The best spas in Los Angeles for your pampering needs

The Hotel Bel-Air Spa may just prove once and for all that nature and nurture can coexist in equal measure. Set deep within the iconic hotel’s plush Bel-Air canyon setting, the spa evokes a tranquil indoor-outdoor vibe. The nurture quotient here is evident in the spa’s chic nail salon, his-and-hers locker and steam rooms, and the seven treatment rooms, including the couples-friendly private Enclave Suite. The prices are steep, but you can expect a world-class facial in one of the prettiest spa settings in all of L.A.

Enter this sanctuary off of South Beverly Drive and be whisked away to a quiet Japanese-style spa for extensive pampering from head to toe. Privacy is key, here—the treatment rooms feature all the amenities you could think of, meaning you don’t have to leave to go to a locker room to change before or after your treatment. The spa offers intriguing treatments, including one that brings you fresh sushi post-treatment, and another in which hot sake is poured onto your back to release tension. Throughout your stay, sip tea and enjoy traditional Japanese treats. 

If 40,000-square feet of 28 treatment rooms (each with a private terrace) and four luxury suites (decked out with private plunge pool, day bed and whirlpool) don’t wow, then the fully-equipped, holistic wellness program is sure to impress spa snobs and feel-good gurus. For those looking for a wellness overhaul to bring with you outside of the spa, you can sign up for a cooking class with the hotel’s registered dieticians who walk you through clean eating and demos.

Escape the traffic on La Cienega at the SLS Hotel’s Ciel Spa. Enter the 5,000-square-foot sanctuary, where every detail has been thought of for an ultimate day of pampering. In the lounge, indulge in a special blend of spa tea and delectable treats. But the best part is behind the curtains in the private suites. Never thought you can fall asleep to a facial? Try one here and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The sprawling 50,000-square-foot spa facility at Terranea is a destination in and of itself. It has a boutique, pool, cafe and gym, with free fitness classes. Open-air spin, anyone? Make sure you enjoy the steam rooms, women’s and men’s lounges as well as outdoor cold plunge pools and spas on the grounds. Opt for the Ocean’s Renewal massage, a full-body treatment that incorporates elements of the sea with a laminaria seaweed oil, rich with minerals to revitalize the skin.

Shutters on the Beach’s spa is so close to the ocean, you can almost feel your toes in the sand as you begin to unwind. Enter the nautical-themed retreat—you’ll feel as though you’ve walked onto a boat or a swanky yacht—where the understated sophistication keeps in theme with the hotel’s Cape Cod style. Rest your head in one of the seven treatment rooms and indulge in a signature body treatment. 

At Chuan Spa, the Langham’s Eastern roots (the hotel chain’s HQ is in Hong Kong) come through with a menu of traditional Chinese medicine-based treatments like bamboo massages and a focus on re-circulating the body’s qi, or life force. We particularly love the hot stone massage—though you may want to spend a little more than that to throw in access to the pair of the hotel’s handsome pools. Otherwise, relax post-treatment in the spa’s sauna, steam room or whirlpool.

Close enough to reach in an hour or two but far away enough to feel like you’ve escaped L.A., Glen Ivy Hot Springs lets you relax in mineral baths, float around in pools and hop between hot and cold plunges in a tropical plant-filled valley in Corona. If you’re simply looking to sun and soak, you should be satisfied with the “admission only” pass, which grants you access to all of the pools (including a sulfur-rich natural hot spring), spas and Club Mud, a red clay playground where you can slather on some wet mud. Buy-up options include a warm body butter treatment in a steamy cave at the communal Grotto as well as a whole host of manicure, facial and massage options.

You’re greeted at the Ritz-Carlton Spa at L.A. Live with a glass of champagne or the beverage of the season. Once you’re ready for your treatment, leave some time to unwind in the co-ed Sanctuary. The spa also offers seasonal Garden to Glamorous treatments, incorporating herbs and produce from the hotel’s rooftop garden with top-of-the-line products. You’ll savor the treatment long after you’ve left the spa.

As soon as you walk into the Raven (either the Silver Lake or Santa Monica location), your muscles begin to relax. The entire room has a relaxed vibe with Thai-style decor and thick wood, and sun streams through skylights and open windows, giving the spa an outdoor feel. Massages here are decadent, but be sure to tell your therapist if she’s pressing too hard—if you’re shy about communicating with your masseuse, this may not be the spot for you. After your treatment, you can lounge on one of the woven chairs and enjoy fresh fruit along with hot tea and cool water. You’ll leave feeling soft, relaxed and refreshed (and if you’re a bit oily, there are showers here, too).