Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa is a luxury desert resort located in Indian Wells, CA.

Beyond getting a relaxing massage or a facial, many spa-goers in today’s modern age of wellness are looking for services that offer additional benefits such as faster recovery, reduced pain and stress, and improved sleep, among others.

A popular destination for golfers and athletes, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells recently debuted a brand-new Renew Recovery Lounge, the first of its kind in Coachella Valley. Complementing the resort’s 13,000-square-foot wellness sanctuary, Spa Esmeralda, the lounge is focused on enhancing recovery for busy travelers, athletes, and other guests that don’t always have the time for self-care.

Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Debuts First Renew Recovery Lounge in Coachella Valley

During a recent visit to the desert, I had the opportunity to check out the Renew Recovery Lounge and experience several treatments in the new space, which features cutting-edge services and other unique amenities.

Its services can be experienced as standalone treatments or as express services before other spa treatments, and are a great option for guests who are on the go and don’t have time to spend multiple hours at the spa since a majority of the services don’t require you to change into a robe. The lounge is especially ideal for active guests that want to speed up their recovery time between rounds of golf or other activities.

Spa Esmeralda is a 13,000-square-foot full-service spa located on the resort’s lobby level.

Here’s what you’ll love about Spa Esmeralda and its Renew Recovery Lounge:

The Renew Recovery Lounge is the first of its kind in Coachella Valley and is dedicated to offering a variety of cutting-edge technologies and recovery services.
The new lounge complements the resort’s 13,000-square-foot spa, which includes 11 indoor treatment rooms, eight outdoor treatment cabanas, a couple’s suite, men’s and women’s steam rooms and relaxation lounges, an outdoor courtyard and whirlpool, and a 24-hour fitness center.
Guests can enjoy services in the comfort of their own private pods at the Renew Recovery Lounge; services can also be enjoyed with a group and the lounge has curtains that can be closed for additional privacy.
Services at the Renew Recovery Lounge can be experienced as express services before any massage or body therapy and pair well with other treatments on the spa menu.
Various wellness-tech experiences are available to help put guests into recovery mode such as compression therapy, HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat, Therabody Smart Goggles, and more.
In addition to several 50-minute experiences such as Relax & Restore or Recharge & Recover that include the above elements, a Well Rested CBD Soak is also available.
Add-ons are available to further enhance your experience ranging from a Red Light Face Mask and KNESKO collagen eye/face mask to a CBD wellness shot.
The lounge broadens access to wellness for a wider audience, especially those who would prefer to not disrobe during a service.
Guests have the option of working on their laptop while receiving select services such as the compression therapy.

The reception desk and retail area at the spa.

Spa Esmeralda is located on the resort’s lobby level and has a large retail boutique that carries a wide variety of products including skincare, fitness clothing, bathrobes, and more.

Spa Profile: Spa Esmeralda at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells

Upon checking in at the front desk, I was given a tour of the Renew Recovery Lounge, which is located in a quiet space on the way to the rest of the spa facilities. Due to its close proximity to the entrance, it’s easily accessible for those that want to pop in for a quick service then be on their way.

The spa boutique retails a variety of skincare brands, fitness clothing, bath robes, and more.

The Renew Recovery Lounge has multiple private recovery pods with curtains that can be closed or left open so guests can enjoy their services in privacy or with a group. Each pod comes with a comfortable lounge seat where one can kick back and relax. There are side tables and outlets so those who need to bring their laptops or devices and work quietly can do so while receiving their services.

The loungers are outfitted with HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) Mats, which work by emitting electromagnetic waves that mimic natural frequencies found in nature to stimulate the body’s natural recovery process. Paired with infrared’s deeply penetrating heat and 20 pounds of healing crystals layered inside the mat that produce negative ions, the mat helps decrease chronic pain, relax the mind and body, and speed up recovery from workouts.

Guests can also experience the benefits of arm or leg compression therapy with compression therapy boots by Normatec, which increase circulation, reduce swelling, and revive muscles via patented precision pulse technology.

Spa Esmeralda recently added a Renew Recovery Lounge, which features private recovery pods where guests can enjoy high-tech wellness therapies focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.

To upgrade your service in the Renew Recovery Lounge, various add-on services are available including a KNESKO collagen eye treatment to reduce puffiness and dark circles, a KNESKO Gemstone Collagen face mask to hydrate skin (available in several options from firming to brightening), a Red Light Mask to boost collagen and elastin, and Therabody Smart Goggles to reduce eye strain and headaches while relieving stress.

A tranquil hallway leads to the men’s and women’s locker rooms and spa amenities.

Before my services began I headed to the spa facilities, which were located down a long hallway with tranquil lighting that had a soothing water feature at the end. The men’s and women’s locker rooms are on opposite sides from one another and each side has its own relaxation lounge, steam room, showers, and other amenities.

A stunning water feature greets guests at the entrances to the separate men’s and women’s facilities.

The women’s locker room is very spacious with multiple areas for relaxation including an indoor lounge and an outdoor spa garden. I was provided with a locker, robe, and slippers, which I changed into.

I had about 20 minutes of leisure time before my first treatment began so I spent five minutes in the steam room before heading to the spa garden.

The women’s spa facilities are stocked with towels and offer plenty of room for relaxation and changing.

Spa amenities include a steam room, private showers, and changing areas.

The locker room is connected to the relaxation lounge, where guests can lounge before and after their treatments.

When I was washing my hands, there was a tray next to the sink with a complimentary orange and vanilla hand scrub provided by the spa. I tried some on the back of my hands and they felt so smooth afterwards. I also loved the fresh scent of the scrub.

