A Little Luxury on Larchmont

Located on Larchmont Blvd. near Hollywood, Le Petite Retreat is aptly named. The charming spa's Jade Stone Deep Swedish Combo Massage is an elaborate treatment involving smooth jade stones, which hold heat and are said to have healing properties. While it would seem that stone is hard and unyielding, you'd be amazed at how much better the muscles respond to these heated, oiled rocks than they do to human fingers and elbows. We usually find deep tissue work to be wince-inducing, but the warm stone treatment was utterly relaxing. We achieved a deeper feeling of rejuvenation and well being than we usually get from a typical deep tissue treatment.

If possible, book your treatment in Le Petite Retreat's outdoor garden cabana, which provides a refreshing change of scenery from your typical treatment room. Afterward, relax in the sauna to sweat out a few more toxins before showering and changing in the spa's fully equipped locker room.

Review originally published 11/4/2004.