The entrance to the Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood, which is just steps away from Sunset Boulevard.

From the hippest restaurants and bars to exclusive members-only social clubs and Erewhon, Los Angeles is filled with hotspots where one goes to “be seen.” Many are drawn to these places hoping to run into or catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities that are known to frequent them. But even those that spend the majority of their lives in the spotlight need a place to get away from it all to enjoy some much-needed privacy and relaxation—which is why many head to Sunset Marquis.

California Spa Guide: The Best Spas in West Hollywood

Located just steps away from the iconic Sunset Strip, the West Hollywood luxury hotel is a hidden oasis tucked away amidst 3.5 acres of lush gardens mixed in with 152 secluded villas and suites. Open since 1963, the hotel has welcomed countless famous faces including music legends such as Bob Marley, Blondie, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Sting, and Phil Collins, among others.

Many celebrities and rock ‘n’ roll musicians consider Sunset Marquis their “home away from home,” spending extended periods of time there whether on a break from touring, seeking solitude for creative endeavors and inspiration, or recording music in the hotel’s underground recording studio, which is known as one of the best in the world with state-of-the-art features and technology.

Spa Profile: Sunset Marquis Spa

The hotel is also home to Sunset Marquis Spa, which offers a tranquil place to recharge with a menu of treatments that are inspired by the rich tapestry of music, California’s natural beauty, and Hollywood glamour. The intimate retreat features three luxurious private treatment suites along with a nail salon, and guests staying at the hotel also have the option of enjoying spa treatments in the comfort of their own room for additional privacy.

I recently visited Sunset Marquis Spa for the first time and the moment I stepped foot onto the hotel’s grounds, I knew there was something very special and different about this place.

Framed artwork of various music legends is on display throughout the hotel.

Here’s what you’ll love about Sunset Marquis Spa:

It’s located at the iconic Sunset Marquis, a luxury hotel in West Hollywood that has been a favorite among celebrities, musicians, and other public figures since 1963.
The intimate spa is tucked away amidst the hotel’s lush gardens, suites, and villas that span 3.5 acres for the ultimate secluded getaway.
Despite its private setting, the hotel is just minutes away from bustling Sunset Strip and all of its attractions.
The hotel is also home to popular Cavatina restaurant, modern speakeasy Bar 1200, Morrison Hotel Gallery, and one of the world’s best underground recording studios.
Sunset Marquis Spa features three luxurious and spacious private treatment rooms with showers and restrooms.
The spa’s menu is inspired by the rich tapestry of music, Hollywood glamour, and California’s natural beauty with unique treatments and wellness journeys such as Sound & Soul Harmonization and Equilibrium Euphoria.
Hotel guests can also opt to enjoy select spa services in the privacy and comfort of their own suite or villa.
The spa’s team of expert therapists and estheticians provide a personalized experience for every guest, and incorporate premium spa products into services such as Natura Bissé and Privai.
A curated Spa Wellness Menu is also available for guests to order healthy options from including acai bowls, fresh juices and shakes, mocktails, and more.

Morrison Hotel Gallery is located inside the hotel lobby across from Bar1200 and features artwork by highly acclaimed music photographers.

As I strolled through the lobby, which features modern speakeasy Bar 1200 to the left and Morrison Hotel Gallery to the right, the first thing to catch my eye were the framed black-and-white photographs on every wall. From Madonna to Jim Morrison, stunning photos of musical icons and legends are on display throughout the property for the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll feel.

Morrison Hotel Gallery is home to a curated selection of iconic and famous images of past and present music stars, and is owned by two renowned photographers: Hendry Diltz and Timothy White. The gallery is open daily and features an impressive selection of work (including unseen archives) depicting various artists, genres, and time periods in music history.

The works on display are available for purchase and the gallery is also fun to pop into if you have a few minutes to look around, which is what I did when I arrived.

The hotel’s lobby pool is one of two outdoor heated swimming pools for year-round enjoyment.

As I exited the lobby I walked past the “lobby pool,” which is surrounded by hotel suites and has loungers and umbrellas along all sides. The pool has served as the backdrop for many photos taken of stars basking in the sun including Blondie, Tommy and Joey Ramone, and Gary U.S. Bonds, among others. Various industry and hotel events are often held at this pool as well.

