The Spa at Terranea

Perfect for both a staycation or a day trip, the Terranea Resort is the crown jewel of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The luxury resort sits on 102 oceanfront acres and boasts 582 rooms (including bungalows, villas and casitas), eight dining concepts, a golf course, a fitness center, four pools and, of course, a spa, which offers unparalleled tranquility with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop.  

The sprawling 50,000-square-foot spa facility is a destination in and of itself, with its own boutique, pool, gym, salon and restaurant. And after a recent $4.5-million renovation, the spa is both more inviting and state-of-the-art than ever. The indoor-outdoor spaces’ new interior design channels the beach with light blues and sandy neutrals; the lobby sports a dramatic new look; the locker rooms, treatment rooms and spa beds have all received a refresh; the pool furnishings have been updated; and Precor and Peloton fitness machines have been added to the gym.

Hotel guests can sign up for a complimentary workout class in the fitness studio—offerings include seaside yoga or cycling. But even if you’re just visiting for the day, bring a book and catch some rays by the heated saltwater spa pool or a fire pit while waiting for your treatment. The women’s and men’s lounges offer saunas, steam rooms, outdoor cold plunge pools and Jacuzzis. 

Follow your therapist to the second story—the spa boasts 25 treatment rooms and three VIP suites (Ocean, Earth and Fire). The spa menu consists of signature wellness treatments, body rituals, bodywork and facials that use Naturopathica and Natura Bissé products and are inspired by the four elements. I recommend the Harmonic Aura Awakening (60 mins, $306–$324), a new treatment introduced after the renovation that awakens your chakras with the help of Himalayan singing bowls and marma point massages using Ayurvedic plant extracts. (I know, so “L.A.”) The effect is deep relaxation and harmony.

Another favorite is the Ocean’s Prelude (120 mins, $606–$642), a full-body treatment that incorporates elements from the sea. It takes place, fittingly, in the Ocean Suite, which boasts a copper bathtub, two treatment beds and the pièce de résistance—a private balcony that looks out onto the ocean. The rather lengthy treatment starts with dry brushing to promote circulation and is followed by a bright-green seaweed wrap (not recommended for the claustrophobic). Once unwrapped, take a dip in the saltwater bath before enjoying a full-body massage—all the while listening to the waves crash below.

And the relaxation doesn’t end there: Post-treatment, your therapist will guide you to the nearby quiet room—with equally stunning ocean views—where you can lounge and retreat until the end of the day. Or you can head back outside and order a poolside cocktail and dish from solviva. Terranea offers the kind of spa experience that makes you pinch yourself—it seems almost too perfect to be real.