Spa of the Sea

Where The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn relies on the fruits of terra firma to compose its signature treatments, Hotel del Coronado’s Spa at The Del (619.522.8100, www.hoteldel.com/spa) maintains a decidedly island sensibility. Yes, you will find Asian and Hawaiian massage techniques on the menu, but the Seascapes and Voyages—an assortment of massages, facials, body polishes and wraps—rely on elements no further than those right outside the door. Namely, the sea, sun and sand. Other treatments also bear the stamp of Coronado’s environs, like the Vitamin Sea facial, which uses marine-based ingredients alongside nourishing vitamins (including that play on words, Vitamin C) to freshen up the face.

Considering The Del’s legacy as a health and vacation destination, this emphasis on the hotel’s surroundings makes sense. After all, if you come to San Diego, you want to see, well, San Diego. And so, in 2007, the labyrinthine Spa at The Del began serving up what vacationers have sought since the hotel opened in 1888: The restorative powers of the ocean. With 21 treatment rooms, ranking in Travel + Leisure’s top 20 spas in the world, a beachfront relaxation terrace and a temptingly elegant boutique, the Spa at The Del carries on that grand old tradition of insisting that a little decadence is good for the soul. And maybe even the body, too.

For more spa details and recommendations, visit www.sandiego.org.