Spa Review: A Slice of Hollywood Glamour at Mila Moursi Spa at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
The entrance to the historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Tucked away in the historic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe outside San Diego, California, is the Mila Moursi Spa, known for its pioneering dry contouring facial treatments and French skincare line.
In the spa’s first partnership with a hotel, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe location is Mila Moursi’s first spa outside of the Los Angeles flagship spa. It’s only the second branch of the Mila Moursi Paris Skin Care Institute since the West Hollywood location opened in 1981.
The lobby at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is a lovely country boutique hotel in one of the most affluent enclaves in the United States. Built in 1924, the hotel celebrated its centennial with a new Great Gatsby-inspired restaurant, Lilian’s, and cocktail lounge, Bing’s Bar, named after Bing Crosby, who was a frequent visitor.
As part of the hotel’s transformation, the spa got a facelift with the addition of a brand-new wellness space: the Mila Moursi Spa.
In L.A., the spa’s star-studded client list includes Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Charlize Theron, Rashida Jones, Vanessa Williams, and Jane Fonda. I felt lucky that I got to experience the same spa experience that celebrities use before a red carpet appearance.
Mila Moursi Spa at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
When I first walked into the relaxing therapy room, I was struck by the scent wafting in the room. It smelled like I walked into an invisible rose garden. The technician added droplets of rose water oil onto the sheets to enhance the luxurious spa experience.
Using Mila Moursi’s beauty products imported from Paris, France, the facial creams and serums contain its trademark MM-5 Complex. This anti-aging component contains plant-derived stem cells, peptides, collagen, elastin, amino acids, and other ingredients.
The spa’s tranquil relaxation room. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
The Mila Moursi Spa also uses skin-lifting techniques to create dry contours around the face. The Signature Rejuvenation Treatment involves a combination of dry contouring and sculpting to lift and tighten skin. The esthetician was armed with multiple tools to stimulate skin renewal and increase circulation in a purposeful way with multiple applications of Mila Moursi serums, masks, and creams.
The exfoliator tool with a precision tip really got into all my pores, especially the ones that crowded the sides of my nose. An electric brush with a massaging pad was used on my décolletage and face. When I tried the pumpkin peel with its natural healing properties, the aesthetician fanned my face to tamp down the tingle of the enzymes reacting to my skin.
The spa’s double treatment suite. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Other services include Lift and Tone Microcurrent Facial and the Oxylight Treatment, which uses radio frequencies, microcurrent, LED light therapy, microdermabrasion, and negative pressure vacuum.
For body treatments, Mila Moursi also offers body massages, scrubs, and the Vacuodermi and Pressotherapy Contouring Treatment that targets cellulite.
Moreover, the Mila Moursi Spa also offers a StayWell Longevity Menu, partnering with an integrative concierge doctor. Guests can consult with a doctor and undergo the Inn’s Longevity Blood Panel, genetic testing, micronutrient testing, and a TruAge & TruHealth test.
Other treatments include peptide therapy and NAD+ patches that can be worn at home for guests who prefer to avoid needles associated with IV infusions.
The spa’s outdoor cabanas and relaxation area. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
A large, relaxing spa lounge is anchored by a warm fireplace and a counter filled with healthy snacks, water, and tea.
Outside the French doors is an outdoor patio space with lounge chairs, cabanas, a glass-enclosed dry sauna, and a cold plunge bathtub, which sits under the awning with views of the trickling fountain and San Diego sun. I hopped back and forth between the hot sauna and cold plunge for the contrast therapy experience, not found in many outdoor spa spaces.
The Mila Moursi Spa at the Inn transports a slice of Hollywood glamour to Rancho Santa Fe.
A cold plunge is among the spa’s amenities. Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Tip: Arrive early so you can grab a cocktail in Bing’s Bar, which you can take to the spa lounge and outdoor patio. If you want to meet with the integrative concierge doctor, make sure to book an appointment. After my facial, I stayed long after to experience the dry sauna and cold plunge.
For more information and to book a treatment, head to the Inn’s website or call 858-221-6000.
Mila Moursi Spa is located at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
[Photos courtesy of Inn at Rancho Santa Fe]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications.
She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries.
She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.