My Birthday is May 12th, which happened to be Mothers Day this year so, my mom, little sister and I decided to celebrate at Glen Ivy Hot Springs for a day of pampering. I’ve been to Glen Ivy a handful of times but it was both my moms and sisters first time. Continue Reading for details on the spa, including The Grotto & Club Mud experiences.
About Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Glen Ivy is located in Corona, California, about 45 minutes away from me in Southern California. Glen Ivy has 19 pools, Club Mud, The Grotto, and spa treatments like massages, facials, nail services and even treatments just for men! We spent the entire day there from when they opened until they closed and didn’t run out of things to do. Before you go make sure to check their website monthly deals and packages!
Getting Started
Upon arrival, we grabbed a map of the resort and headed to the large complimentary locker room that includes a Roman bathhouse. They also have a swimsuit dryer for at the end of the day and bags you can take your wet clothes home in. Here are some things I recommend bringing with you:
- Easily removable sandals so you can hop in and out the pools with ease.
- A refillable water bottle (though they provide cold cucumber water throughout the resort to make sure you’re refreshed and hydrated).
- Sunscreen!! Of course. And perhaps a hat to protect your scalp from the sun.
- Your own robe/cover-up or rent one from the spa. No need to bring a towel; they have plenty.
- They have showers and a large vanity area in the locker rooms if you need to get ready after so bring a change of clothes along with any hair and skin products you need. (I blow dried my hair and did my makeup afterwards)
- Bring your card for payments, as they don’t accept cash.
The Lounge Pool
We started by laying out by the relaxing Lounge Pool and tan in the sun for about an hour and then took a quick dip in the shallow pool before heading to the nearby Mineral Baths. It was the perfect place for tanning, though finding an empty chair can we challenging on busier days.
Mineral Baths
Next, we then spent 15 minutes in the 104 degree geothermal waters. The sulfur-rich pools ease joint pain and soften the skin, although they do have a strong odor due to the sulfur. The Mineral Baths contain:
Sodium Chloride 14.8 mg
Sodium Sulfate 123 mg
Calcium 10.3 mg
Fluoride 3.13 mg
LpH Level 9.44
Calcium Carbonate 25.6 mg
Sodium Carbonate 41.3 mg
Sodium 70.0 mg
Total Dissolved Solids 216 mg
Club Mud
If you plan to do The Grotto Treatment (more on that next), visit Club Mud first to exfoliate before getting soft and moisturized in The Grotto. It’s really fun to get intentionally messy a bit, how often do we get to do that? Club Mud combines the detoxifying benefits of geothermal mineral water with local red clay mud. Clay is a great skin exfoliator, known throughout history to draw out impurities from the body. The mud blends into a silky soft paste with the mineral water. Let the mud dry by sitting in the sun or hanging out in the sauna. Then wash off the dried mud when it becomes flakey and you’ll have baby smooth skin instantly. Remember to wear a dark bathing suit so nothing gets stained!
The Grotto
The Grotto in not included in the Taking the Waters Admission and a reservation is required. It’s $45 extra, but I make sure to include this every time I go because it’s absolutely worth it. You hop in an elevator down to their secret cave and are painted neck-to-toe with a warm aloe vera, coconut oil, eucalyptus, shea butter and lavender masque. Once lathered, you sit in a lightly heated cavern to open your pores as the formula soaks further into your skin. When you’re ready, step into the next room to rinse off under the water before moving into the final, cooler grotto to relax with complementary tea, water and fruit. You’re skin feels incredibly smooth after this.
Saline Pool + Lap Pool
We then made our way to the Saline Pool before having a swim in the comfortably heated Lap Pool. Salt water is great for our nervous system, the pool is filled with Epsom salts that are rich in magnesium and sulfates, both of which have a therapeutic effect on easing tight muscles and joints, inflammation in the body and cramps.
Aromatherapy Massage
The three of us decided on a 50 minute Aromatherapy Massage: a light to medium pressure Swedish massage incorporating circulatory strokes to stimulate blood, lymph flow, and ease tired muscles. This treatment encourages relaxation for the mind and body and recover from daily stress. Choice of aromatherapy oil is included. There is an option to do side-by-side massages with a loved one. Here are some other body treatments they currently offer:
- Spa.Wave Massage
- Quartz Massage
- Shirodhara Treatment
- Tranquility Ritual
- Warm Himalayan Salt Stone Massage
- Vital Energy Massage
- Prenatal Massage
- Oncology Massage
- Renewing Body Scrub
- Hydro Massage
Vista Pool
This was our favorite spot to soak. You have gorgeous views of the Santa Ana mountains from this jacuzzi pool, where you can watch the sun set and sip on a drink.
Hot & Cold Plunge Pools
It wasn’t Easy getting into the Cold Plunge pool because it was COLD, but its worth it, promise! This hydrotherapy experience kickstarts your circulation and boosts your immune system. Blood vessels expand in the hot water (101.5F – 102.5 degrees) and constrict in the cold water (55F – 65 degrees). You first take a 5 minute dip into the cold plunge pool, then a 5 minute dip in the hot plunge pool. Repeat the process 3-5 times for a blast of energy as you boost blood flow and flush out toxins.
Lunch at Glen Ivy
By now, we were very hungry, so we decided to eat and drink by the memorizing coy pond to relax. Their versatile and healthy menu changes often so its fun to try something new every time you go. My sister went for the fish tacos and she said they were delicious and my mom got an ahi burger with ahi tuna, wasabi, sesame soy aioli, and cucumber Asian slaw on a toasted brioche bun which she wasn’t really sure about trying but ended up loving it. I purchased the margherite flatbread pizza which has cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, mozzarella cheese, San Marzano marinara and fresh basil. It was the perfect size for me and I really enjoyed It.
We finished off our family girls’ day by going back to the Vista Pool for a bit and then heading to the lockers to shower and get ready for the rest of our evening. It was such a relaxing day and I was so happy to share it with my my mom and my sister. We can’t wait to go back and try some other treatments that the spa offers. You can book your spa day package by visiting Glen Ivy.com. It’s a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, a Bridal Party or just a girls’ day.
What’s your favorite thing to do at the spa? Tell me in the comments!
Aly | Los Angeles & Dana Point Hair Artist 