Elevations Day Spa

Tucked in a small strip mall in Big Bear Lake, it's easy to miss Elevations Day Spa.

But its plain facade gives way to a cozy interior, decorated in a serene forest style with plenty of woodsy accents, a bubbling fountain and soothing music to set the mood.

When I arrived at this charming Big Bear spa, I was immediately greeted by esthetician Mara Baco, who offered me a choice of warm tea or lemon water as I waited in the lounge for my appointment. The spa also offers a nice variety of spa products, robes and other luxuries if you want to bring home a souvenir.

I was here for a custom 1-hour facial with Debby Dokter, who has owned the spa for nine years.

We made our way to the treatment room, where Debby analyzed my skin and treated it for dehydration. As warm steam softly sprayed my face, Debby applied a clay mask to close my pores, followed by a soothing gel mask and moisture infusion creme mask. The facial was gentle and relaxing, and included a shoulder and neck massage, leaving me feeling fresh and fantastic.

This full service spa is the only spa in Big Bear to offer a complete range of hair, nail, body, facial and massage treatments. To treat those pesky wrinkles, Elevations offers Medi-spa, micro dermabrasian, rejuvenation peels and Botox treatments by appointment.

Massages start at $85 for 60-minute treatments, or $55 for 30-minute treatments. Deep tissue, Swedish, Acupressure and Thai massages are offered, as well as hot stone therapies and foot reflexology.

A 2-hour couples treatment is also offered on side-by-side tables in the couples room. The pampering experience includes an aromatherapy body wrap, 30-minute foot reflexology, and 1-hour Swedish massage.

After a long day of hiking or skiing on the mountain, a spa treatment at Elevations' Big Bear Day Spa is certainly a treat. I left my appointment feeling fresh and relaxed, and my skin was softer than it's felt in years.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Elevations Spa Big Bear address is at 42007 Fox Farm Rd #1 in Big Bear Lake. For an appointment, call (909) 866-7405 or visit www.elevationsdayspa.com