GAIA Day Spa

05/04/09

One of the best facials I've ever had

by laylabee at Citysearch

A friend gave me a gift certificate here for my birthday and it was one of the best facials I've ever had.

It's a relaxing, comfortable place to treat yourself but it's not inexpensive.

I would recommend buying a gift certificate here for a gift or treating yourself as a splurge.

• Pros: Very nice spa
• Cons: Expensive

05/03/09

BEST PLACE FOR RELAXATION AND RENEWAL

by ValRoses at Citysearch

I wanted to write a review for my mother because she raved to all of her family members, co workers, and friends on how much she loved her massage with Alisha and facial with Alona. My mother received a gift certificate from myself and brothers for Christmas. We choose Gaia because they're an Organic Spa and I thought it would be perfect to introduce my mother to exquisite products that are very beneficial to her barely over 40 age! My mother lives in Spring Valley and she adores relaxing near the coast so I searched online to see what spas were organic and near the coast and saw that Gaia is located in La Jolla, which was perfect because then I can take my mom out for lunch in the village where we can enjoy the ocean view after her very relaxing and soothing massage and facial. I dropped off my mom 20 minutes prior to her appointment and was greeted by the wonderful and professional receptionist that was so kind to her. My mother was able to relax and escape from all of her worries while waiting in the relaxation room while sipping on Gaia's signature tea. She told me of her treatment room being a private suite that had it's own herbal steam sauna and shower. She said her treatment room had really relaxing spa music that helped her ease her very busy mind. Alisha, her massage therapist, was very attentive to my mother's needs and helped my mother relax being that this was her first massage ever! Followed by her massage she had a 65 minute Gaia Organic Facial that was customized for her skin type. My mom has a lot of cystic acne and Alona was able to help reduce the size of them and recommended products that she was able to purchase after and that actually helped clear her skin. I wanted to thank everyone at Gaia for providing the top most professional customer service for my mother and I. I hope that now I can await a gift card from my mother for my upcoming birthday. Hopefully, I can schedule their Signature Banya treatment that I saw the description of online...how exciting....

• Pros: BEST ORGANIC SPA

12/12/08

make gaia your new escape

by elilala at Citysearch

gaia day spa is truly amazing, in all ways. the staff is very nice. evryone smiles at you and greets you right away. the treatments there are phenomenal, the banya is magical, you need to experience it to know the feeling of being awakened to your senses and balanced completely. there are no words to how this treatment leaves you. the gaia organic facial i had was by far the best facial ever! alona was so intuned to my skin needs that after the facial i wanted to give her a hug, but didnt know if it was appropriate. my face feels amazing and clean and so luminous. i had a family dinner and all my sisters raved about how good my skin looked. i felt like a queen being pampered that way, with such care and interest to my needs.

12/04/08

Expectations Succeeded!

by SpaGoer3000 at Citysearch

I am an avid spa goer. I have experienced spas all over the country and my experience at GAIA definitely surpassed my expectations! It was more than your "get in and get out" type of treatment, it was a complete relaxing, yet unique experience. I had always heard about the notorious GAIA Spa in La Jolla and I finally decided to give it try. My experience began on the phone during my making of a reservation. The front desk associate was very welcoming and professional. Although I did call ahead since I knew they booked up quickly, they were able to accommodate the day and time that I was hoping for. When I arrived through the door the fragrant aromas of the spa immediately enticed me. The front desk staff had warm smiles and it was as if they were generously awaiting my presence. I loved the unique earthy decor of the boutique area and I also knew I was going to have to shop after my treatment! I relaxed in their tranquil relaxation room where I sipped on this amazing tea (so good that I had to buy). Once taken into my facial I slipped into the soft bamboo sheets (I also wanted to buy these for my bed at home). Once she began my facial I slipped off into my own world. This was by far the best facial I have ever had! I couldn't wait until she moved to the next step because it just kept getting better and better. I loved that the products had all organic ingredients and they smelled amazing too! When I was done with my facial I felt like I had spent two days at the spa, feeling stress-free and revitalized! My skin had never looked better with any other facial; I was glowing for days. I purchased some of the skin care since I loved the results so much. Being a frequent spa-goer, I have purchased my fair share of products, so far I am LOVING these. I have now found my new amazing esthetician and will definitely be returning regularly. How could I live without this?

• Pros: Atmosphere, Validated Parking, Level of Skill
• Cons: I don't think I'll find any at this magical place

12/02/08

Amazing Facials and Massages

by yayakats27 at Citysearch

I came to GAIA on a gift certificate for a Banya Body Treatment and Ultra Refining Facial. These two services were amazing. I felt invigorated, energized and throughly relaxed from the Banya Treatment. The facial was decadent and left my face feeling soft, firm and glowing! The Ilike products were amazing and actually created the results that the therapist said they would. Walking through the front door of the spa, you are enveloped into an enlightened, relaxed atmosphere where all of your senses are treated like kings and queens. From the front desk to the skilled therapists, the service is the best in town! I was reluctant to leave the spa, but am excited for my return visit and my next amazing experience at GAIA Day Spa. THANK YOU!

• Pros: service, validated parking, and relaxed atmosphere
• Cons: none!

12/02/08

what an EXPERIENCE

by grlsday at Citysearch

I was greeted with such warm hospitality when I arrived at Gaia Day Spa. They selected a color palette that refers to the elements of earth, sky and water reflected in all aspects of the spa. I was fascinated by the bright, airy reception area and captivated by the setting of the spa haven. I already felt as if I escaped the outside world.

The staff is wonderfully pleasant and accommodating and genuinely eager to please. I couldnt wait to get started. I was first given a questionnaire to fill out which enables the therapist to determine what techniques to incorporate in the massage.

My day began with a massge, specifically tailored to fit my needs. She combined a few of her massage techniques, deep tissue being her specialty, to bring my body back to balance. She told me that she has compassion for the person that she is working on. She works with the persons individual ability, capability, and range of motion. This is why it is so extremely important to communicate your needs. She expressed concern with how I was feeling throughout the massage and wanted me to just let go! She told me that this was my special time, and I could be as selfish as I wanted to be how often do you hear that kind of permission?

The next step was a Ultra Refining facial, which is a facial to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and repairs sun damaged skin. It also improves the skin texture, tone, and clarity, as well as treating rosacea and acne. My skin never looked so great. Bless you.

05/13/08

Disgruntled Employees Who Put on a Happy Face

by rain_kitty at Citysearch

Gaia boasts about the luxurious treatments and great service. There is more than meets the eye. The employees are doing laundry in the back room for no pay...waiting to go home or for a client. They put on a smile and do the best they have to make their customers happy in between loads of laundry. Gaia may have a great reputation among clients; however the back scene is something else. Gaia has a horrible reputation among local massage therapists. The owner hires people who are not fully licensed and often from out of town. Basically, massage therapists desparate for work. Next time you go to Gaia, smile at the staff...they deserve it.

Downtown La Jolla day spa offers holistic body treatments with extras like a spa rituals and a boutique.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Located in an upscale shopping area on swanky Prospect Street, this day spa conjures deep serenity almost immediately upon entrance. The beige-toned, minimalist decor is complemented by fresh-cut flowers and what seems like dozens of fountains placed throughout the spa according to Feng Shui principles. Holistic treatments focus on the skin and body; there are no hair or nail services. Services include eucalyptus- and lavender-infused Vichy showers, body wraps, massages, aromatherapy and sound healing treatments.