They say God is in the details. Well, God is alive and well and chillin at San Diego's luxurious triple 5 start resort The Grand Del Mar.
If it's possible to have The Best Weekend in Forever while totally alone, child, girlfriend and spouse-free, then I think I just returned from one such weekend. And luckily for all the people listed above, an all the more a rested, refreshed and generally less-enraged Me emerged from the ashes of my Grand Del Mar rebirth. And when I say ashes, I mean luxury spa towels, 5 star room, divine foodie-approved meals and superior spa treatments.
First of all, if you need to Get The Heck Outta Town and Feel Like You're In Say, Utah, this is your spot. I have never been to San Diego and truthfully, I still have no idea what San Diego looks like, because once at the resort, you will never, ever, ever leave. (From the gorgeous nature hike I took this morn, it looks like Wyoming for all I know.) And leave, why would you? Every whim is catered to with white gloved service. The service was so impeccable it actually made me, (shockingly) nicer! There is no bigger turn on then when hospitality that rings true – where you feel that people authentically care about making the guest feel the best they can, and care about what they do. The hand picked staff here has made it a choice to be in the hospitality service. That's what it feels like here. Like the employees are into it. Makes a huge diff when it's done right.
I felt so loved, nourished and taken care of my whole being simply r-e-l-a-x-e-d. And since I know you have the attention span of a tse-tse fly, let me cut to the chase. This is a super high-end place. It's pricey, high-end, swanky, golf-club country style. Have a classy big birthday to throw? Bachelorette or Bridesmaid's party? Wedding? Bar Mitzvah? (both were going on while I was there) Reunion golf tournie to organize? It's a world famous course. This is your spot. Get a giant room (mine was ridic, a double deluxe suite and $1300/night. oh lucky me! ) Get a villa. Then hook yourself up with a weekend of exotic spa treatments created (read about them below!!) by Anne Bramham a 25 year vet spa consultant, a master in all things health and healing. She created the most delectable healing menu of services, performed by highly qualified passionate professionals. This aint yo mom-in-law's Burke Williams junk. This is the real deal. The oils and muds used are made from the most high end, hand crafted and harvested essential oils. It's almost Swiss spa like. The steam, sauna and spa itself are unbelievable. Lounges to rest before and after, and every wish is catered to. I felt like Albert Brooks in a life after death comedy, "hey if this is heaven, sign me up!"
Guests are also invited to take a guided nature hike by a hard cord naturalist who was straight out of central casting for the Discovery channel, except he was REAL. This dude was so passionate and knowledgable I found myself driven to ask questions about the mustard seeds we were tasting fresh from the bush (bush? tree? See, I was so inundated with info I forget!), the poop droppings, the wasp hive, the flora and fuanaand the what 400,000 year old rocks we were walking on. We finally arrived at the Crystal Waterfall and were left to meditate for ten minutes on our own. I was so awestruck by the beauty and really, by the passion and gung-ho'ness of our guide, I actually had pleasant thoughts about my life. Shocking!
All the juicy details and specs are below. I still cannot believe that only 2.5 hours out of Los Angeles can feel like your some where far far away. The landscape is exquisite both inside and out. The decor is uber-spanish style and it is designed to cater to every whim. For example, on my floor, was a Gelato infused coffee shop with a gift shop loaded with Haba wood toys and stuff you would actually buy for your kids or a friend. That's the kind of quality. This place was junk and tourist free. And while I hate to use the word classy, it really was exactly that. For 48 hours I was made to feel like, what I imagine, Beyonce must feel like. Like I mattered. The spa pampered in a way to make you feel like every penny was well spent.
I'm already looking into getting my best five girl friends to go in for a villa for a 40th birthday coming up. Even if we just hang in the room, oder room service, workout in the 5-star gym, use the awesome pool (oh! i forgot to mention the AWESOME Aquasize class I had with Mary McCormack, another expert in her field. I gotta give it to her, for someone with pool-phobia, I am ready to sign up at my local pool and start doing these workouts that she woke me up to. Ah. Ma. Zing.) , take their fine exercise and yoga classes, it's a win win. If we can swing a treatment on top of it, I guess it'll mean, I've died and gone to heaven, twice.
~ Five-Star Award from Forbes (formerly Mobil) Travel Guide, 2012, 2011
~ Top 10 U.S. Spas, Celebrated Living, June 2011
~ #1 Best San Diego Resort and Spa, Examiner.com, 2011
~ Voted “Best Day Spa” by readers of Luxist.com, March 2010
~ Selected as “Editor’s Choice” in the Platinum List from Celebrated Living,
2010, 2009
~ Voted “Favorite U.S. Spa” in the Silver Sage Reader’s Choice Awards from Spa magazine, November 2008
~ Top New Spa, Condé Nast Traveler’s coveted “Hot List,” May 2008
THE SPA!
