The Spa Torrey Pines

Stopped by here during one of my work trips and absolutely had a great massage experience with Esther. She is an intuitive massage therapist, and I felt incredible afterwards. Next time I will definitely go for a longer massage! Also I have to give credit to the manager and front desk staff. I left my favorite pair of sunglasses in the women’s locker room. When I was already at the airport I realized they were missing and I called them immediately. They were promptly able to locate my glasses and keep them safe. The company mailed them home to me in Dallas at my request. When they arrived, to my pleasant surprise i found the package so neat and secure that I couldn’t believe how good of shape my sunnies were still in. I really appreciated it and give props to the thoughtfulness of the staff. Thanks so much!
Kind of like what other reviews say, the only reason I took off one star is because I also think the facility could be updated. Shower in the locker room kind of went from hot to cold a few times and although the Vichy shower felt amazing it was a little squeaky at times. Beautiful facility though and great amenities.

I came here with a group of girls this last weekend and we had a great experience. The manicurists are incredibly sweet and were a joy to chat with. The pool was very relaxing with the exception of the large group of drunk girls singing along to the Beyonce songs they were blasting from their own speakers. I will definitely be coming back here the next time a spa day is in the cards, but I’ll cross my fingers that there is a different crowd hanging out by the pool.

Oh man! I was SO excited for my hot stone massage on Sunday but it was terrible!
I got a thank you gift card and was always under the impression that this spa was one of the top in San Diego. When I went to book it I asked for the best therapist they have and was told Sarah was it. I’ve had stone massage before and can’t really describe as anything less than amazing. This was not my experience at Torrey Pines.
Not everyone has the knack for massage. Sarah was so mechanical and brash that I felt like I was a dummy on a slab. No soft transitions, just ‘ok now I massage your shoulder, ok now your forearm, oh back to your neck, etc’. It felt like she was going through a mental checklist for 80 minutes. Oh right, not 80 minutes as she cut me short 10. Even walking from side to side was harsh and not at all consistent with the soft environment one expects at a massage. She only rested the hot stones on my back and not on my stomach chakras as is supposed to be done as well. I got the vibe that she was getting through her day, not enjoying serving someone and focusing on giving them a solid massage. (For over $ 200!?)
I was pretty stunned when I left so I just paid the bill and gave a small tip since I’m not an a*hole but this was, hands down, the worst massage I’ve ever had.
Bummer

Update-​since my review the staff immediately followed up with me to resolve the situation. I genuinely appreciate when a business cares enough to make it right!
Oh man! I was SO excited for my hot stone massage on Sunday but it was terrible!
I got a thank you gift card and was always under the impression that this spa was one of the top in San Diego. When I went to book it I asked for the best therapist they have and was told Sarah was it. I’ve had stone massage before and can’t really describe as anything less than amazing. This was not my experience at Torrey Pines.
Not everyone has the knack for massage. Sarah was so mechanical and brash that I felt like I was a dummy on a slab. No soft transitions, just ‘ok now I massage your shoulder, ok now your forearm, oh back to your neck, etc’. It felt like she was going through a mental checklist for 80 minutes. Oh right, not 80 minutes as she cut me short 10. Even walking from side to side was harsh and not at all consistent with the soft environment one expects at a massage. She only rested the hot stones on my back and not on my stomach chakras as is supposed to be done as well. I got the vibe that she was getting through her day, not enjoying serving someone and focusing on giving them a solid massage. (For over $ 200!?)
I was pretty stunned when I left so I just paid the bill and gave a small tip since I’m not an a*hole but this was, hands down, the worst massage I’ve ever had.
Bummer

The message therapists were nice and really honed in on the needs of the individual. I did the day of bliss and my husband and I felt great. I cannot wait to plan my next trip. Thanks.

