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As seen in Genlux Magazine

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As seen in Glitter Magazine

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As seen in Los Angeles Times Travel Section Feature

TREATS & RETREATS

By Beverly Beyette, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
At (LA's Le Petite Retreat) day spa, 4 brief but shining hours

I was covered with salt. Salt between my toes. Salt on my knees. Salt on my back, so much salt, in fact, that I stuck to the sheet on the massage table when I tried to turn over. I felt like an entree, albeit a very relaxed entree.

On a sweltering July day, I had retreated to Le Petite Retreat day spa, an intimate urban spa in a Polynesian-inspired, feng-shui-correct 1920's bungalow on trendy Larchmont Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Students of French grammar may flinch, but the name is intentionally ungrammatical, to emphasize that the spa caters to both masculine (le) and feminine (petite). Men make up about a third of spa-goers these days, and besides solo treatments there are couples treatments, including a romantic Champagne bath.

It is more cottage than clinic, a homey space with dark teak accents, potted palms and Asian artifacts. In the sitting room under a thatched ceiling, a stone fountain bubbled and tropical fish swam in a tank of crystal-clear water.

Before making my appointment, I had perused the spa's website, trying to choose among a host of massages and facials, scrubs and baths and detoxes. I passed on the semi-permanent eyelash extensions for $300 and chose a triple dip - the one hour RegenisCell herbal enzyme firming facial ($150), followed by a one-hour warm jade stone deep-tissue massage ($150) and the 75 minute sea tonic scrub and green tea escape ($130). The latter is a rubdown with sea salt, followed by a 30-minute soak in a bath with green tea.

At check-in, I was handed a locker key and directed to the women's changing room, a spotless space with two showers. (A man's locker room is adjacent.) After changing into a plush terry-lined robe and slippers, I was led into the sitting room, where I was given a warm wrap for my neck and a questionnaire that asked my name, address, date of birth and whether I had ever used glycolic-acid products on my face.

As I sipped ice water, Gabrielle appeared, serene in white, and introduced herself as my facialist. I liked her immediately because she didn't seem to be asking herself, "What has this woman been doing - mud wrestling?"

She asked what products I used, and I confessed it was pretty much hit and miss - drugstore, supermarket, department store. OK, she said, as long as the products provide protection from the sun.

She led me to a spacious treatment room, one of 10, where I snuggled under a blanked on the massage table. Soft music played, and pretty paper parasols were suspended from the ceiling.

She had great hands, and I loved having my face wrapped in steaming towels. As her fingers massaged my face, she assured me that I had chosen Le Petite Retreat day spa's best facial. After supplying and removing an herbal scrub cream with finely crushed walnuts and apricot pits, she turned a blindingly strong magnifying light on my face and peered down. The verdict: my skin was actually quite clean, and, mercifully would require a minimum of pore-clearing (a squeezing process known in the trade as extractions).

Appealing peel

Soon Gabrielle was smearing my face with enzymes, which were to eat up my dead skin cells, a concept I chose not to ponder at length. "Tell me if it hurts," she said. It burned just a bit; this was a very mild peel. But as it dried, my face felt as though it was being shrink-wrapped. And my nose began to itch, of course.

Just as I thought, she was going to free me of this mask; she applied yet another layer that had to dry. As it did, I felt a slight throbbing and definite heat. Finally, she wetted me down and peeled it off.

There followed some lovely creams massaged in, a neck and shoulder rub, and even a foot massage. Then Gabrielle escorted me back to the sitting room and showed me my slightly red but very soft face in a mirror. We were standing perilously close to the shelves holding spa products, and I braced for the hard sell, but she merely suggested the RegenisCell Enzyme scrub for $34 (I bought it) and Epicurnen's $135 alpha lipoic Omega Cream (I didn't).

Gabrielle told me I should stay firm for a week. Then she turned me over to Cindy for my massage.

Cindy positioned me face-down on the table and gently massaged my back with sweeping strokes, hot jade stones in her palms. It felt good, but it wasn't really deep tissue, although occasionally her fingers found hot spots around my shoulder blades. I told her, "I'm tough," but she apparently is not of the if-it-hurts-it-must-be-good-for-you school.

When she had finished massaging me front and back, my neck and shoulders till felt tight. But the hot stones had felt good in my hands and between my toes.

