When Terranea Resort first opened its doors in 2009, it was a daring bet: a 102-acre luxury destination on the site of the former Marineland, rising in the midst of a global recession. Yet the resort swiftly emerged as one of Southern California’s most celebrated spa retreats, and its spa—shaped by the vision of Anne Bramham—set the tone for wellness rooted in nature’s rhythms. Sixteen years later, after a $4.5 million renovation, The Spa at Terranea has reclaimed its place as anchor of the property and one of the region’s most significant wellness destinations.
I’m soaking in the grand copper tub at The Spa at Terranea, balcony doors open wide to the Pacific. The horizon is endless, the water dazzling, the air heavy with salt and sun. As the heat of the tub seeps into my jet-lagged body, I’m reminded of why this place has always felt like a sanctuary. “Welcome back,” whispers the sea.
A History Etched in Land and Sea
Terranea is a story of land reclaimed and vision realized. For decades, this dramatic stretch of the Palos Verdes Peninsula was home to Marineland of the Pacific, an iconic seaside amusement park that closed in 1986. When Terranea rose on its footprint, the developers took a restorative approach: 14 acres of natural habitat were revived, 45 mature trees from the old Marineland grounds were replanted across the property, and 65,000 tons of onsite rock were crushed to form roads and pathways. Even then, the project embraced principles of sustainability—capturing runoff, protecting marine life, and blending the built environment into the coastal ecosystem.
The spa terrace at Terranea Resort
This ethos of respect for place became the foundation for The Spa at Terranea, which from its inception in 2009, was conceived as a “natural spa.” Treatments drew from the rhythms of sun and moon, tides and circadian cycles, with therapies designed to harmonize body and earth.
“I have always thought we are shaped by the land—our environment and our identity are tied into place,” recalls Anne Bramham, the spa maestro who helped bring the vision to life. “Terranea offered an exquisite opportunity to invite guests to experience their identity through the rhythms of the ocean, the pods of dolphins, the kelp forests that protect sea life and give us oxygen. It was, and still is, a place where one can fall back into one’s natural rhythm.”
“Terranea is a place where one can fall back into one’s natural rhythm.”
The Crown Restored
Fast forward to 2025, and the spa has emerged sparkling and new, its soul intact yet its spaces freshly reimagined. The $4.5 million renovation touched every corner of the 50,000-square-foot oceanfront haven.
Guests now arrive at a luminous lobby, greeted by a monolithic quartzite reception desk and the glow of a Moroccan zellige-tiled fireplace. Organic furnishings in sandy neutrals and sea-glass blues echo the coastal palette, while contemporary artwork and Venetian plaster walls bring a refined modernity.
“The biggest change is walking into the spa—it’s lighter, brighter, more inviting,” says Cynthia Howell, Spa Director. “We wanted to create that sense of ‘wow’ while staying true to our location. Our treatments still reflect who we are and where we are.”
Treatment rooms now feature rich cherry cabinetry, new spa beds, and warm towel cabinets. Lounges have been refreshed with tactile rattan lighting, murals inspired by the coast, and ergonomic Evo loungers by Gharieni. The outdoor patios—long a beloved feature—now feel more expansive, dotted with new seating and lush plantings that draw guests to linger in quiet reflection. “We’re seeing more people stay in those outdoor spaces, away from the pool,” Howell notes. “They’re craving quiet.”
Signature Rituals and New Directions
What has remained constant is the spa’s devotion to rituals rooted in nature. The beloved Ocean’s Prelude, a multi-sensory massage inspired by the sea, continues to be a guest favorite. I was surprised, however, to find that Bramham’s Flickering Embers—an extraordinary body treatment designed to align with twilight and prepare the body for deep rest—is no longer on the menu. Ahead of its time, Flickering Embers offered one of the most effective abdominal massages I have encountered in nearly three decades of spa reportage.
