DESUAR Spa Offers Treatments on Outdoor Rooftop During COVID-19
DESUAR Spa has opened a temporary rooftop location in Downtown Los Angeles to continue to serve clients during COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has affected my spa in the worst way possible. We are unable to provide services for our community and clients, which has put us at risk of closure, making my business extremely fragile and weak. Our small business that cost us so much sweat and tears can potentially be gone in a moment. Our business operation has been disrupted on two occasions without any guarantee that we will ever reopen. Our financial outlook has dropped tremendously, not allowing us to employ as many staff as we would normally, which doesn’t allow us to provide the jobs for those that must work to provide for themselves and their families.” —Deisy Suarez-Giles, owner of DESUAR Spa
The spa industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has resulted in the closure of businesses across the United States. As a hands-on profession, it’s impossible to offer a socially distanced massage or treatment to clients, which has been an additional challenge that many spa owners, massage therapists, and estheticians have had to face.
Deisy Suarez is the owner of DESUAR Spa, a luxury boutique spa located in Downtown Los Angeles, and her business is among the many that have been affected by the government-imposed lockdowns. She has witnessed a major reduction in the demand for services due to customers either experiencing financial hardship or fearing exposure to the virus. As a result of the pandemic, she was also forced to lay off approximately 70 percent of her normal operational staff. Even when spas were allowed to reopen briefly, it was impossible to work at full capacity as a result of the stringent restrictions.
“Prior to COVID-19, we were able to serve up to 15 clients at a time, now this number has been reduced to just three,” says Suarez-Giles. “Also, DESUAR Spa depends a great deal on the local hotels that host many daily visitors, and since that industry has been so heavily impacted, we are directly affected. Also, tourism has decreased, making our business weaker as a result.”
As soon as political leaders gave the “okay” to resume services from a safe outdoor environment, Suarez-Giles actively started to focus her energy on finding a suitable location where she could offer select services to clients while her indoor amenities are currently unavailable to the public. She ended up securing a new outdoor space on the rooftop of the nearby Chester Williams Building, which is one of her sister buildings in DTLA.
“The new outdoor space will host two gazebos that can easily accommodate either a single occupant, or a couple,” shares Suarez-Giles. “The total space will allow for us to accommodate a total of three guests at a time. Services that will be offered include 30 ,50, and 80-minute massages, shower-less body scrubs and wraps, any of our slimming treatments, a few select facial treatments, including the HydraFacial MD, Express Radiance or any facial that doesn't involve extractions or too much machinery, since we are limited with space and electricity. Waxing services will be limited, as we are uncertain if we will be able to comfortably provide Brazilian or bikini waxes.”
The outdoor rooftop location offers stunning views of the city skyline.
Due to limited staff and hot summer days, DESUAR’s new space will be open Friday through Monday, and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, they aren’t accepting walk-ins; advance appointments are required. For more information about DESUAR Spa’s new COVID-19 guidelines and policies, click here.
“Our new rooftop outdoor location will feature a beautiful outdoor space that will allow our clients the opportunity to sit and relax, while enjoying the gorgeous city views as they sip on some water or sparkling wines,” says Suarez-Giles. “Our plan is to stay in this outdoor location until we are safe and able to go back to performing services indoors.”
For more information and to book a treatment, visit DESUAR Spa’s website or call 213-265-7908. Follow on Instagram: @desuarspa
[Images courtesy of DESUAR Spa]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk