Day Spas

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5 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Kid-friendly/"mommy and me" spa for 8yo

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    Sep 20, 2023

    Hello,

    I am looking for a spa in the East Bay (Berkeley, Oakland or Walnut Creek area) or San Francisco to take my daughter on her birthday for a "mommy and me" spa day. Does such a thing exist here? We did this in New York last year and it was lovely, but I am only finding party spaces for kids here when I search for kids' spa, not a normal spa where they do special facials/massages designed for kids. Thanks for your help!

    Sep 20, 2023

    It's not really a spa, but I took my 5-year-old daughter to Piedmont Springs for a morning in the hot tub and sauna. They are fine with kids coming. 

    Sep 27, 2023

  • Local day spa recommendation for a girls day?

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    Feb 10, 2023

    Hi all, I am looking to spend a nice afternoon with a group of 3 women getting pedicures, massage, facial, or similar. The goal is more the bonding time than the actual treatment, and I’m having trouble figuring out which places are most conducive to 3 of us getting our treatments done together or at least being all in the same space, with an atmosphere that allows us to chat and generally be unrushed. Does anyone have a recommendation for a local East Bay spot that would fit this bill? Thanks in advance. 

    Feb 10, 2023

    Woodhouse day spa in Walnut Creek! Tell Jenn Laura sent you :)

    Feb 15, 2023

    Check out Lafayette park hotel! They have a pool area, sauna, and small outdoor courtyard for people getting treatment. If Aura is still there, she does an amazing facial. 

    Feb 15, 2023

    The Spa at the Claremont would fit the bill - they have enough staff to allow for you to have your treatments at the same time (or close), and you have access to the rest of the spa where you can chat and hang out in the steam room, hot tub, out by the pool if it's warm enough, etc.

    Feb 15, 2023

    I second Lafeyette Park Hotel. The spa in Lafayette is pretty small, but you do get access to the small pool and hot tub right outside of spa area and the services are good. They'll set up lunch from the restaurant too. The spa at the Claremont is nicer and I prefer their amenities and services if I'm on my own, but their spa hot tub is inside and you don't have access to the very nice pool and outside hot tub unless you spend an extra 50+ for the day pass.

    Feb 15, 2023

    Korean spa!

    Feb 16, 2023

    I'd highly recommend Kabuki Springs in the city, it's beautiful and tranquil bathhouse where you can also book treatments. If you prefer local, the Claremont also has a lovely spa, but less focus on hanging out in the spa.

    Feb 16, 2023

  • Outdoor Massage

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    Oct 9, 2020

    Hi, 

    Does anyone know of a place offering outdoor massages? (it is much much needed... hahaha) Thanks so much! 

    Oct 9, 2020

    woodhouse day spa in walnut creek!

    Oct 14, 2020

    Cavallo Point is offering them -- they are doing a great job with it, but it's quite a splurge!

    If you have your own outdoor space, there is also an app called Soothe that is now offering at-home outdoor massages. I've also used an app called Zeel that is probably doing something similar.

    Oct 14, 2020

    You’ll have to drive to Freestone (going to Bodega Bay) where Osmosis offers a variety of services inclusive of outdoor massage. It’s an extraordinary place if you’ve never been and I highly recommend it. Periodically they offer great packages that include an outdoor hammock garden with sound therapy. It’s one of the Bay Area’s best kept secrets. Enjoy!
    https://www.osmosis.com/

    Oct 15, 2020

    Cavallo Point Lodge, just over the GG bridge in Marin, offers outdoor massage. I went last week and it was divine. You can’t linger at the spa, but their restaurant is open for outdoor dining and you can linger on their giant property if you want. 

    Oct 20, 2020

    Cavallo Point is doing outdoor massages—it’s a splurge, but they’re doing a very nice job with it. My husband and I went about a month ago.

    If you have your own outdoor space, you can also book an at-home massage through the Soothe app. We did this this past weekend and it was great.

    Oct 20, 2020

    I am so glad I found this thread! Just what I need with the election next week lol

    Oct 31, 2020

    Thank you so much! This is super helpful! 

    Nov 13, 2020

  • Lafayette Park or Claremont for a spa day?

