Recently I took a trip to Spa Velia in Little Italy and was pleasantly surprised with what was behind the doors of the unassuming exterior. I was warmly welcomed and was in for one of the best massages I've ever had.
One of the first surprises was the music in the ambient lobby. A spa aficionado-in-training, I'm usually greeted with the soft sounds of cascading waters or natural rhythms from the wild. Spa Velia differed in playing mellow lounge beats, and I instantly felt like I was meeting the girls for cocktails at our favorite under-the-radar spot.
I was escorted through the deep mahogany door, which looks as though it came from an ancient Asian ruin. Lighting was low and relaxing and candles were placed sporadically throughout the waiting area. I recommend arriving 30-45 minutes prior to your treatment to take full advantage of their amenities, or to take some time after your treatment to unwind.
I started my evening with a Swiss shower. Two shower heads faced my legs and abdomen, and a rain head shower indulged from above. Pomegranate or mango papaya shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were available in the two showers. After, I took a few minutes to unwind in their co-ed aromatic steam room. A cold plunge shower is also conveniently located in the steam room to help cool down while steaming.
I approached the relaxation area and was greeted with one of the best pomegranate mimosas I've ever tasted. The drink was fresh and tart and definitely lent itself to my utter relaxation. If you're uncomfortable with drinking before a treatment, hot tea from neighboring Extraordinary Desserts is on hand for your enjoyment, along with fresh fruit, nuts, and cookies.
I opted for the Velia Duet massage, a four-handed full body massage with Joel and Sha. The duo catered to my personal needs and lower back issues, and made me feel completely pampered from head to toe. Joel spent the majority of my 50-minute treatment working out the kinks in my neck, shoulders, lower and upper back. His deep pressure got rid of my aching back and tension spots. Sha took hold of legs and thighs and used long and gentle strokes and stretching techniques to relax my tired muscles. The treatment was the perfect balance, a yin and yang approach, to relaxing the body and working on your trouble spots in perfect harmony.
The team at Spa Velia is astounding and has a great understanding of how pure relaxation benefits each guest that walks through their doors. Schedule a Velia Duet for yourself and you'll never settle for a two-handed massage again.
Read more on Spa Velia here.
Discover San Diego Hotels