Checked in and ready for a wellness staycation at Parker Palm Springs!

Some of the links on Spa & Beauty Today may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own.

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month has begun, and if you’re looking for a reason to treat yourself to some much-needed relaxation and self-care, there’s no better time to do it than now.

Last week, I headed to Palm Springs to join several other journalists for an early preview of the inaugural Greater Palm Springs Month, which started September 1 and runs though the end of the month. The purpose of Spa Month is to encourage locals and visitors to focus on their wellness by offering a variety of spa and wellness deals, events, special packages, and other unique offerings.

After several busy weeks filled with work deadlines, I was ready for a break and couldn’t wait to get out to the desert. After checking in at Parker Palm Springs (one of my favorite desert getaways), I headed over to La Quinta Resort & Club, where I was scheduled for several spa treatments.

La Quinta Resort is among the many places across Greater Palm Springs that are participating in Spa Month. To discover other participating resorts, spas and businesses, click here.

My Spa Month preview started at Spa La Quinta.

The luxury resort is home to Spa La Quinta, a 23,000-square-foot wellness oasis that offers an extensive menu of treatments accompanied by luxurious amenities. Set against a backdrop of beautiful mountains and palm trees, the historic desert getaway is surrounded by 45 lush acres of gardens and pathways.

The resort also has a fascinating Old Hollywood history and was a playground for celebs such as Greta Garbo who used to come out for some R&R back in the day. During my visit I learned that movie director Frank Capra was also a fan of La Quinta Resort and would often go there to work on his screenplays, including his holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

With 38 treatments rooms, separate men’s and women’s facilities along with co-ed space including an outdoor relaxation lounge and patio, guests have plenty to enjoy and it’s easy to spend an entire day there.

Changed into a robe and ready for some relaxation!

After changing into a comfortable robe, I was given a tour of the spa before going outside to relax until my first treatment. It was a beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies — the perfect spa day.

Even though it was in the mid-90s and quite warm, Spa La Quinta’s outdoor patio has plenty of shade with umbrellas and loungers, along with a refreshing outdoor wading fountain and an area with misters.

There is also a hot tub, although I decided to skip that and instead opt for a session in the fountain after my first treatment — which was amazing, but more on that in a bit.

Spa La Quinta has many spacious outdoor areas for relaxation with views of the mountains.

I was greeted by Gary, my massage therapist, who would be performing my first treatment of the day: the Desert Agave Nectar Body Therapy. The service is 75 minutes long and takes place in one of the Vichy shower treatment rooms, which is a very unique and relaxing experience.

There is lots of water in this treatment and your hair will get wet, so skip the blowout (or schedule it after) you get this service. That being said, it’s incredibly hydrating and nourishing for skin, and is a great way to cool off in the desert heat. During the treatment, I was given a disposable pair of underwear and a bandeau top (similar to a bathing suit top) to wear.

The treatment takes place on a Lemi Aemotio Vichy Shower Bed, which is outfitted with a Vichy shower above, a heated water mattress, and includes a steam generator. The bed also incorporates chromotherapy and can change color; for my treatment it was set to blue, which made me feel like I was underwater in the ocean.

Gary started out by gently exfoliating my skin from the neck down with an agave nectar body scrub that smelled sweet and refreshing. After removing the dead skin from my body and wiping away the scrub with wet towels, he applied a nourishing clay mask to hydrate and soften my skin, and placed a wrap over my body before the steam started. This helped the mask to better penetrate my skin while the warmth helped detox my body by causing me to sweat. He also performed a scalp massage, which felt really good.

Next, he rinsed the mask off with the Vichy shower, which revealed softer and smoother skin. The gentle water stream coming from multiple jets felt incredibly relaxing and he was able to adjust the temperature for me throughout the treatment.

For my first treatment I experienced the Desert Agave Nectar Body Therapy.

To conclude my treatment, he applied a moisturizer on my skin and performed a light massage, which was the perfect end to my service. I felt hydrated and relaxed from head to toe, and when I stepped out of the treatment room, he was waiting for me with a glass of water to rehydrate.

