Los Angeles has always boasted a bounty of top-notch destination spas less than a two-hour drive from downtown.‚  There are desert spas (the Viceroy and Parker in Palm Springs) and beach spas (Montage in Laguna, Bacara in Santa Barbara) and spas that were around way before hot stone massages (The Golden Door and La Costa in Southern California).

But L.A. never had a resort spa in the surrounding mountains; in fact, there were no luxury resorts in any of the nearby mountain communities.‚  Now, just ninety miles east, in the San Bernardinos, a $17 million renovation has turned the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa into a stylish spot for luxurious weekends, due, in no small part, to the addition of Spa of the Pines.

Though the Spa’s neutral palate features sensual textures like bamboo, travertine, and velvety terrycloth upholstery, there’s nothing neutral about the signature treatments.‚  Collaborating with an on-site herbalist, the staff has created journeys  that take clients on a three-hour voyage of the senses inspired by this paradise’s pristine landscape. Plants such as pine bark powder, wild rose, lilac, and sage make their way into a foot soak, scrub, mud pack, and massage, all experienced in an opulent treatment room featuring views of the lake, fireplace, private entrance, and shower.

If the resort’s rooms weren’t so sumptuous and chic “and if the restaurant, Bin 189, didn’t feature an incredible chef from New Orleans “you’d simply relax there all day.

For more information call (909) 336-1511 or visit www.laresort.com

Andrea R. Vaucher

July/August 2007

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