My fiancé had never been to a spa before, so I wanted to surprise him during our weekend in San Diego with a pamper day, and I found the perfect place to introduce my man to the spa life that I just can’t seem to get enough of! 

Just along the San Diego coast, we discovered Eco Chateau in Sorrento Valley –  a wellness spa that offers Sunlighten infrared sauna sessions, heavenly massages, colon hydrotherapy, juice cleanses, organic skin care, and more!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the lovely staff who showed us around the facility. While this was a couples’ day at the spa, we had independent spa treatments, including spending 40-50 minutes in a Sunlighten infrared sauna and Belle Époque organic facials.

Infrared saunas penetrate the skin on a deeper level than traditional saunas and are believed to have improved detoxification properties. Infrared is the band of light we perceive as heat. Sunlighten’s infrared saunas use ceramic infrared heaters to penetrate the skin on a deeper level, providing all of the health benefits of natural sunlight, without the dangerous effects on the skin.

The infrared sauna is a great way to remove toxins, relax muscles, improve blood circulation, increase your heart rate, cardiac output, and metabolic rate, soften skin, and relax, and rejuvenate your mind! 

My fiancé and I can both attest that we both had a ton of energy after our infrared sessions and felt really refreshed. You can customize your sauna experience by adjusting the temperature and timer, listening to music, customizing the light colors and settings, and more - it was relaxing and certainly more entertaining than sitting in a traditional sauna.

Another added bonus – According to Sunlighten’s Co-Owner, Connie Zack, “Sunlighten’s Solocarbon heaters are the only on the market clinically shown to raise core temperature, lower blood pressure, and aid in flexibility.”

In addition to spending some solo time in the Sunlighten infrared saunas, we each received hour-long Belle Époque facials using organic products and a non-acidic peel, combined with powerful anti-aging serums to promote clear and healthy skin with an effective anti-aging approach. The facials were customized for our skin types. 

Utilizing a balanced approach to ecological and economic sustainability; the spa does not have traditional showers. Rather, they offer cold and dry towels to use during and post-treatment. Although we broke a serious sweat in the Sunlighten infrared saunas, the cold and dry towels were very soft and refreshing. 

Insider tip: Treat yourself and upgrade your customized Belle Époque facial with Cosmetix products for an additional $15 – the products really elevated the experience of the facial!

The Eco Chateau spa has three locations in the San Diego area and offers monthly or annual memberships, spa package discounts including days of detox with multiple treatments, and couples’ packages. You can even rent the entire Eco Chateau Spa for a private party or special occasion.

Read more: The Best San Diego Spas for 2022

Melissa Tillman (@pictureit_lkethis) is the Founder & CEO of Nonprofit Growth Advisors, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm established to help nonprofit organizations create efficient and sustainable processes and programs that lead to growth and long-term impact for the communities they serve. She has a passion for human rights, adventure, and pampering, and finds her balance by chasing spa days and sunsets around the world with her fiancé, Elliot, and their dogs, Fiona and Bubbles.