It was time for my exfoliating scrub. I was a bit wary because I once had a se-salt scrub in Hawaii that made me want to go screaming for the exit, sort of a rubdown with sandpaper.

Cindy slathered me from head to toe with salt in some kind of oil. It felt OK, just a gentle tingling. But as it dried, I felt really sticky and wanted to get out of there and rinse off.

Fortunately, my hydrotherapy bath was ready. I was led to a cozy room with a huge copper tub surrounded by a rock garden with cymbidium orchids (alas, fake). A wooden statue of Quan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion watched over me as I slipped into the tub, beneath a blanked of scented foam. Candles flickered among the rocks. Music played soothingly. Soft, scented, tea-infused water pulsed against my skin. It was all divine, and when the water jets turned off 30 minutes later - the signal that my time was up - I was reluctant to emerge.

Gabrielle and Cindy were personable, professional and not overly chatty, and Le Petite Retreat day spa is small and inviting. I'd go again, but I'd pass on that salt-scrub treatment. Much as I loved the bath finale, I didn't feel $130 softer.

I did feel relaxed and de-stressed when I re-entered the real world about four hours later. I had plunked down $504 for all that pampering, including 20% gratuities, which were added automatically. The herbal scrub I bought added $36.80 with tax.

The problem with spa treatments is they're like junk food. They just don't stay with you. I drove home. The breakfast dishes were still piled in the sink. The cats were howling for their supper. And the air conditioning was on the blink. Sigh.

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As seen in L.A. Times: The Guide

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As seen in Brentwood Magazine

One visit to this Yin-Yang haven nestled in a converted 1920s French island-style house and you'll think you've found Nirvana. A glowing fireplace, soothing fountains and ancient Chinese artifacts provide the leit motif, while skilled technician perform wonders on your body and soul using luxurious Swiss Phytobiodermie products. Indulge in a day of head-to-toe heavenly holistic pampering. The light chakra facial or organic rainbow clay facial are must.

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As seen in Los Angeles Magazine

Contentment abounds at Le Petite Retreat day spa in Larchmont village. The French island-inspired building welcomes with its use of the Chinese five elements, among them soft candlelight, imported teak furniture, beautiful artwork, a crackling fire and a trickling fountain. For a head-to-toe treatment schedule the Serenity Package. Begin with adept co-owner Lysa Kustek helming a Aquasonic Lymphatic Facial, a form of dermabrasion requiring only water for its effectiveness. Light Therapy simultaneously stimulates the body's chakras. From there, slip into a copper tub of milk and honey with added essential oils of lavender, rose and sage in the Aqua Latte and flower medley. Move on to the Warm Stone Treat with Jennifer Yi, who kneads muscles into submission. After the two-and-a-half hour treatment you'll forget your impending schedule and sink into sweet oblivion.

- Bekah Wright

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As seen in Angeleno Magazine

SPA-A-DEUX

Still catching flack from your partner for your love of long, leisurely bubble baths? Drown out all protests with the very private, copper bath treatment for two at Le Petite Retreat day spa. For 20 minutes, you'll bathe and breathe in French aromatherapy oils of clary sage, lemongrass, lavender and peppermint while lolling in algae-essence gels, which detoxify and smooth the skin. Meanwhile the contoured tub's copper element works to relieve headaches and fatigue while reducing stress, pain and inflammation. There's even a wooden Kwan Yin, the Buddist goddess of compassion, presiding over the candle-lit room. You'll need her patience afterward as your partner nuzzles you by the spa's fireplace and admits to new found bath appreciation. Avoid the urge to say, "I told you so." 331 Larchmont Blvd., L.A., 323.466.1028

- Jenn Smith

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As seen in InTouch Magazine

Luxurious Spa Secrets - Amethyst Is Soothing

Particia Heaton, a stretched-to-the limit mom (on-screen and off), heads to Le Petite Retreat day spa in LA for their hour-long deep-tissue massage. The therapist places a large amethyst crystal with a candle in it on your stomach.

Amethyst is both energizing and soothing; Amethyst is believed to inspire healing powers and divine love. $145 (323) 466-1028

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As Seen in Los Angeles Magazine

LA's most inventive and luxurious day spa that has no equal - Escape, indulge, and relax on the outdoor Lanai with a manicure & pedicure, or infront of a calming fireplace fountian - MUST treatments: Outdoor Couples Massage Cabana, Epicuren Herbal-Enzyme Facial, Champagne Bath For Two.