The outdoor lap pool at Spa Gaucin
When you check-in at this two-story Mediterranean-inspired Five-Star spa, you check out mentally. Spa Gaucin, located in the Five-Star St. Regis Monarch Beach resort, is aptly named after an old village in Spain with sweeping views of the sea.
It’s easy to watch the day breeze by with each minute spent dipping into the spa’s amenities. You can spend hours soaking in the outdoor heated pool (with an underwater sound system), soak in the hot tub or sit poolside in a lounger with smoothie in hand — and we haven’t even touched on the indoor amenities yet. Inside, you should beeline it to the locker rooms’ indoor hot tub, aromatic sauna and eucalyptus steam room. Then sit in the dimly lit lounge sipping orange-infused water — your therapist will come in and find you pre-treatment.
Your treatment is, of course, the best part of your spa stay. We loved the Signature Mediterranean Massage. With warm, soothing chardonnay massage oil, we didn’t want the stress-soothing massage to end. And our therapist customized our treatment based on the amount of pressure we preferred and focused on our most-tense areas. Other popular treatments include the exfoliating and hydrating Healing Ocean Salt Scrub & Wrap and the Coffee Berry Facial, known for it’s soothing qualities.
If you’re visiting the spa with a mate, book a couples suite, which comes with two massage tables and an oversized deep-soaking tub, perfect for two. Post-treatment you can freshen up in the locker room showers, and sit around in your cozy robe in the relaxation lounge.
Order a light lunch, such as a salad of watercress, Belgium endive, port poached pears, roasted walnut halves tossed with pear and hazelnut vinaigrette, and a glass of chardonnay. Or if you’re feeling up to it, take a complimentary fitness class like yoga-lates, core fusion or a scenic bluff trail hike along Salt Creek Beach up to the bluffs overlooking Dana Point Harbor. Unfortunately you’ll have to leave the robe behind.
Credit: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
