Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa: in an Ivy league of its own

Elyse Glickman May 11, 2022

Glen Ivy Hot Springs, tucked between Los Angeles’ and San Diego’s eastern suburbs in the Temecula Valley, has been a day spa since it was officially incorporated in 1977. However, its fascinating history and mineral-rich hot springs (in commercials since 1860, and centuries before that used by indigenous California tribes) add extra mystique to the locale, as do a restorative pool circuit (saline, hot and cold plunge), lounge pools, a menu of top-notch spa treatments for women and men, and casual dining options with healthy-yet-creative meals and snacks. Its latest incarnation, however, has everything one would want in a spa retreat … except for overnight rooms.

   The day resort’s extreme makeover was brilliantly executed by Bangkok-based GOCO Hospitality, which took over as the parent company a few years back. As it manages an international roster of spas and retreats stretching from its home country to UAE, Bali, Greece and the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, it should be no surprise that it has made Glen Ivy relevant anew to a younger generation of wellness enthusiasts even with the famous Club Mud, California’s only therapeutic red clay mineral bath, offering a literal down-to-earth experience.
   The buildings housing the treatment areas, food venues, and indoor amenities now have a cohesive Mediterranean architectural æsthetic. Both newer and older swimming and relaxation pools, framed by refreshed landscaping, radiate luxury even as the accessibility of the resort communicates self-care is a right and not a privilege. If you’re the type of person who enjoys mixing with Glen Ivy regulars, there’s plenty of opportunity as it continues to have a diverse all-ages fan base stretching from Los Angeles to San Diego, and beyond. Even as many spa and lifestyle publications praise it as ‘Best Luxury Mineral Spring Spa in North America’ and one of Spas of America’s Top Spas, and it has a status as a Founding Seed Spa in the Green Spa Network, it remains one of the most inclusive spa experiences anywhere.
   Other Glen Ivy exclusives that continue to draw folks in for a day of self-care include the Roman Bath (pure old-school spa luxury), the Grotto (housing a proprietary body moisturizing spa treatment), and the Ivy Kitchen, where guests delight in healthy spa cuisine devised by Glen Ivy’s executive chef Bill Wavrin weaving California’s bounty and global influence together.
   The spa service menu is also dramatically updated, with such treatments as the Natural Glow Solution Facial. The 50-minute treatment is described as a ‘bioregenerative organic facial designed to regenerate the skin, making it more resilient to climate and environmental changes that also nourishes, reoxygenates and protects the skin … as well as prolong[ing] youth.’ Even if you take the fountain-of-youth claims with a grain of salt, the way the facial is executed by Glen Ivy’s thoughtful practitioners is absolute bliss, the inventive use of aromatics to added arm and neck massages. The placement of hot stones beneath the lower back serves as the “cherry on top” to this restorative sensory delight.
   Sustainability-minded clients will appreciate the potions from the new Sacred Nature line by Comfort Zone that are Cosmos-certified organic to ensure products are produced to the highest feasible sustainability practices. However, others who enjoy a bit of variety and fun in their spa retail will appreciate that other Comfort Zone lines are available, as are a good selection of swimsuits, resort wear and jewellery from Laguna Beach, Calif.-based Gorjana (eagle-eyed long-time Lucire readers may recognize the name as we spotted the line at pre-award show events in the early ’00s). As travel becomes safer, live entertainment will resume during the summer months, as Glen Ivy stays open until 9 p.m. on weekends.