Urban Retreats by Leila Najafi

INDULGE IN THE ULTIMATE SPA EXPERIENCE AT THESE SPA SANCTUARIES

Whether you seek a therapeutic massage, holistic wellness ritual, or a cutting-edge skin-care treatment, these spas offer a blissful escape for the mind and body. From urban sanctuaries nestled in bustling cityscapes to serene retreats surrounded by nature’s beauty, here are seven luxurious spas to hit pause, reset, and start the new year right. not only hydrates but also visibly reduces the signs of aging. Stock up on beauty products at the all-white, sleek boutique and spa located in a West Hollywood cul-de-sac and get your glow-up.

Dr. Barbara Sturm / West Hollywood

The eponymous, science-backed skin-care brand was founded by Dr. Barbara Sturm, an orthopedic physician who applied her clinical experience and prior research to the world of aesthetics. The high-end beauty brand grew a celebrity following in 2002 when she launched a platelet-rich plasma treatment, more widely known as the “blood facial.” Fast-forward to the present, Sturm offers a vast line of skin-care, body, and hair care products. Try the best-selling hyaluronic serum, which not only hydrates but also visibly reduces the signs of aging. Stock up on beauty products at the all-white, sleek boutique and spa located in a West Hollywood cul-de-sac and get your glow-up.

Center for Health and Well being at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village / Westlake Village

About 40 miles northwest of downtown L.A., in a sleepy suburban neighborhood, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village offers a quiet respite from the city hustle. The hotel is known for its luxurious accommodations, but its resort is rooted in health and wellness. A recently renovated spa and a Center for Health and Wellbeing offers guests three- or four-day wellness retreats centered around weight loss, performance, or relaxation. Retreats include a spa treatment, private consultations, guided hikes through the Santa

Monica mountains, morning meditations, and access to the state-of-theart fitness center. Take your wellness journey one step further and book an appointment with Cure Medical, a new collaboration that offers guests premium medical and health experiences, including IV drips, vitamin shots, botox, red light therapy, and skin peels.

The Spa at Fairmont Century Plaza / Century City

Nestled among Hollywood’s biggest talent agencies, the Century Plaza Hotel has been an iconic landmark since 1966. The glitzy hotel underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2021 as Fairmont Century Plaza. Among the notable highlights is the 14,000-square-foot spa, which recently earned a spot on the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Star rating list. The cutting-edge facility features nine treatment rooms and top-notch amenities, including a Himalayan salt room, an aromatherapy room, and a sanarium. Through an exclusive partnership with Dr. Oz Garcia, a thought leader on healthy aging, guests can choose from two biohacking treatments—a combination of infrared technology and meditation, which is experienced in an anti-gravity chair. After a day at the spa, head to the Cristophe Privé salon to get glammed for a night on the town.

The Spa at Hotel Bel-Air / Bel-Air

From the moment you pull up to Hotel Bel-Air’s driveway and walk over the bridge that overlooks the oft-photographed Swan Lake, all your worries melt away. Take a stroll through the property’s lush 12 acres, which feels like a private garden and estate, and you’ll instantly forget the hum of the city less than a mile away—one of the many reasons why this ultra-private luxury hotel is a celebrity magnet. Spend a day of pampering in one of seven secluded treatment rooms within the tranquil spa, or book a side-byside couples massage in a private enclave equipped with a tub. Global jet setters will appreciate the Jet Lag Recovery, a two-hour treatment that combines a massage and a facial intended to leave you feeling refreshed. If your face needs a little TLC, the spa partners with Valmont, a Swiss brand at the helm of anti-aging skin care. For the ultimate facial, try the Signature Valmont Treatment, a 90-minute treatment sought after by Hollywood’s A-listers. A collagen cellular mask followed by LED and microcurrent technology gives your face a natural lift and red carpet glow.

Ject / West Hollywood

This new, modern med spa makes its West Coast debut, adding to its current roster of spas in New York and (soon) Miami. The West Hollywood location is tucked away on a quiet residential street off of trendy Melrose Avenue. Ject offers a slew of medical grade treatments for prevention and maintenance, including injectables, fillers, microneedling, and chemical peels. Services can be booked à la carte; if you’re a frequent traveler, become a member to take advantage of discounted rates on treatments at any of their locations as well as perks to other wellness brands. And when you’re done getting pricked and poked in the name of beauty, walk across the street and treat yourself to one of the city’s finest coffee drinks: a Spanish Latte from Urth Caffé.

Conrad Spa at Conrad Los Angeles / Downtown Los Angeles

The swanky hotel designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry brings luxury and timeless elegance to downtown L.A. The hotel’s haven, Conrad Spa, is a 7,000-square-foot space featuring seven treatment

rooms led by masters who specialize in treatments such as Intuitive and Thai Massages, Ayurveda Dosha Balancing, and Body Couture. Aside from standard spa treatments, spa-goers can also book a Recovery Cabin, which is a private cabin that uses neuroscience technology and binaural sound meditation to help minimize stress and improve the quality of sleep. Other treatments include infrared sauna therapy to help with detoxification and circulation and a 30-minute Quantum Harmonic Therapy session that uses sound technology to put you in a deep state of relaxation.

Burke Williams / Various locations

With state-of-the-art facilities and locations spread across L.A., this luxury day spa is the perfect place to spend a day of pure bliss with a few guy or gal pals, a significant other, or solo. At over 21,000 square feet, the Santa Monica location just off of Third Street Promenade is the largest location fully equipped with two whirlpools, a steam room, and sauna as well as a social and quiet lounge. Choose from a wide range of treatments including a massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure, and then sink into a plush robe and enjoy the amenities for a day of zen.