He recommended going for a dip in the outdoor water fountain before my next service, which was a great idea. The large fountain is located in the spa courtyard and comes stocked with towels and sunscreen for guests.

The cool water felt extra refreshing in the heat; I lounged while listening to the calming sounds of the water fountain trickling in the background. I could have easily stayed in this spot all day!

After my first spa service, I cooled off in the outdoor water fountain (which guests are allowed to go in!)

I headed back inside the spa a few minutes before my next treatment began. I met with Christina Cabrera, Director of Spa & Fitness, who would be performing my Fascia Stretch Therapy (FST) session. She took me to a private treatment room that had an Oakworks BRITTA, which is a top-of-the-line massage table.

The table includes a tilt feature, which creates a zero-gravity position to alleviate pressure and weight on the spine and throughout the body, and it has a stretching strap system designed to allow range of motion, mobilization, and isolation techniques.

Another feature about the BRITTA that I especially like is the ABC System (adjustable breast comfort), which allows the therapist to customize the comfort level via a powered system that provides customized support for each client, taking the pressure off the breasts and tension from the back.

Fascia Stretch Therapy isn’t your typical massage. For starters, you don’t get undressed as all of the work is performed over clothing. While massage focuses on manipulating muscles and soft tissues in the body to help with relaxation, target knots, and increase blood flow, fascia therapy is a series of slow, guided movements and positions that stretch the body’s fascia (connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and bones).

Another thing that sets the two apart is that massage is performed by a therapist and doesn’t involve any active participation on the guest’s part, whereas fascia stretching therapy is interactive and requires some movement on the part of the client, who follows their therapist’s instructions during the session.

For my next treatment at Spa La Quinta, I experienced a Fascia Stretch Therapy session on an innovative Oakworks Britta spa table.

Prior to starting, Christina did a quick exam to see where I was tight and which parts of my body needed more focus. My legs and hips were pretty stiff when she stretched them in different directions, but she said that after today’s session, I would notice a significant improvement.

I explained to her my areas of discomfort (tight upper back and shoulders especially), and while treatment is customized to target various issues, the session does work the entire body because fascia is continuous and connected, so even any small areas of restriction can create tension and pull on surrounding tissues.

During the next 60 minutes, Christina worked on me from head to toe. The experience was very relaxing and calming as she gently applied sustained pressure to my fascia to release tightness and adhesions, helping to elongate the fascia.

Doing this also helps improve the body’s lymphatic drainage and movements of fluids throughout the body, and can help with swelling, circulation, improved flexiblity and range of motion, as well as improve sleep and relaxation. When we concluded our session, Christina performed the same test that she did at the beginning, and there was already noticeable improvement in my flexibility and range of motion.

I also felt slightly tired and sleepy after the treatment — I could have taken a nap if I didn’t have to be somewhere afterwards.

A beautiful message bids farewell to guests as they leave Spa La Quinta.

I would definitely get the Fascia Stretch Therapy again at Spa La Quinta, and if I lived in the area, I would make it a regular part of my self-care regimen.

Another great thing about getting the treatment there is that all of the therapists who perform it have adequate training and special certification, so they have a thorough understanding of the human body in order to safely treat clients while helping them achieve their desired results.

Christina even went the extra step to recommend a website that I could visit in order to find a qualified practitioner closer to home, which I really appreciated.

Fascia Stretch Therapy is available in 60 and 90-minute sessions at Spa La Quinta, and while 60 minutes is enough time to get the work done, if you have time, opting for the longer treatment always offers additional benefits (including a little extra time to work on the areas that need it the most!)

I returned to the Parker for an evening media event at the spa, Palm Springs Yacht Club.

It was time to head back to the Parker for an evening media event celebrating the launch of Greater Palm Springs Spa Month. It was held at the hotel’s spa, Palm Springs Yacht Club, which is a unique destination unlike any other.

It features special design accents by interior designer Jonathan Adler (whose work can be seen throughout the property) resulting in a country-club-meets-nautical vibe.

If you’re looking for a memorable relaxation experience, you should definitely come here. It’s a great place for couples, groups that want to spa together, as well as those seeking a solo self-care session.

