Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas Opens SPA

The hotel is introducing celebrated NYC institution, Erbe (a true "Erboristeria" in the Italian tradition) exclusively to the West Coast for the first time. Erbe's owner and SPA consultant, Rome native Carmen Miraglia, studied herbology, the Italian tradition of using botanicals to soothe the skin, under Umbrian monks. Erbe (Italian for "herb") has customized ancient recipes from Italy's rich herbal tradition that dates back to the Renaissance when monasteries were the centers of herbal knowledge. "I feel SPA (at Sunset Marquis) is the final chapter to complete the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas' transformation into an elite full service luxury destination. I am excited to offer SPA guests exclusive Erbe products and treatments formulated on sacred ancient recipes and cultivated from proprietary farms in Basilicata, Calabria, Tuscany and Umbria. The rich terroir of these hallowed growing sites allows Erbe to cultivate base herbs of purity and concentration unrivalled by any other," said Rod Gruendyke, GM of Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas.

SPA (at Sunset Marquis) is owned by Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas, designed by Oliva Villaluz, the designer of all of the other aspects of the hotel’s recently completed expansion, and is built by Nadel architects. SPA is managed by Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas under the direction of GM Rod Gruendyke. 1,800 square feet encompasses 4 private treatment rooms, 2 manicure/pedicure stations as well as 2 generous 5 feet by 8 feet shower rooms with 1 additional regular size shower, all with rain showerheads. In addition, the Villa Pool will be an extension of SPA. Hotel guests and non-residents can enjoy treatments as well as the special SPA menu designed by Executive Chef Guillaume Burlion, (recipient of the highly coveted Michelin rating) at the private Villa poolside cabanas. Porsche, the luxury automotive company, is the designer of the plush leather spa furniture. Villaluz creatively used variations of aqua iridescent tiles to envelope the interior of SPA. She says, "Roman Emperor Nero said, 'sanitas per aquas,' which means ‘health through waters’ thus the acronym 'spa'. I designed full aqua-tiled walls in a dramatic river effect."

Erbe is recognized as the only brand reflecting the values of the authentic Italian beauty culture and has a deep comprehensive knowledge of the organic process and plant transformation, specializing in active principles of organic botanical blends. Erbe’s philosophy and its products have their origins in the work of 16th century Italian herbalists, physicians and herbalist monks from celebrated monasteries. www.erbespa.com