Reviews of spas around the world, including destination spas, resort & hotel spas, day spas, spa products and spa news & bargains from some of the best travel writers in the business.
The Huntington Hotel by Lillian Africano -- San Francisco, CA
by Lillian Africano
"I had a rendezvous with Max7, the spa's secret weapon against imperfect skin."
ith a premier San Francisco address on Nob Hill, the Huntington Hotel is a fine example of understated luxury. Since 1924, the historic hotel has hosted visiting dignitaries, nobility, and celebrities, including Placido Domingo, Paloma Picasso, Princess Michael of Greece, Oscar de la Renta, and Desmond Tutu.
What makes the Huntington a special place, however, is that all guests are treated with the care and service so often reserved for V.I.P's. The complimentary tea or sherry offered upon check-in is just one of the small but meaningful courtesies guests have come to expect.
Luxury Apartment House
Since the hotel was originally constructed as a luxury apartment house, the 135 guest rooms and suites are generally larger and more interesting in shape than conventional hotel rooms. A Huntington suite, for example, might resemble an upscale city apartment in size and layout. The suites on high floors have dazzling views of the city.
Guest rooms and baths are equipped with modern comforts, including complimentary DSL Internet service, dual-line telephones, large writing desks, fax machines, private voicemail, hairdryers, cable television, terry robes and custom bath towels.
The Huntington's full service Nob Hill Spa is a jewel, offering many of the features one would expect in a fine resort spa. Noted Bay Area feng-shui expert Sean Xenja was consulted in the construction of the day spa, invoking 3,000-year-old Chinese art practices to create a serene, harmonious retreat.
Champagne Inside and Out
The selection of treatments and services is impressive; so are the aestheticians, if my experience with the gifted Traci was a typical example. During my Perrier Jou t Champagne Facial ($180, 80 minutes), I learned that champagne can be good for the skin. Champagne yeast nourishes the skin, and when combined with exotic Chinese herbs, the result is a radiant and fresher complexion. And just before my facial, there was a lovely glass of the bubbly for me to enjoy as I stretched out on the lounge near the fire pit and contemplated the pleasures ahead.
Photodermatology
Later, I had a rendezvous with Max7, the spa's secret weapon against imperfect skin. Developed in Canada and the only one of "his" kind in California, Max is a non-invasive light therapy device for facial skin rejuvenation. A form of Photodermatology, with the reassurance of safe light-emitting diodes first developed by NASA, Max generates specific spectrums of light identified to penetrate the skin, stimulate cells, and restore the skin's natural cellular activity. Benefits of time spent with Max include: increased circulation, restoration of the skin's natural cellular activity and promotion of Collagen activity, which leads to more youthful and healthy skin. Max is good for all skin types and ethnic groups÷and "he" was certainly perfect for mine. A single session is $175; a package of six at $1095 includes a European Facial or Professional Alpha/Beta Peel at weeks 1 and 5, cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing at weeks 2,3, 4 and 6, and a set of specialty ampoules for weekly home care.
In addition to a selection of facials for every skin type and need, the spa offers a number of unusual body treatments. The Bindi Herbal Body Treatment, adapted from 5000-year-old Ayurvedic Pancha Karma rejuvenation therapies, includes a botanical mask, exfoliation, aromatherapy massage, Ayurvedic herbal wrap and marma face points. This deep cleansing treatment, which softens and nourishes the skin and helps eliminate the feelings of stress and anxiety, is priced at $165 (80 minutes).
The Green Tea Scrub, inspired from Balinese village traditions, begins with a stimulating and warming scrub including "Boreh" (ground rice powder and warming spices). Incorporating a light massage, Boreh has been used by rice farmers for generations to increase circulation and relieve aching muscles. The scrub is $110 (50 minutes).
Yoga and Inner Balance Classes
In addition to the long and interesting menu of services, the spa offers classes of a very high quality, complimentary to guests. Yoga at 7:30 on a Saturday morning was empty, so I had the full attention of Ken, who created a private lesson tailored to my ability. The Inner Balance class given by Kristin was a fusion of fundamental Pilates, Feldenkreiss, and Laban. It, too, was empty, this being early Saturday morning, so I once again had the benefit of a personal instructor.
At the spa's imaginatively stocked boutique, there are examples of top product lines for sale: Jurlique, Babor, Perricone, skinceuticals, to name a few. The boutique is also a good place to shop for gifts--delicious soaps and salts, sequin slippers from Thailand and unusual accessories and clothes.
The spa is complimentary for all hotel guests. For the general public, a day pass is $35; however anyone who books a treatment may also enjoy the inviting facilities, beginning with the well-equipped locker area to the eucalyptus steam room, the sauna, whirlpool and the heated infinity pool. The 18-foot-high windows beyond the pool offer delightful downtown views. Around the pool are comfortable lounges and chars, side tables for the complimentary teas or for the poolside lunch or snacks that room service will deliver. In one corner is a fire pit, perfect for those days when a chill is in the air. When the weather is balmy, guest in swimsuits (or wrapped in the thick, fluffy spa robes)
Step outside onto the patio and stretch out on a lounge to relax. Through December 30th, the hotel is offers California residents a terrific spa bargain with its "California Dreaming" package. Priced at $295 (reduced from $460), it includes luxurious Huntington Suite accommodations, tea or sherry service upon arrival, complimentary access to the Nob Hill Spa ($70 value per couple) and chauffeured sedan from the hotel to Union Square shopping district.
Non-residents may take advantage of the equally appealing "Romance and Relaxation" package, offered through December 30th at $535. It includes a one-night stay in a Luxury Room, a bottle of champagne upon arrival; two 50-minute massages; unlimited access to the spa facilities; chauffeured sedan from the hotel to Union Square shopping district. For more information:
The Huntington Hotel 1075 California Street San Francisco, CA 94108
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What makes the Huntington a special place, however, is that all guests are treated with the care and service so often reserved for V.I.P's. The complimentary tea or sherry offered upon check-in is just one of the small but meaningful courtesies guests have come to expect.
Later, I had a rendezvous with Max7, the spa's secret weapon against imperfect skin. Developed in Canada and the only one of "his" kind in California, Max is a non-invasive light therapy device for facial skin rejuvenation. A form of Photodermatology, with the reassurance of safe light-emitting diodes first developed by NASA, Max generates specific spectrums of light identified to penetrate the skin, stimulate cells, and restore the skin's natural cellular activity. Benefits of time spent with Max include: increased circulation, restoration of the skin's natural cellular activity and promotion of Collagen activity, which leads to more youthful and healthy skin. Max is good for all skin types and ethnic groups÷and "he" was certainly perfect for mine. A single session is $175; a package of six at $1095 includes a European Facial or Professional Alpha/Beta Peel at weeks 1 and 5, cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing at weeks 2,3, 4 and 6, and a set of specialty ampoules for weekly home care.