OVERVIEW: Embracing the creative and rejuvenating spirit of the Renaissance, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar symbolizes that bygone era with its emphasis on renewal and rebirth. The spa also gleans resources from the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, a natural wonderland replete with an abundance of flora and fauna.
Created to deliver a sublime experience of relaxed, renewed and restorative wellness, the spa’s comprehensive programs and a la carte services are designed to reconnect guests with enriching elements of the earth: warm mineral muds and clays, native herbs, soothing stones and calming botanicals.
Services offered encompass a full slate of natural therapies, including cleansing facials and invigorating hydrotherapy body treatments, plus fitness consultation and classes ranging from yoga to weight training, and nature walks and hikes in the adjacent Preserve.
FACILITIES: The expansive 21,000-square-foot spa features 11 beautifully appointed treatment rooms for massage, facials and hydrotherapy, including a plush couple’s suite.
Separate male and female club-style locker rooms feature lavishly appointed relaxation rooms, complete with a stone fireplace; shower, steam and sauna areas; European-style wet rooms; an indoor Jacuzzi with a shared outdoor Jacuzzi and an expansive spa pool.
DESIGN: The Spa’s rich, opulent interiors reflect the beauty, grace and culture of the Renaissance. This luxuriously appointed retreat has a soothing color palette of earthy creams, soft blues, beiges and taupes – accented by sparkling crystal glass tiles, multiple arches, warm wood accents and imported white Carrera marble.
SPA DIRECTOR: Jim Croghan, a 15-year spa industry veteran who has worked for numerous high-end resort spas, including those at the Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, Island Hotel Newport Beach, the Spa at South Coast Plaza and The Balboa Bay Club and Resort.
CONSULTANTS: Consultants Anne Bramham and Barbara Schultz helped develop the concept and treatment menus for the spa. The pair has a combined 50 years of experience in the spa industry and have worked and or consulted for properties such as Montage Resort & Spa, Canyon Ranch and numerous Ritz-Carlton properties.
TRIAD
TREATMENTS: Good things come in threes. These multi-tiered treatment trios are offered exclusively by The Spa at The Grand Del Mar and designed to fully rejuvenate the body and spirit:
Decompression: Scrub, Hydrating Body Wrap and Massage – Immersion in the resort’s luxurious, state-of-the-art ‘free-floating’ Spa system, followed by an aromatic body scrub of organic rosemary and natural healing compounds – a fitting prelude to a relaxing and rhythmic body massage. 120 minutes.
Expression: Stone, Scrub and Tonic Massage – Warm, soothing stones are applied to the body, followed by an invigorating all-over body scrub and finished off with a brisk tonic massage to stimulate circulation. 120 minutes
Extremities: Massage, Reflexology and Therapy – Warmed, aromatic oils massaged into the scalp, head and neck are complemented by a therapeutic herbalfootbath and reflex foot/hand therapy. 90 minutes.
Sculpted Beauty: Massage, Thermal Wrap and Swiss Shower – Contouring body massage followed by a mineralizing seaweed clay wrap. This treatment is finished with a Swiss shower and application of a sunflower and mango-infused goat butter tightening cream. 120 minutes.
MASSAGE/BODY
TREATMENTS: Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) – A light, rhythmic technique performed on different parts of the body that promotes deep relaxation and alleviates stress, while boosting the immune system. 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
Renaissance – Mineral rich mud coupled with warmed aromatic oils and a rosemary-infused Swiss shower to nourish and replenish, followed by a relaxing, stretching massage. 90 minutes.
Core Elements – The healing properties of nutrient-rich mud and a thorough and relaxing lower back and abdominal massage balance and strengthen the body’s core. 60 or 90 minutes.
Between Two Worlds – A light touch massage with aromatic oils is followed by sweet-grass compresses, inspiring a deep, soulful relaxation. 75 minutes.
Stony Silence – The subtle, penetrating heat of warmed stones in tandem with a relaxing massage address muscular aches and pain and soothe the body and mind. 90 minutes.
Tradition – Soothing and relaxing, this classic massage pays homage to the innumerable virtues of Swedish massage. 60 minutes.
Athletic Encounter – Designed to focus on ‘specific’ areas of concern, this therapeutic sports massage addresses the restrictions and impairments of strained and repetitively stressed muscles. 60 or 90 minutes.
