New spa owners in San Diego Country Estates focus on wellness
By Karen Brainard
The new owners of the spa in San Diego Country Estates say they redecorated with a focus on wellness, and they emphasize that they are easy to locate.
Jennifer Lannon and PJ Terry purchased the former Spa Riviera and have renamed it Riviera Wellness Spa.
The spa is adjacent to the Good Life Timeshare Resort offices off Pappas Road. To get there from San Vicente Road, visitors should turn left on Ramona Oaks Road, then right on Avenel, left on Pappas, and take the first driveway on the right where a big rock serves as signage for The Good Life and the Riviera Oaks Racquet Club. The spa is at the far end of the clubhouse.
“It’s not hard to get to. “We have a new sign with an arrow pointing to the door,” said Lannon.
Both owners previously worked at the spa and at AmBience Day Spa at Barona Casino, where Lannon was the lead massage therapist and Terry was the lead esthetician.
With their new venture, Terry said they wanted to bring in the wellness aspect, the “beauty from within.”
“We’re really going for more integrative medicine,” explained Terry. “Eat well, exercise, put time into yourselves.”
With that thought in mind, they redecorated by de-cluttering, painting, and adding new furniture and artwork. Soothing instrumental massage music helps set the tone.
“Now our theme is more nature-based. It’s much more open and inviting, simple and clean,” noted Lannon. “We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from our clients.”
“People say ‘wow it looks so different, it’s so calm,’” said Terry.
“The energy feels better,” added her partner.
They have four treatment rooms—all that can accommodate massages—with two offering showers for clients to use after a body polish or mud wrap.
Massages include relaxing, deep tissue, pre-natal, reflexology, and traditional Thai. The river rock massage and the Three Sisters Facial—named for Three Sisters Falls—pay homage to the nearby natural surroundings, Terry pointed out.
She also noted that all facials incorporate Rhonda Allison cosmetceutical grade products and the Clarisonic face brush. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and men’s facials are also offered, as are pedicures and manicures.
Future plans include bringing in an acupuncturist and offering nutritional counseling. Lannon has a bachelor’s degree in holistic nutrition.
The spa also has a retail line of lotions and candles, reusable sandwich bags, and other products.
While Riviera Wellness Spa draws many customers from the Good Life, Riviera Oaks timeshare, and San Vicente Lodge, the new owners are hoping to attract more Ramonans.
Because many residents have said they weren’t aware of the spa, Terry said she is being more proactive with marketing.
Riviera Wellness Spa is at 25385 Pappas Road. For more information, call 760-788-3738 or visit rivierawellnessspa.com.