SpaTerre at the Riviera in Palm Springs is known for its international treatments and relaxing Buddha Lounge, an indoor pool and quiet retreat from the Riviera's bustling pool. The spa features treatments from around the world, including the Javanese Royal Treatment with yogurt and Balinese massage and the Cleopatra's Milk Ritual, which includes a body exfoliation and milk bath. SpaTerre is also known for its extensive list of facials, including the Crystal-Clear Complexion Facial and rejuvenating Bella-Dermabrasion Facial, which treats fine lines, wrinkles and scarring. The spa menu includes an ever-rotating list of seasonal offerings, so be sure to ask what the current specials are.
Recommended for Spas because: SpaTerre features an extensive list of treatments from around the world, including Balinese massage and Thai treatments.
Local Expert tip: Arrive early to spend some time in the serene Buddha Lounge, either sipping on hot tea or taking a drop in the private pools.
Beyond the lakes, gondolas and wildlife at the JW Marriott Desert Springs, you'll find The Spa at Desert Springs. The expansive spa area includes steam rooms, showers, two lounges (one designated as a quiet lounge for napping) and pool areas. You can enjoy a deeply relaxing massage in one of the serene treatment rooms or opt for an Ayurvedic treatment with warm oil. Salon services and a fitness center round out the spa experience. If you really need some time to yourself, there's a Sanctuary Suite that can be reserved for six hours. It comes with champagne, chocolate truffles, fresh fruit and butler service.
Recommended for Spas because: The Spa at Desert Springs boasts a large facility and stellar service for a truly relaxing spa day.
Local Expert tip: Plan to spend an entire spa day here. After your treatment, you can enjoy four steam rooms and an indoor pool or relax in the private outdoor pool area.
The Westin Mission Hills is known for many things: its family-friendly programs, two signature golf courses and its outstanding onsite dining. The real show-stealer, however, is the spa. The onsite spa is both spacious and quiet, and facilities include a steam room, outdoor jacuzzi and relaxation lounge. The 14 treatment rooms each carry a desert plant theme, and you'll find a full spa menu with massage, facial and body treatments. Manicures, pedicures and waxing services are also available. In the mornings, the spa hosts wellness classes like yoga, Zumba and water pilates.
Recommended for Spas because: The Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa offers a spacious spa, extensive services and a range of wellness classes.
Local Expert tip: Day spa access and wellness classes are complimentary for resort guests.
Every treatment at The Spa at Spa Resort Casino starts with the Taking of the Waters, a ritual where guests go through a steam, sauna and eucalyptus inhalation before retreating into a 10-minute soak in the desert's famed mineral waters in a sunken tub. After your soak, you're whisked away to a quiet room to enjoy your newfound serenity. Massages incorporate techniques from around the world, but one of the standouts is the You Gotta Try This, a full-body Swedish massage with self-heating marine mud. Another relaxing treatment is the Green Tea Wrap, which include crushed tea leaves, a hydrating body gel and a foot massage.
Recommended for Spas because: Spa Resort Casino incorporates the area's mineral waters in its treatments through the Taking of the Waters ceremony.
Local Expert tip: The Palm Springs Getaway — a 50-minute ginger cinnamon scrub, 50-minute massage, pedicure, hydrating facial and lunch — is a must-try.
Sunstone Spa at the Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage is one of the more affordable spas in the Coachella Valley, especially considering the quality of services and the serene atmosphere. For a unique treatment, you can try the Peptide Facial, which pumps your skin with 17 different peptides, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, or the rose quartz massage, which uses rose quartz oil on the skin and includes a scalp massage and reflexology. Exotic treatments include facials, massages, wraps and reflexology. If you're coming for the day spa, you'll have access to a hot tub, private pool, sauna and eucalyptus steam room. A salon and fitness center are also on site.
Recommended for Spas because: Sunstone Spa offers a range of exotic treatments in a serene surrounding for an affordable price point.