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    Jul 26, 2019

    I would love to gift my mom a weekend away to thank her for helping with my son in the past year, but it looks like the scheduling may be too hard. Instead, I'm thinking of a spa day closer to home and it look like our East Bay options are either Lafayette Park or the Fairmont Spa at the Claremont. If you've been to both can you recommend which you'd choose as a alternative to truly getting away? She works in San Francisco, so going into the city would negate the relaxation factor for her!  She'd probably want a massage and facial, a meal, and some lounging time in a hot tub. Thank you!

    Jul 26, 2019

    What a wonderful way to treat your mom!  I've been to both, and it probably depends on what you're looking for.  

    Lafayette Park:  Had a great facial, pool is nice and relaxing (also a hot tub and sauna), service was good.  Weekends appear to get very crowded at the pool and there were no lounge chairs available after 11a.  

    Fairmont Spa at the Claremont:  Had a great facial and massage.  Larger and even more amenities.  Expensive!

    For myself, I'd prefer to re-visit Lafayette Park - although I probably would not do so again on the weekend (at least during summer) to avoid the over-crowding at the pool.  I thought the Fairmont was a bit too expensive once you factor in parking, poolside snack/drink/meal, and gratuity.  I actually found Lafayette Park to be a very nice value.  But if cost were not a factor at all, I'd probably choose to spend the day at the Fairmont since it's closer and has more amenities.

    Jul 30, 2019

    What a great idea! I would go for the Claremont over Lafayette Park having been to both in the past few years. I thought the services at Lafayette Park were great (massage and facial) but the facility is really limited - the common area inside the spa is a small windowless room, the pool is shared with the hotel guests and is just okay. Claremont Spa has great services too and a much nicer facility. I'd definitely return there before the Lafayette one.

    Jul 31, 2019

    The Fairmont is my go-to for a luxurious mini-vacation. The atmosphere and amenities really help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, as if you just returned from a long weekend in the country. Just a note that the Fairmont includes parking validation and spa gratuities, so even though it's more expensive it's the total package.

    Jul 31, 2019

    I've never heard of Lafayette Park, but recently had my first spa day at the Claremont. It was truly a lovely experience. The massage was very good and I spent a lot of time in the indoor hot tub. You can also take exercise classes as part of the spa day, so I participated in a very good yoga class prior to my massage. The food was fine, but not amazing, although all I ordered was an expensive Caesar salad. We had an annoying billing issue, however (I was there with a friend) and the cashier person was not able to reconcile it, so my friend and I had to do some math and I had to pay her cash. I found this to be very odd at such an upscale establishment. So we ended the day on a low note. But I'd still recommend the Claremont if money is no object. :-)

    Aug 1, 2019

    Both are wonderful but the Claremont is more relaxing overall. The dressing room and waiting room are very cramped at Lafayette Park so there isn’t really a good place to lounge. The Claremont has a couple different lovely lounge areas. Plus, in summer you can use the pool during the week if you book a spa treatment so it’s possible to lounge there all day!

    Aug 1, 2019

  • Similar spots to Kabuki Springs in the East Bay?

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    Jun 1, 2018

    Hi All,

    I have been going to the communal baths at Kabuki Springs for ages upon ages and I love it, but the drive from the East Bay into the city and back again has been really negating some of the relaxing benefits of the experience.  I tried to find something similar in the East Bay on Yelp, but had no luck.  Any recommendations that aren't super fancy/expensive? I'm looking for a chill environment that's clothing optional and women only.  Some places that haven't worked for me are The Claremont (too fancy/expensive) and Piedmont Springs (don't want chlorine).

    Thank you!

    Jun 1, 2018

    I love the Korean spa in San Leandro...but it is a different kind of experience... worth to try it!

    PSY Health town

    Nothing like a scrub massage to feel like a million bucks... but a little weird..You can always relax around without any treatments, if you are around the area with water, you need to be without clothes..