I went and got my first massage at the Spa at Torrey Pines today… wow! I was so impressed. The parking is free in the self parking area. When you get in there are kind men waiting at front that will help you find the spa because it’s kind of a few hallways away from the entrance.
The spa is cute when you walk in with a little gift shop. The gal that helped me up front was very kind. She gave me a tour and showed me my locker which had a kit for the shower, and a bathrobe, and she gave me shoes to wear. While I waited there is a nice room with a fireplace, magazines, cucumber water, and tea.
My provider was Amanda. She was so nice and friendly, and made sure I was comfortable throughout. She focused on my needs and it was probably the best massage I have ever had.
Afterward I used the shower which was awesome it has 3 different curtains you can close so you have full privacy. Then the stations out by the bathroom have blowdryers, curling irons, clean hair brushes, blow dryers, q-​tips, face stuff, etc.
I would highly recommend. The prices are higher but it’s because of the great service and awesome location!

Nichollette was a great massage therapist for a deep tissue massage. I give her 4 stars. I give the spa 3 stars for the lack of updates in their facility & amenities. It looks like an older spa but very clean. But for $ 130 for a massage I expected my whole experience to be better.

RUDE! Terrible customer service at the receptionist desk on a weekend for an appointment we had booked. Very rude, smug, and unprofessional!
LA COSTA SPA & RESORT IS THE BEST! After this experience at the Spa Torrey Pines, we were able to book the next day at La Costa and as always, it was the best!
Very disappointed in making appointments at the spa at Torrey Pines. I had made an appointment to get to the ritual treatments for myself and a friend of mine was visiting out of state. Of all the San Diego spas in the area we chose this particular one because of the ritual treatments that they offer. We showed up for our appointment and they said that our appointment had been canceled as my credit card did not go through. The receoptionist proceeded to tell me that my reservation was the weekend before. One particular girl at the front desk argued back and forth with me saying that I had made an appointment the week before, which was not correct. I had even called a few days before our appointment to confirm it. We were very surprised at this receptionists smug attitude and extreme lack of customer service at the Spa at Torrey Pines.
I had called and confirmed it a couple of days prior to our appointment. When I called to confirm the appointments, I was told that I did not have an appointment. The gentleman at the spa said let me check and see what we can do to help you out. Nothing was mentioned that I supposedly had an appointment the weekend before. I laughed and I told him that I think I gave the Spa the wrong expiration date on the card. I told him again that I had made a reservation and it was for the (2) ritual treatments. He said that there was a problem with my credit card and they needed to get the number again which I did do. The number was correct I just given them the wrong expiration date when I made the appointment originally. He was not sure if the spa could accommodate 2 people at the same time and that he needed to call his manager. He called me back and confirmed the appointments. He was very helpful and professional on the phone.
I was told that one of the Spa Managers would call me the next day, which was over 2 weeks ago and I have not gotten a call yet.

I am very particular when it comes to messages. I had a sweedish message here and it was wonderful. The spa was also very clean and not crowded. I would definitely go back again.

I took my Mom here for her birthday and we spent the day getting pampered. My massage was pretty good, usually you don’t get great massages at resort type places so I was happy about that. I also got the bath and I really can’t express enough with words how incredible their bath tub is. WOW! If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend you do. Pure bliss. The only complaint I have is that this property is on the most beautiful piece of land in San Diego overlooking the ocean but the spa has no windows. What a waste of a beautiful view.

Best massage I’ve ever had. I’m training for a marathon, which is one week from now and I got a deep tissue massage from Shelly. I highly recommend her. Pressure and depth was JUST RIGHT. I may just have to get another massage before we leave!

