California Dreaming at The Spa at The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Oct 23rd, 2017

Views of lush gardens and the sea, beach breezes and Spanish colonial architecture present a magical backdrop for the spa experience at the Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. The spacious 12,000-square-foot spa was designed by Peter Marino to blend contemporary decor with traditional Spanish colonial style. The spa’s eleven treatment rooms include three massage spa suites with private patios and breathtaking ocean views. After a service guests can relax with a cup of tea in the spa lounge or stroll through the peaceful garden while enjoying flowers, butterflies and sound of the waves. This is California dreaming! DAYSPA caught up with Spa Director Jaana Roth to learn more about the spa and its offerings. With over 15 years of experience, Jaana brings a holistic approach to wellness to the spa.

How long have you been with the Four Seasons?

I’ve been with the company nineteen years. I started in Dallas as a front office manager and then I was asked to help out in the spa and never went back. Four Seasons Dallas was the first property to have a spa — and a large spa with 16 rooms. That was a good learning ground for me. From there I went and opened up Exuma in the Bahamas, came here, and then two Hawaii properties. There are a lot of opportunities, which is great.

Why did you decide to come back to the spa at Santa Barbara?

Even though Hawaii was very nice, California was calling and I thought that it was a great opportunity to come back to my old team and enjoy the California hospitality. Most of our staff has been here since the opening. It’s like home a homecoming.

Can you share any insight into how you design the spa menu and signature treatments?

Every Four Seasons property is unique and customized. I like to find the local indigenous products and ingredients and design the menu off of that. We bring in the natural and the indigenous, but also the scientific and high tech for the facials because clients want to see results.

What is your favorite signature treatment?

From the body treatments, I like the Grapefruit Scrub which is an organic product made by Kimberly Parry from California. It’s a nice sugar-based body scrub with citrus flavors.

You’re from Estonia. What can you share about Estonian spa culture?

Growing up, the biggest thing for us was the sauna. Every Sunday you’d go in the sauna and then you’d jump in the lake or go in the snow. Now more and more, the sauna is getting popular coupled with a salt treatment which has a deep European history as well. To bring that to the spa feels like home to me.

Tell us about the spa’s facials?

Our facials are high tech and results oriented. We use two lines. Hydropeptide is coupled with two high tech machines. HydraFacial is one option. And the newest one is the In-Skin machine that offers six different features that you can choose for your anti-aging facial. From a natural organic side, we use Tata Harper products.

Can you share how you attract visitors to the spa who are not guests at the hotel?

We offer a twenty percent discount Monday through Thursday. We have loyal neighbors who come all the time and The Coral Casino has a large membership base, so they are here all the time.

What are your tips for spa visitors?

Take your time, enjoy the moment, and drink plenty of water. Put your phone away and unplug.