Rebecca Chappell

San Diego Beauty and Fitness

Budget-Friendly Spa Offerings

San Diegans can de-stress without emptying their wallets
By Rebecca Chappell
Posted on Mon, Oct 19th, 2009
Last updated Mon, Oct 19th, 2009

When the going gets tough, the tough can go to the spa. But in bad economic times it can be difficult to spend money on anything that’s viewed as a luxury. So what’s a stressed-out, budget-conscious spa-goer to do? Many of San Diego’s spas have the answer:

Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego (619-764-6930; hardrockhotelsd.com) recently launched a free VIP Club. Rotating deals have included Free Fridays – Buy One Service, Get One Free…$20 off any 80-minute service…and a $140 You Call It Special which includes a 50-minute service and a retail product of choice. Guests who celebrate their birthday at Rock Spa receive the same percentage off their service as their age. Rock Spa also features five unique “quickie” treatments that are affordable enough to enjoy on a regular basis with or without VIP membership.

AlphaMale Barbershop & Spa (888-322-5742; alphamalebabarspa.com) offers male clients a civilized way to unwind, sans the frou-frou nature of typical spas. Along with an all-female staff, the posh man cave is outfitted with massage chairs, personal HDTVs, and Wi-Fi. Manscaping services include haircut, hot lather shave, beard trim, gray camouflage, facial, hand detail, brow wax and “other” waxing. Additional offerings include massage, shoe polishing, door-to-door car service and complimentary beverages. Join the AlphaMale Rewards program to earn 5 percent back on every dollar spent. Or, Tweet or post to Facebook or Yelp about your experience and receive a $5 discount on the spot.

Se Spa.

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Sé Spa in downtown’s new Sé Hotel (619-515-3000; sesandiego.com) is offering guests two 25-minute spa treatments for $100. Spa-goers can opt for a Refocus massage, Revitalize facial, Reenergize body scrub, Renew foot treatment or Relax scalp treatment, and service includes complimentary valet parking. To make the most of your “getaway,” watch for the hotel’s “Last Minute Specials.” October’s online deal advertised 45 percent off a hotel room rate, $25 food and beverage credit and $25 spa credit.

In honor of its 4th anniversary, Little Italy’s Spa Velia (619-235-0000; spavelia.com) rolled back its current prices to opening-day rates. Take advantage with a unique dry brush treatment that exfoliates the skin and stimulates the lymphatic system, or the romantic Amoré package, a side-by-side couple’s massage complete with 25-minute thermal wrap and 50 minutes of luxurious hands-on therapy. In addition to its “indefinite” anniversary promo, Spa Velia features monthly specials. Recent treats included a free 25-minute aromatherapy massage with purchase of any 50-minute facial.

Spa Velia.

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For weekday pampering, check out the daily deals at SpaTerre at Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay (858-274-4630; paradisepoint.com). At the moment, Makeover Mondays feature a glass of wine with a manicure or pedicure; Wellness Wednesdays grant access to the spa’s fitness facility with purchase of a 25-minute Instant Radiance facial and 25-minute neck, back and shoulder massage; and you’ll get a complimentary Serenity Soak following an 80-minute stone massage or SpaTerre facial on Finally Fridays. Bonus: San Diego residents always receive 10 percent off any service.

Plenty of other spas in town, including The Catamaran Spa (858-539-8820; catamaranspa.com), Zen Sanctuary (619-269-9322; zensanctuary.com), and the Hidden Spa (obhiddenspa.com; 619-224-2160), advertise monthly and weekly specials online, so it pays to do some homework. Another resource: spafinder.com. One recent search produced 17 spas in San Diego promoting discounts on services.

About the author: Rebecca Chappell is an award-winning freelance writer. Her work has been published in numerous local and national publications including San Diego Magazine, Ranch & Coast, Where Guestbook, Luxveria and Draft.
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