Bliss Los Angeles

Description:

• Located at the W Hotel, this outpost of a popular New York spa is part of a new breed of day spas that are more about sass than Zen. You won't find classical or wave-simulated music here; instead, it's rhythm and blues. Forget the lemon water in the women's lounge, and look for the brownie bar. The men get sports magazines, heated shaving cream, and a flatscreen TV in their lounge. There's a retail boutique, three movie-while-you-manicure nail stations, and 10 treatment rooms in the second-floor, 7,000-square-feet space. And just like the vibe, the menu offers up something a little bit different, like the hot milk and almond pedicure ($65 for 60 min.); carrot and sesame-seed body buff ($165); the "hangover herbie" detoxifying package ($215); and the ultra-relaxing Blissage 75 massage ($125), what they call a "virtual countdown to 'butter'."

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010