Local Expert tip: Not sure where to start? Opt for the Spa Experience Sampler, which includes a facial, massage, manicure and pedicure.
Nestled in Desert Hot Springs, Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort draws on the area's natural hot and cold mineral water aquifers for its pools and treatments. The water's high mineral content is said to be healing, and passionate patrons of Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort would agree. After soaking in the waters at The Grotto, the spa's scenic rock-lined pool area, you can indulge in one of the numerous treatments offered here. Typical spa fare like massages, facials and body treatments are on the menu, but you can also partake in alternative therapies like reiki, breath work and aqua reflexology.
Recommended for Spas because: Two Bunch Palms Spa draws on the desert's natural mineral water aquifers for its pools and treatments.
Local Expert tip: You can soak in the rejuvenating mineral waters without a spa treatment. Simply purchase a day spa pass.
This spa at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells focuses on four areas for its spa journey: calming the mind, treatment experiences, movement and wellness. Agua Serena Spa also focuses on local plants in its treatments, using desert flora like sage, ginger, basil and lemon. After your choice of treatment, you can relax in the eucalyptus steam room, sweat it out in the dry sauna or wash away any lingering tension in an outdoor rain shower. The spa has also partnered with a Palm Desert-based body care company to create a lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner made with local nopal cactus and Medjool dates, sold only at the spa.
Recommended for Spas because: Agua Serena Spa offers a well-rounded spa experience with a focus on local ingredients.
Local Expert tip: After your treatment, order a refreshing plate from the "Spa Bites" menu, which uses locally sourced ingredients.
Everything about Spa Esmeralda exudes an aura of serenity, from the marble floors to the plush linens and fresh flowers. Salon services are also available. You can sample services like the Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage or reflexology with a 30-minute discovery session, or you can book a full 60- or 9-minute treatment for deeper relaxation. For a locally themed treatment, you can try the Desert Stone Massage, which features warm desert basalt stones. After your treatment of choice, take your time visiting the steam rooms, hot and cold pools and showers to soak up the tranquil environment before returning to the real world.
Recommended for Spas because: Spa Esmeralda features a serene facility and an extensive service package for guests seeking relaxation.
Local Expert tip: For a day of pampering, book the "Sapphire Day" package, which includes a Fiji coconut and honey scrub, signature massage, vitamin C facial, manicure, pedicure and organic lunch.
Spa La Quinta at the La Quinta Resort has won a number of awards for its outstanding spa experience. The treatments here include water therapies like the Garden Bath, an aromatherapy bath in a private garden tub, and Grounding Earth Reflexology, which features a cleansing with Balinese spices before opening your energy pathways through the feet. There are also body renewal treatments like the Native Elements treatment, which includes Spanish sage and lime essential oils, and the California Essentials treatment, which features avocado lotion and eucalyptus oil. An onsite beauty salon offers hairstyling, manicures and makeup application. Before you leave, you can duck into the steam rooms or take a dip in one of the private whirlpool baths.
Recommended for Spas because: Spa La Quinta is an award-winning spa with an extensive list of spa treatments, as well as salon services.
Local Expert tip: If you're traveling with kids, keep in mind the spa offers youth services for children ages 8-17.
If you truly need to decompress and spend a day pampering yourself, there's no better place than the Spa at the Miramonte in Indian Wells. The spa exudes a contagious relaxation atmosphere from the moment you enter the gates. You'll be given a coin to make a wish in the wishing well before starting your treatment, which could include a hot stone massage, oxygen facial or wine bath. The spa also offers couples treatments and prenatal massage. If everything sounds good, you can opt for a day ritual with two or three included services.
Recommended for Spas because: The Miramonte's spa boasts one-of-a-kind treatments like its water massage, wine bath and honey massage.
Local Expert tip: Try the new honey massage, where your therapist kneads your back with real honey before wrapping you in a moisturizing bees wax wrap.