Spa Review: Aarna Spa at Paséa Hotel & Spa
Located directly across from the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach, California, Paséa Hotel & Spa is the ultimate modern beachside getaway. The 250-guest room hotel has been carefully curated to connect guests with the local surf culture, featuring beach-inspired decor and details that provide unique touches for the perfect escape.
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the resort and spending an entire day at its Balinese-inspired Aarna Spa, which offers 5,800 square-feet of tranquil space for relaxation and self-care. When we pulled into the hotel’s valet area, we were greeted by a super cute VW bus and surfboards at the entrance. Major #BeachVibes!
Here’s what you’ll love about Aarna Spa:
The spa is located inside the beach-chic Paséa Hotel & Spa, which is a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean and downtown Huntington Beach.
The 5,800 square-foot spa has eight beautifully designed treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, and a private spa garden with fire pits, cabanas, and a tranquil water feature.
There are also separate men’s and women’s facilities that include a sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and a salt water whirlpool.
For those looking to take their spa experience to the next level, Aarna Spa has a luxuriously appointed Signature Suite with a private bathtub.
Aarna Spa recently launched a new series of treatments using CBD Essentials products, which were founded by CBD industry expert and advocate Aryn Sieber.
The spa’s highly-trained staff offer a wide variety of signature experiences that incorporate signature spa products to help guests relax.
Before or after their services, guests can order off the menu that highlights some of the spa’s favorite treatment ingredients and enjoy their meal in the spa garden.
Frequent guests can join the spa’s Signature Rewards Program to collect points on treatments, purchases, and more. For every 1,000 points earned, guests receive a complimentary 50-minute treatment of choice.
The boutique offers monthly Rewards Spotlights on retail items, giving shoppers the opportunity to gain double, triple, and special points.
The hotel also has a 24-access, state-of-the-art fitness center located adjacent to the spa, and offers daily wellness classes, including #WineWednesdays Yoga at Aarna Spa.
The bright and open lobby area features views of the pool and ocean, and there are several great dining options for guests and visitors alike. Tanner’s serves fresh, contemporary coastal cuisine accompanied by floor-to-ceiling scenery of the Pacific Ocean. A glass-encased staircase leads to Tanner’s Treehouse, a chic rooftop lounge with cabanas, swinging chairs, panoramic ocean views, live music and seasonal craft cocktail menus.
On my way to the spa I passed Blend Café, which offers a wide selection of coffees, teas, fresh pastries and smoothies, sandwiches, and more. It also has a retail area with everything you need, from magazines and logo apparel to wine and super cute beach-themed cookies!
Aarna Spa is located to the left side of the hotel and was easy to find. I headed down a long hallway that led to a set of double doors, then walked through the spa’s large retail boutique to the reception desk. The boutique carries a wide array of items, ranging from fitness-wear and skin care products to accessories and other gift items, making it the perfect place to stock up on wellness and beauty necessities.
The spa recently launched a new series of treatments using CBD Essentials products, which are also sold in the retail area. The brand was created by Aryn Sieber, a cancer survivor who used cannabis in his own treatment and experienced incredible results. Read more about his story here. All of the products in the line feature Sieber’s award-winning flower and are lab-formulated, third-party tested, and batch numbered to ensure quality and consistency.
After checking in and filling out the standard forms, my husband Eric and I were were escorted through a beautiful set of Balinese wooden doors that led to a main hallway. From there, he headed into the men’s area while I went to the women’s facilities to change into a robe.
Balinese art and furniture can be seen throughout the spa, which really enhances the experience and makes you feel as if you’ve been whisked away on an exotic vacation. The women’s facility has a spacious locker room and changing area, a vanity area with various products and styling tools, and a water station with skincare products for sampling.
I especially enjoyed the ESPA Hydrating Floral Spafresh Spritzer, which is a hydrating toner enriched with essential oils and flower waters to refresh and comfort skin. I misted my face with it before and after my spa treatment—it was instantly refreshing and kept my skin hydrated all day.
Amenities also include a sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and a salt water whirlpool with a relaxing waterfall. I spent 15 minutes soaking in the whirlpool with a chilled towel over my face to loosen my muscles prior to my treatment—talk about ultimate relaxation!
