In The Press

"Wellness continues to be a huge travel trend, and more hotels than ever are embracing it with special programs and amenities dedicated to helping guests reduce stress, sleep better and even lose weight. Once considered places to simply lay your head during a trip, many hotels have now become destinations in themselves, offering retreats and multi-night packages filled with activities, classes and spa treatments. And, even if you are just laying your head there, it’s likely to be on a specially-designed bed, accompanied by an extensive menu of pillow options. Here are eight hotels that will make you feel so good, you’ll never want to check out. If only insurance would cover them.

The Westgate Hotel - San Diego, California

San Diego’s iconic downtown hotel continues to make history, this time being in the wellness space. And what a wellness space they offer! All guests are granted complimentary access to AquaVie, their 40,000-square-foot fitness center, where you can take classes, work out on state-of-the-art equipment and relax in the steam room or sauna. You can also take advantage of the rooftop deck, featuring a heated lap pool, a running track and more machines. Or you can just stretch out in the hot tub or on a lounger and take in the city views. A dedicated wellness concierge will help you arrange it all, including a treatment at the full-service spa." Read the full USA Today 10Best article by Lois Alter Mark here.

"Built in 1970 as a chic recreation of France’s legendary Palace of Versailles, The Westgate Hotel is a beautiful luxury hotel located at the edge of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The interior features a distinctively European ambiance with French antiques, Flemish and French tapestries, Baccarat crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets. It is within walking distance of the city’s top attractions including The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Gaslamp Quarter, and The San Diego Opera and Symphony, among others.

San Diego Spa Guide: The Best San Diego Spas

Amenities include a heated rooftop pool with city views of the San Diego skyline, wellness equipment, regular spin classes on the roof, and the AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club, which offers over 200 state-of-the-art cardio and weight machines and an entire selection of fitness and wellness-boosting classes.

AquaVie Spa at The Westgate Hotel is a modern luxurious oasis with spacious treatment rooms, expert technicians, and a menu that offers massages, facials and body treatments. They incorporate the finest in results-driven skin care and body treatments that are designed to nourish, purify and restore balance in a peaceful and relaxing setting.

We interviewed Kenia Zavala, AquaVie Spa Supervisor, to learn more about treatments to try, insider tips, and more.

Why You’ll Love It: AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club offers hotel guests and members an urban oasis of serenity in the heart of downtown San Diego. Spanning four levels, the haven for health is thoughtfully designed to represent a unique environment and elevate the wellness of the mind, body and spirit. Featuring an impeccable 15,000-square-foot panoramic lookout across the San Diego skyline, AquaVie offers 40,000 square feet of custom-designed workout spaces and poolside food and beverage service. Key Features: Standout amenities at AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club include over 200 cardio and strength training machines, a Junior Olympic-sized rooftop heated lap pool, an outdoor running track, rooftop spin bikes and strength training equipment, a dry sauna, steam room, private studios, group fitness classes and a luxury spa. Snacks Served: AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club offers poolside food and beverage service delivered right to your lounge chair which can be ordered via QR code on the pool deck. The poolside menu includes appetizers, main dishes, refreshments and alcoholic beverages with standout dishes including Poke Bowl, Farmers Market Cobb Salad and Westgate Club. The spa’s full beverage menu includes a selection of wines, beers, cocktails, a juice bar and an espresso bar.

Insider’s Tip: Turn your spa treatment into a day of relaxation! Guests who book an AquaVie Spa treatment have access to the entire wellness facility for the whole day including the rooftop pool, workout equipment, relaxation rooms, dry sauna and steam room.

Bonus: Guests at AquaVie Spa are offered complimentary champagne, beverages and snacks in relaxation rooms, and can enjoy amenities including the sauna and steam room. Guests are also granted access to group classes before or after their spa treatment.

Splurge Treatment: A revolutionary anti-aging facial, AquaVie Spa offers four varieties of Intraceuticals Oxygen Treatment, also known as the “Oxygen Facial,” which visibly plumps and hydrates skin to reduce lines and wrinkles. The “Youthful Glow” is an 80-minute Intraceuticals Oxygen Treatment that exfoliates the skin and infuses anti-aging ingredients through hyperbaric oxygen. At $440, the treatment is a splurge-worthy facial proven to provide immediate results.

Unique Treatment: AquaVie Spa’s Ocean Dew Magnesium Muscle Recovery treatments detoxify the body with a variety of refreshing essential oils. Vital to muscle function and energy generation, magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin and relieves stress and tension for optimal muscle recovery.

The Ocean Dew Muscle Recovery Ritual is a unique offering that embodies the essence of San Diego with a full-body scrub, wrap and foot massage with essential oils of organic rosemary, pink grapefruit, vanilla, juniper berry and thyme.

Insider’s Favorite: AquaVie Spa’s new HydraFacial treatments are noninvasive, high-tech facials that remove dead skin cells and extract impurities while cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing. Guests can choose from express, signature, or ultimate HydraFacial treatments which each provide instant results for all skin types with no discomfort or downtime.

Featured Products: AquaVie Spa features a variety of products with highlights including Eminence Organic Skin Care and SkinCeuticals.

For more information on AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @aquaviewellness @westgatehotel"

View the full from Spa & Beauty Today here.

"If you’re looking for beautiful Southern California coastal relaxation or a little adventure, San Diego has everything you need for a memorable getaway for yourself or fun vacation for the whole family.

From ocean adventures and sports to delicious dining and nightlife, San Diego has it all, even great weather. If you are looking for fun things to do, you can enjoy world-renowned attractions like Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park, explore the eclectic city’s neighborhoods, and admire gorgeous views at one of the many amazing resorts or hotels.

