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Rejuvenate Your Soul at Golden Door Spa
TranquilitY
Redefined
California is known for being at the forefront of all things wellness, so we’ve come to expect a certain standard of relaxation and zen from a luxury resort in the Golden State. But a recent stay at the highly exclusive Golden Door spa showed us that it is indeed possible to reach new heights of pampering and self-reflection—and you can even take those feel-good vibes home with you.
Nestled in the hills of San Marcos, California, the Door invites a small group of guests onto its Japanese-inspired property to delve deep into mindfulness, meditation, healthy eating, fitness and, of course, luxurious spa treatments. Surrounded by more than 600 acres of mountains, meadows, bamboo forest and ornamental gardens, this legendary health and wellness experience will leave you feeling like a million bucks. (Don’t believe us? Just ask Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts or America Ferrera, all of whom have stayed here before.)
The
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Who should you bring?
With only 40 rooms available and just one guest per room, this escape is ideal for a solo trip to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. Maybe you’ve had a lot on your plate at work recently and could really use a digital detox. Or perhaps you’re a fulltime mom and you can’t remember the last time you had five minutes to yourself, let alone three full days. Or maybe you’re at a crossroad in life and just need a peaceful moment to recalibrate. This is the place you go to do any and all of the above.
Of course, you could also clock in some serious bonding time with a friend, partner or family member, and can even tailor your experience to be all women, all men or co-ed, depending on the week (check the calendar before booking).
You can choose to stay for three, five or seven days, with stays beginning on Sunday and various treatments included in each plan (happily, a daily massage is always provided ). And don’t worry about packing too much—zip ups, T-shirts and sweatpants to wear during the week are provided (and the helpful staff will also do your laundry if you need).
What’s the food like?
The all-inclusive package features delicious and nutritious meals (even if the portions are on the smaller side) with meals tailored to any dietary needs or restrictions and your optimal calorie intake.
Breakfast is served in your room (hello, whole wheat sourdough pancakes & turkey sausage
with sauteed apples, lemon yogurt and toasted almonds), followed by potassium broth and fresh vegetables by the pool mid-morning. Then it’s lunch by the pool as a group (choose from options like bento boxes, Vietnamese noodles and blue crab salad), an afternoon juice break with vegetables and dinner in the dining room (think: hen al chilindrón, Thai fish soup, vegan spicy gumbo). It’s healthy but you won’t feel deprived—a small dessert is served after every lunch and dinner.
For dinner, guests are encouraged to wear a traditional Yukata Kimono, also provided. After the meal, there is a ritual walk to the front gate followed by an evening program such as breathwork and crystal bowls, bingo or a groove dance party.
Did you get a good night’s sleep?
The property has Wi-Fi, but digital detoxing is encouraged (there’s no TV in the room and there are sleep bags for your phone), which might help explain why we got such a sweet night’s slumber. That, plus the super soft bedding and the zen vibes of the room.
What amenities are available?
We particularly enjoyed the Ikebana class based on the Japanese art of flower arrangement and Soul Vision Collage, an intuitive collage process for self discovery. There are also pre-dawn hikes, pilates, spin, pickleball, archery and more (Emma Roberts is a fan of the latter). We loved that you don’t need to sign up for most classes and that there’s no penalty for canceling.
Golden Door boasts multiple (seven!) gyms, two swimming pools, a Watsu Water Therapy pool (that’s water + shiatsu), two labyrinths, a tennis court, a newly renovated bathhouse with a Jacuzzi, steam-room and sauna and multiple treatment rooms (massages, facials, body wraps and mani/pedis are included in the price of your stay, with the option to add on extra services). There are also an array of classes available.
How was the service?
The staff were kind and engaging, with their signature attention to detail noticeable from before you even set foot on the property with a pre-arrival phone call to discuss your goals, dietary restrictions, favorite exercises and activities.
What was your favorite part?
Golden Door offers a perfect balance of solitude and community. Traveling alone was an amazing experience as was meeting like-minded people, with each day allowing for as much or as little interaction as felt right. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and thoughtful staff and guests, we left our stay feeling like we had nurtured our mind, body and soul (especially our body—the massages were incredible).
Know before you go:
While the resort is all inclusive, management will provide you with a recommended tip sheet for the staff at the end of your stay.
book it
Accommodation options:
single occupancy rooms with a sliding
door to the outside
Price:
Rates start at $6,250 for three nights and go up to $11,000 for a seven-night stay
Location:
San Marcos, California
Property:
Golden Door
Basics
Details