Spa Flyer: Blog for spa enthusiasts by SpaIndex.com

The Spa Less Traveled: A Guide to Ethnic Spa Treatments in Los Angeles

 

A Devotee’s Guide to Ethnic Spas in L.A. County

California's Angelenos live on the cutting edge of trends, and now authors Gail Herndon and Brenda Goldstein have opened a window into the hottest trend in town (and yes, we’re counting food trucks): ethnic spa treatments.

Combining a quest for therapeutic luxury with a love for the multi-ethnic patchwork that is Los Angeles, Herndon and Goldstein have created a guide to the ethnic spas across L.A. County:  Thai, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Hawaiian, Indian, and more.

Based on personal (and anonymous) visits to several hundred spas and massage-therapy centers, the authors describe the treatments and how they connect to the cultures; let readers know what to expect in terms of clothing, tipping, even parking; give tips on where to eat and shop while you’re in the neighborhood; and recommend particular massages and therapists.

From Long Beach to Woodland Hills, West Covina to Venice, more than 200 spas are featured, from small mom-and-pop shops to sleek mega spas, each with its own style and sensibility. Readers will raise both their adventuresome quotient and their understanding of the many cultures that make up Los Angeles, all while enjoying restorative and therapeutic massages.

About the Authors

L.A. native Brenda Goldstein is a lifelong traveler whose quest for adventure travel began when she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. Like her co-author, Gail Herndon has explored the globe, starting as a young child growing up in a military family. This shared love of cultural exploration—and a good massage—led the two friends to spend four years unearthing the best ethnic massages in L.A.

WIN A COPY!

Each month from November 2011 through April 2012, SpaIndex.com: Guide to Spas  will randomly select one (1) winner to receive a complimentary copy of The Spa Less Traveled, courtesy of SpaIndex.com and Prospect Park Media.  Enter Here

Cowgirl Spa Bootcamp in Solvang, California: May 2011

 

The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort is nestled in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and the renowned Santa Barbara County wine country -- in Solvang, California. The Alisal has been a popular hideaway for families, couples and groups since first welcoming guests in 1946. Today, the romance and majesty of the “old west” remain in the Ranch’s wide-open spaces and unspoiled natural beauty, but has been updated to include a comprehensive fitness center and cozy day spa on the premises.

The Ranch offers numerous specials with spa components, including golf and spa, group team building packages, and more.

Spa under the Aurora Borealis at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska

 

Give the gift of a lifetime! Treat yourself or your loved ones to the Best of Aurora winter tour package offered by Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska to see nature's spectacular light show -- the Northern Lights, and indulge in a healthy soak in the famed hot springs.

Offbeat Spa Travel: Drumheller, Alberta Canada

Badlands, Alberta Canada

Here's a tip for an offbeat destination you wouldn't typically think of as a destination with spa or wellness options:  The badlands of Alberta, Canada. 

Drumheller is a town within the Red Deer Valley in the badlands of east-central Alberta province in Canada.  It's located 110 kilometers (68 miles) northeast of Calgary.  It's referred to as Dinosaur Valley, and is known for being a rich source of dinosaur fossils, its striking landscape, Hoodoos and canyons.

This fascinating area boasts several protected geographic sites, parks, and museums, and appeals to hikers, runners, bicyclists, and adventure enthusiasts.    This doesn't mean spartan accommodations, or preclude romantic outings, however.  We recommend a stay at the Heartwood Inn & Spa in Drumheller, so that you'll "be in good hands in the bad lands."