and bring one out of stress and fatigue. The spa’s most popular treatment is their “Bernardus Essential,” where guests can blend their own fragrances depending on the season, and customize depending on if they want to include a CBD treatment, a hot stone component, cupping or Reiki, to name a few options. Bernardus is not alone in its commitment to sourcing spa ingredients locally. Just a few minutes down the road, past rolling hills of their own pinot noir vines, is Spa Aiyana at Carmel Valley Ranch. One of its most popular treatments is the “Bee Beautiful,” which uses honey from the on-site bee aviary—visible on the drive to the spa—to create body butters and honey-aloe purifying masks. The spa also sources lavender from its own property, producing a potent lavender oil used in lotions, dehumidifiers and across a variety of treatments (including “Bee Beautiful”). Their shea body butter wrap drenches the skin in jojoba and lavender oils before finishing with the spa’s signature whipped shea and lavender body butter; another massage includes a warm steam-infused lavender poultice and custom-made oil blends. According to the spa’s therapists, locally-sourced ingredients are one of the main reasons people select Spa Aiyana. And hospitality consultant Stacy Bayless of Curate Kindness agrees. Spa guests are increasingly seeking connections to the place through local ingredients. She writes that “guests can literally feel the essence of the place through the products used in their treatments.” Spas have responded with a local, seasonal, sustainable ethic and a more natural, holistic approach to treatments. And that is evident in Carmel Valley. DANIEL DREIFUSS 34 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® HAVEN 2025-2026 Luxury yacht Private charter Book your specialty charter today! Sunset Champagne Sanctuary cruiSeS 831.917.1042 SanctuaryCruises.com Private charters hold up to 6 passengers sanctuary-cruises_1-2h_haven24_kb.indd 1 8/1/24 1:58 PM
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