The Center for Wellbeing at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
An elegant San Diego spa escape
Editor's note: The Center for Wellbeing at Fairmont Grand Del Mar is undergoing extensive renovations.
The extravagant spa exhibits that Old World feel in its décor and its treatments -most notably the aptly named Renaissance, a replenishing signature service that includes a body wrap, a rosemary-infused Swiss shower and touch therapy. The spa’s goal is to deliver a sublime experience of relaxed, renewed and restorative wellness. The spa is all about that Renaissance-style renewal and reconnecting you to the earth and to yourself.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Embracing the spirit of the Renaissance period, The Center for Wellbeing emphasizes a philosophy of renewal and rebirth that marked the bygone era.
- The spa gleans resources from the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, a natural wonderland replete with an abundance of flora and fauna.
- We love the triad treatment packages, which take a three-pronged approach to target your specific concerns. For example, the Sculpted Beauty triad treatment will have your skin glowing after a contouring massage, seaweed-clay wrap and Swiss shower.
- Need a haircut and a massage (kind of like we always do)? The Five-Star spa’s famed Haim Salon can take care of your hair, while the expert spa staff addresses your aches, pains and skin issues.
- You’ll have to stop yourself from overindulging in the buffet of truffles and mini-muffins. The snacks, along with the orange-infused ice water, are the perfect way to kick off a massage or facial.
Things to Know
- When you’re in desperate need of a spa day in sunny San Diego, secure an appointment by calling the luxury spa’s reception desk. The helpful staff will gladly set you up with a massage, body wrap, manicure, facial or whatever pampering your stressed-out self needs.
- The hotel’s concierge can get you a last-minute appointment as long as you arrive at least 75 minutes before the spa closes. When we visited, we booked our treatment for that same day without a problem. (Full disclosure: it was a weekday, typically less busy.)
- Since not every treatment is available at all times, we recommend booking an appointment as far in advance as possible.
- For a perfect day at the San Diego spa, we recommend a facial, followed by an immunity-boosting Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment, then a haircut and blowout.
- If you need to cancel an appointment for a treatment at The Center for Wellbeing, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star spa requests that you notify it by 4 p.m. the day prior to your scheduled service.
The Treatments
- Focusing on the face and neck, the rhythmic Manual Lymph Drainage therapy is designed to improve the overall functioning of your immune system. The lymphatic vessels play a key role in removing toxins and delivering nutrients, antibodies and other materials to the tissue cells of the body.
- During the Decompression treatment, an invigorating body scrub of organic rosemary is followed by a hydrating body wrap of goat butter while you lie on a warm, free-floating bed. This soothing, luxurious treatment culminates with a customized body massage.
- Art for Art’s Sake involves an application of warm oil massaged onto your neck, shoulders, décolleté, face and scalp, which is then followed by exfoliation, warm aromatic cloths and a remineralizing clay mask. This will leave your skin radiant and revitalized.
- Sculpted Beauty is another favorite treatment of ours. Nutrient-rich, mineralizing clay paired with a contouring massage draw excess fluid from your tissues.
- The Expression treatment involves a subtle, penetrating heat of warmed stones with an herbal salt scrub and a refreshing cleanse with a Vichy shower. Next up? A tonic massage with rich goat butter cream.
The Facilities
- Chaise chairs surround the indulgent indoor hot tub, which overlooks an Italian-style lion fountainhead and fountain. While you’ll relish your surroundings from the tub, you’ll also do some good to your body; the mineral water is oh-so good for your skin.
- It’s tough to top this steam room, which soothes and refreshes with a heavenly eucalyptus scent.
- The locker room space is all about swank, with its European-style décor and large framed mirrors. You’ll be treated to spacious digital lockers, plush robes and rubber thong slippers.
- The relaxation area and outdoor terrace might be an afterthought for most spas, but not here. Out on the terrace, you’ll find cabana-style chaise lounge chairs that make you feel like you’re soaking in the sun in Monaco.
- The ocean-blue women’s lounge looks more like the den of a European palace, complete with regal furniture like canopy chairs, fireplaces and a pathway of Hermès scarves.
Getting There
The Center for Wellbeing at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
More At This Location