The spa lobby
But Howell has expanded the repertoire to meet modern wellness needs. “Guests are asking for sleep, for recovery, for help in disconnecting,” she explains. The Harmonic Aura Awakening, a sound-based treatment using Himalayan singing bowls, is among the most popular. New additions include HydraFacials and CBD journeys from OTO and Vital Body, a line created by massage therapists. Natura Bissé now anchors advanced skincare offerings, while Naturopathica continues to serve holistic-minded guests. Comfort Zone and Blue Beautifly round out the menu.
“It’s about elevating offerings without losing the soul of the spa,” Howell reflects. “We’ve brought in technology where it makes sense, but our treatments will always be tied to place.”
A Service Culture Reborn
The spa’s renaissance mirrors a broader cultural shift underway at Terranea. General Manager Nicholas Untermann, who joined in 2023 after leadership roles at Four Seasons and Ojai Valley Inn, was charged with elevating the service culture across the sprawling resort.
“When I first toured Terranea with President Ralph Grippo, he told me: the views, the architecture, the landscape—they’re stunning. But what was missing was service culture,” Untermann recalls. “That’s what I came here to build.”
Two years later, guest satisfaction scores have soared—up more than 30 percent since his arrival. “It goes hand in hand with associate satisfaction,” he says. “When our people are happy, they naturally create genuine moments of care. It’s not forced—it’s them being their authentic selves.”
Untermann’s leadership style is hands-on. He walks the property daily, writes handwritten notes to employees named in guest comments, and celebrates staff with a “Golden Ticket” program. Forbes Travel Guide trainers now work with every employee, from cooks to front desk, four times a year. The result is a culture where service feels intentional, personal, and warm.
“We’re not just making this a spa for in-house guests or locals,” he emphasizes. “We want it to be a true destination spa—where you can base an entire trip around wellness.”
Defining a Destination Spa
Untermann’s definition of a destination spa is rooted in possibility. “It’s where you can spend your entire stay focused on mind, body, and spirit. You wake up, grab a fresh juice at the spa café, join a sound bath or Pilates class, book a massage, then spend the afternoon in a cabana by the spa pool. Every element can be wellness-focused. That’s what we’re building.”
The spa lounge
Indeed, ownership has doubled down on wellness, committing not only to the spa renovation but to a multi-year property transformation, set to culminate in 2027 with refreshed guestrooms, meeting spaces, and public areas. Already, Terranea is investing in nearly $1 million in new spa cabanas and outdoor furnishings.
“There’s nobody telling us to hold back,” Untermann says. “The mandate is simple: make this place world-class.”
Mentorship at the Table
Wellness at Terranea extends beyond the spa to the kitchen, where Executive Chef Andrew Vaughan oversees eight dining venues and a celebrated externship program with the Culinary Institute of America. Each quarter, he visits the Hyde Park campus to hand-select students for immersive placements across the resort’s culinary departments.
“It’s a way of mentoring the next generation, while also bringing fresh energy and talent into our kitchens,” Vaughan explains. Many externs return as full-time hires, joining a culinary team that spans mar’sel, the Michelin-recognized signature restaurant; bashi, a contemporary Asian concept; the spa café, solviva; and the cliffside favorite, Nelson’s.
For Untermann, mentorship in both spa and culinary teams reinforces the property’s mission: “When we invest in people, when we nurture their growth, our guests feel it. That’s what sets us apart.”
Reclaiming the Heart
The Ocean Suite
Sixteen years after its debut, Terranea has not only survived but thrived—evolving into an icon of Southern California hospitality. Its spa, sparkling once more, has reclaimed its role as anchor and heart of the property.
As I sink deeper into the copper tub, the sea breeze drifting in from the balcony, I think about the journey: the bold gamble of 2009, the restorative philosophy of Anne Bramham, the dedication of a terrific new team that has carried the spa’s soul forward. The new interiors may shine brighter, the treatments may be more varied, the service culture sharper—but the essence remains the same.
Here, perched above the Pacific, Terranea continues to whisper what it always has—welcome home.
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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