An Oasis Of Tranquility

11 December 2003

The Surf & Sand Resort’s Aquaterra Spa, in California’s Laguna Beach, Takes Its Inspiration from the Elements.

Laguna Beach is well known for its art galleries, shopping and cozy seaside village atmosphere where everything is with easy walking distance. It is also home to a luxurious spa at the Surf & Sand Resort, which has played host to celebrities such as Robert DeNiro, Heather Locklear, Matthew Perry and Bono of the band U2.

The focus of Aquaterra Spa is on four elements: the ocean, earth, botanicals and art. The quartet works in harmony to pamper, relax, rejuvenate and offer a holistic approach to spiritual, mental and physical well being. The ocean comes into play with its 104 trace elements crucial for life and offers such gifts as revitalizing seaweed and cleansing sea salt scrubs. The earth is all nurturing bringing such ingredients as mud and clay. The botanicals used come in form of essential oils from local plants and art stands for skillful mastery of massage and other therapies.

A typical spa experience will begin with elixirs or teas and a heated neck pillow. Then the guest will choose an aromatherapy oil to enhance the treatment such as a soothing sea massage, stress reduction, stone massage, aromatherapy facial, lavender scrub or aquaterra wrap.

A specialty of the 6,000-square foot spa are treatments for couples, such as the Ocean Ritual including a seaweed body mask and aroma massage; the Earth Ritual designed to relieve tension and purify the body; and the Botanical ritual which includes a lavender exfoliation. In the Artistic Ritual a professional massage therapist will teach couples how to massage each other at home and how to use colored body paint for artistic designs on the body. A maternity massage for pre or post natal mothers is also available.

The Surf & Sand Resort is located along 500 feet of Southern California Beach in the artist haven of Laguna Beach, just one hour south of Los Angeles. Its 165 ocean-view rooms were refurbished by the late designer James Northcutt in soft, soothing shades of white and beige.