The hotel’s other swimming pool known as the “villa pool” is located by Cavatina restaurant and includes cabanas that can be reserved. Both pools are heated and beverage/pool service is available as well.

Walking through the breezeway that leads to the rest of the property, I came across more amazing photographs of Madonna, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, John Bon Jovi, and others that were on the walls. There was a comfortable open-air sitting area and a larger-than-life guitar covered in photos with the street signs for Alta Loma Road and Sunset Boulevard at the top, which is where the hotel is located.

Madonna is among the music icons that have recorded in the hotel’s own recording studio.

An open-air lounge area is decorated with framed photos of music greats including Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jon Bon Jovi.

The hotel features unique music-themed works of art like this larger-than-life guitar.

I continued my stroll down the winding path through the hotel gardens, which led me to a small bridge and koi pond. Directly across from the pond is Cavatina, the hotel’s popular restaurant. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for every meal and serves dishes prepared by Chef Luis Morales that feature the finest local ingredients that have been hand selected.

Offerings range from the Alta Loma Club Sandwich (roasted turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle) to the Sunset Wagyu Cheeseburger (smoked pickle dressing, bacon, aged cheddar, lettuce, and tomato). In addition to a robust breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, they also serve dessert (try the warm chocolate chip cookies or Sunset Toffee Pudding), as well as a full wine and cocktail menu.

The hotel’s Cavatina restaurant is just to the right of a small bridge that one must cross to get to the spa.

A soothing koi pond adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

The hotel is tucked away amidst 3.5 acres of lush gardens which adds to guests’ privacy.

After I crossed the bridge and paused to enjoy the soothing koi pond with a mini waterfall, I walked a few steps further and had reached my final destination—the spa. Tucked away in a private little corner amongst the hotel’s villas and lush trees, Sunset Marquis Spa is its own little oasis that offers guests a secret sanctuary for relaxation and self-care.

The entrance to the spa at Sunset Marquis.

A relaxing water feature is located just outside the door to Sunset Marquis Spa.

Once you enter the spa, there’s a reception desk and retail area which carries various spa skincare brands and branded Sunset Marquis candles in three incredible scents (be sure to check them out while you’re there, I had to take one home with me).

I relaxed on the plush velvet seating in the spa’s waiting area, which also features a signed photograph of Cyndi Lauper on the wall. Off to one side of the reception and waiting area is the salon, which offers manicure and pedicure services as well.

The spa isn’t large, but it offers a more intimate feel so that every guest feels like they’re the only one there. It has three oversized private treatment suites—each with its own shower, restroom, and treatment bed. There isn’t a locker room with amenities, but the treatment rooms offer plenty of space for changing and storing your belongings.

The spa’s waiting area features comfortable plush seating under a signed photo of Cyndi Lauper.

The spa also offers nail services in its salon area.

I didn’t have to wait long; within minutes, my therapist had come out to greet me and led me back to the treatment room, which was dimly lit with relaxing faux candles. It had a huge shower and a bathroom stall, which was extremely convenient (it’s nice to not have to leave your treatment room for a quick restroom break!)

She stepped out so that I could get undressed before slipping under the covers of the warm, soft bed, which was draped in multiple layers of linens and weighted blankets—more than the average treatment bed.

It reminded me of a luxurious hotel bed, which was fitting since I was about to experience one of the spa’s wellness journeys called Stairway to Heaven, a service that promotes deep and peaceful sleep through a full-body cocoon and massage.

My spacious private treatment room included a shower, restroom, and robe.

Before starting the service, my therapist offered me a choice among five aromatherapy oils from Privai, a luxurious line of consciously-sourced and botanically-based skincare products. The choices were Breathe, Energy, Focus, Heart, and Sleep—each made up of its own blend of therapeutic essential oils. I opted for Sleep, a restful lavender essential oil scent, which helps to relax the nerves, restore the mind and body, and help one feel more rested.

