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Spa Montage Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach's get-back-to-nature escape
Spa Montage Laguna Beach is a stunning facility that takes advantage of its superior beachfront setting. An indoor-outdoor structure and floor-to-ceiling windows framing 160-degree views alleviate any guilt guests may feel for opting to stay in for a bit of pampering on a sunny day.
The spa’s holistic, get-back-to-nature approach is evident in its design, as well as in the products it uses. Custom-mixed lotions and oils blend natural ingredients, including eucalyptus, lavender, orange blossoms and citrus. Wrap up in one of the spa’s cashmere robes and try any number of therapies, from a California citrus polish to an algae cellulite massage. Hungry spagoers can find a cozy spot by the lap pool, where healthy snacks and meals are available from the Mosaic Grille.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The official mantra of the Spa Montage is to “take you deeper, beyond pampering, to a place of connection and surrender — a place of profound self-discovery.” Translation? The Five-Star spa staff aims to help guests “surrender” to the tranquility of the spa environment and achieve a sense of balance.
- All therapists are graduates of the American Spa Therapy Education and Certification Council, a master’s level program in the spa industry.
- The Oceanside spa focuses on creating that sense of inner balance to portray radiant outward beauty, which sounds just about perfect to us.
- All-day access to the fitness and spa facilities are included with treatments that are 60 minutes or longer.
- Once you’re poolside, enjoy the rugged beauty of the coastline as you indulge in seasonal California cuisine (think smoothies, salads and tofu tacos) from the Mosaic Bar and Grill’s spa menu.
Things to Know
- There are several ways to snag an appointment at Spa Montage, whether you’re in need of a massage, facial or even an entire afternoon of blissful pampering. Call Montage Laguna Beach, where the Five-Star California spa is housed, and they’ll hook you up — stat.
- There is a live chat option on the website, but we found it isn’t always reliable.
- If you’re staying at the Montage resort, you might want to book a spa appointment when you reserve your room.
- Sometimes the overwhelming need for a first-class facial can creep up on you — thankfully the concierge at the Montage Laguna Beach hotel is usually able to get you into Spa Montage on short notice. In fact, we were able to schedule a massage just one day in advance.
- Locals tend to drop by this Five-Star California spa on the weekends, so if you are hoping to land an appointment Friday, Saturday or Sunday, we suggest you schedule two or three weeks ahead of time.
The Treatments
- The massages at this resort oasis span a variety of options and there’s probably one that’s just perfect for you.
- If a classic Swedish massage doesn’t do the trick, maybe a hot and cold stone massage will. This treatment uses warm basalt stones to remove cellular waste, and cool stones to tone up your tissue.
- You can book a reflexology massage to stimulate your energy pathway, or a joint massage with someone special in the couple’s treatment room.
- Expectant mothers can indulge in a pre-natal massage, while a sports massage is perfect for fitness fanatics as it works to reduce the buildup of lactic acid in joints and ligaments.
- If you’d like your therapist to customize a massage for your specific problem areas, opt for the therapeutic massage, which uses different techniques (including shiatsu and deep tissue), depending on your needs.
The Facilities
- The best amenity here is by far the adult-only outdoor lap pool and Jacuzzi overlooking the Pacific. Lounge poolside and enjoy the sweet serenade of the ocean lapping against the shore sans rowdy kids.
- Indoors you will find a fireplace with lounge chairs, hot tea, ice water and a variety of fruit and nuts.
- The outdoor area is enclosed with a flagstaff wall for privacy and features a whirlpool, a Eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna and two private outdoor showers.
- At the top-notch fitness facility, you can hop on a treadmill or lift weights while gazing out at the ocean’s splendor. What’s more, the fitness room has floor-to-ceiling windows that actually open to the sea breeze.
Getting There
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