Getaway at SenSpa

Posted by The Daily Obsession

on January 14, 2009

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit and quite honestly, the perfect getaway for a city gal like myself – romantic or not. Recently, I was lucky enough to visit SenSpa, which is a truly lovely retreat tucked away in the Presidio (near the Marina district, Fine Arts Palace, the Golden Gate Bridge and Lucas Films complex). On a rainy San Francisco day earlier this month, I was happy to cab my way to the cozy, relaxing experience that I somehow knew SenSpa would provide – and took my significant other along for his very first spa experience.

As the only spa in the beautifully lush Presidio, SenSpa is located in a 13,000-square-foot World War I Army barracks that was built in 1917. These could not be changed as the building is deemed a historic landmadk. So as you walk up to the spa, you may be wondering if you are in the right place. Don’t worry – you are.

While the SenSpa exterior is unassuming, inside is a resort-like haven. Walk into the lobby and the first thing you notice is the open, airy space filled with rustic wood beams, waterfall feature, huge skylights, and wood floors; a quaint tea garden space is just beyond. This is where you can snack on yummy dried fruits, chocolate-covered nuts and a selection of tea. I was told to snack at my convenience before being guided into the private spa area to the women’s locker room (and my significant other, to the men’s locker room – which by the way, was quite appreciated as many spas simply have a men’s bathroom for men to change in). The women’s locker room contains a huge selection of private key-coded wooden lockers, roomy glass showers (enclosed by curtains), stacks of fresh towels and toiletries – in addition to a steam room that any guest can use.

After a changed into a cozy SenSpa robe, I went to their sitting area called SenSpace. This warm orange-hued room is a cozy sitting area with a modern cylinder-like floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace. You’ll find a sizable selection of magazines, cucumber-infused water and thick chairs; there are also three lounge chairs with fuzzy blankets, which totally let you escape (and I imagine, could easily fall asleep in). This room gives you the feeling of total escape from the bustling city and immediately sets you into a tranquil state of mind.

My massage therapist, Nicolette, came to get me from the SenSpace shortly. On the way to my treatment room, we walked by the SenSanctuary, a central lounge area lit by skylights and features an alignment of cozy (green and patterned) chairs where you can read and relax at your leisure. The expansive space has 14 treatment room, including two VIP treatment rooms and two couple’s VIP treatment rooms. Each treatment has “special insulation for soundproofing to heighten the ‘quiet’ and enhance urban dwellers’ experience of a total escape.”

SenSpa “[roots their] services in a cross-cultural blend of healing traditions and wellness-oriented therapies that promote optimum health.” I booked the fully customizable 60-minute SenSpa Muscle Refresher, which utilizes a combination of Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, based on your needs. Nicolette began the treatment by asking me some preliminary questions – allergies, pressure preferences, any areas of tension, etc. Surprisingly, she did ask me how I wanted to feel emotionally, in addition to physically, after the treatment; this was to find the appropriate essential oils to utilize during my treatment. I aimed to feel completely zen and relaxed, so my “prescription” was a combination of ylang ylang and lavender oils. I also noted that my back and shoulders had some knots, so Nicolette began the treatment by focusing on those areas. Simultaneously, Nicolette totally got me to relax with deep breaths and as a result, I totally zoned out during out the entire treatment. While it was absolutely one of the gentlest massages I’ve had, it still incredibly effective as my body had not felt that relaxed or loose in many, many months. After the massage, Nicollette recommended that if I were to shower, only to rinse off because the oils would continue to work for up to 6 to 7 hours. After that, I was free to walk and lounge in any of the lounge areas, relax in the steam room, etc. I met up with my significant other in the SenSpace (who very much enjoyed his experience as well) and relaxed on the lounge chairs before stopping by the tea area for a snack. Then I headed to the steam room and shower before heading out the door to walk around the Presidio.

My SenSpa experience was definitely one of the more enjoyable spa experiences I’ve had, and I highly recommend it to anyone who lives or plans to visit San Francisco. And with Valentine’s Day just a month away, this is the perfect time to book a flight to San Francisco and make a appointment at SenSpa. If you’re single, go as a treat to yourself; if you’re in a relationship, take your significant other and book a couple’s appointment in one of their couples rooms. I think it would make for a great relaxing, bonding experience. And don’t worry if it’s his first time at the spa…I guarantee that your significant other will enjoy it as much as mine did!

SenSpa is located at 1161 Gorgas Ave. in San Francisco. To find out more information, visit online at www.senspa.com or to book an appointment, call (415) 441-1777.

Photos courtesy of Michael Wakely and SenSpa