relax
A Sense of Place
In a growing trend, spa treatments incorporate locally inspired
ingredients such as sea salt, tropical fruit or regional plants.
BY ELIZABETH NUTT
The Catamaran Spa’s island-inspired decor encourages relaxation.
At beach and island-based spas, treatments
containing coconut or seaweed indulge the
body and mind. In mountain towns, some
spas utilize indigenous plants and minerals
long prized by Native Americans for their
healing properties. More and more, spas
are looking to the local environment to
infuse their massage oils, scrubs, bath soaks
and the like with ingredients found in or
inspired by the area, creating a heightened
sense of place for guests—and helping them
form a deeper connection with the site they
are visiting.
In San Diego, one wellness center
embracing this trend is The Catamaran
Spa: The local beach setting extends into
this full-service, waterfront retreat with
18
island-inspired decor and treatments. The
spa, at the Polynesian-themed Catamaran
Resort Hotel and Spa, creates a distinct
getaway for guests. The furniture is made
of bamboo and cork materials while mother
of pearl, shells and sea glass are highlighted
in design details. And the spa’s location on
Mission Bay—just steps from the sand—
only adds to the oasis experience.
“The minute you walk on the property,
even though it might be in the middle of
Pacific Beach, you get that peaceful feeling
and the flora and fauna is so lush, you get
a serene, calm feeling as you start walking
toward the spa, so we start the relaxation
process before you even get to the spa,” says
Christina Remmling, the spa operations
manager at the Catamaran Resort Hotel
and Spa.
Once inside, you can expect to find ser-
vices and ingredients that complement and
are influenced by the resort’s surroundings.
From spa rituals inspired by the ocean to
treatments that utilize tropical fruits like
mango and star fruit and elements such as
sea mud and coarse sea salt, The Catamaran
Spa is paradise for the senses. Indulge in
one of these three offerings and you’ll walk