Time to relax!
Where to get a good massage in Mendocino
Guys, I got a massage. It. Was. Glorious. I had been dreaming of one for quite a while – each time I got up from too many hours on the computer or woke up with a tweak in my neck or just felt exhausted after a long day, I would sigh and think, “Oh, how wonderful it would be to melt into a massage right now.” Whenever one of our massage therapists arrived to give an in-room Swedish or Deep Tissue massage, I would gaze longingly at their table as it disappeared down the hall towards some other lucky soul about to indulge in an hour or so of blissful relaxation. Then at last, it was my turn.
A new therapist called to ask if she could join our team just the other day and offered to give a “practical interview.” “Ok, that sounds wise,” I said on the phone while inside I was doing an ecstatic happy dance and singing, “Woohoo!!! I get a massage!” The day of our “interview” arrived, and every minute leading up to it, I kept thinking, “What a wonderful day this is, for today I get a massage!”
The moment arrived with the therapist betimes, and after pleasant introductions and a brief discussion of business matters, we settled into one of the rooms downstairs. Mmm… She had soft music playing. The golden sunlight of late afternoon was filtering through the French doors of the room’s private deck. And as her strong hands kneaded away the tense knots hiding in my shoulders, neck, and back, the whole inn seemed at peace. By the end of the hour, I was totally relaxed, wishing the moment could go on forever – if I had been actually staying in the room, I would probably have either rolled right into the comfy bed for a nap or eased my way into a nice, hot, soak in the bathtub. As it was, I still had to finish up a couple of things for work, so I got dressed, said adieu to our newly confirmed therapist, and few floated through my final duties before heading home to bed. Oh, how marvelous I felt!
So often, we have guests ask us, “Where’s the best place to get a massage in Mendocino?” We of course, love the in-room massages here at the inn, both because our therapists are fantastic, and because you can just relax in your own private space afterward. Choose from Swedish, Deep Tissue, or Hot Stone; couples massage or solo indulgence.
If our therapists are all booked up or otherwise unavailable, there are several studios in town that we can recommend.
- Our top pick for off-site massages is Sweetwater Eco Spa, which has the additional advantage of beautiful old redwood hot tubs and a sauna that you can add to your experience.
- Mendocino Massage has a sweet little space on Albion Street and can often accommodate last minute bookings. They also offer facials.
- The Little River Inn, just about two miles south of us, offers more traditional spa services as well such as facials, skin scrubs, and paraffin treatments.
Words by Laura Hockett