exhale

This place offers the best of both worlds - a serious yoga workout AND a relaxing spa experience.
Specialties at this SaMo mind-body spa include the Core Fusion and (live) Music Flow Yoga classes, but I have yet to take a class there I didn't love.

The main room upstairs has big windows that open to an upper level sun deck. Downstairs, you'll find the main desk, lobby (with lots of goodies and yoga clothes to buy) and of course, the spa. The spa is as zen as everything else and just being there is calming. Don't miss all of the fabulous products they have for use. The salt scrub is awesome and something you don't often see for DIY at a spa.

The spa area isn't co-ed but they do have a separate men's area. And as previous reviewers have mentioned, unlimited spa access is only ten bucks with a yoga class. How can you beat that?

burke williams, samo

Oh man, do I love me some Burke Williams...

The WeHo location may be closer, but the schlep to Santa Monica is well worth the time. The Spanish colonial styled spa is larger and better appointed, and has expanded services and communal areas, unlike other locations. Hell, it's just plain better than the other BW's around town.

Most of the massages are about $100 which also buys you unlimited entrance into the spa - lockers, showers, dressing area, dry sauna, steam room, jacuzzi (communal and 'quiet' - the latter is tucked around a corner and never as crowded), misting room, the 'quiet' reading room, communal co-ed lounge (with a great fireplace), and outdoor patio.

This is one of the few spas you can enjoy with your hunny since you can meet in one of the co-ed areas - such as the fireplace lit lounge - robe clad and all between services.

If you're having a massage you can add on one of their therapeutic baths for an extra $35. Let me tell ya, this is worth every penny.

Even if you're not a big fan of facials, the one at BW is like heaven. It's an hour long process and involves some serious massaging of the head, neck, shoulders, hands and feet. The fact that you're getting a quality facial with all of that is almost a bonus.

Don't even think about hassling with the public parking mess. It's no pleasure dropping a couple hundred bucks for serious chill only to put your blood pressure through the roof trying to find - and then escape - the public lot a few doors down. Never mind, taking your clean as the day you were born body and tender pink skin through the nasty urine scented parking lot. There's valet downstairs with a direct elevator for about $10. Trust me, with what you're gonna spend, you can afford the few extra duckets and you'll be so thankful you did.

Weekends can get crowded, especially around the holidays when everyone's cashing in their gift certificates, but weeknights here are a real treat. There's only a few people around, getting a booking (even for the sought after couples massage room) is cake, and they're open till 10p giving you plenty o' loungin time.

If you're in for relaxation or deep tissue (a bitch, but HIGHLY recommended), ask for Beck. I have yet to find anyone there who can turn you into jello like he does. If you're looking for an out of body spiritual experience with your massage, ask for Ganesh. He's an acrobat and poet as well as masseur, and it shows.

Tip: If it's your birthday and you prove it, they'll give you one of the baths for free. If you happen to be pregnant (meaning you can't enjoy most of the heated spa areas), they'll do a special low temp bath for you, also for free.

1358 4th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 319-9820

the parker

No matter what time of year, this is one of our fave weekend getaways.

The Adler design is evident in every inch and the villas (if you can get your grubbies on one) are utterly divine. When we're lucky enough to land one (god bless the corporate comps), we only leave to venture out to the grounds for the pools (one of which is saltwater), the Lemonade Stand (this ain't your corner stand variety - you can pretty much park yourself here for the day or stroll with your drink to play a pissed game of Petanque or Baci) and the two fantastic restaurants - Norma's for brek and lunch and Mister Parker's in the eve. Both of which are worthy of 5 stars on their own.

PSYC (Palm Springs Yacht Club), aka the spa, is a grown up fantasy land as are all of the specialty services. If you're there in summertime, the Goldfinger is a must - they polish and bronze you - it's luscious. And don't forget your iPod - you're invited to enjoy whatever you like during your treatments. (But if you do forget, they have a menu of music choices that'll delight even the pickiest listener). Even the yoga classes every morning are worth sauntering over to, hangover and all.

