Spa Profile: Solaya Spa & Salon by The Houstonian
Solaya Spa & Salon is located in Highland Village and is the first sister spa to Houston’s famed Trellis Spa at The Houstonian Hotel.
When The Houstonian Hotel’s famed Trellis Spa underwent a major renovation (with plans to reopen in Fall 2020), the hotel wanted to provide an alternate day spa for their members, so they opened Solaya Spa & Salon in February 2020. The sister spa is located in bustling Highland Village in Houston, Texas—just three miles from Trellis Spa.
Solaya Spa & Salon offers floor-to-ceiling views of the birch trees outside, with an interior designed by Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design, who brought texture and color into balance with hues of blue and soft metallics that complement the views. Other unique design details include 12-foot French doors from a period building on the famed Rue Francois in Paris, and ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers from the ballroom of New York’s Plaza Hotel by Charles Winston, brother of renowned jeweler Harry Winston.
The 6,200-square-foot, full-service spa has 12 styling stations, nine treatment rooms, three manicure stations, three pedicure stations, and two makeup stations. The service menu features an extensive selection of treatments, including massages, skin care, hairstyling, makeup, nails, and waxing.
We interviewed Christine Whitnel, Training Manager at Solaya Spa & Salon, who shared insider tips and spa bonuses, unique and splurge-worthy spa treatments to try, and more.
The spa offers beautiful light-filled spaces, along with the friendly and experienced service of The Houstonian.
Why You’ll Love It: Our guests having truly fallen in love with our hair salon. When receiving a relaxing shampoo or hair treatment, our shampoo assistants and stylists recline the treatment chair to a gorgeous view of oak trees, which has a near floating-in-the-trees experience. At night, guests receiving hair services have a gorgeous view of Highland Village illuminated by year-round trees wrapped in twinkling lights, and numerous options for a places to conveniently dine after their salon or spa services.
The reception and retail area, along with the refreshments corner.
Key Features: Non-COVID: Guests are encouraged to change into a plush robe and slippers before their services begin. Changing rooms and lockers are available to store personal items. A curated selection of books are available throughout the spa and within our relaxation area while enjoying a view of our contemporary indoor fireplace.
Guests can lounge next to the indoor fireplace in the relaxation area before and after their services.
Snacks Served: Solaya offers a variety of premium teas, coffee, fruit-infused water (non-COVID), whole fruit, and our signature lemon lavender sugar cookies.
*During COVID-19, the communal beverage area will be temporarily unavailable. Packaged refreshments and beverages will be cheerfully offered upon request.
Bonus: Solaya offers complimentary wine and sparkling beverages during services.
Interior designer Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design brings texture and color into balance with hues of blues and metallics that complement the views of the trees outside the windows.
Insider’s Tip: Our hair salon offers a robust menu of services from extensions to haircutting, color services, and numerous hair treatments. We love the Ultimate Nourishing Hair Wrap, which includes a scalp massage, hair mask, and blow-out for ultimate pampering.
Solaya Spa & Salon features 12 styling stations, 3 manicure stations, 3 pedicure stations, and 2 makeup stations.
Unique Treatment: Our most unique treatment is the Diamond Life Infusion Facial. This treatment begins with a luxurious cleansing ritual inspired by expert Asian techniques. A relaxing lavender Ayurvedic Shirodhara Diamond massage is followed by an AHA exfoliation with carboxi-therapy. Meticulous lifting myofascial massage is performed with a potent serum. A refreshing mask containing natural pearl and gold extracts stimulates the renewal potential of the skin.
The spa also has 9 private treatment rooms.
Splurge Treatment: The Glow Is The New Lift Facial is the perfect European-inspired facial by cult skincare line Orveda. This facial begins with a foot ritual and pressure-point massage before the hydration-packed facial, which includes extensive lifting and a contouring facial massage.
Solaya Spa & Salon offers a variety of massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, hair services, and professional makeup services.
Insider’s Favorite: I love the 100-minute Citrus Drench Body Treatment. All products within this treatment smell like citrus, which provides that happy feeling from the start. The products themselves all have amazing consistency and glide during the exfoliation, application of the mask, and massage medium—providing a fluid treatment. I enjoy that this body treatment includes time for a full-body massage with an intensely hydrating cream for my often dehydrated skin.
Solaya Spa & Salon is the only spa in America to offer facials with Orveda Skincare, which is inspired by ancient Ayurveda, naturopathic, and Taoist principles.
Featured Products: Solaya features Kérastase, L’Oréal Professional, Natura Bissé, Orveda, PHYTO, Phytomer, and Stephen Knoll.
For more information, visit the spa’s website and follow them on Instagram: @solayaspaandsalon
[Images courtesy of Solaya Spa & Salon]
Solaya Spa & Salon
4059 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027
713-263-6500