I’m seated at Scout Bar, sipping a glass of Surveyor Rosé—the first vintage produced from the 15-acre vineyard at Montage Healdsburg. Like the wine, it has taken me five years to get here. I’m catching up with Jenn Chiesa, the resort’s Director of Public Relations, who helped launch the property into the teeth of the pandemic. She tells me about the three ribbon-cutting ceremonies that had to be cancelled—and then, by 2021, how the resort soared almost overnight. With its open-air design, natural beauty, and location in the heart of Sonoma wine country, Montage Healdsburg offered what the world was craving: space, privacy, connection to nature, and fresh, local cuisine.
That Montage spirit isn’t new to me. Though I’ve experienced many Montage properties over the years, I still vividly remember visiting the original Montage Laguna Beach in 2005, when I was invited to be among the first to experience its groundbreaking “The Art of Spa” program. It was a forward-thinking, holistic approach to wellness that integrated therapeutic techniques with luxurious spa experiences—a philosophy that continues to evolve across Montage properties today. During that visit, I met with visionary founder Alan Fuerstman, whose passion for his new brand was palpable. Back then, who could have predicted that Montage Hotels & Resorts would expand from that one idyllic location perched atop a 30-acre coastal bluff to a collection of seven distinctive properties (with three more in the works)—each renowned for its unique sense of place and top-tier service.
Wellness in Demand
From Laguna’s coastal bluff to Sonoma’s rolling vineyards, Montage’s spa journey has been one of thoughtful expansion. This time, the story leads me to Nikki Severson. Just 30 days into her new role as Spa Director when I arrived, Severson already described the transition as “coming home.” Most recently at The Meritage Resort in Napa, she brings deep spa roots, having begun her career in 2002 as a wellness coordinator at Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin.
More and more guests are asking for longevity experts, sound healers, and conscious programming . . .
Yoga among the vines
“My main focus coming in was to expand the wellness component,” she told me. “Guests were asking for it.” In her first few months, she hired additional wellness instructors and launched a full slate of daily activations, from Aquafit and Pilates to vineyard yoga hikes and midweek mindful meditation—all designed to meet guests’ growing appetite for more immersive wellness experiences. “We just got it over the hill,” she smiled. She’s considering ways to elevate the spa menu—though at the moment, she’s keeping what works. Guests are loving the current facial offerings, including Valmont, Irene Forte, and a new and exclusive partnership with Skin Design London.
The demand for more wellness is very real. “The appetite for wellness activations has increased exponentially,” confirms Doug Kaminski, the resort’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “We’ve always had wellness offerings, but more and more, guests—and especially groups—are asking for longevity experts, sound healers, and conscious programming. The younger luxury consumer doesn’t want every experience to revolve around wine. They want to integrate movement, mindfulness, and a sense of purpose into their weekend.”
Quiet Luxury, Spa Evolution
Doug’s perspective is rooted in more than two decades with Four Seasons properties. “This is different,” he says. “There’s a true sense of place here. The property’s personality is tranquil and graceful. When people arrive, they literally stop and breathe—it’s like an exhale. You see Mount St. Helena in the distance, you’re surrounded by heritage oaks and wisteria. It’s quiet luxury.”
A peaceful nook in the women’s relaxation room at Spa Montage
That sense of quiet carries into the spa—though it’s not without its quirks. At 11,500 square feet, the spa includes 11 treatment rooms, a steam room in each locker area, and a Technogym-equipped fitness space that Doug admits “we’ve outgrown.” There’s no wet area inside, but two pools—one adult-only—and an outdoor fireplace lounge extend the spa experience al fresco. What’s missing (from the inside) is the kind of expansive view guests enjoy elsewhere on property. “The spa is a luxurious box,” I note to Nikki. “But once you’re in the treatment room, the magic happens.” She nods knowingly. “It’s about the people. And I’ve got an exceptional team.”
I experienced the Skin Design London Face Tight Facial, a 90-minute treatment available exclusively at Spa Montage. Nearly 20 years after my introduction to Montage’s spa philosophy at Laguna Beach, it’s refreshing to see how the brand continues to lead with innovation—this time through a sophisticated layering of clinical precision and sensory refinement that left my skin luminously refreshed.
