San Francisco modern

A similar vibe on an even smaller scale pervades Spa Vitale, a three-treatment-room retreat within the recently opened Hotel Vitale. Dreamily located on the waterfront, and just a stone’s throw away from the revived Ferry Building Marketplace, the property instills a sense of spa throughout. Even the hotel room door plaques sport a sprig of lavender.

Sign up for a Bathing Ritual ($60, 25 minutes) before any massage, and a toasty warm bath is drawn for you outside on a small terrace protected from nearby office buildings by planters of tall bamboo. I had no trouble settling into the infinity-edge tub, its waters slightly creamy with tangerine milk bath. On its edge, a comforting collection of ginger tea, water, a chilled washcloth, cucumber slices for my eyes and a pretty bell to ring if I needed anything transformed the unusual setting into a delightful oasis. 

Next, I was off to one of the treatment rooms, all of which have floor-to-ceiling windows that let natural light spill in. (To my mind, there is little that enhances a treatment more than the pure energy of sunlight.) My therapist honored me with a terrific 50-minute rubdown, simply called Massage ($90), that she began with some eloquent work on my feet. Spa-goers not staying at the hotel would be well-advised to wear comfortable clothing, as there are no lockers or locker rooms, only a small changing room and

a tote bag for your folded clothes.

Tru, an early forerunner of San Francisco’s modern spa design trend, has seen better days. The decor is a bit weary and the draping techniques during my TruTherapy 75 ($125, 75 minutes) were downright questionable. What is worth noting, however, is the spa boutique’s extensive selection of Ole Henriksen skincare products, probably the best resource for them in town.

Leaving this spa to step back out into the sunshine of the streets, I filled my lungs with the city’s nearly edible air. For all of its trendsetting design, upper crust refinement and influence in the worlds of technology and cuisine, San Francisco remains an approachable place. Its new spa scene reflects that sentiment to a T.

Hotel Vitale, Spa Vitale, 8 Mission Street, (888) 890-8688, hotelvitale.com

International Orange, 2044 Fillmore Street, (800) 839-3856, internationalorange.com

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco, Remede, 125 Third Street, (888) 625-5144, starwoodhotels.com

Tru, 750 Kearny Street, (415) 399-9700, truspa.com

W San Francisco, Bliss, 118 Third Street, (888) 625-5144, starwoodhotels.com

Spa Magazine  portrays the full-depth of the spa experience and ways to live it every day. Dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to pursue health of body and mind, Spa Magazine  presents a contemporary view of spas worldwide. © 2006 World Publications, LLC

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