One of the best things about living in a large city is that you can visit a hotel in another part of town and feel like you are away from home.  Case in point: the Ritz-Carlton in downtown LA  seems a world apart from suburban Los Angeles.  Situated adjacent to LA Live—a sprawling complex of sports venues, theaters, restaurants and shops—the Ritz-Carlton shares hotel space with a JW Marriott.

The Ritz-Carlton has dedicated floors for their guests and the spa is considered part of Ritz-Carlton. Guests at either property have signing privileges and access to all amenities. The best part is that being adjacent to LA Live, you can accompany your significant other, family or friends to a game, sneak away for a pampering mini-escape, and be back just in time for after-game cocktails or dinner.

Spa Profile: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles

It was pouring much-needed rain all weekend and into Monday as I headed in for a late morning spa appointment. The sky was obstinately cloudy, and the streets were littered with puddles of rain water. What a perfect day for an escape!

I knew I was headed for something special, as I was booked for the seasonal Chocolate Ritual—an 80-minute massage and scrub combo. This treatment is being offered for a limited time only until December 31, 2022.  What a way to cap off the year!

As I walked into the lobby of the hotel, one could instantly feel the holiday buzz.  At 11 a.m. it was already bustling, somehow making it feel all the more cozy. The spa is on the second floor and is easily accessible from the lobby. The spa’s golden-age of Hollywood glamour is a welcome world away from the urban high-rise chic of the hotel interior.

The reception area, with its high ceilings that resemble a mock mezzanine, conjures visions of LA’s iconic Bullocks Wilshire and the great department stores of that era. That feeling of extra special personal service persisted as I was greeted and then escorted to the women’s locker and sauna.

The expansive 8,000-square-foot spa features a co-ed relaxation sanctuary, dedicated saunas and locker areas for men and women, a fitness center, a rooftop pool, a couples room with ritual bath, two facial rooms with hydra-facial machines, and massage treatment rooms.

The decor is retro Hollywood at its most sophisticated—unlike the boudoir-kitsch glam with its hot pink feathered boas which is very popular in this town. This spa is awash in subdued hues of champagne and white. Gossamer beige curtains enhance the femme elegance, while gold and pewter-toned chairs and dressing table chairs add a pop of glitz.  Cream-colored baroque-framed mirrors and stenciled glass mirrors in the dressing areas, accentuated with art deco sconces, provide detailed designer touches.

The co-ed sanctuary is outfitted for a star, with its circular relaxation beds and ergonomic lounge chairs decked with plentiful fluffy pillows and blankets, plus an assortment of tea, spa water, and healthy snacks. Wide-screen over TV’s hover above so you can watch the game in spa comfort.

Inside the women’s sanctuary, the eucalyptus sauna is impressively roomy. I was the only one there, but I cannot imagine it ever feels crowded. The temperature and steam were perfect and the eucalyptus was never overwhelming or cough-inducing. Just outside the steam room are peppermint infused face towels cooled in cucumber water. 

While the white-lacquer lockers add a sleek touch, the cream and gold-tiled showers with cold-plunge and rainfall shower heads were my favorite. The shower toiletries were delightfully aromatic, which included a eucalyptus spray to enhance the surround shower experience. The vanity areas are stocked with everything you need to primp after your treatment, from razors and shave cream to mouthwash and deoderant.

Onto the reason I came here in the first place—the Chocolate Ritual. My therapist, Annie, greeted me in the women’s lounge area, and she could not have been sweeter. The tastefully-appointed therapy room features a personal temperature control and very cozy massage bed. After snuggling beneath the covers, Annie placed an oversized cushion beneath my knees. It was time for the Chocolate Ritual to begin.

Loaded with antioxidants, chocolate boosts metabolism and stimulates cell turnover. It’s also intensely nourishing, relaxing, and comforting. Ritz-Carlton traditionally uses ESPA products, however, for their seasonal treatment, they use Epicuren. The treatment began with a back exfoliation followed by an extended back massage with rich chocolate infused oil. This was followed by a thorough arm massage.

Onto the back again, this time with soothing hot stones, which were also used on my legs and feet, followed by a refreshing foot exfoliation. I wasn’t timing anything, but it seemed to last about 45 to 50 minutes.

Once I turned over, Annie placed a gold collagen gel mask on my face before proceeding to massage my arms, hands, legs and feet. I could really smell the rich chocolate aroma now that I was lying on my back. Knowing how cloudy and chilly it was outside, it felt like a cocoon of much-needed warmth.

After removing the mask (which you may take home to re-use), Annie massaged my scalp with a pink clay-infused product to help detoxify without leaving a greasy residue. When the session finished, Annie invited me to relax as long as I needed before returning to the sanctuary for some extra quiet time.

After indulging in the sensory shower and prepping to return to the outside world, it was time to say adieu to this enchanting spa. The quality of service was top notch from beginning to end, and the ambiance is gloriously sophisticated with keen attention to detail and cleanliness. This was truly an unexpected oasis in the city.

Cost: From $320 (80-minute); $35 (Hot Chocolate Stone Enhancement)

Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon & Thur), 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Fri & Sat), 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sun)

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

Phone: 213-763-4400

Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/los-angeles/spa

Instagram: @ritzcarlton @jwlalive

[Photos courtesy of Jody Miller]

Jody Miller is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles with a primary focus on beauty, spa, travel, fashion, and dining. She has a BA in Social Science and completed an accredited aesthetics program. Jody believes having this background gives her a unique insight and knowledge about beauty and skincare. She has been fascinated by travel and other cultures since she was a child, and savors every travel opportunity and experience.