This is one place we love to make an annual mecca to and one of the few hotel properties in the world I'd actually give a sixth star to if I could. Every element is impeccable and geared to the 30-45 crowd without being wanky.

All you need to pack is a swimsuit, light sweater and a couple of wrap dresses. Otherwise, you can sunbathe nude on your patio and lounge around half nekkie, and pretty much not leave the grounds all weekend. (That is, if you even want to make it out of the amazing beds). This is truly a little bit of heaven not to be missed.

4200 E Palm Canyon
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 770-5000

olympic spa

So you're adventurous, you love a little pampering, you want smooth skin, you're on a budget and you like it a little spicy - your kimchee, that is. Oh, and you have a vadge (because, sorry boys, this is a peenie-free zone).

Where do you go?
Olympic Spa.

What to expect?
A low-key, clean, relaxing, pleasant, ethnic, bathhouse experience that will leave you wondering how soon you can come back and why it took you so long to get there in the first place. Lots of nekkie ladies of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. This place is strict on their no swimsuit policy, but there's no need to be shy since you certainly won't be alone, and let me tell ya, you have nothin' these ladies haven't seen a hundred times before (that week). Incidentally, let me remind you that waxing is a mostly western phenomenon, so if you're between appointments, don't let that stop you either. No one will notice. Or care.

What do you do?
Keep it simple and go for the Simple Soak for $15 - access to all of their pools, the Jade Steam Room, the Oriental Clay Sauna (like climbing into a big tandoor oven), and the Oxygen and Bichotan Charcoal Therapy Room (hot, hot, hot!) - and then give yourself a DIY Korean Akasuri scrub. Tip: Don't be shy. Ask the ladies at the front desk for a scrub kit for a few bucks and a little instruction. You'll be happy you did.

Splurge a little and make an appointment for one of their signature treatments - which all include Akasuri scrub, Shiatsu/Swedish massage, Simple Soak, and then some - like the Goddess ($130), Pure Bliss ($100), or Milk & Honey Body Smoothie ($100).

Call all of your friends to tell them about your rockin' new find.

How do you feel?
Damn good! And damn clean. A lot like a tenderized piece of meat with skin as smooooooth as a baby's bum. Ready for sweet sleep.

Tip: Have a little cash on you to tip the complementary valet in back and to grab yourself a little grub in the restaurant that doesn't take anything but. Try the fresh fruit juice. It's refreshing after doing the circuit. Do eat at the restaurant but wait until AFTER your services. Trust me! Trying to digest spicy food with two women pushing and pulling all your bits will NOT enhance your experience! And don't shriek when you ease into the ice pool (as I witnessed someone do). Take it like a (wo)man or the Korean ladies will shoosh and shame you! Plan to be here 3-4 hours to really enjoy the experience.

3915 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 857-0666

raya salon & spa

Having grown up with the owner's daughter, I've had the good fortune of knowing about this well kept LA secret for years.

Aside from their amazingly priced and skillful facials ($60-$85, if you add on time in their new hydrotherapy spa facilities) and waxing (we're talking EVERYTHING from your toes to your navel for $62), they've recently expanded into the three story space next door they've turned into a clean, modern, glass and travertine mecca of affordable beauty.

Despite their services getting all of the attention, their products - which they formulate and manufacture themselves, even private labeling to many big name cosmetic companies like Benefit - are not to be missed. These are hands down the best quality for the best price you can buy. For an inexpensive treat, try the minty Exfoliating Body Scrub for $11. One of their best sellers, the Mint Souffle, is still one of my favorite face washes. Their wide variety of facial moisturizers are still only $20 each and of a quality you'd expect to pay at least double for.

The expansion includes a rooftop area set to open soon for outdoor massages, mani/pedi and sunning. Can't wait!

Tip: If you want the best Brazilian you've ever had, make an appointment with Tanya. For facials, try to get in with Raya herself, or her daughter-in-law, Lily. They're both amazing.

Note: They're open seven days and have extended hours to accommodate even the busiest girls. And P.S. - they do have the yummy Burke-esque water, it's just upstairs in the spa area ;)

533 North La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90048 (310) 652-2250