For more than five decades, The Westgate Hotel has set the standard for elegance in downtown San Diego. Crystal chandeliers, European-inspired interiors, and a devotion to gracious service have made it one of the city’s most storied addresses. Today, that legacy has a new chapter: AquaVie Spa at The Westgate Hotel has been named one of the Top 10 Best Day Spas in the nation in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year.
A Tradition of Refinement
Since its opening in 1970, The Westgate has been admired for the details that set it apart. Designed with the Palace of Versailles in mind, the hotel is graced by Moscatelli chandeliers, Flemish wall tapestries, and the elegant curve of a grand staircase. Its afternoon tea is a cherished San Diego ritual, and its family-owned tradition of service has welcomed generations of travelers, from visiting dignitaries to loyal guests who return year after year. The hotel has never been defined by trends. Instead, it has been defined by a belief that true luxury lies in the care given to every guest.
That same belief now extends to wellness, and it has earned national attention.
A Modern Chapter in Wellness
Adjacent to the hotel, AquaVie Fitness and Wellness Club spans four levels and 40,000 square feet, making it one of California’s premier wellness destinations. The spa, located on the club’s third floor, offers a curated menu of massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness rituals. Signature services include the HydraFacial, Intraceuticals facials, hot stone massages, and immersive rituals that combine exfoliation, body wraps, and massage.
What makes this honor especially meaningful is its source. The Readers’ Choice Awards are decided by a public vote, so the recognition comes directly from guests who have experienced AquaVie firsthand. As Chris Holmes, Director of AquaVie Fitness and Wellness Club, explained, “We’re grateful to every guest who voted for us and remain committed to continually elevating the AquaVie experience.”
The Art of the Spa Day
A treatment at AquaVie is rarely a single appointment. Spa guests enjoy access to the entire club for the day, including the steam room, relaxation rooms, and a 15,000-square-foot rooftop wellness deck with the largest hotel rooftop lap pool in downtown San Diego.
Among the club’s most restorative amenities is the infrared sauna, where each session is designed for deep relaxation and recovery. Infrared heat warms the body from within, helping muscles unwind and circulation improve. A 15- to 20-minute session is a recommended starting point, and when paired with a massage or facial, it turns a spa appointment into a complete ritual of renewal.
Midweek visits now carry an added indulgence. Guests who book a spa service on a Monday or Tuesday are welcomed with a glass of champagne and a complimentary enhancement, a thoughtful reason to begin the week at a gentler pace.
From the Spa to the Tea Table
The afternoon need not end at the spa. Back at the hotel, the celebrated afternoon tea takes on a festive spirit this season with specialty themes such as the Witches of the Westgate Tea and Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea. For dinner, Bonne Vie Brasserie and Bar offers French-inspired cuisine from Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel, whose menus draw on memories of the Northern Coast of France and an appreciation for coastal California.
An Enduring Invitation
The Westgate has always offered its guests a place to slow down, savor the moment, and feel well cared for. The award may be new, but the philosophy behind it is as old as the hotel itself. A stay at The Westgate, paired with a day at AquaVie, is the finest way to experience both.