Located steps from Rodeo Drive in one of the most affluent towns in the U.S., Montage Beverly Hills has been host to the rich and the famous since it opened its doors in 2008. Because of its prime location in the heart of the Golden Triangle where Canon Drive, Beverly Drive, and Wilshire Boulevard converge, guests of the hotel have easy access to some of the most sought after retailers and fine dining in the area. But those looking for a relaxing respite have no need to leave the hotel, which is home to Spa Montage, a 20,000-square-foot urban oasis that offers visitors personalized pampering.
Encompassing two levels, the spa gives guests plenty of options for relaxing beyond the treatment room. One of the favorite spots among visitors, according to spa director Amy Olthoff, is the co-ed relaxation area, where guests are encouraged to relax, mingle, and rejuvenate. “My personal favorite part of the spa, along with most spa-goers, is the co-ed relaxation area, which features a mineral pool with a two-story mosaic-tiled wall bathed in sunlight that filters through generous skylights,” says Olthoff. “Guests love whiling away the hours there.”
In addition, the spa features separate locker rooms for men and women, which include Swiss showers, an herbal steam room, a sauna, and a whirlpool. The 17 treatment rooms include 12 massage and facial rooms, as well as five wet treatment rooms featuring hydrotherapy tubs and Vichy showers. The spa also houses a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga studio, and the Kim Vo Salon, which attracts celebrities on a daily basis.
Like the rest of the resort, the decor of Spa Montage was inspired by the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and Mediterranean styling that is abundant in Beverly Hills, drawing from California’s Golden Age, which combined Spanish, Italian, and Moroccan touches. “Our guests feel the history of the area and are transported back to the old days of glamour and elegance,” says Olthoff.
The spa’s treatment menu is also inspired by the resort’s locale. “Taking our geographic location into account, we chose ingredients indigenous to the region,” says Olthoff. “Given our location adjacent to the Beverly-Canon Gardens, our menu is orchard-inspired, featuring botanicals and fruits, such as chamomile, lavender, and rosehips.” For example, guests can choose the Fruits of the Orchard Ritual ($270, 90 minutes), which includes a footbath of jasmine and pomegranate, an application of a nutrient-rich herbal paste, and a mineralizing body wrap, or the Anointing Ritual ($270, 90 minutes), which includes an infusion of the essence of rose and a centering massage. Although the menu is quite extensive, massage is still the most requested treatment. “Massage is 70 percent of our business,” says Olthoff. “Relaxation and stress relief are what the majority of our guests are looking for, so we always recommend the Signature Montage Massage, which is very popular.”
Another sought-after option is the Surrender (starting at $440, 2 hours), which is at the heart of the spa’s highly personalized approach to wellness. Upon arrival, guests receive an individual consultation where a therapist analyzes what the client’s body needs in order to achieve peak performance. Together, the client and therapist develop a plan to maximize balance. “Our Surrender experience is quite unique to each individual and one that allows our therapists to utilize their skills.”
In order to accommodate up to 120 guests daily, the spa employs 40 full-time and eight part-time staff members, all of whom go through a year-long training program. The extensive regimen includes hours of continuing education, resulting in certification by the American Spa Therapy Education Certification Council (ASTECC) so they can be qualified as Surrender spa therapists. “It is important for our therapists to be able to offer customized programs for guests, including body therapy, fitness, skincare, nutrition, and at-home wellness recommendations,” says Olthoff.
According to her, the majority of spa-goers are hotel guests, but there are also a fair share of nearby residents. “We really try to embrace the community,” says Olthoff. “We continue to attract locals by offering promotions and select rates to repeat guests who visit our spa on a weekly basis, encouraging loyalty.” Whether catering to a local spa-goer or a hotel guest, the spa staff strives to not only meet but also exceed all guests’ expectations. “Our clients know what they want,” says Olthoff. “They are looking for value, a great experience, and a certain level of service that is expected for the accompanying price. It is our job to make sure they get everything they want. It’s that simple.”
OWNER: Montage Hotels & Resorts
SPA DIRECTOR: Amy Olthoff
OPENED: November 2008
CLIENT BASE
70% female, 30% male
SPACE
20,000 square feet;
17 treatment rooms
OFFERINGS
aromatherapy, body treatments, couples’ treatments, energy work, facials, fitness, hair and scalp treatments, hand and foot treatments, hydrotherapy, LED therapy, makeup application, massage, nailcare, Pilates, prenatal services, reflexology, salon services, waxing, yoga
SIGNATURE SERVICE
Surrender (starting at $440, 2 hours)
MOST EXPENSIVE OFFERING
Surrender (starting at $440, 2 hours)
PRODUCT LINES
Éminence Organic Skin Care, ISUN, Kim Vo, SpaRitual, Spa Technologies
EQUIPMENT
Casa D’Oro, Living Earth Crafts, Madison Collection, OKA b., SpaSoft, Telegraph Hill
SPA CONSULTANTS
Anne Bramham
(West Palm Beach, FL) and Barbara Schultz (Atlanta)
ARCHITECT
HKS Hill Glazier Design Studio (Palo Alto, CA)
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Darrell Schmitt
Design Associates
(Los Angeles)