Spa L'Auberge Welcomes New Spa Director

L'Auberge Del Mar welcomed Misty Stewart as its new spa director this summer. Patch sat down with Stewart, who brings more than 12 years of experience to Spa L'Auberge as a massage therapist and manager of spas across the country, to ask her about her new position, the spa industry, trends and how to pamper youself at home.

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about your background experience in spa management and massage therapy?

Misty Stewart:  I started out doing massage 12 years ago and have since worked at several spas throughout the country. Initially, I worked on Kauai, Hawaii doing massage in trade for everything from my rent to scuba gear. Some of my favorite spas I’ve worked at are: Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah and Golden Door Spa in Park City, Utah. I had the opportunity to study Thai massage in Thailand a few years ago and taught Thai massage afterwards. I began in management at the Golden Door Spa at Waldorf Astoria and had two amazing mentors in Scott Cowdrey and Amy Mullen.

Patch: Where are you originally from? You’ve worked in a lot of different states, how do you like San Diego?

Stewart: I was born in Las Vegas and moved around a bit while growing up and that probably sparked my inner-nomad. I’ve always loved to travel and I spent some time trying to figure out where feels most right. I love San Diego! It’s such a perfect mix of everything that’s important to me: great weather with lots of sunshine, beautiful beaches, great schools for my daughter and lots of options for shopping and entertainment.

Patch: What are some of your favorite spots you’ve discovered in Del Mar?

Stewart: I’d have to say my favorite is the beach and park adjacent to our property. It’s very peaceful (with the occasional passing train to break the reverie) and the view is just perfect!

Patch: What are some of the major trends you’ve seen in the spa industry recently?

Stewart: Everyone is interested in results-driven treatments to quantify the experience. They really want to maximize the specific benefits from their services.

Patch: How has the spa industry changed since you first began working?

Stewart: The changes in the economy have definitely affected the spa industry. People are still going to spas, but for many the experience has become about achieving specific results, beyond simply relaxation. Some guests want detoxification, targeted muscle relief, firmer skin, and want to leave feeling that their goal was accomplished.

Patch: If you could only recommend one spa treatment “must have” what would it be and why?

Stewart: It’s hard to narrow it down to just one! So much of it depends on the result the guest is looking for. Micro-current shows amazing lifting and toning results immediately, which are so great for results-driven guests. I also think it’s important to detoxify, to feel cleansed. There are so many amazing seaweed and mud treatments out there to help with this and when you combine it with lymphatic massage the results are amazing.

Patch: What are some alternatives people can do if they can’t afford a day at the spa?

Stewart: I love the options you can do at home with hydrotherapy and different products. Light a few candles and grab some water, tea, or fresh juice and head to your bathtub or shower. I like to begin with a good dry-brushing of my body before stepping into a hot bath or shower and then apply a favorite masque to my face.

If you don’t have a masque on hand, make one in your kitchen using an avocado, yogurt or oatmeal. Feel free to add honey to one of these also. Cleopatra was known to bathe in honey. If I’m trying to detoxify, I’ll add some salts or essential oils to a bath.

If you really want to feel cleansed, juice some fresh ginger and add it to a bath. It will make you sweat!

If you want to exfoliate your skin you can use either sea salt or sugar and add it to your favorite shower gel or body oil to make your own scrub. Feel free to get creative and add some fresh coffee grounds or essential oils.

If you’re feeling a little sluggish, try alternating hot and cold water in the shower or go back and forth between a hot bath and cold shower. When you’re finished, use your favorite moisturizer to finish off beautifying the skin!

Patch: If you were not working as a spa director what would you want to be doing?

Stewart: I love to travel and learn about different cultures. If money was no object, I’d probably be studying yoga in India, acupuncture in China, or learning how to make Thai curries in Thailand.

Patch: L’Auberge only uses organic products; do you prefer organic products? What are the benefits and disadvantages?

Stewart: There are so many great organic and natural products out there now that are still able to provide really great results. I like to have a mix of really great product lines. I think it’s important to have a really good results-driven scientific line as well to compliment Organic lines.

Patch: What are some of the best spas you’ve visited across the United States?

Stewart: There are so many amazing spas out there and I wish I had the time to visit more! I’ve researched spas in the past and have always chosen to work at the spas I love. Definitely some of my favorites are Red Mountain Spa in Utah, Lake Austin Spa in Texas, and Golden Door Spa in Utah.

Patch: What do you do spend your time doing when you’re not at the spa?

Stewart: I travel when possible, cook, do yoga, go to the beach and spend time with my husband and daughter.

Patch: What are the challenges and highlights of your job?

Stewart: I have such a great team here and they support my vision for the spa. That’s the real highlight: the people who make L’Auberge what it is and having a canvas on which I can add my personal touch! There are so many great people that work on the property as well.  It’s been fun working with our pastry chef, Jeff Bonilla, to pair some desserts with our seasonal specials. I stay very busy between keeping the spa running and planning for the future.

Patch: Do you have any specific plans or goals for L’Auberge now that you are director?

Stewart: I’m currently working on some adjustments to our menu of services; this will be rolled out the first of next year. Other big ideas are in the works and you’ll have to check back for more info!

Spa L'Auberge is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and till 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations can be made online or by calling 858-793-6493.