My therapist rubbed the oil between her hands then held her open palms a few inches away from my face as I lay face down. She instructed me to breathe in and out several times slowly, inhaling the oil blend and falling further into a state of relaxation with every inhale and exhale. She also wrapped the blankets snugly around my body, placing an extra pillow under my legs, which felt like she was tucking me in for bed and preparing me for the best night’s sleep.

For the next 140 minutes, I was led on a unique journey of relaxation that incorporated various massage techniques that were designed to help restore balance and strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the network of nerves that control the body’s ability to relax. The longer we are in this state (also known as the “rest and digest” state), the healthier we are—when it’s activated our heart and breathing rates slow down, blood pressure is lowered, and we shift into recovery mode.

I experienced the Stairway to Heaven, a 140-minute ritual that promotes deep and peaceful sleep through a full-body cocoon and massage.

The treatment included my choice of aromatherapy oil by Privai, a luxurious skincare line of consciously-sourced and botanically-based products.

My therapist used firm but gentle strokes as she massaged the entire length of my body, spending extra time on areas of tightness where she felt knots but without going too deep, which would have interrupted the tranquil state of relaxation and calm that I was in. If she hadn’t eventually asked me to turn over onto my back during the treatment, I probably would have dozed off.

She also performed an ultra-relaxing foot massage with a rich body butter, followed by a light facial massage using gentles strokes with one of Privai’s Face & Body Oils. The oils come in three different blends (Anti-Aging, Clarifying, and Nourishing), and she used Nourishing on me, which included a blend of chamomile, geranium, and lavender oils to soothe, balance, and hydrate skin.

Sunset Marquis’ spa menu also offers other indulgent wellness rituals including the Sound & Soul Harmonization, which includes a silk-infused full-body exfoliation and Aqua Gel Masque with a customized pressure massage; as well as the Equilibrium Euphoria featuring a silk exfoliation treatment, vitamin massage, green tea-infused face massage, eye mask, and reflexology.

The treatment also included a facial massage with one of Privai’s face and body oils, in addition to a foot massage with an ultra-rich body butter.

If you don’t have time for a Wellness Ritual (which ranges between 110 and 140 minutes), the spa also offers a wide variety of massages, facials, and body treatments (50 and 80-minute versions). They all have fun music-inspired names like the Smooth as Tennessee Whiskey Body Treatment, Rolling Stone Serenade, Rockstar High CBD Treatment, and more.

But if you do have time, I highly recommend trying out one of their Wellness Rituals, especially if you haven’t been to the spa in a while and are overdue for some much-needed self-care and relaxation.

Two other unique experiences worth checking out at Sunset Marquis Spa include the In Villa Kaleidoscopic Bath Experience, where you choose from a selection of aromatic bath bombs and watch as your bathwater transforms into a work of art; and Artistic Meditation in the Garden, which channels your inner artist with a guided meditation session in an art gallery setting.

My therapist concluded the treatment with a soothing sound bowl.

My spa treatment concluded with a few strokes of the soothing singing bowl by my therapist, which gently brought me out of my dream-like state and back into the present. I felt so relaxed, my stress levels (which had been much higher when I arrived) were non-existent, and I felt ready for a nap.

Later that evening, I ended up falling asleep early and logged over nine hours of sleep, which usually only happens when I’m on vacation and sleeping with black-out shades, so the Stairway to Heaven was a success! It’s an especially great treatment to get if you’re traveling and dealing with insomnia or jet-lag.

The spa retails a selection of luxury signature candles in an assortment of fragrances—the perfect addition to any home or office space.

While I might not be a rock star, I certainly felt like one during my time at the spa. That’s the magic of that place—by taking care of every guest during their visit and pampering them to ensure their experience is an unforgettable one, everyone gets the chance to feel like a celebrity at Sunset Marquis.

Sunset Marquis Spa is the perfect place for a relaxing and private spa experience without the crowds.

Cost: Stairway to Heaven ($405/140 min).

Insider Tips: Valet parking is available. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to give yourself enough time to walk to the spa.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Wednesday to Sunday)

Address: 1200 Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Phone: 310-657-1333

For more information about Sunset Marquis Spa, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @sunsetmarquis

Sunset Marquis Deals

[Photos by Kamala Kirk]

Spa Review: Sunset Marquis Spa Treatments Are Designed to Nurture Your Inner Rock Star