Coachella Valley, California, is known for its famous music festival, but another drawcard has put the area on the map, The Spa at Séc-he.

I visited the spa, a brand new 73,000 square foot masterpeice owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians during a heatwave. The warnings by the media of extreme weather conditions (scorching 48 degree Celsius / 118 Fahrenheit) did not put me off, nor the line of tastemakers booked in for treatments on the day, many booking months in advance. This was the hottest destination to be on the hottest day (possibly on record) in Palm Springs. The cool air-conditioned facility with convenient parking and accessible location made it a breeze.

After being shown the facilities by the gracious staff, I experienced the eucalyptus steam room and aromatherapy shower. Once adorning my robe and slippers, I headed across to the grounded tranquility room, which housed zero-gravity conductive chairs. I immersed myself in a 20 minute guided meditation, where my body went into a state of bliss as I was covered by a blanket and vibrations danced across my body. Acoustic Wellness vibrational loungers and acoustic zero-gravity vibration chairs for binaural therapy were also housed in the area.

Next up, was Taking of the Waters, where I was led to one of the twenty-two private mineral baths. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has been steward of the spring for generations and has shared these healing waters for more than 130 years and I bathed in the 105 degree Fahrenheit ancient water for fifteen minutes.

Once my body and mind were in a state of calm and bliss, I was led to a waiting area where I was served prickly pear tea, before heading into my Relaxing Desert Rain Massage, where pressure from hands alongside heated stones of fluorite and magnesite are used on the body to relax the body. I have a massage every week and have done so for almost a decade. My practitioner, Jesus, gave me the best massage of my life.

After the massage, I headed to one of the two Halotherapy Salt Caves in the spa. The caves help support lungs and respiratory system and I felt a sigh of relief as I inhaled after a few days spent in the desert heat.

“The opening of The Spa at Séc-he is a milestone our Tribe will not soon forget, and will pass down through the generations,” said Chairman Reid D. Milanovich of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. “We are honored to share some of our most precious rituals with the world. While an emphasis on healing helped our Tribe thrive throughout the years, so has the connection to the body, mind and spirit – all things you will be enveloped in at The Spa at Séc-he.”

Unfortunately my schedule did not permit for more than a few hours at the spa. It is highly recommended to stay for at least a half day or full day to experience all the escape has on offer. I was eager to try additional services (both complimentary and paid), including dry skin brushing for lymphatic drainage, inhalation menthol dry saunas, outdoor pools, float tanks, cryotherapy and Naturopathic medicine including IV Nutrient Therapies administered by Doctors. The venue also offers two dining options for those wishing to enhance their wellness.

About:
The Spa at Séc-he is part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza , which also includes the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a soon to open 48,000-square-foot museum showcasing Tribal history, traditions, artifacts, and modern life. The plaza broke ground in 2018 in the heart of downtown Palm Springs at the site of the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring, a feature unique to this destination. The water from the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring carbon dates to more than 12,000 years old and contains a mineral make-up that has not been found anywhere else in the world.

Location:
The Spa at Séc-he
200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California, United States 92262

by Amanda Johnstone
Amanda was a guest of the The Spa at Séc-he and Visit Greater Palm Springs.