“Whatever/whenever” — the service-minded mantra of W Hotels is evident throughout the W San Diego, and it was never clearer to me than during an afternoon at the hotel’s Away Spa. Facing a red-eye flight back to the East Coast after three busy convention days, I found the spa staff’s attentive care helped dissipate the stress and fatigue.
Tucked away on the hotel’s second floor, Away Spa is compact but thoughtfully appointed. It offers several treatment rooms and a full menu of services, including facials, body treatments, massages, skincare and in-room services. In partnership with REN Bioactive Skincare, the spa uses a line of plant-based skincare products and recommends individualized items at the end of each session—an appreciated touch for guests who want to continue their regimen at home.
The W San Diego sits squarely in the heart of downtown, and the hotel generates a lively local buzz. Guests and locals gather in the eclectic Living Room lobby or on the rooftop beach bar, lending an energetic city vibe. Yet inside Away Spa, that urban bustle fades into calm. The spa strikes a pleasing balance between the city’s momentum and a quiet, restorative atmosphere—at times I almost forgot I was still on property.
Even before I arrived, the spa staff impressed me. Michael Otto, the spa’s talent coach, recommended the WoW treatment: a 90-minute experience combining a massage and facial performed simultaneously by two therapists. I chose female therapists and spent the weeks leading up to my visit looking forward to the treatment.
Scheduling the appointment at the end of my trip turned out to be the perfect choice. The prior days had been packed and exhausting, and by Wednesday afternoon I was worn out and dreading a long connection in San Francisco and the overnight flight. Knowing that the W San Diego experience awaited me made the travel fatigue more bearable.
I arrived early and relaxed in a private room off the lobby with a beverage. After completing the intake form and noting my preferences—such as massage pressure—and skin concerns, I felt myself unwind. The therapists arrived promptly and escorted me through a curtained entry to the treatment room corridor. I appeared to be the only guest at that time, which added a particularly personal, pampering quality to the visit.
Before the treatment began, the therapists reviewed my preferences and outlined the session, clarifying each person’s role and further easing any nerves. Because Away Spa is intimate, there isn’t a separate changing area; the therapists left the room while I changed and I placed my belongings on the room’s large windowsill.
I’ve experienced both chatty and quiet spa therapists; after days of conversation at a convention, the quieter approach suited me perfectly. The WoW treatment really lives up to its name. Initially I worried that switching between a facial and a massage might undercut the enjoyment of each, but those concerns vanished. The dual treatment soothed every sense and left me thoroughly relaxed—so much so that I believe I slept exceptionally well on the red-eye flight home.
This facial was only my second, and my first that included extractions. Although extractions can be momentarily uncomfortable, the results were worth it: my skin felt noticeably smoother for weeks afterward. The massage helped distract and relax me during the facial’s more intense moments, and I appreciated the therapists’ clear explanations about the products and each step of the process.
What stood out most was how attentively the therapists listened. They adjusted the massage pressure exactly to my preference, and the facialist focused on my specific problem areas. Each treatment at Away Spa is tailored to the individual, ensuring a personalized experience rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Away Spa may not be the largest, most opulent spa in town, but it is comfortable, indulgent and perfectly suited for a restorative escape. If you find yourself in San Diego, it’s worth letting the W San Diego whisk you away for a bit of pampering.
Away Spa at W San Diego
421 W. B St.
San Diego, CA 92101
tel 619 398-3092