What happens: You walk into a stylish lounge filled with well-dressed men and women, eating, drinking and sighing (as the week's knots are kneaded away). Choose a 20-minute "mini" facial, pedicure, massage and more, done in a treatment room but with doors open and street clothes on. Hang out in the group room with your pals and get dual neck massages.
Price: $39 to $99, depending on the number of treatments.
Ahh factor: Now that you're relaxed and pampered, it's time for a night on the town -- or the couch and a movie.
And here are four more to try:
The Laconium
Qua Baths and Spa, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, (866) 782-0655, www.quabathandspa.com
What happens: In addition to some exotic couples treatments, such as the Kama Sutra with Shirodhara (an oil drip to the forehead), the spa also offers elaborate bath and sauna-type treatments that men and women can share, including the Laconium, a heated, round room. If that sounds too Caligula, try the Crystal Art Body Room for group applications of Swarovski crystal "tattoos."
Price: $35 for access to the bath and steam areas
Private parties
Kinara, 656 N. Robertson, Los Angeles, (310) 657-9188, www.kinaraspa.com.
What happens: You and a few dozen of your closest friends can rent the entire 11-treatment room spa for three to four hours. Count on getting private, 30-minute treatments of your choice, then gathering afterward for gourmet treats and drinks.
Price: The average treatment is $150, add food and drink and it's about $200 a head
You dream it, they deliver it
Peninsula Hotel Spa, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 551-2854, beverlyhills.peninsula.com/pbh/spa.
What happens: The hotel spa that infuses diamonds, sapphires and rubies into its massage oils has upped the ante with private parties. The latest request? Scrabble, caviar and massages, all delivered to a private suite.
Price: $70 per person for the Champagne manicure, plus $150 to $300 an ounce for osetra caviar. The Scrabble? Priceless.
Massage and martinis
LeSpa at Sofitel LA, 8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 228-6777, www.sofitella.com.
What happens: The new spa and the just-remodeled hotel emphasize customization, whether you want vino-centric treatments for your women's wine group, or a pink party in the four-person nail salon that comes with a private patio. The spa also does business events, in case your crew needs a neck massage for meeting sales goals. And there's the Thursday night deal: Massage and Martinis, from 5 p.m. a free cocktail comes with every spa service.
-- Valli Herman
