Beverly Hills’ Baubles

Words: Barbara Perkins

Leaving Cartier, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels behind, we selected our shimmering gems from the newest signature treatment at The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Spa.

When you arrive in Beverly Hills and have an hour or so before your next appointment, do you grab a double soy latte at the Starbucks in front of you or hold out for something better? We thought about that for just a moment, then headed straight to The Peninsula Spa.

Nestled amid tropical gardens, just a stone’s throw from Rodeo Drive, we pulled up to the famed hotelier’s South Santa Monica Boulevard location. Ten-deep with Ferraris, Bentleys and Lamborghinis, the porte-cochère area was foreboding; committed to winning our high-stakes game of beat-the-clock, we swiftly relinquished our keys to valet.

Located on the pool level, it’s the attention to detail that allows this 4,600-square-foot spa to make the most of its smallish space. Seven treatment rooms and a well-edited gym fit neatly into this efficient and luxurious retreat.

In addition to a robust menu of body, face, nail and massage therapies, clients can request a treatment in one of the rooftop cabanas overlooking the hotel’s 60-foot, heated outdoor lap pool. Not a bad view of surrounding Beverly Hills, either.

Newly launched is the spa’s Shiffa Gemstone Therapy collection, massage and body scrub treatments that incorporate gemstone oils. It’s actually a first in North America. We couldn’t resist having a go, as the gems are said to have healing powers: Diamonds for balance, emeralds for strength and rubies for vitality.

Asked to select our favorite from among the small glass bottles containing the micro-fine dust of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, we were keen on the ruby rub. Somewhat difficult to define why, but we liked its essence, a hint of vitality. True confession here? We are still not entirely clear about the benefits of crème-de-la-bling. But we must admit that just being sprinkled with the dust of precious stones does cast a certain spell.

After the sloughing and a slight stinging ended phase one—the extreme full-body exfoliation—we stumbled into our room’s private shower, where we quickly stepped under a delightful spray of seven strategically placed showerheads. Back to the massage table, replenished with a fresh set of linen, we surrendered to the final rubdown. Focusing on neck, shoulders and upper back it was a soothing topper, after which we literally glowed.

Relaxed, rested and remarkably stress free, this quick pick-me-up had dramatically altered our perception of the day. We seriously considered lingering for a post-treatment lunch. Our thoughts drifted along, past the Roof Garden restaurant, where becoming a permanent fixture poolside also crossed our mind.

Were it not for the professional and attentive staff that graciously yet jarringly reminded us, we most likely would have completely missed our afternoon meeting. Lucky too, being just around the corner, we could make it just in time. But after the morning’s sublime spa treatment, this city-fatigued urbanite felt it was more like a world away.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Spa
9882 South Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-551-2888
www.peninsula.com

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