The ultimate guide to A-list spas
By Kim Devore
After hectic weeks of holiday shopping, scrambling, planning, partying, eating, drinking and overindulging, the New Year can leave us pooped out before it has even started. So when it’s time to recharge those batteries, why not follow in the footsteps of those in the know? It’s easy to break away to a peaceful desert oasis, escape to an emerald garden of tranquility or slip into an altered state right here in your own backyard. Close to home or father afield, these celebrity Shangri-Las will leave you feeling as divine as any diva.
Blissed Out in The ‘Bu
A spa experience in Malibu used to mean a rub down at the local gym, but that was before the Tola Life Spa Sanctuary came to town. Conveniently located in the Malibu Colony Plaza, it has become has become a top spot for the likes of Linda Thompson and her musically inclined clan.
This relaxing refuge is a full-service facility. Sure you’ll find favorites like revitalizing body wraps, soothing Lomi Lomi massage and therapeutic reflexology, but there’s a lot more to explore. To really decompress from a long hard day, there’s nothing like the fourhanded Dvau massage which features two therapists working in rhythmic harmony.
If a one-hour massage doesn’t quite do the trick, try the Himalayan rejuvenation treatment-a three-hour escape designed to get your mind, body and sprit back in sync. A modern version of the ancient Ayurvedic practice called “panchakarma,” it revolves around five therapies.
It all begins with a gentle scalp massage, which includes acupressure and lymphatic drainage. Next comes a full body exfoliation designed to release toxins and impurities, followed by an herbal oil massage and a purifying steam to clean out the system. The finishing touch is a steady stream of pure plant “tranquilessence” poured over your “third eye.”
Incredibly, the experience leaves you feeling refreshed and energized rather than ready for bed.
So if you’ve been feeling a little listless lately, treat yourself to this sanctuary of serenity. You’ll be in nirvana in no time.
The Player: Two Bunch Palms
Two Bunch Palms gained notoriety in the 1920s as the secret hideaway for gangster Al Capone. These days, the awesome desert oasis is a hit with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including longtime locals Mel Gibson and Barbra Streisand. This favored destination of the stars even had a prominent role in the 1992 film “The Player” with Tim Robbins.
What sets Two Bunch Palms apart from the rest is its impressive menu of unique specialty treatments — the kind you aren’t likely to find any place else. If your looking for something beyond the basic shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue or run-of-the-mill sports massage, try something called Trager. A therapist will gently shake, rock and roll your limbs and torso, blissfully turning them into Jell-O. If you’ve ever had trouble calming your mind or tend to hang on to tension during an ordinary massage treatment, Trager is a total release.
If you go for H2O, you might want to experience a comforting aqua therapy called Watsu. You’ll be immersed in water and transported into a womb-like state. The treatment requires a little trust between you and the practitioner, and takes some getting used to, but the end result is an unforgettable trip to tranquility.
As for skin care, the Babassu Sugar Rub exfoliates your form with crunchy Brazilian Turbinado (raw sugar) granules and essential oils. You can also release blockages to the central nervous system with craniosacral therapy or enjoy an hour with your other half by slipping into a squishy outdoor mud tub for two.
There’s even Acoustic Sound Wave therapy, which envelops you with sound vibrations resulting in a “symphonic bath.” The waves pass through the entire body where they are said to merge with prevailing energy fields, which in turn restores harmony and balance.
Factor in the resort’s healing mineral springs and breathtaking beauty and you’ll discover why Two Bunch has been ranked among the ten best spas in the world.
Water World Sycamore Mineral Springs
This celebrity hotspot dates back to the Golden Age of film when it drew legends like W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino and other Hollywood royalty on their way to nearby Hearst Castle.
While Sycamore Springs offers a full range of body and facial treatments, you’ll want to make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors. Situated on one hundred wooded acres in San Luis Obispo, you’ll reap the rewards of its healing sulfur springs from the comfort of your private redwood tub. If the adventure into inner peace doesn’t leave you too relaxed, you’ll want to take a stroll the glorious, flower-filled grounds, which lead to dramatic views of the Central California coast.
So escape the ordinary and enjoy this mix, it’ll be a whole new you in 2006.
Contact Information:
Tola Life Spa Sanctuary
23755 Malibu Rd., Suite 700
310.456.9504
Two Bunch Palms
67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760.329.8791; 800.472.4334
Sycamore Mineral Springs
1215 Avila Beach Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
805.595.7302; 800.234.5831