Afterwards, I headed into the large private shower to rinse off. It had multiple shower heads going in different directions, which I could turn on and off with ease, depending on how much water and pressure I wanted. There was also a great selection of products to use, including shampoo, conditioner and body wash by Kerstin Florian Skincare, as well as my favorite aromatherapy shower mist by European Spa Source.
After my shower, I had a few more minutes before my treatment began, so I met up with Eric in the co-ed relaxation lounge, which has comfortable loungers with curtains that you can draw for additional privacy. The dim lighting paired with the Himalayan salt lamp was so relaxing that I could have drifted off to sleep right then and there!
In addition to magazines, there is a snack station that includes nuts and dried fruit. Guests can also order food and drinks off the menu, and have their meal delivered to them in the outdoor spa garden after their treatments (which we did and it was amazing!)
The private garden has two cabanas, several tables and seats, as well a fire pit, succulent garden, and a relaxing water wall feature. It’s a stunning zen-like space that is great for winding down and enjoying some quiet time before or after your spa services.
My therapist came into the relaxation lounge and I followed her to the Orchid Room, which is one of eight private treatment rooms at the spa. Today I was receiving the Mineral Remedy, which is available in both 50 and 100-minute sessions. The nourishing and re-mineralizing massage by CBD Essentials delivers the power of healing magnesium and CBD oil to promote detoxification and replenish commonly deficient levels in the body.
This treatment was perfect for me because I had been experiencing some lower back pain and tightness as a result of using our new Peloton bike at home, so my therapist really focused on the areas where I needed it the most. She started by applying CBD oil to each part of my body, then after thoroughly massaging it in and working through various knots, she followed up with the application of a mineral cream that would be absorbed. Benefits of this treatment include healthy energy levels, improved sleep and muscle function, as well as an overall better sense of well-being.
I was happy that I got the 100-minute version because my therapist was really able to get to all parts of my body and spend a good amount of time on each section. Aarna Spa also offers other CBD Essentials treatments, including a CBD Enhance Sleep Journey and a Balinese Blessing Bath, which includes a sea salt soak in the spa’s Signature Suite, followed by a 75-minute massage—I definitely want to come back and try them all.
After my treatment, I instantly felt more flexible in my lower back area, my pain levels had decreased, and I fell asleep early that evening and got a good nights’ rest—all signs of a good massage!
For those looking for the ultimate decadent experience, Aarna Spa has a luxurious Signature Suite with a private tub for couples or friends who want to enjoy their services side-by-side. It also opens directly out onto the spa garden, which would be perfect for a bachelorette, bridal shower, or other group event.
After our treatments, we headed out to one of the cabanas, where our lunch awaited. The Executive Chef has designed a menu that highlights some of the spa’s favorite treatment ingredients, and includes a variety of wraps, organic salads, as well as bite-size desserts. We split a Chinese chicken salad and a turkey club sandwich—both were super fresh and tasted delicious. It was the perfect ending to our relaxing spa session!
After gathering our belongings and checking out, we headed down to the Valet Departure Lounge, which is located downstairs. While waiting for our car, we were offered complimentary water to-go along with car air fresheners, which depicted the hotel’s signature VW bus and feature a pleasant vanilla aroma. Mine is currently hanging in my car at present, and every time I get into the car, I’m immediately reminded of my wonderful day at Aarna Spa!
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing spa day or a weekend getaway in Southern California, Aarna Spa at Paséa Hotel & Spa is the perfect destination. From the beautiful decor and ocean views to the excellent customer service and amenities, I was highly impressed by our experience and will definitely be returning!
Cost: Mineral Remedy (100 minutes $339)
Insider Tips:
Arrive 30 minutes prior to your treatment to enjoy the spa’s amenities.
Valet parking is available at the hotel and the spa provides validation.
For your convenience, a recommended 22% service fee will be added to your treatment at the time of checkout.
Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Monday -Sunday)
Address: 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: 714-698-6110
For more information and to book an appointment, click here. Follow the hotel and spa on Instagram: @paseahotel
[Images by Kamala Kirk]
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