Spa Week Wonders

So, last week we talked cheap spa treatments available year-round.

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• Huntington Beach
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• Dana Point
• Travel Destinations
• Resorts and Spas

This week? Not-so-cheap spa treatments that will be cheap for a limited time.

During the twice-a-year National Spa Week, more than 800 spas across the country participate in inexpensive specials. All treatments—including facials, massages, gooey body wraps, schmancy pedicures and manicures, eco-friendly offerings—are just $50 . . . for things that would usually set you back anywhere from $100 to $450. Take note that these prices do not include gratuity, which you know can get pricey when it comes to facial treatments that can be easily three times the special Spa Week price.

Orange County’s complete list of participating spas, as of press time: Clarins Skin Spa at Bloomingdale’s (Newport Beach), Clarins Skin Spa (Nordstrom South Coast Plaza), CloudMover Day Spa (Huntington Beach), Fresh (South Coast Plaza), Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Anaheim), Pure Blu Spa (Newport Beach Marriott), Spa Gregorie’s (Rancho Santa Margarita), and White Lotus Day Spa (Dana Point).

Sure, Orange County has a pretty minimal list compared to our cooler older sister Los Angeles (fist shake—why must it always be so?), but two participants really stand out.

MANDARA SPA
With more than 150 locations all over the globe—including the Maldives, Egypt, Fiji, Guam and other resort-type locales—Mandara’s spa services are worthy of their world-famous status. In other words, getting a treatment here for $50 would be really taking advantage of Spa Week. 1600 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 300-7350; www.mandaraspa.com.

CLOUDMOVER DAY SPA
Though their 60-minute, hot-stone massage seems enticing, this Huntington Beach spa offers something called “Rock Star Toes”—basically an elongated pedicure that results in glittery gel toenails that won’t chip. The treatment starts with a filing, applications of protein treatment, followed by a coat of base that glitter is sprinkled on. Repeat glitter application as necessary. 7368 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 890-0900; www.cloudmover.com.

Though Spa Week doesn’t kick off until April 12, you can book your appointments starting March 15—and I recommend getting on it right away (unless you really want to wait for fall). If Spa Week proves to be as much of a success as the recent OC Restaurant Week was (hello, $30 multicourse meals!), you’ll want to make sure you get your appointment.

Or appointments. At $50 a pop, why not?

Visit www.spaweek.com for reservations, more info and services offered.

vchang@ocweekly.com

This column appeared in print as "Spa Week: The Low Road to High-End."