While there is no shortage of spas in Los Angeles, surprisingly there is a shortage of spas in the downtown area. Fortunately, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles is the ultimate urban oasis in the heart of the city at L.A. Live, located just minutes away from major attractions such as the Staples Center, Los Angeles Convention Center, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

Spa Profile: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is connected to sister hotel The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live, sharing the distinctive 54-story tower that is accessible via two entrances—the JW Marriott entrance on Olympic Boulevard and The Ritz-Carlton entrance on Georgia Street. Both hotels have a sleek and sophisticated atmosphere accompanied by stunning views, both offer valet parking, and the spa can be conveniently accessed through either entrance.

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is also home to celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s award-winning WP24 restaurant, as well as the ultra-luxurious Ritz-Carlton Residences, which infuse the hotel’s signature five-star services and amenities into a private residential setting. The residences include floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible views of Los Angeles, stunning interior design elements, and 24-hour 5-star service every day. I couldn’t imagine anything better!

Here’s what you’ll love about The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles: 

• It’s located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live, just steps away from Staples Center, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

• The 8,000 square-foot spa is an elegant sanctuary inspired by the golden age of Hollywood with private relaxation areas, a co-ed Sanctuary, eucalyptus steam rooms, cold plunge showers, and spa boutique.

• Amenities include a full-service hair and nail salon that offers cuts, color, hair treatments, makeup application, manicures and pedicures.

• The spa also has a luxurious couples suite with a private bathtub, where guests can enjoy side-by-side massages followed by a relaxing soak with champagne.

• All spa guests are greeted with a glass of champagne upon arrival.

• The menu features a variety of massages, body and facial treatments that feature locally-grown ingredients from Southern California, along with unique luxury services such as the Golden Glow Facial from the new Veuve Clicquot Collection.

• Los Angeles County residents can enjoy special pricing on select spa treatments and salon services from Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles also has a fitness center with top-of-the-line equipment and incredible views of the city.

• On Saturdays, 60-minute yoga classes are offered.

• For $40, spa guests can enjoy access to the private heated pool and jacuzzi on the 26th floor rooftop, which features stunning views of Los Angeles.

After pulling up to the JW Marriott valet, I entered the hotel and immediately headed to the right of the lobby, where I rode a set of elevators up to the spa. As soon as I checked in, I was offered my choice between water, champagne and a mimosa—I opted for the mimosa.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles has a large retail boutique that carries a wide variety of high-end brands, ranging from Oribe and ESPA to Eminence Organic Skin Care. It also sells various spa and beauty accessories, including robes, loungewear, hats, and themed Ritz-Carlton merchandise. It’s definitely hard to leave without buying something, trust me!

Next, I was led down a long hallway to the women’s relaxation area. Men and women have separate locker rooms and areas for lounging, but there is also a co-ed Sanctuary where couples and others can lounge together while enjoying snacks and beverages before and after services.

The design at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles is inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, with every corner of the 8,000 square-foot spa exuding glamour and sophistication. The women’s relaxation area consists of multiple rooms, including lockers and a changing area, multiple vanities, as well as a large room with comfortable loungers that each have a cozy blanket, pillows, small table and reading light.

In addition to plenty of ready material, there is a television on one wall of the women’s lounge that features a beach background with crashing waves, further lending to the relaxed atmosphere.

The women’s area also has a eucalyptus steam room, showers and cold-plunge showers. I enjoyed rinsing off prior to my spa treatment in the spacious private shower that featured gold tile walls and Ritz-Carlton body and haircare products, as well as European Spa Source shower mist (one of my faves!)

After my shower, I went to check out the Sanctuary, which is located down the hall from the women’s relaxation lounge and treatment rooms. In this ultra-luxe co-ed space, couples and friends can relax together before and after their services while enjoying snacks and beverages.

The Sanctuary features more loungers, as well as several lounging beds that comfortable seat two people. On one side of the room is a water station that serves both plain water and cucumber-infused water, while the other side of the room has a table with a variety of Art of Tea packets, honey and hot water.