    Jun 7, 2018

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

40th Birthday Splurge

March 2008

I'm turning 40 in May and want to treat myself to a ''day at the spa''. I'm thinking some sort of wrap, massage, manicure thing - and I'm not going to worry about the cost - I really want something special. Has anyone had a day like this they'd recommend? I'm happy to travel into SF if that's where this kind of thing is found. Thanks in advance! Ready to be pampered

You don't need to go far, and even with an extra $20 in top of the package of massages, wraps, haircut, pedicure, manicure you can enjoy all the facilities they have (swimming pool, gym, pilates classes etc) and you will agree this is a beautiful place to splurge ''The Claremont Resort and Spa'' Happy 40Th. anon

I really like Re:Fresh spa in San Francisco. It's on a dicey part of Post Street but inside it's beautiful. You can schedule several treatments and then relax in the sauna or steam bath or just sit sipping tea and reading magazines between treatments. I've had wraps and body scrubs there -- both good -- and I think the best pedicure I've ever had. Wish I could go there more than once or twice a year! Ann

If cost is not an issue - then I highly recomend going to Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley. It was a beautiful experience. My best friend and I decided to bring in the new year by splurging on ourselves. I did the Lavendar Therapy Massage (1hr) and then the facial massage (45min) but even before that we were in the hot tub and the sauna, sipping on cucumber water and lemon water, there was also juices, tea, coffee and fresh fruit in the sitting area where you can relax and read or mingle with others. The staff was friendly and nice, afterwards @ the Claremont we had lunch in Jordans, the view was great. Have fun and enjoy - were planning another day @ the spa again. . . Yolanda

The Kabuki Hot Springs in SF has a really nice treatment that involves flowers, candles, being slathered with yogurt and stuff, with a massage and a bath. I did this for my daughter when she turned 13, she really liked it. It's nice to bring a friend who can do a regular massage (if expense is an issue) and then hangout in the communal bath together afterwards. Or just both get a massage and then go into the communal baths together. Sunday is women-only. In Japantown, there are many nice places to eat also. Happy Birthday! anon

Spa treatment close to home for husbands birthday

Jan. 2004

My husbands birthday is coming up and I would like to take him for a spa treatment without having to go to Napa or Sonoma County. I want him to also receive a pedicure and manicure at a responsible price. We leave in San Leandro. rocquel

Recommendations received:

  • The Claremont Spa Berkeley

    More advice:

     

    How about the Claremont in Oakland? There's also a spa in downtown Mill Valley next to Jenny Low's chinese restaurant. Or the good 'ole standby - Nordstrom's in San Francisco. Patty
    Take a look at Piedmont Springs, on Piedmont Ave. My husband and I have gone there several times. They have a full range of spa services, including massage, skin treatments, hot tubs and saunas. And they also do a non-polish manicure and pedicure, which I have never had but sounds perfect for a man. It is not a ''girly'' place, so your husband should feel comfortable there. They have a web site; I can't think of the URL offhand, but if you search on ''piedmont springs spa oakland'' you should find it. Catherine
    My girlfriends and I spent a night and had treatments at the Purple Orchid Inn in Livermore. It was pricey but enjoyable and seemed like a great romantic overnight get-away. I think the website is www.purpleorchid.com Good luck Tiffany
    In San Leandro you have the Healing Hut and Effleurage, both in the downtown area. You could go up to Piedmont Springs for hot tubs as well. Depends on what you want besides massage. Sophie

    Day Spas

    March 2003

    Looking for recommendations for a day spa, within 1.5 hrs. drive of Berkeley. Would love a package (facial, massage, manicure) for under $200. Am I dreaming? Anyone familiar with Azul spa right here in Berkeley? Thanks!

    Recommendations received:

    Try Kelly Ann's Spa in Pleasant Hill on Gregory Lane. It is quite an experience and the prices are within your budget Angela

    Azul is a wonderful day spa for women off of Salano Ave. in Albany. It feels like magic in there. You can relax the day away in a white bathrobe, sitting on cushy white chairs, reading, while drinking good tea, after getting out of their steamy sauna, between baths/facials/massages. It's worth a whole day--perhaps plan something like a massage in the morning and a facial in the afternoon and just relax there in between. Heaven! anonymous
    Indian Springs in Calistoga (Click here for the review.)
    Last Mother's Day, I was given a gift certificate for a haircut, facial and massage at Sole Salon on College at Ashby. I believe there was a $120 special for this. It was all lovely -the haircut was of very high caliber , the massage was a full hour and soooo blissful, the facial even helped me indentify some skin problems. They use Aveda products and the people are really nice. You can guess what I'm hinting for this year... Katia