Hundreds of years ago, visitors began flocking to a small town outside of Palm Springs, CA, now known as Indian Wells, to enjoy the rejuvenating powers of the then newly discovered natural well. Today, they are still flocking to this desert oasis for the same reason, but now they can experience relaxation in style at Miramonte Resort & Spa. Nestled at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the resort offers guests a luxurious spa experience in an unparalleled scenic location with breathtaking views from every direction. But perhaps the biggest draw to the area is The Well Spa, which boasts an intimate setting featuring romantic architecture, Italian fountains, and relaxing piazzas throughout. “The spa is designed in a Tuscan, Mediterranean style,” says spa director Christina Frantzen. “Like the rest of the resort, it looks and feels inviting and welcoming, like a Tuscan home.”
Because of the Mediterranean vibe, the spa doesn’t use indigenous treatments as some others in the area do. Instead, the menu features Italian names, and, as Frantzen points out, real results. Among the most popular is the Maestro Massage ($80, 30 minutes; $110, 45 minutes; $130, 60 minutes; $185, 90 minutes), during which guests discuss their needs with a therapist, and the two work together to create a customized massage. Another favorite is Absolute Vitality ($160, 75 minutes), a body wrap that utilizes a jojoba-bead exfoliation and a mud wrap to revitalize the skin. It also includes a mini-facial, a scalp massage, an application of aromatic oil, and a Vichy shower.
According to Frantzen, there are actually no hard-sell treatments on the menu. “All of our treatments are amazing, and much thought has gone into creating the menu we have now,” she says. “We eliminated the treatments that were initially not well received and replaced them with a well-balanced menu.”
The majority of the clientele at The Well Spa, says Frantzen, is resort guests, with about 30 percent made up of locals and visitors staying elsewhere. To keep locals interested, the spa offers memberships, ranging from one-day passes, where members can utilize the spa facilities, fitness center, pool, and classes, starting at $30. There is also a monthly membership option, starting at $150, or guests can choose a seasonal membership, which includes all of the above for the entire season, starting at $475. “Our clients want to find relaxation and value, they want to get what they pay for and be wowed, so we try to give them options that work best for them,” says Frantzen.
Members and one-day spa-goers alike are privy to experience the spa’s private courtyard area, which includes a spa pool, several couples’ cabanas, a river bench grotto where guests can sit and let the water flow over them to wash away stress, and a saltwater aqua well pool that is set at 97 F. “This area is 100 percent beneficial to our guests,” says Frantzen. “Because of the quiet and serene nature of our courtyard, many guests prefer hanging out there than at the main pool. They will often order lunch to be delivered and will rel
ax and enjoy the atmosphere all day long, which we encourage.”
At capacity, the 14,000-square-foot, 14-room spa can accommodate up to 120 clients a day, which Frantzen says is not a rare occurrence. To meet this demand, there are 10 full-time staff members and up to 40 part-time or on-call employees at all times. “We spent a lot of time developing our staff to ensure that we provide the best service and results,” says Frantzen. “Our mission is to make sure every guest is taken care of in body, mind, and spirit. Our fanatical attention to consistency and detail sets us apart from other spas in the area and is the reason we are so successful.”
OWNER: Lowe Enterprises, Managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts
SPA DIRECTOR:
Christina Frantzen
OPENED: May 2004
CLIENT BASE
80% female, 20% male
SPACE
14,000 square feet;
13 treatment rooms
OFFERINGS
aromatherapy, body treatments, couples’ treatments, facials, hair and scalp treatments, hand and foot treatments, hydrotherapy, makeup application, massage, nailcare, pre-natal services, reflexology
SIGNATURE SERVICE
Dolce Viaggio (starting at $295, 2 hours 30 minutes), which includes a foot ritual and two 60-minute treatments of choice
MOST EXPENSIVE OFFERING
Suprema Experienza ($650, 4 hours 30 minutes), which includes a foot ritual; a massage, bath, and scrub of choice; an Action Sublime Facial; and lunch
PRODUCT LINES
Ajne, ALO, Athena Designs, Beyond Yoga, Bluewick, Body Bliss, Clarisonic, Comfort Zone, Gardenage Stones, Gilchrist & Soames, Hip & Hippie, Innovative Body Science, Jane Iredale–The Skincare Makeup, Kai, Love This Life, Monarch Robe, Moroccanoil, Olivina, OKA b., Project Iris, Rosy Rings, SkinCeuticals, Sonoma Lavender, SunFx, Tara Spa Therapy
EQUIPMENT
SpaEquip, Universal Companies
ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER
Concept 4 (New York City)