First I will comment on the spa itself… It’s inside the hotel, I didn’t know this, parked and just wandered until I saw a door leading inside, figured I would find someone to ask… That level said «spa level» so I figured I was near the spa but after going in circles I hadn’t found it. I saw maid who kindly directed me to go down one floor so apparently the spa level ISN’T the spa level at all haha.
Finally find the spa, front desk girl very chipper, gives me a tour and gives me a locker, she was a+.
I got on my robe and went the waiting/​relaxation area. Honestly it seemed rather sterile, not very inviting, no plush chairs just stiff ones. There was some spa water and snacks. I «relaxed» for a moment and then my esthetician found me, she spoke so loudly I was startled. She took me to the treatment room which was right by the relaxation room door. The room was so bland. Just a bed and equipment. The bed was ok, warm at least…
Ok now about my facial, I had the 50 min reveal, the one that has the glycolic acid peel. Using no steam she cleansed only once (typically all the facials I’ve had always had 2 cleanses), the cleanser was ice cold. Next she said she was applying the peel and that it was a 30% glycolic acid, she said she would leave It on 5 mins, I felt that was short but perhaps it was strong? Anyways it was another ice cold product, I was pretty cold! I felt nothing with the peel, no tingle or anything… She wiped it off then applied an ice cold mask. Wiped that off and did a very brief massage I think but that product was cold too and the massage was NOT relaxing at all. She was very noisy too clanking things around opening and closing caninets, just loud. even her voice was loud and not «spa» at all. She did do an ok hand treatment… So almost zero massage or extractions and 3 icey cold products applied in the same robotic way cost me a cool $ 140 plus tip… Yowza. I’d say it was worth $ 50, maybe… Their price just isn’t justified at all.
I wouldn’t go back.

I had an 80 minute massage there at 3pm on Sunday November 4^th and I still can’t get the bad feelings to go away. I’ve never in my life written a bad Unilocal review or a bad review of anything but this needs to be said. It was way too expensive to let it go. The price was equal to Canyon Ranch but the experience was horrible where Canyon Ranch is extraordinary.
I’ll start with the masseuse. I can’t believe she actually had a license. I don’t know her name but she had longish brown hair and was maybe Eastern European. I’ve had over 500 massages in my lifetime and this was not what a massage should be like. I tried to talk to her and give feedback to make it better to no avail. She broke contact constantly and spent time doing bizarre things like plucking my toenails. The only thing that she did that felt remotely good was on my knees, a strange movement no one else has ever done, but was ok. That was the only 2 minutes of the 80 minutes that wasn’t awful. At the end, she twisted my neck in such a way I got a muscle spasm that was excruciating. I left in so much pain and suffered the rest of the night completely in a massive muscle spasm.
The whole experience… was worse… I enjoy having a glass of wine to relax before a massage. When I arrived, the concierge directed me to the bar to get a glass of wine to bring to the spa. The bartender poured me the wine and directed me to the spa.
So I walked to the spa with my glass of wine, and when I entered the desk girl never even made eye contact. She was on the phone for awhile, and when she hung up, even though I was standing right in front of her, she stood up without looking at me and went to help a woman looking at clothing in their gift shop there. Finally, when she came to me, she looked at me like I was a criminal and told me I couldn’t have wine there. I explained that the concierge and the bartender both knew I was going to the spa and never informed me of such a rule. She went and got me a disposable plastic cup and had me pour my $ 16 glass of wine into it. I asked «is it because you don’t allow glass in the spa area?» she said no, its so that no one knows you’re drinking wine. It tasted so gross in a plastic cup I threw it out.
I shook it off and went to enjoy my fluffy robe and steam room I had arrived 30 minutes early to enjoy, as instructed when I made the appointment. The dressing room was airconditioned cold, and I went to the steam room excited to get warm. The LCD on the outside of the steam room said 104 degrees. I was happy. I opened the door and went in… it was like cold fog. Steamy yet cold, bizarre. I went out to find someone (butt naked, grabbed my robe, so didn’t venture very far but couldn’t find anyone) and I went back in hoping it would warm up. I looked for controls, anything to get warm. I saw a rain shower shower head in the steam room and thought «yay» hot water. I turned it on and it was cold water only (probably a great thing to cool off with in a hot steam room but just awful under the circumstances. I gave up and went for the showers hoping a hot shower would do the trick. There was no hot water. I tried 3 different showers and none of them had hot water, just lukewarm/​cool. At this point I was shivering (I hate being cold) and gave up, put my robe on and went to the relaxation room. I sat in front of the fake fireplace that provided no heat, found a blanket and bundled up trying to get warm, still no employees around to help.
A woman arrived, personality as cold as ice and called my name. She asked how I was from the other end of the room (never coming near me from the doorway she opened). I said I was cold and should I bring the blanket with me to the massage room or did they have blankets in the room. She did not say a word, just stuck out her hand in a robotic like handshake from 15 feet away. It was surreal and creepy, but i got up and went to her shook her hand and she gave me the coldest handshake, turned her back on me and walked toward the massage room without speaking.
I could only hope that the massage would make it all better. Unfortunately, the next 80 minutes was being poked and proded in a way no massage in my life has ever been. I truly question whether she has a massage training or a license! I tried the showers after my massage and there was hot water so they must have run out of hot water and fixed the problem. Unfortunately it did not fix my neck and I left in so much pain I went home and put ice packs on my neck and had to cancel my date for that night because the pain left me unable to function. $ 160 to have my day and night ruined. How does this place have such good ratings? P. S. if the owner/​manager reads this, feel free to contact me for more info because you should make some changes in your customer service training and your masseuse quality control.

