THE GLOBAL TRAVELER TEAM frequently visits Los Angeles for our annual awards events, and only recently did Katie Skrzek, digital director, and I begin to take fuller advantage of those trips. In December we enjoyed a girls’ weekend before an event, and in May, when we returned for the 2017 Leisure Lifestyle Awards at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, we extended our stay a day to explore attractions we had previously missed. A highlight of that extra day was a morning at SoSPA.
We kicked off the morning with a challenging hike at Runyon Canyon. New to the trails, we found ourselves on the steeper dirt route directly up, while an easier, paved path sat to our left. On the way down we spotted the turn-off we’d missed and felt proud that we’d taken the harder path, earning our spa visit and the relaxed afternoon that followed.
This was my third visit to the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Although I had often passed through the spa lobby en route to the hotel’s well-equipped fitness center, this was my first time stepping into the spa itself, with its dark wood and Zen-inspired atmosphere. Katie had a 60-minute So Rejuvenating Facial scheduled, while I booked the 90-minute So Detox.
The So Rejuvenating Facial is one of the spa’s signature treatments—an aromatic, hydrating facial designed to restore suppleness and radiance. My So Detox began with a full-body exfoliation using a nourishing oil, followed by a tension-melting massage intended to restore vitality. The spa’s menu also features a variety of massages—So-On-The-Go, So Jet Lag, So Powerful, and So Hot Stone—alongside body scrubs, facials such as So Red Carpet and So Got Your Back, and enhancements that include chemical peels, a retinol booster, and a bio-cellulose restorative mask. A salon on site completes the offerings. SoSPA uses French brands Carita and Decléor for its treatments.
The SoSPA experience starts well before you arrive. After booking, I received timely confirmations and reminders, which felt welcoming without being intrusive. A thoughtful thank-you email after the treatment added a nice finishing touch and reinforced the positive impression the service left behind.
Relaxation area © SOFITEL LOS ANGELES AT BEVERLY HILLS
After a brief tour of the facilities, we changed into lush robes and waited in the relaxation area where my therapist found me. Katie and I split up for our treatments, and later she shared details of her facial. She praised her therapist’s thorough recommendations for products and at-home skincare, and enjoyed the hydrating products used during the treatment. A neck, scalp, and arm massage while the facial mask set was a welcome extra. The moisturizing effect lasted through Katie’s evening red-eye flight home, leaving her skin looking refreshed despite our sleepless travel.
For my treatment, I selected an essential oil for the scrub and massage; I chose peppermint for its invigorating yet calming qualities to energize the day while soothing tired muscles. The 30-minute full-body scrub was followed by a luxurious shower that rinsed away the exfoliant. The shower area featured a large overhead head and multiple wall-mounted sprays, making the rinse particularly enjoyable.
Afterwards I drifted into bliss during a focused 60-minute massage. I had indicated specific areas of concern before the session, and the therapist addressed those with precision, finding and working on additional tight spots as well. The pressure and technique eased my muscles, and a relaxing scalp massage was included; the therapist checked in first to confirm I was comfortable with oils in my hair.
As with all good massages, the time seemed to end too soon. It was back to reality, but we had more of our perfect L.A. afternoon planned, and thanks to SoSPA we felt relaxed, refreshed, and ready to enjoy it.
SoSPA
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel 310 278 5444
sofitel.com