SPAS FOR MEN - CALIFORNIA
by Bob Ecker
Is there such a thing as a Man Spa? Since human bodies, both male and female are not that different, one would think that any spa could cater to men. But, sometimes it takes just a few little extras to turn a spa visit into a winning experience, for reluctant male clients. Extras such as providing men’s, or general interest magazines, offering products that cater to the particularities of a man’s face, having a men's only lounge and staff equipped to properly massage and treat men’s bodies – can make the experience significantly more rewarding.
Northern California wine country is a prime location for spas so I sampled a few to understand what’s being offered, specifically for men.
Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, downtown Napa
Set above the Napa River just off a busy road, most downtown Napa locals would be surprised to learn about the tranquility of Milliken Creek Inn & Spa. But this soothing, lovely spot is a charming hideaway worth experiencing.
The Spa is small, with only three treatment rooms, so things book up quickly. Each room overlooks the Napa River, as do the rooms in the Inn. (They also have an outdoor private spa area) The Spa’s overall minimalist Asian motif becalms with white terrycloth chairs, walls of warm taupe, tan and off whites.
Their signature treatment is the unique, “The Milliken Trio Head, Hands & Feet.” (90 minutes/$190) Wow, what a comfortable experience with wellbeing the only result. A seamless combo of aromatherapy (I chose the “balance” fragrance with a hint of Sandalwood), hot stones all over – head, hands, back, stomach, chest & feet, - a soft scrub and moderate massage on trio areas. Peaceful music, fresh air and soft lighting, this is what a fine cure is all about. This hedonistic “Trio” may not be truly male oriented, but is beloved by visitors, both male and female, from across the globe. A full 90 minutes of bliss. For more info
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa - Sonoma
Though the Sonoma Mission has been absorbed into the Fairmont chain and is now somewhat of a corporate entity, this large, highly professional Sonoma wine country Spa has an exceptional history and knowledgeable staff. This place is all about genuine relaxation, water, and water rituals. In fact, the Sonoma Mission Inn is built above natural hot springs and is one of the only large spas in America to have its own hot, 135 degree thermal mineral pools. (The water needs to be cooled down before use) Visitors will see flowing robes, beautiful people, splendid pools, and a large, comfortable property.
The SMI offers a number of treatments for men including the Body Coffee Scrub. Similar to other scrubs except that the coarse coffee in this scrub, along with high levels of natural antioxidants and salts, produces a rough, yet wonderful back, leg, arm and chest scrub. This vigorous body scrub, (50 minutes/$135) felt like getting my back deliciously scratched for 50 minutes. Then healing moisturizers sealed it all in. A stimulating body workout, this is among the best Men’s Treatments in Northern California. The healing waters and waiting pools, not to mention the lodging, make for a splendid experience. For more info
Spa Villagio – Yountville (Napa Valley)
The Villagio and the new stand alone Spa Villagio are located in Yountville, at the exact epicenter of Napa Valley, within easy reach all that the Valley has to offer. The Village is known for its upscale serenity and attention to detail. And this theme is carried out by the brand new, 13,000 sq. ft building of Spa Villagio. A beautiful piece of architecture in its own right, this posh Spa may well soon become THE spa in Napa Valley.
The Spa at Villagio offers an energizing Athletic Performance Sports Massage, (100 minutes/$250) with male bodies in mind. Beginning with some heavy duty Italian mud plus herbal essential oils for some detoxification, the wrap cleansed away. Once unwrapped and showered, a firm sports massage with proprietary join creams pounds tired and sore muscles. This Sports Massage features boswellia, devil's claw, lemon bioflavanoids and arnica combined with special sports creams that wick away post activity soreness. This is a fine treatment after any workout.
Five new Spa Suits offer feature an assortment of luxurious 3 ½ hr. pampering. Spa Suites have large Swiss showers, zero gravity beds, wine refrigerators and private outdoor hydrotherapy tubs. What’s more is that each Spa Suite comes with a flat screen TV providing visuals, films of your choice, or even ballgames. (3 ½ hrs/$575). A Spa Concierge offers visitors individually customized sights/sounds/smells for their Spa Suite treatments. This is a Man Spa.