My favorite spa in San Diego!
I’m a local so when I was looking for a great spa to treat myself to I called the Lodge and was delightfully surprised to learn what’s included!
A day pass includes full use of the spa facilities: locker, shower/​pool slippers, plush robe, showers, stocked vanities, sauna, relaxation room with fireplace, gym AND the pool!
Free self parking or you can treat yourself to valet.
My first trip to the spa I simply got the day pass and enjoyed the pool all day long. But on my second trip I indulged in a massage. The relaxation room was cozy — my soft full robe wrapped around me as I lounged by a soft crackling fire, it was like a movie! My masseur was wonderfully professional. She got the pressure just right, worked out all my knots and just let me relax.
The SHOWERS have a double curtain which provides a great space to change or leave your robe/​clothes, etc when stepping out. It also allows them each to be ADA compliant while allowing for extra space.
The VANITY areas each have a; hair dryer, curling iron, brush, pick, comb, q-​tips, tissue, deodorant, hair spray, hair gel and other items I can’t recall — very impressive.
The LOCKER AREA is not completely private, but there are private changing rooms there too. The lockers are large enough to store your gym clothes, pool clothes and a change of clothes. The plush robes and slippers are also a great touch. You can ask for your size slippers too!
I’ve yet to use the sauna or gym area, but I’m sure I’ll be back!

The good: Beautiful location, nice selection of products and services, friendly staff. It was easy to make an appointment and they were very accommodating, considering our trip as last minute and we were scheduling multiple services.
The «just ok:» The facilities just a bit dated– no whirlpool as was mentioned by another reviewer. The pedicure was WAY OVER PRICED for what was done. It was a lovely pedicure, but for $ 75 before tip I guess I was just hoping for more than your standard strip mall experience. The woman who did the pedicure was wonderful, just wasn’t as luxurious as I’d hoped.
However…the facial was AMAZING. I felt totally pampered and beautiful when I left.

So luxurious and tranquil. They are known for their high end customer service and attention to detail and they deserve that reputation.
I took my staff here for massages and facials in lieu of a holiday party of food and drinks. It was just what we all needed and oh so wonderful.
I won’t be waiting until next Christmas to come back that’s for sure.

I stopped in here for a deep TLC mani. The spa is on the smaller side, but it is peaceful and impeccably clean, with nice use of space and attention to amenities (like changing rooms). The manicurist did a great job, very hydrating — my nails still look nice a week later. The staff was very professional and courteous. The best part is taking time to use the salt water pool, though you do have to walk out of the spa to get there… maybe most people don’t do this, but you should — It overlooks the golf course and is just plain lovely!

