Your Last Resort: Here is What You Need to Recharge

Written by | Lifestyle

All images courtesy of Terranea resorts] [Captions: 1- Terranea Resort - The Spa at Terranea Copper Tub

Terranea
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
866-547-3066
terranea.com

Sometimes you just need to shut out the world, disconnect and recharge with some Grade A me-time. What better way to do so than by indulging your inner diva with a spa treatment at an oceanfront resort? Just an hour outside of metropolitan Los Angeles lies an oasis of calm with breathtaking views on 102 acres of pristine oceanfront Known as Terranea, the recently renovated spa includes 25 treatment rooms, men’s and women’s relaxation lounges stocked with herbal teas and complementary snacks, dried fruit and nuts. A definite plus: Booking a spa treatment comes with access to the resort’s pool, full service gym and complementary valet parking.

Here’s How to Handle Your Own Mortality: Life Insurance

Instead of listening to a recorded or synthetic wave machine as you might at another spa, you can hear the real thing while luxuriating in style with a front row seat to nature’s percussion. The ebb and flow of the ocean waves lulls you into a state of deep relaxation as you await your spa treatment. I had the Renewed Youth facial which is a basic no-frills old school facial. And that is just the way I like it. I was offered the option of electric stimulation, but that’s not really my jam. My esthetician was a lovely woman from the Ukraine with a charming accent and pleasant demeanor. For the next hour, she worked her magic, melting away my stress from head to toe.

A Range of Options to Delight the Senses

If you’re in the mood for something a little more exotic, Terranea offers a wide range of options with tantalizing names like Honey Body Bliss, Volcanic Clay Wrap, Flickering Embers, and Queen of the Sea. (Though, before you get out your tiara and book the Queen of the Sea, you should know that this treatment is specifically designed for expectant mothers. )Honey Body Bliss features a brown sugar scrub and massage combination using honey from Terranea’s very own beehives. The honey is loaded with active phytonutrients, antioxidants and enzymes known for their moisturizing and healing benefits. The Volcanic Clay Wrap includes a full body exfoliation and a warm clay wrap of volcanic ash, followed by a stimulating vichy shower designed to increase circulation and detoxify the body. Flickering Embers includes a volcanic ash body wrap followed by a soothing soak in one of their copper tubs steeped with fragranced essential oils and healing minerals.

Find LGBTQ-Friendly Resources

Locally Sourced and Thoughtfully Inspired

Terranea is also debuting their new spa restaurant Solviva, which is specifically designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit in such a way that your spa treatments are complemented and enhanced by a nutrient rich diet. I spoke with the resort’s on-site nutritionist Navil Lorenzara about their menu, which was developed to extend the continuation of healing from the spa to the palate.

I started with the Green Bliss Smoothie (kale, spinach, pineapple, mint and coconut water), which was a delicious, thirst quenching, palate cleanser. You can tell the food is thoughtfully prepared with health conscious, nutrient rich offerings that soothe and delight. Case in point were two of my favorite vegan offerings: the Farro Bowl and the Purple Potato Flautas. The Farro Bowl offered a colorful array of roasted vegetables on a bed of farro with cashew cream. I was a little uncertain about the cashew cream, but it blended deliciously with the farro, giving it a rich and decadent risotto-like texture. And I will definitely be back for the Purple Potato Flautas which make for both a healthy and delicious snack or appetizer.

As is traditionally the case, flautas are delicately wrapped tortillas stuffed with filling. In this case, it was a delightful surprise of purple potato goodness, black bean puree and just the right hint of tomatillo. These goodies were nestled in an avocado emulsion which provided extra zing.

The dessert offerings were also impressive. I sampled two: The papaya and banana crepe with ginger blueberry compote and the flourless chocolate cake with pomegranate seeds and cilantro gastrique.

Thorough Rejuvenation

Whether it’s for a day trip or an extended stay, I always keep my eye out for amenities. And Terranea has them in spades, from a full service gym to a spa area tricked out with a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and relaxation area. By the time I left, the sun was beginning to set, and I felt thoroughly rejuvenated, indulged and restored.  

Want Metrosource LGBTQ content notifications? Sign up for MetroEspresso.

Last modified: July 8, 2019