Relax with Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

When thinking of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, the first thought that comes to mind for many is the glamour and prestige of the renowned hospitality and nightlife.

From rock star worthy suites to the elite crowds partying atop Moonstone Lounge, not to mention the signature contemporary American cuisine at Maryjane's Coffee Shop, the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego pulsates with pristine rock 'n' roll edge.

But put aside the party persona for just a moment and you will find our Hard Rock also houses a different element of luxury where guests can balance, energize or just plain chill. Meet the entirely unconventional Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.

Halfway down the third floor hotel hallway, which at first glance appears only to be a corridor of guest rooms, a simple charcoal door unveils the world-class, full-service and revamped Rock Spa.

Through the statement-making glass door, I was released into a small foyer where a white-dressed receptionist beamed at me from behind a glossy paneled counter. Barely five minutes into my escapade and I already felt at ease within this sumptuous milieu.

As I was guided around the corner to my private refuge, I became submerged by the bamboo décor stretched across dark teal walls and the eclectic mix of classic rock, lounge, hip-hop and trance music that softly caressed my relaxed ears.

"Our music isn't just floating there in the background," says Spa Director, Matt Lee. "It is helping to define the identity of Rock Spa, and in the process, create an experience that some have already described as 'nirvana,' which I think is an apt description for a spa centered in a property whose roots lie in rock and roll."

There couldn't be any more truth to Mr. Lee's explanation. Every white-dressed masseuse and employee in this modern sanctuary dons a name tag that displays their favorite band or artist, bringing an extra ounce of zest to the global Hard Rock demeanor we are all so well-familiarized with.

Further into the rock and roll paradise, I encountered a dimmed waiting lounge boasting four rich, white leather chairs paired with chocolate suede walls and an oversize plush cream rug. Around the lounge, vases of fresh bright pink orchids added a tint of glam to the already elegant atmosphere.

Down the hall from the lounge, guests unwind in one of the five luxurious treatment rooms and prepare their skin for the changing of the seasons. In celebration of the new fall season, kick off your new beauty bliss with one of Rock Spa's premiere autumn inspired specials. The Rocks Massage is a 50 or 80 minute treatment intended to jumpstart your end-of-the-summer blues. Heated smooth river stones penetrate deep into strategic points on the spine, back, hands, and feet providing a relaxing and revitalizing answer to achy muscles.

Follow up the Rocks Massage with the Amped-Up Sugar Scrub which will undoubtedly leave you feeling revved and ready to rock. This 80 minute invigorating exfoliation, using an extensive blend of such natural ingredients as raw sugar, cinnamon, ginger, patchouli, lemon, eucalyptus, cumin, nutmeg and cedar wood, will buff and polish away the dying leftovers of summer skin so you can feel fresh and ready for the fall season. Top off your blissful relaxation with Rock Spa's all-new Sun FX Spray Tan - the perfect way to keep that summer glow far into the dim post-summer months.

"The vision for Rock Spa is an unpretentious escape from the urban environment," says Lee. "Given our location, the spa is the perfect place for San Diegans to recharge with a group of friends before hitting the nightlife of Gaslamp or to decompress after the night before."

And I, of course, am first to say my short-lived vacation at Rock Spa provided me with exactly that - friendly faces and a soothing air of solitude where I could set both my mind and body at ease.

Rock Spa at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is known for such signature treatments as the Amped-Up Sugar Scrub, Dream Weaver Massage, and Peace and Love Facial, as well as body treatments, massage therapy, facials, hair removal, just-for-men services, and sensual couples escapes.

Insider Tip: Separate women's and men's facilities with showers and steam rooms ensure comfort and privacy, while a full host of amenities are provided, including lockers, robes and slippers. The adjacent Fitness Center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weight training equipment and is accessible to Rock Spa guests 24 hours a day, all week long.