A complimentary orange and vanilla hand scrub is available for guests.

There is an expansive and peaceful indoor relaxation lounge on the women’s side of the spa where guests can sit on comfortable armchairs with foot rests while enjoying complimentary spa snacks such as infused water, coffee or tea, mixed nuts, apples, and dried fruit.

The relaxation lounge has comfortable armchairs with foot rests as well as a sofa for guests.

Since I had a morning spa appointment and was the first guest to check in for the day, I had the outdoor spa garden all to myself, which was a nice surprise.

The spa garden is co-ed so if you come with your significant other, you can relax together in the outdoor spaces which have plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas, and a waterfall hot tub.

Spa Esmeralda also has an outdoor garden courtyard with a waterfall hot tub.

I enjoyed soaking in the waterfall hot tub accompanied by the soothing sounds of trickling water while taking in the beautiful scenery.

The spa garden also has outdoor treatment cabanas where you can enjoy services in the fresh air while behind private curtains. There are outdoor showers, a soaking tub, and separate sitting areas that can be closed off with curtains—perfect for group outings and celebrations at the spa.

Outdoor treatments are offered in private cabanas in the spa’s garden courtyard.

The spa garden has various sitting areas as well as an outdoor tub and showers.

A few minutes before my service began, my massage therapist came out to get me and led me to one of the private treatment rooms. For my first treatment I experienced a 50-minute Aroma Stone Therapy Massage, which incorporated heated basalt stones to help get rid of tightness and tension in the muscles by slowly releasing warmth into the core of the muscles.

During the treatment, my therapist also placed small warm stones on various key energy points on my body while massaging me with a custom blend of desert aromatherapy oils for further relaxation. She gave me a choice between three oils in different scents all by The Body Deli—a local company in Palm Desert that specializes in handcrafted skincare and body products that are produced in small batches to ensure quality and freshness.

My massage was blissful and relaxing, and afterwards my muscle knots had significantly decreased. If you need additional time to target any problem areas, the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage is also available in an 80-minute version.

To further enhance your treatment, you can upgrade your service with add-ons such as a CBD Herbal Relief Balm, scalp treatment, collagen eye treatment, gemstone collagen mask, or an exfoliating and nourishing hand or foot treatment.

I experienced the Aroma Stone Massage in one of the spa’s private indoor treatment rooms.

My next service was the Well Rested CBD Soak, which is the only treatment from the Renew Recovery Lounge that is not offered in the lounge since it includes a bath. I was led into another private room with a treatment table and bathtub surrounded by relaxing tea-light candles.

Designed to prepare guests for a restful night’s sleep, the 50-minute experience includes a CBD bath, ginger CBD wellness shot, SmartGoggles by Therabody, and HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat. Prior to the bath, I relaxed on the warm mat, which had been place on the treatment bed, while wearing the SmartGoggles.

The SmartGoggles reminded me of a heavy-duty sleep mask that blocked out all light. It featured a combination of gentle vibrations, warmth, and compression therapy—all of which work together to improve blood flow, reduce eye strain and anxiety, and relieve headaches and tension. Paired with the warm mat, it was the ultimate relaxing experience.

Next I tried the Well Rested CBD Soak, one of the featured recovery treatments offered by the Renew Recovery Lounge.

The SmartGoggles had a timer set and when they stopped vibrating, I removed them and was ready to step into the bath. Before getting into the tub I drank my wellness shot, which had been kept chilled on ice.

Featuring 30 mg of full-spectrum CBD, it was refreshing and tasty with a mixture of cayenne, ashwagandha, ginger, cordyceps, and lion’s mane. Together, the ingredients are designed to help relieve stress, strengthen focus, boost energy, reduce inflammation, and support focus and productivity.

The company that makes the CBD shot, Cause Medic, grows its own hemp on its farm in Colorado. It’s natural and organic, broad spectrum, in addition to being chemical-free and vegan.

The 50-minute bath experience includes a ginger CBD wellness shot.

I spent the remaining 35 minutes soaking in the warm bath, which was infused with fragrant CBD salts. By the end of my treatment, I was relaxed from head to toe—and ready for a nap!

While the Well Rested CBD Soak can be enjoyed any time of day, I can see it being an especially ideal evening spa service, that one last step before bed and especially helpful for guests that have trouble falling asleep while traveling. It’s also great for body aches and sore muscles, making it a good treatment option for speeding up one’s recovery.

The Renew Recovery Lounge is a great new addition to the offerings at Spa Esmeralda, whether you’re looking for a quick service or you want to make it a full day at the spa. It’s also ideal for couples and groups that are in the desert for golf and other activities, providing them with a relaxing space where they can enhance their wellness together.

And with festival season right around the corner, the Renew Recovery Lounge is the perfect spot to drop in during or after Coachella and Stagecoach for the ultimate rejuvenating experience that will leave you feeling like a new person afterwards!

I felt incredibly relaxed after soaking in the CBD-infused bath and enjoyed a good night’s sleep that evening.

Cost: Aroma Stone Massage ($222+/50 min); Well Rested CBD Soak ($90+); Therabody Smart Goggles Add-On ($24)

Insider Tips: Pricing includes a 19% staff charge and 1% house charge. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to give yourself time to enjoy the spa amenities. Bring swimwear if you plan to use the whirlpool. Comfortable athleisure clothing is recommended for services in the Renew Recovery Lounge.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Daily)

Address: 44-400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210-9971

Phone: (760) 836-1265

For more information about Spa Esmeralda at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @renaissanceesmeralda

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[Photos by Kamala Kirk]