bar.
PRICE: Starts at $175 for a basic 60-minute massage
HOW TO RESERVE: cavallopoint.com
SPA SOLAGE
A getaway to Calistoga is relaxing no matter how you go about it, but Solage ups the luxury quota with its five-star experience. The ideal way to “do” Solage is with a stay at the resort. Have your meals at Solbar, the onsite restaurant that’s a veritable homage to Napa Valley’s best food and wine. But the spa stands on its own, with its Bathhouse and Mud Bar featuring healing geothermal pools and mineral-rich mud therapy. A full menu of exquisite twists on standard spa treatments is also available.
PRICE: Starts at $180 for a 60-minute signature massage
HOW TO RESERVE: solage.aubergeresorts.com
OSMOSIS DAY SPA SANCTUARY
Just past the charming Wild Flour Bread bakery on Bohemian Highway, a winding and verdant path in western Sonoma County, you’ll find a marvelous little spa in a tranquil country setting. This Japanese-inspired spa is unique, and while you can book a wonderful classic massage or facial here, we highly recommend the signature cedar enzyme bath treatment, followed by a sound therapy experience. Be sure to visit the sublime Meditation Garden. It’s a relaxing, reflective, reinvigorating experience for your body and soul.
PRICE: Starts at $145 for a 75-minute Swedish-Esalen massage
HOW TO RESERVE: osmosis.com
