For nine years, Global Traveler has hosted its annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards at the five-star Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. Each visit feels like coming home — or at least like a comfortable home away from home in the City of Angels. My December 2019 trip followed that pattern, and this time I was especially eager to explore the spa after its recent renovation.
Last summer the Peninsula Beverly Hills completed an update to its 4,600-square-foot spa on the fifth floor near the rooftop pool, creating a refreshed refuge for relaxation and pampering. The entry is glamorous, with illuminated floral decor on the walls and clean white-and-gray marble at reception. Fresh floral arrangements and a large, fragrant candle invite guests further into the space. During a guided tour, the receptionist mentioned plans to renovate the fitness center directly behind reception as the next phase.
PHOTO: © THE PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS
After the tour I changed into a plush robe, slipped into slides and relaxed in the serenity lounge while I waited for my therapist. The lounge offers ginger tea, light bites such as zucchini muffins and turmeric shots, and small comforts including magazines and adult coloring books. One wall painted a soft pink with a butterfly motif, along with cushions in pink and orange, creates a balance of calming warmth and subtle energy — a perfect prelude to treatment or a quiet spot to recharge afterward.
Salt features prominently in the spa’s renewed offerings. The renovation added pink Himalayan salt dry saunas, which are heated to promote relaxation and are believed to support digestion, memory, and mood by encouraging serotonin release. The redesign also introduced textured wall coverings, updated lighting and artwork, a hair-and-makeup studio tailored to Los Angeles’ red-carpet culture, and an outdoor spa cabana for express services such as reflexology and vitamin treatments.
The spa menu was refreshed to include The Peninsula Hotels’ exclusive partnership with Australian brand Subtle Energies, representing the brand’s first introduction to the U.S. market. Other Peninsula locations, including The Peninsula Chicago and The Peninsula New York, have likewise added these treatments. Featured offerings include the Subtle Energies 24K Gold Age-Defying Facial and the Subtle Energies Recovering Traveler. The Peninsula Beverly Hills is also the only spa in Los Angeles currently offering two advanced Medical Beauty Research facials, one of which is priced at approximately $1,600.
I experienced the 60-minute BR Biologique Recherche Facial, described on the menu as an “intensive and sophisticated facial.” The therapist began with a thorough skin analysis, followed by cleansing and exfoliation. She employed manual lifting techniques designed to firm the muscles and improve elasticity, taking care to avoid excessive redness since some of the products were new to my skin. After applying several anti-aging serums and a custom mask matched to my skin type, she finished with a jade roller over the chilled mask — a cooling, invigorating touch that I particularly enjoyed.
The Peninsula Spa’s menu accommodates a wide range of needs and preferences: 12 distinct facials, Ayurvedic aromatherapy, body treatments and eight massage options. Treatments draw on global techniques, including a Thai Table Ceremony, and are often organized by the type of product used so guests can quickly find familiar favorites. Spa packages, hair and nail services, and fitness classes complete the offerings.
With my visit occurring just before awards season, I found myself imagining which celebrities might soon stop by to prepare for red carpet appearances. With its updated design, luxurious treatments, attentive staff and five-star facilities, the Peninsula Spa at the Peninsula Beverly Hills feels ready for any celebrity—or any guest—seeking a top-tier spa experience.