In the center of the room is a snack bar that offers dried fruit, nuts and yogurt pretzels, which I enjoyed while relaxing on one of the lounge beds. There are televisions on both sides of the middle divide in the Sanctuary, also playing the soothing beach background that was on display in the women’s relaxation lounge. The seats and beds are all outfitted with blankets by Keikico, a line of the coziest and softest luxury blankets, which are also available for purchase in the spa’s boutique.

My massage therapist, Freddie, came to greet me and led me down the hall for my service. All of the treatment rooms at Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles are named after crystals or metals—my treatment took place in the Silver room, which featured relaxed ambient lighting and a heated treatment bed.

The spa offers a variety of treatments that incorporate product lines and locally-grown ingredients from Southern California. Prior to my service, Freddie offered me my choice between two customized blends of massage oil that are unique to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles. I opted for the Relax & Soothe Oil, which drew me in with its alluring scent that included hints of lavender.

The room also had a heated rack on one wall, which I hung my bathrobe on during my treatment to keep it warm. It felt amazing afterwards to put on a toasty robe—I definitely need one of these racks at home!

In addition to the full-service menu of massages, facials and body treatments, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles also offers CBD treatments and guests can opt to start their therapy with a drop of CBD tincture for added relaxation. Various enhancements are also available for any spa treatment, including hot stones, eye treatments, a Moroccan oil scalp treatment, and more.

I received the 50-minute Relaxation Massage (which is also available in an 80-minute version). The aromatic bespoke treatment uses light to moderate pressure combined with a blend of essential oils to melt away tension.

The entire massage from start to finish was excellent—it felt amazing, helped soothe my sore and tired muscles, and I instantly drifted off into the relaxation zone. Afterwards, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated! The Relaxation Massage is a great treatment to get any time your muscles are starting to feel weary and your body needs a reboot—without the intensity of a deep tissue massage.

In addition to the full-body massage, Freddie performed a deeply relaxing scalp treatment using Moroccanoil, which conditioned my scalp and helped relieve tension with the scalp massage. I was in spa heaven!

For couples, the spa has a luxurious couples suite with a private tub. One of the spa’s signature couples treatments is the Romance of Hollywood Experience (100 minutes, $550), which includes a synchronized tandem massage for two, followed by a bubbling spa bath with champagne. I’m definitely coming back to try that with my husband!

After my service had concluded, I returned to the women’s relaxation lounge to change before heading to the boutique to pick up two spa rubber duckies that I had my eye on when I came in, along with a super cute Ritz-Carlton tote bag—perfect for farmers markets and beach days!

For those looking to extend their day at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, for a $40 fee spa guests receive access to the heated swimming pool and jacuzzi, which are located on the 26th-floor rooftop with panoramic city and mountain views. There is also a spacious fitness center with incredible views on the same floor, which guests can also use.

I took two different elevators to get to the exclusive floor, and it was worth it. The rooftop (which is reserved for residents and hotel guests) has a stunning pool and jacuzzi, as well as plenty of tables and lounge seats—all surrounded by premium views of the city extending miles in every direction.

As I relaxed by the pool while taking in my stunning surroundings, I knew I had found my own piece of paradise in the middle of the busy city. Whether you’re a business traveler, on vacation, or a native Angeleno who wants to relax without going far, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles is the perfect urban retreat that offers a premium spa experience in a sophisticated atmosphere with some of the best views in the entire city.

Cost: Relaxation Massage (50 minutes $175; 80 minutes $235 )

Insider Tips: 

• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to give yourself enough time to valet your car, get changed, and receive a tour of the facility.

• Valet parking is available at both the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles.

• Bring a swimsuit if you plan on spending time in the heated 26th-floor rooftop pool and soaking tub (which are available to spa guests for a $40 fee).

Hours:

9 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Daily)

Address: 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone: 213-763-4400

For more information and to book an appointment, click here. Follow them on Instagram: @jwlalive

[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