Your Moment of Zen: The Best Spas in Los Angeles
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles? Whether you want a quick massage or a full-day relaxation experience, the city has many incredible spas to meet a variety of pampering needs at a range of price points.
The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
Get the Hollywood treatment at this glamorous high-end spa located at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles (900 W Olympic Blvd., DTLA). In addition to body treatments, massages and facials, the spa offers several one-of-a-kind experience packages for guests looking to be truly pampered. The signature “Champagne & Shimmer Body Treatment” ($260) includes a champagne scrub to soothe the complexion, a hydrating massage and a dusting of 24-karat shimmer powder to leave you literally glowing, while the “Red Carpet Radiance” package ($305) will have your skin prepped for a big event with a brush cleanse, skin radiance mask, crystal massage, lifting mask and non-surgical contouring.
Wi Spa
Wi Spa (2700 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake) is a four-story traditional Korean spa that’s open 24 hours a day, so you can come in whenever you need a pick-me-up. The facility offers day passes starting at only $25 that provide guest access to hot and cold soaking tubs as well as five different mineral sauna rooms, each with its own health benefits. Additional spa services are available for purchase as well, including massages, body scrubs (which are highly recommended here), facials and manicure/pedicures. There is also an on-site restaurant, gym and rooftop lounge, so you can really stay for the whole day, or just come in for a quick trip to the saunas. Know before you go – many of the areas are separated by gender and are fully nude, so this may not be the best spot to go for a couples’ experience or if you aren’t comfortable being naked around strangers!
The Raven
The Raven (2910 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake) specializes in Thai massages (starting at $70), but offers traditional deep tissue, Swedish and hot stone massages in addition to many other healing treatments. You can turn your visit into a full day with their unique add-ons, which include a Turkish soak in a private wet room, a steam shower, facials, infrared sauna treatments and acupuncture. With locations in Silver Lake and Santa Monica, The Raven will have you feeling like you’ve taken a trip to Thailand without getting on a plane.
Burke Williams
Burke Williams luxury day spas (Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena) offer traditional massage and facial treatments, but also offers ayurvedic treatments and full-day Transformative Journey packages (starting at $570) that combine the best of both. Choose from “Escape,” “Defy,” “Revitalize” and “Balance” to find the spa package that’s right for you. Burke Williams also offers wet room treatments that combine cleansing and massages, and chiropractic treatments to heal any lingering body pains.
The Now
The Now (Silver Lake, WeHo, Studio City, Santa Monica) is a hip massage spot offering affordable treatments in an oasis-like setting. For those in a rush (or who don’t want to spend too much) The Now offers several 25-minute massages for only $45 – or if you want to really indulge, 80-minute massages are available for a reasonable $105. Clients can choose from Swedish, sport, energy-balancing or prenatal massage, and several add-ons are available, including heat therapy and aromatherapy.
Ole Henriksen Face/Body Spa
If you're a fan of Ole Henriksen skin care products, you will love this cozy spa located on the Sunset Strip (8622A W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles). In addition to a range of facials and complexion treatments, this tranquil spot offers body treatments, baths and massages. Among the treatments offered are light therapies, which use Light & Heat Energy technology for uses ranging from acne treatment to skin rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction (treatments range from $35-250). In true L.A. fashion, there are also two “inch loss” treatments: a contour wrap (starting at $210) that guarantees the loss of at least six inches in just two hours, and infrared blanket sweat sessions ($55) that promise to shrink you up to one clothing size in six to 10 treatments. For a more traditional spa experience, indulge in 110 to 120-minute “spa ritual” packages (starting at $325) that include a 55-minute wet room soak, cucumber eye masks, a 50-minute Swedish or deep tissue massages and a glass of champagne.
Tomoko Spa
This upscale Japanese spa is located in the heart of Beverly Hills and offers luxurious treatments in a calming, minimalist and modern setting. Guests at Tomoko Spa (141 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills) are invited to enjoy a welcome tea, a light treat and a footbath before their massage treatments, as well as access to the spa’s facilities after. The massages are catered to meet a client’s individual needs, including the Tomoko massage, which combines Swedish and Japanese techniques to provide balance within the muscles, and the Oriental massage, which uses special oils, acupressure and stretching techniques to enhance blood circulation and release stress. Pricing starts at $200 for the 60-minute Zenshin massage, but you can expect a truly five-star experience.