Whether you’re an experienced spa connoisseur or a first-time visitor, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate your expectations and give you an overview of what to expect before, during, and after your treatment. For this article, I will be sharing insights from my most recent visit to Rancho Valencia in San Diego, a luxury resort hotel with an extraordinary spa offerings.
Before Your Treatment:
Decide which spa you would like to visit. Research popular and highly desired places in your surroundings, from spa salons to resort hotels. I recommend, if you can spare more time and money, to book a resort spa since you get a lot more value out of your reservation. These resorts, besides having the most incredible massage therapists, also come with many different amenities – tennis & pickleball courts, fitness centers, resort pools, steam rooms, saunas, multiple restaurant offerings, resort lounges, etc. You can spend an entire day immersing yourself in a luxury resort experience without even staying at the hotel.
Make sure to book your treatment in advance, due to popular spas’ busy schedules, as well as your own. I highly recommend booking on days when you are available and not working, even if that means taking time off from work or one day from your weekend reset. You should take time to really immerse yourself in the ultimate spa experience.
Prepare your body. Hydrate, and eat healthily so that your body can release all toxins during the treatments. Eat lightly before the treatment.
Decide if you have a gender preference for your therapists and prepare to go nude for some treatments (like body scrubs), while for most massages you will be covered under a blanket. These therapists are very professional and incredibly considerate so that you feel the most comfortable throughout the treatment. Keep in mind you can always express yourself if you don’t feel comfortable at any given moment.
Day of the Treatment:
Arrive at least 15-20 minutes earlier to park (if you’re driving), check in, explore the spa, and then get ready for your treatment.
I wanted to make it a full-day event, so I planned a yoga class before my treatments. I booked yoga for 10:15, arrived at the spa around 9:45, checked in, and took some time to explore the resort before my class. I have to say, this was probably one of the best yoga classes I’ve taken in my life so far. It was a regular yoga class in a studio they call the “Yoga Pavilion” – a very modern, all-glass studio that opens up to a front wooden porch, overlooking a relaxing pond and trees. The entire experience was extremely zen and reminded me of gardens and homes I saw on my recent trip to Japan. All equipment necessary, like mats, towels, straps, blocks, was provided by the resort, and the quality was of a high standard. After the class, resort staff brought all attendees a fresh green smoothie, which was a very nice touch on their end.
My class ended at 11:15, and I still had time until my treatment that was scheduled for 12:30, so I took a few minutes to relax in front of the yoga pavilion, meditate, and enjoy the sunshine.
Then, I did the “Hydrotherapy Circuit” – a program developed by Rancho Valencia to help decrease inflammation and increase detoxification by alternating from warm to cold circulation using a steam room, sauna, and cold plunge. Spend 20 minutes in the steam room, and cap it off with a nice cold shower to increase circulation. The steps are the following:
- Heat: 5 min in Sauna and 5 min in Steam room (or 10 min in one).
- Cold plunge: As long as you can stay in.
- Rest: 5-10 min in the relaxation lounge.
- Whirlpool: 10 min in the whirlpool (jacuzzi).
- Finish with another cold plunge (or shower).
- Rest: 10-20 min before the spa treatment.
- Spa treatment.
So, I followed all the steps above, and I have to say the cold plunge was way harder than I thought it would be; I lasted maybe 2-3 seconds – it really made the cold showers seem like a piece of cake.
Then came my Rancho Valencia Signature massage, and oh boy, what an experience. The massage, oils, scents, sounds – everything was so relaxing that it made time stop and all stress disappear – even if only for that one hour.
After the massage, I went to the restaurant and had a light brunch and coffee, and brought my laptop to get some of my work done. I don’t recommend this; you should take time to enjoy and relax, and not even think about work at that point.
Before heading home, I wanted to relax a little more in the jacuzzi and steam room, as well as giving the cold plunge another chance. Then I showered, washed my hair, and tried all their ladies’ room products, from shampoos, conditioners, to their lotions and hair brushes.
As the end of the day approaches, so does the realization that I have to return to reality tomorrow, and that days like this are so precious and resetting that I would like each and every one of you to experience.
Few Tips I Would Like to Share:
- Make it a full-day event – book a fitness class, have breakfast/lunch at the spa, and leave some time to lounge by the pool or bring a spa friend to share the experience.
- Check for promotions and packages – some places offer really good deals, and it is worth looking into.
- Eat light beforehand, and make sure to hydrate afterward.
- Plan a relaxing evening after, and avoid the gym the following day.
