Sadly the most we see of this fascinating city is the transfer lounge of LAX as we hurry on to our real destination. First, we change into the wonderfully thick, soft robes and slippers provided in the segregated changing rooms, then move into the private bathroom together.
For the next 20 minutes, we recline in the enormous copper bathtub filled with bubbles and warm water, and sip on our glasses of chilled sparkling perry. The treatment also stimulates circulation to the skin and rejuvenates. Lying side by side, Christina and I spend the next hour having every joint, tendon, muscle and limb massaged and soothed by these two highly-trained therapists.
You can choose your essential oil for this treatment so you get the most out of this sixty-minute indulgence. I ask for peppermint, hoping its sharp, refreshing smell will keep me from falling asleep on the bed. I do hate to miss any part of a massage. It works, but only just. The romance of having this kind of treatment together is obvious. But the meaningfulness of the shared experience makes having a couples treatment while you travel really quite special.
The neighbourhood of Larchmont truly has a village feel to it and its name would suggest. The main road running through this part of town — obviously Larchmont Boulevard — is lined with cafes, bakeries, sushi joints, ice cream parlours, restaurants and chains.
We end up at Groundwork for a couple of very well-made coffees — putting to rest once and for all that good coffee is impossible to find in America. You just have to know where to look. We were in LA near Halloween hence the pumpkins. How good are they?! Thanks to Larchmont Sanctuary Spa , we started our trip around the USA feeling chilled and revived almost straight from our flight. It usually takes a good few days to acclimatise to the time zone, but the romance and relaxation of our treatment made all the difference.
