Decades ago, Bernardus Lodge’s culinary team began making the garden the focal point, from which creativity, inspiration and ideas could emanate across the grounds of the property. The garden is a living, breathing force, full of herbs like lemon verbena, pineapple sage and mint; hedges upon hedges of lavender and rosemary are all pollinated by Italian honeybees on the property—180,000 of them. On a warm July day, these scents, most prominently the lavender plants and rose bushes, are what coat the senses as one walks across the grounds and enters the spa. They form the aromatic foundation that greets guests in the reception area, says Gina Bolton, Bernardus Spa’s director who has been with the resort for 20 years. As with any spa, these scents are meant to calm the nervous system as they wash over one’s body, but at Bernardus, it’s the origins of these aromas and where the ingredients come from that truly set it apart. “Carmel Valley is beautiful,” Bolton says. “To maintain that natural, rustic, very symbiotic relationship with the land, we want the best ingredients sourced in the best location, treating [the land] with respect and enjoying the output of that art.” Part of a good spa treatment too is a deep sense of calm in knowing that what’s being massaged into your skin comes from a good place, mostly organic and backed by a commitment to quality that has been part of Bernardus Lodge’s philosophy since the beginning. “It’s a custom combination,” says Bolton, speaking of the spa’s signature scents and how they interact with the senses. “We have over 3,000 lavender plants, and they’re just starting to bloom. What’s happening outside is the base for what you smell here. After that, it’s the lavender-mint lotion, the eucalyptus body wash, and the people walking out coated head to toe, leaving a glitter trail of smells.” The ingredients used in spa treatments shift with the seasons, Bolton adds. Fall often features smoked sandalwood, orange bergamot and honey harvested on the property. Winter brings mint, eucalyptus and chamomile, while summer highlights lemon—both the herb (lemon verbena) and the fruit— alongside rosemary and pineapple sage. “Oftentimes, the mix of herbs we’re smelling in the garden inspires what we create for treatments at the spa,” Bolton says. It’s a pick-and-choose-your-own adventure kind of spa experience— guests might opt for the Grapefruit Glow massage during summer months, intended to utilize the citrus scents to brighten 32 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® HAVEN 2025-2026 Scents of Place THESE CARMEL VALLEY SPAS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EXPERIENCE USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS. By Katie Rodriguez DANIEL DREIFUSS The seasons influence the products and treatments offered at Bernardus Spa. In summer months: lavender (photo p. 34), grapefruit, pineapple sage and lemon balm.
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