Refined – Begins with a dry body brushing and a full body exfoliation with a nutrient-rich scrub followed by a relaxing massage with hydrating body lotion and a Vichy shower experience. 60 minutes.
Beginnings – A relaxing maternity massage that promotes circulation in the feet and legs, soothes aches and reduces tension. 60 minutes.
Herbal Salt Scrub – The indigenous, aromatic herbs of rosemary and sage work in synergy with a stimulating, cascading Vichy shower to deliver an experience of exhilarating, restorative wellness. 30 minutes.
Herbal Reflexology – Rosemary, sage and lavender fill an aromatic, warm footbathfollowed by a hand and foot reflexology massage. 60 minutes.
THE GRAND
WRAPS: Recover – Using a blend of Roman chamomile and lavender essential oils, this wrap calms and nourishes irritated skin. 60 minutes.
Repair – A detoxifying blend of seaweed and minerals help purify the body. 60 minutes.
Replenish – This deeply moisturizing wrap of sweet orange-honey-almond milk is ideal for dry skin. 60 minutes.
FACIAL
TREATMENTS: Portrait – A relaxing, regenerative skincare ritual contours and firms the skin, enhancing tone, coloring and integrity. 60 minutes.
Art for Art’s Sake – An application of warm oil massage to the neck, shoulders, décolleté, face and scalp is followed by a regimen of exfoliation, warm aromatic cloths and a nourishing clay mask, leaving skin radiant and revitalized. Specific products selected for gender and skin type make this treatment ideal for both men and women. 90 minutes.
Luminous – Acupressure, botanical elements, and nutrient rich clay combined with light therapy induce deep relaxation and dramatic, regenerative results. 60 or 90 minutes.
Classic Revival – Promoting vibrant, younger-looking skin, this facial includes a nutrient-rich, all-natural exfoliation featuring a blend of green tea, wheatgrass, cypress, lemon and lactic acid. 60 or 90 minutes.
Renewal – An exquisite massage application of mineral-rich pomegranate peel extract, followed by a pumpkin enzyme exfoliation and organic anti-aging hydrating peel. 60 or 90 minutes.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) – Focusing on the face and neck, this rhythmic massage technique helps to improve skin conditions such as rosacea, minimize stress, alleviate facial congestion and acne and treat puffy eyes and dark circles. 30 minutes (can be booked as a solo treatment or with a facial)
Back to Nature – A cleansing back facial that includes a nurturing massage of the back, neck and shoulders. 60 minutes.
FITNESS: The state-of-the-art fitness facilities are adjacent to the spa, and feature the latest in exercise technology, including five new Life Fitness treadmills with private personal viewing stations; five spinning bikes; four elliptical bikes, two upright bikes; two recumbent bikes and one Summit trainer.
In addition, a complete range of Life Fitness weight equipment and machines (including rowing, smith machines, etc.), stretching devices and exercise balls are available. Personal trainers are available by appointment.
A spacious movement studio is situated near the spa, and offers a full range of classes such as Yoga, Pilates and Spinning. Guests can also partake in offsite fitness activities offered through the spa, among them hiking, biking and outdoor classes in the beautiful Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.
Designed for The Spa by Phoenix-based SA Laboratories, this handmade organic product line – including cleansers, refreshing tonics and toners, moisturizers, nourishing serum concentrates, invigorating exfoliants, body balms, mineral-rich masks and eye creams – is comprised of the purest essential oils, certified herbal and marine extracts and replenishing mineral clays.
ADDRESS: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: 858-314-2020
Fax: 858-720-0025
Situated amidst the striking fairways of The Grand Golf Club, The Grand Del Mar is San Diego County’s only Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond luxury resort destination. The resort offers a complete spectrum of first-class amenities; among them four sparkling swimming pools, tennis, fine dining, San Diego’s only Tom Fazio-designed golf course, a Renaissance-inspired spa and 249 elegantly appointed guestrooms. An intriguing amalgam of Mediterranean elements prevails at The Grand Del Mar, and the different styles lend a relaxed, yet sophisticated ambiance. San Francisco-based interior design firm Warren Sheets design, Inc. masterminded the interiors and exterior details, paying tribute to the indelible architecture of Addison Mizner, a turn-of-the-century visionary whose worldly design approach defined the resort communities of Palm Beach and Boca Raton in the 1920s. Inspired by the rich decorative arts of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Morocco, Mizner’s exotic style is evoked throughout The Grand Del Mar, with its colorful palette, graceful arched doorways, rotundas, vibrant tile, wood-beamed ceilings, ornate stone and wrought-iron accents, decorative columns, parquet flooring and gracious verandas.