For more info
Spa Terra at the Meritage Resort - Napa
This is the first totally underground purpose built spa in North America. The Spa Terra/Meritage Resort is located at the southern end of Napa Valley. With a Tuscan look and 10 treatment rooms, this spa is a perfect amalgam of cool – underground, dark, and exotic, and warm - mellow sounds, smells, comforting colors, and brick, serene ambient lighting. The cave features mosaics, intimate well appointed locker rooms, salmon colored robes, for men, and white for women.
Spa Terra offers a Men’s Facial along with the slightly longer, Meritage facial for guys needing facial rejuvenation. All grape seed all the time. Soothing and relaxing. One unique aspect here is that the aesthetician does a quick skin assessment and decides what exactly what your skin needs. Recognizing that each face requires more than a one-size-fits-all regimen, Spa Terra demonstrates a commitment to each customer as an individual. My skin felt appropriately supple for the next few days. Additionally, Spa Terra also has a wine bar in the cave, and spa guests often stop by in their robes to sample wines.
Since this Spa was purpose built underground, there were some structural challenges that “normal” above-ground buildings don’t have to worry about, such as the size of the doorframes and hallways. “We had to get out of our Spa box, and do things differently,” said Spa Director, Victoria Boscarino. Spa Terra has done everything right, and has now, after a year come into its own. The curved, rounded ceilings throughout are a nice touch. For more info
The Sports Club LA/Splash - San Francisco – downtown San Francisco
The Sports Club LA/Splash located on Market Street in downtown San Francisco is a big, urban mega-club with lots of people, acres of lockers etc. The hubbub is so busy and in fact, that it appears an-anti relaxing experience, at first. However, once inside the Spa area, everything seemed to slow down. The elegant Men’s Facial, (50 minutes/$120) performed by Kamee Rose Tong is incredibly soothing, peaceful and wholly an enjoyable exfoliating process. She has hands of an angel. Specifically designed for a man’s face using tougher natural oils than for women, it helped relax my stubbly face. Their “Sports Massage” caters to men by really working on specific muscles (in my case legs, hamstrings) after a brief exfoliation. I also recommend this treatment. The Sports Enthusiast package goes for (50 minutes/$160). This club is in a fantastic location for San Francisco bound travelers who want to workout, and then experience rejuvenating skin care and massage. And then pop right back into city reality. For more info
Kenwood Inn & Spa – Kenwood (Sonoma Valley)
The Kenwood Inn is a lovely inn & spa tucked away in plain site. Located on the west side of busy Highway 12 in mid-Sonoma Valley, most people would never know (I didn’t) that a Mediterranean wine country oasis exists behind stone walls. There are gorgeous gardens, lovely rooms, pools, waterfalls, a large waterwheel and lush plant life, all making the Kenwood Inn a real find. The there’s the Spa at the north end of the property. Similarly hidden, this Spa is open to the general public as well as guests.
This Spa is seriously into vinotherapy, or wine based treatments. (Sonoma wines, of course.) Small but elegant, Kenwood Inn’s signature service may be their Ti Amo Togetherness massage. Open air, private yet under a big red tent, it exudes a faint wisp of Middle Eastern romance. Ti Amo includes champagne and candlelight in the evening.
Their Men’s Package is a serious business. It includes a Crushed Cabernet Scrub, 50 minute Sauvignon Massage and a Vinopure Facial (3 ½ hours/$370). This restorative workout is a tremendous type of male indulgence. The Cabernet scrub exfoliates and stimulates the body with mild tannins, and a slightly rough consistency. The Sauvignon Massage is a relatively standard Swedish or Deep Tissue massage with (yet again) grape extract mixed with oil. Still, the Kenwood folks know what they’re doing. The last element, the Vinopure facial combines a soft face and head massage with light exfoliation. As long as you’re indulging, try the Red Wine Barrel Bath, an effervescent soaking with essential oils, and crushed red wine grapes – every part including crushed seeds, skin, stalks and grape pulp. They recommend this luscious treatment either before, or after a treatment. Prior is best. I left smooth, radiant and happy, ready for a glass of wine. For more info
Bob Ecker is a Napa, California based writer providing numerous worldwide magazines and newspapers with powerful wine, travel, culinary, spa, sports, business and feature content. He is constantly on the go, traveling the world, sampling new wines, tasting cuisines, uncorking emerging regions, and interviewing industry leaders.