When it comes to wellness, there is no shortage of San Diego spa options to help you find the perfect way to get pampered. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious destination spa experience or just want a laid back budget-friendly treatment, this guide will help you find the best San Diego spa picks for your relaxation needs.

Since regulations in California are constantly changing, we recommend checking with the spas and hotels directly for the most current information.

The Best San Diego Hotel Spas

AquaVie Spa at The Westgate Hotel

Located at The Westgate Hotel at the edge of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club offers guests beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to workout and relax. Among the amenities at the European-inspired hotel (which was built in 1970 as a recreation of the Palace of Versailles) are a heated rooftop pool with views of the San Diego skyline, spin classes on the roof, over 200 state-of-the-art cardio and weight machines, and fitness and wellness-boosting classes.

Spa Profile: AquaVie Spa at The Westgate Hotel

AquaVie Spa at The Westgate Hotel offers a peaceful setting where guests can enjoy the finest in results-driven skin care and body treatments that are designed to nourish, purify and restore balance. The spa treatment menu offers massages, facials and body treatments in spacious treatment rooms provided by the spa’s team of expert staff. Guests enjoy time for replenishment and self-care in an atmosphere that is dedicated entirely to their wellness and relaxation."

Read the full Spa & Beauty Today article here.

"Winter is officially upon us, and it might be affecting you and your clients' skin. The dry environment can cause dehydration and a duller complexion. Have no fear, top spas around the U.S. have you covered with hydrating treatments, along with the best skin care tips and tricks to combat the most common winter skin problems.

Keep Skin Hydrated

• Spa Treatment: At Westgate Hotel’s AquaVie Spa in San Diego, the Intaceuticals Oxygen Treatment - Radiance Facial provides deep hydration and a lustrous glow. By breathing deeply and without pause, boosted levels of oxygen deliver hyaluronic acid and custom anti-aging active ingredients deep into the skin's structural layers using a methodical layering technique.
• Skin Care Tip: “When skin gets insanely dry throughout the winter months, simple moisturizers don’t cut it. We recommend incorporating additional hydration techniques such as a boost in oxygen, heavier moisturizers, cleansers and salves to your clients skin care regimen," said Melissa Baesa, esthetician at AquaVie Spa at Westgate Hotel. "

Read the full article from Skin Inc. here.

"Forget Rigid Resolutions and Introduce—or Reinforce—Good Habits Instead You survived a month of festive after-work drinks and a month of not-so-mindful eating and January is now well under way. But after a hectic and hedonistic holiday season, some late starters might still be contemplating ways to reset their wellness, health and mindfulness goals for the year ahead. Because feeling good runs more than skin deep—although there should always be calendar space for some spa time—whether it’s reinstating restorative rituals with a sound bath, landing on yoga mats, finally trying that juice cleanse or starting a workout routine, these five San Diego experiences will help you to get back on track.

Take a Rooftop Workout Class at AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club

Fitness still tops the list when it comes to “new year, new me” resolutions (hello there, January gym spike), but most folks fall off the wagon just weeks later. The best fitness club to join is one you’ll feel inspired to go to, and AquaVie is the swankiest place in San Diego to break a sweat. From lifting weights to studio classes like HIIT and candlelit slow flow yoga, the rooftop features a junior Olympic-size lap pool (there are Master Swim classes too) and running track, plus dedicated space for spin classes—because outdoor workouts are a Southern California staple. Location: Downtown San Diego" Read the full Locale Magazine article here.

"Indulging in a rejuvenating spa day often comes with the cliché that you must travel to far off locales like Bali or Thailand to find an award-winning spa. The reality? Tranquility seekers can find unforgettable luxury spa experiences close to home – whether they’re looking for a relaxing solo experience, intimate couples retreat or rounding up friends for a pampering weekend. Los Angeles to San Diego: AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club at Westgate Hotel AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club offers an urban oasis of serenity in downtown San Diego. Featuring a 15,000-square-foot panoramic lookout across the San Diego skyline, AquaVie’s 40,000 square feet of custom-designed workout spaces come complete with 200 cardio and weight machines. Spanning four levels, the luxury spa and fitness center feature relaxing steam rooms, dry saunas, a Junior Olympic-sized rooftop pool, an outdoor running track and more.

• Drive time: 2 hours
• Must-try treatment: The Ocean Dew Magnesium Muscle Recovery Body Wrap infuses magnesium into the skin that is vital to muscle function and energy generation, along with oceanic elements such as aloe vera and red marine algae for optimal recovery."

Read the full Luxury Travel Magazine article here.

"We’re never at a loss when trying to find a few vacation ideas for LGBTQ+ travelers in unexpected places. It’s the first official day of summer! And when it comes to staying cool during heatwave temps, we’re providing some travel inspiration with a few hotel pools where you can relax, unwind, and chill out based on your travel style – from wellness retreat seekers to wine connoisseurs to influential travelers looking for the ideal Instagram-worthy photo. Here are a few holiday options for everyone! For the Athlete Westgate Hotel | San Diego, CA The European-inspired Westgate Hotel in the center of bustling downtown San Diego is home to a perfectly picturesque rooftop pool with a 15,000-square-foot panoramic lookout across the San Diego skyline. An athlete’s dream in the heart of downtown, Westgate’s heated Junior size Olympic lap pool is the place to be for a casual dip or training day with a touch of luxury. A bonus: pool guests can enjoy poolside food and beverage service brought directly to their lounge chairs." Read the full Vacationer Magazine article here.