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Larchmont Sanctuary Spa

Sometimes going to a spa isn’t as relaxing as you’d like. Sometimes there are just too many people, too much foot traffic. If you’re looking for a truly relaxed spa experience in a more intimate setting than, say, Burke Williams (no offense, Burke Williams; I like you just fine), Larchmont Sanctuary Spa, formerly Le Petite Retreat Day Spa, in Larchmont Village might just be the spot.

While Larchmont Sanctuary Spa is small, it doesn’t skimp on amenities. The robes are über comfy, the communal waiting room is cozy (fireplace, fountain, complimentary drinks and snacks), and the treatment rooms are appropriately relaxing. I got the signature Jade Stone Massage Therapy treatment, which incorporates the use of rubbing alternating hot and cold jade stones over your body with Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai and deep tissue massage. The hot stones relax your muscles, and the cold stones help reduce inflammation. This is no wussy massage; the therapist, who was about half my size, worked me over! But that just meant I left feeling totally relaxed.

Larchmont Sanctuary Spa offers all kinds of facials (including a caviar serum), scrubs (Ionic Detox Foot Bath, anyone?) and even eyelash extensions. The spa also caters to couples with various couples treatments and a champagne bath for two as an add on, where you’ll lounge in a copper tub surrounded by flickering candles sipping champagne. Not bad, huh?

I originally wrote about this place for Gilt City. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll find another deal for Larchmont Sanctuary Spa soon!

Note: Updated to reflect the spa’s name change.

The pool at the Avalon Hotel

Avalon Hotel – that little boutique hotel almost hidden at the weird intersection of Beverly Drive and Olympic Boulevard – has recently introduced some new menus at its restaurant, blue on blue. In addition to Executive Chef Scott Garrett’s new chef’s cabana experience (more on that later – sooner rather than later, I promise), blue on blue has introduced a DJ-spun poolside weekday happy hour and a similar weekend event.

• Groove on Blue: Every Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., blue on blue hosts a poolside happy hour with DJ Grand Marquee providing mood music in the form of indie and electro. Small plates and drink specials, including mini bacon cheeseburgers with garlic aioli and punch made from house-infused alcohol, are $8.

• Detox/Retox: DJ Grand Marquee will also spin poolside every Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. when guests can choose from a “Detox” hangover-cure menu and a “Retox” party-going menu. Some of the items on the Detox menu are peanut soba salad, shrimp and watermelon gazpacho, and sparkling pomegranate lemonade. The Retox menu includes fish tacos, scallop carpaccio and a bloody mary, among others. All food and drink items are $8.

And for the ultimate Avalon poolside experience, you can rent a 10-person cabana for $150, which doesn’t include the $500 food and beverage minimum. I’d stick with the $8 specials, which won’t break the bank, especially since valet parking is free for blue on blue guests. In Los Angeles, that really is special.