Danielle, my esthetician, brought a measured, confident touch—her technique was grounded in both skill and care, elevating each phase of the treatment to a true skin-ritual experience. Later, a custom massage with Alyssia grounded me back into my body, her technique blending intuition with good technical skill. No fluff here—just expert touch and true presence.
Skin Design London Finds its US Spa Home
Skin Design London is a perfect fit for Montage, says founder Fatma Shaheen, who launched Skin Design London’s first U.S. hotel partnership with Montage. “Montage isn’t your typical hotel chain,” she told me. “The properties are stunning and feel very Skin Design London—everything’s considered, everything’s special from the moment you walk in the door.”
A well-appointed spa treatment room
Fatma’s approach is shaped by her clinical background and her Turkish heritage. “Skin Design London was born out of my experience working with doctors and therapists,” she explained. “I know what the skin needs—and I know what people want.” Her popular Face Bath cleanser, a gentle yet effective product, draws from traditional Turkish bathing rituals. “It’s about purifying the skin without stripping it,” she said. “That’s where the name comes from.”
While Skin Design London has a devoted international following, this partnership signals a new evolution for the brand. “Montage is our first hotel partnership in the States, and it’s also the first time we’ve handed over a treatment to a spa team,” Fatma shared.
A Taste of Place & A Property in Motion
No stay at Montage Healdsburg is complete without a meal at Hazel Hill. With its terroir-to-table philosophy, the resort’s signature restaurant is where Executive Chef Jason Pringle brings French-influenced California cuisine to life. Set above the vines with sweeping views and an open-expo kitchen, Hazel Hill celebrates the region’s seasonal bounty with refined dishes that feel both rooted and elevated. My meals here reflected the same philosophy I encountered throughout the resort—thoughtful, quietly luxurious, and deeply connected to the land. A few of my favorites included the Spring Garlic Soup with wild onion, chanterelle, and chives, and the Liberty Farms Duck, deliciously accented with rhubarb, morel, and sherry. During my stay, I couldn’t get enough of the cold-pressed green juice.
Nature sets the tone at Montage Healdsburg
The property draws a strong weekend leisure crowd, especially from the Bay Area, with group business sustaining the midweek flow. “Groups are critical,” says Doug, “but what’s exciting is that so many now come with wellness front and center.” He’s pushing for more dedicated outdoor wellness spaces, including a hidden hilltop perch behind Compass Sports. “We just need to carve a short trail—it’s an insanely beautiful overlook. Morning meditation wrapped in blankets under the oaks—that’s the vision.”
Spa retail is another strength, with a boutique that punches above its weight. A well-curated mix of brands—Frank & Eileen, Fundamental Coast, Tara, Viori, a selection of inspirational books, and the Gloss Moderne line featured in guest rooms—helps the spa hit 10 percent of treatment revenue in retail sales. “People are buying,” says Nikki. “We’re offering things they want to take home with them.”
As for what’s next? Nikki is evaluating opportunities to elevate body treatments and reconsidering how to repurpose an underperforming salon space. “There’s room to grow,” she says. “But I love it here. It feels like home.”
That sense of belonging seems to radiate across the resort—among staff, guests, and those who’ve watched it evolve. “I walk the property every day,” says Doug. “And I still see it through new eyes.”
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. An advocate for all things spa, Mary forged a vocabulary for spa reportage that is widely used by those who cover the issues today. Recently honored as a Top 30 Influential Voice Transforming Wellness by Medika Life, Mary is an inaugural honoree of Folio’s Top Women in Media Award. Her spa media roots run deep—in 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, in 2007, she co-founded Organic Spa magazine, and in between serving on the ISPA and NYSPA Board of Directors, she was on the launch teams of Luxury SpaFinder and New Beauty magazines. Named a "Wonder Woman of Wellness" by American Spa magazine, Mary was honored by the International Spa Association with the distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. She is a special advisor to the non-profit Global Wellness Day.
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