–Facilities were a little dated for the price and star rating of the hotel
–Excellent massage therapist
–Nice steam room and sauna but both were small
–No whirlpool or multi-​head showers

Two stars for the excellent massage therapists at this spa. Minus 3 stars for the awful facial. Save your money and get an extra long massage or another treatment. The estheticians at this spa aren’t too good, the massage is VERY light and nothing is truly done to improve the face except put a mask on and then some moisturizer. I can do that at home.
Also, this spa doesn’t have a hot tub in the locker room. What were they thinking when they built this beautiful hotel and spa and then didn’t put a hot tub in the men and women’s area? Strange. The steam room is nice but rather small.
The best part of the spa was the excellent massage, which is the most important part, granted, but when paying a bit more for «a spa experience» it would be nice to be able to sit in a hot tub afterward and when paying for a facial I definitely expect more.

The spa facility is very nice and my massage was very relaxing. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than the average massage but well worth it.

Best Belgian waffle I have ever had

So I came here for a ladies trip with the women in my family. We stayed at the Hilton next door and walked over to the Lodge for spa treatments.
I had the Ancient Oceans Ritual– which includes an exfoliation treatment with Vichy Shower and a massage. The exfoliation was good but not great. If I wanted someone to slough salt all over my body half assed I would have had my husband do it. The massage however was pretty good. I forget who my massuese was but I wouldnt go to her. There is an older gentelman that works there that was apparently working over the other ladies in my party. Made me a little jealous. The steam room and sauna are pretty cool at this spa. So my overall experience was really middle of the road. I go to spas all over and I just expected more from a place that services the likes of Golf Pro’s wives and such. I had an amazing time which I think was from the company not the service. I will try once more and give you all on update until then the Spa at Torrey Pines Lodge is a solid 3.

Warning. This review is not for the prude in anyone. So if you are easily offended by graphic depictions of women naked– seek your information in another place.
All right then. For those of you who chose to keep reading– let’s get one thing straight. I am a spa aficionado. I do spas all over the world and the signature treatment in a spa tells me everything I ever need to know.
Case in point– the Spa at Torrey Pines Lodge. Built about 6 years ago– this mission style influenced spa has a signature treatment that will have the prudes running and the rest of us ohhing and ahhing over the total relaxation that it creates.
Called the «Coastal Sage scrub» this is 50 minutes of pure indulgence. You lay naked (your «privates» are covered with a small towel/​washcloth?) on a welled table in a tiled room (kind of reminded me of an embalming room without the smell — Ha!) A Vichy shower (5 shower heads that cascade hot water on you through the entire process– makes you feel you are under a waterfall) allows you to totally relax as you are loofahed with warm water and shower gel, exfoliated with a sage scrub and then allowed to lay for awhile under the «fountain shower» before being finished off with a light massage with their lemongrass soufflé cream.
Now this treatment is not for those who have issues with laying naked while a total stranger scrubs your body. But if you can get over those issues– you find yourself in pure bliss– kind of like when you were a child and mom scrubbed you in the tub.
I also suggest getting a 50 minute massage prior to the scrub so that you are totally relaxed.
The spa itself in lovely– with most of the amenities that you would look for in a spa of this caliber. Where they missed, in my opinion, is that there is no common «wet area» at this spa. If you want to sit in a whirlpool or swim after your treatments– you have to leave the spa and head over to the main pool area. What’s with that?
The waiting room is co-​ed with comfortable chairs and ottomans circled around a fireplace (the men’s side circles around a TV-​imagine!) There is fresh fruit, cucumber and lemon water and a variety of herbal teas to enjoy.
The technicians are top notch– the products are resort specific and carry the signature scent of sage and lemongrass, and I liked that you could try some new facial products for free.
Overall, this is a nice spa experience. But then again. .. .what could ever be wrong with a day at the Spa?