spa Majorelle

Indigo Therapy

“Ms. Burch, I want you to take three deep breaths.”

With my eyes closed and head nestled into the opening of the massage table headrest, I try to calm my breathing and slow my heart rate. As if by design, and very much so, my deep breaths are met with the sweet, cleansing smell of lavender, herbs and fresh botanicals.

So begins my magical Moroccan massage at Spa Majorelle in The Hotel Californian.

Moments ago, I met with my massage therapist Cristiana, a sweet woman hailing from Italy. I’m set to receive a Vitality signature experience, which includes a therapeutic massage, an herbal elixir for detoxifying benefits and a signature aroma design session, where she will help me create my custom essential oil blend. Christiana’s beautiful accent and kind eyes already put me at ease and remind me that this hour and a half will leave no room for the worries and stresses that follow throughout the day.

quite the ethereal introduction

This Vitality spa experience is making an appearance at the perfect time in my life. I’m newly engaged—ecstatic and completely on cloud nine—but also drained as I carry around a long laundry list of to-dos.

I walk into the grand foyer of the relaxation room and am met by a breathtaking dome and clean geometric patterns of deep indigo blue and crisp white, reminiscent of a Mediterranean palace.

Having changed into my robe and slippers, I meet Cristiana over at the aroma bar. “You be the alchemist,” she says with a quiet smile, already believing more in my intuition than I do. She pulls out an iPad and reminds me to take this opportunity to attune myself with my body and mind. I choose the path labeled “Focus Inward,”—after all, my wise sage did encourage me to do so. And amongst the planning and appointments of engaged life, I’m sure a little self care is in order.

I continue to navigate the selection process by making gut-decisions on the apothecary app, as I’ve labeled it in my head, narrowing down my blend to “Balance and Wellbeing.” It features cedar, lavender, ylang-ylang, and vetiver; a recipe designed to honor the body and its natural pace. Empowered by the holistic decision-making process and being quite pleased with my results, a deep calm washes over me.

The oils are pure—potent and all organic—straight from the farms around the world that produced them. I choose two types of crystals to dance within the roller ball: rose quartz and aventurine. She tells me they are both stones of the heart, promoting an atmosphere of love and letting things be. Knowing that I could always use more of both, I gladly accept my gift.

Now, back to the massage that brought me to this blissful state.

The Ocean Dew massage oil washes over me, and Cristiana once again reminds me to soak up the aromatherapy through deep breathing as she begins massaging my back. My deep tissue massage is perfect. In a variety of motions that ebb and flow like the crashing and receding of waves, I am put at ease, just as promised. Her calculated movements address my tension—too many hours writing at my computer, and I have the shoulders and neck to prove it. She continues this organic, yet methodical therapy, and my body is more relaxed than I thought was possible. I take a mental note that this should be my new normal: relaxed, trusting, and grateful for all the ways that my body has allowed me to live a full life.

My borderline existential moment is then wrapped in a hot compress, the heat seeming to lock in the benefits of the botanical oils. She leaves me with a foot massage using lotion with a comforting, homey scent; something I can only describe as dark vanilla spice.

She gently taps my shoulder to lift me from my vanilla-spiced coma and encourages me to take my time as I return to the relaxation room. I slide on my luxuriously soft slippers to reunite with the indigo atrium that made such an impression on me.

Cristiana invites me over to the bar where an assortment of tea blends and honeys are displayed as if in a bazaar or marketplace of tinctures. The glass jars and packaging are dainty but Cristiana assures me that they pack a powerful punch. “This one here is my absolute favorite honey,” she says with a suddenly serious face. “It is the best, ever.” She hands me a spoonful, and I savor the world-class wildflower honey, known to restore strength and vitality.

The sweet and smoky honey is thinner than I expected and filled with intricate notes of Siberian ginseng, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. I ask Cristiana for a peek at the bottle, and I’m pleased to find it’s “stress resistance fortified.” Truly a restorative elixir to bring about radiance and vitality, just as promised.

I thank Cristiana several times for my regenerative massage and tailored aroma-concocting experience, and savor my last few moments in Santa Barbara’s own Moroccan sanctuary.

Majorelle, as I learn from one of the spa attendants, refers to the distinct ultramarine blue found in the traditional doorways of Marrakech. Crafted to evoke a sense of tranquility, it’s become the iconic indigo pigment of Moroccan artistry, luxury, and health—and for me, my new favorite hue.*