PSYC features a playfulnautical design infused with interior designer Jonathan Adler’s signature style.

Offering 18,000 square feet of space including an indoor saline swimming pool, PSYC instantly transports you to another place (and perhaps even another era!)

All of the spa treatments feature sea-inspired names like Yachtsman’s Voyage while the treatment rooms are named after different boats. Even the locker rooms have nautical-themed showers and changing rooms.

Spa Director Cindy Boody welcomed everyone to PSYC for an evening celebration of Greater Palm Springs Spa Month.

To kick off the event, we were welcomed by Cindy Boody, Spa Director at PSYC, who spoke about Greater Palm Springs Spa Month and how exciting this opportunity is for the entire community.

Afterwards, a team member from PSYC read the spa’s manifesto to us, which reflects its mission.

Then we were all welcomed into the spa’s main relaxation area with the indoor pool and various spaces for lounging. Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy a floating sound bath in the pool accompanied by the sounds of soothing singing bowls.

There were various booths set up by different wellness brands ranging from skincare to matcha with samples available, as well as curated sips and bites, and an outdoor bar.

After the event, I retired to my room to relax for the remainder of the evening. I had a spa treatment scheduled the next morning at PSYC — the final treatment during my preview of Greater Palm Springs Spa Month.

The event included relaxing floating sound bath sessions in the spa’s indoor swimming pool.

Guests also enjoyed curated sips and bites at the event, and the outdoor bar featured a stunning design that was a miniature version of the hotel’s iconic entrance.

After getting a great night’s sleep and having breakfast at Norma’s (one of the Parker’s restaurants), I returned to PSYC the following day. I arrived 30 minutes before my treatment in order to enjoy the amenities and went for a relaxing dip in the pool.

It was nice to lounge around and because it was so early, hardly anyone was at the spa so it felt like I had the entire place to myself, which felt even more tranquil.

Back in a robe and ready for another day at the spa!

The locker room at PSYC features elements of a ship’s interior.

I enjoyed lounging by the indoor swimming pool before my treatment.

My massage therapist came out to the lounge area to greet me and took me back to one of the private treatment rooms. I was signed up for a 60-minute Tailormade Massage, which is fully customized for each guest depending on their individual needs.

I opted for a medium pressure massage and she focused on any areas of tension that she came across, in addition to spending some extra time on my legs and feet as per my request. If you’re looking for something a little longer, they also offer 75 and 90-minute massages.

Add-on services are available for an extra charge including a scalp massage, foot scrub or reflexology; a lip, eye or face mask; as well as targeted cupping. And of course if you have even more time, PSYC also offers great packages that incorporate multiple treatments for the ultimate spa day.

I enjoyed a 60-minute tailored massage that was fully customized to my needs. The perfect end to my Spa Month experience!

After two days of back-to-back spa treatments in the desert, I felt rejuvenated and ready for the next round of deadlines that awaited me. It was great to get the chance to preview what Greater Palm Springs Spa Month is all about, and the best part is that each person’s experience can be completely curated how they want it to be.

Whether you’re curious about experiencing a sound bath for the first time, trying a new yoga class, connecting with like-minded individuals at a local wellness event or checking out that spa (or several) that you’ve contemplated visiting — Spa Month helps to enable that by making wellness more accessible to everyone.

Aside from supporting residents of Greater Palm Springs and visitors looking to enhance their wellness, Spa Month also is a great way to support local businesses in town. With so many places offering special deals and discounts, it’s worth checking some of them out and you never know — you just might discover a new favorite spot in town that you’ll become a regular at.

For more information about Greater Palm Springs Spa Month and to view its full list of offerings, visit their website. Follow @visitgreaterps on Instagram to keep up on the latest news in wellness, dining, events, and more.

[Photos by Kamala Kirk]

Book Greater Palm Springs Spa Month

I Got an Early Preview of Greater Palm Springs Spa Month With Treatments at La Quinta Resort & Club and Parker Palm Springs— Here's Why You Don't Want to Miss Out This September