While cooler and milder weather in Los Angeles means a pleasanter travel experience (particularly for a Floridian accustomed to
humid summer heat), the drier weather also often means lingering and visual effects on the skin, something I began to feel the moment I stepped off my plane in the City of Angels. Low humidity and winter weather might be great for my hair, but my skin was tired and dry and eager for some much- needed nourishment and hydration.

No other spa replenished and revived my face and skin quite like Joanna Czech Los Angeles Studio at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.
While the hotel’s spa space was currently undergoing renovations, the studio took up two revamped suites on the third floor, where I was welcomed with fruit water and a soft robe.

Before my treatment, I filled out a form addressing my skin’s needs, allowing my facial therapist to best target treatments for my
face. Soothing music and a balcony view of Beverly Hills on my left set the scene for a 90-minute Enhanced LED facial. My facial therapist spent some time analyzing my skin up close, noticing dehydration. Utilizing high-quality products to incorporate hydration and vitamin C back into my skin, she also integrated special massage techniques across my face, neck, shoulders and arms to increase blood flow and promote relaxation. Products weren’t heavily scented, either, an important aspect in ensuring skin isn’t irritated.

And while I do not suffer from puffiness, a long day of travel the day before gave me the impression of this condition, and specific massages and LED lights transitioning between blue and red aided in my face recovering from the previous day’s travels.
This treatment isn’t about using expensive products with hard-to-pronounce names to give one the false impression of a life-changing facial. Rather, it weaves in products with pure and natural ingredients, combining them with state-of-the-art technology such as microcurrents and ultrasound to smooth and firm up skin. More importantly, the results are noticeable.

© Ricari Studios

Everything was gentle and effective, with each process feeling like a metaphorical step closer to revived skin. While my treatment was one of the longer ones offered at the studio, Joanna Czech Studio also offers shorter treatments for every guest’s needs. All treatments stem from Joanna Czech’s many years of research and travel around the world, identifying the best of the best in skincare.

After my facial, I returned downstairs to the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills lobby to check in for my Signature Treatment at the hotel’s
Ricari Studios. This unique experience, situated within another one of the hotel’s transformed suites, began with me changing into a white, semi-transparent and tight-fitted jumpsuit. This treatment focuses on boosting circulation, massaging the muscles, activating the lymphatic system and relieving soreness. It could not have come at a better time; spending the prior few days running long distance on the road meant I had some pretty sore calves and IT bands.

This innovative machine began with a consistent yet powerful massage starting with my arms and shoulders before working its way all the way down to the legs and feet. As I had predicted, my calves and IT bands reacted strongly to the machine, but it was a “good hurt” and one that left my muscles feeling looser and stretched out afterward. The treatment then saw me fitted into a compression garment attached to a machine that tightened and constricted around my legs before slowly releasing, promoting my lymphatic system. While this garment worked away at my legs, my massage therapist used a fragrant oil to massage my neck and shoulders, rounding out the treatment.

Even standing up from the table felt as if I were emerging as a new person. Feeling elongated and both relaxed and energized, for the rest of my time in Los Angeles I enjoyed glowing skin and a body without muscle tightness or aches. I also slept better than I expected that same night (as travel and a new bed sometimes means an adjustment on the first night).

While the full experience of L’Ermitage Beverly Hills’ spa and wellness facilities is sure to be even better once the dedicated space completes renovations, the property and its temporary wellness suites show it’s not always about the physical space a spa occupies. Rather, it’s the techniques; years of expertise; and products used to treat, relax and soothe guests that matter most, and Joanna Czech Studios and Ricari Studios get it right.

L’ERMITAGE BEVERLY HILLS
9291 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
tel 310 278 3344