Why you should think about joining a spa.

You may have a gym membership, but have you ever thought about becoming the member of a spa? In fact, many women (and men) are ditching their gyms and opting to join a spa where they can luxuriate and rejuvenate any time.

    Imagine: instead of walking into a noisy and sweat-smelling gym, you are immediately relaxed with the serene feelings and aromatherapy scents of your membership spa. It's not hard to imagine loving a soothing place where tight Lycra pants and sneakers are replaced by cozy fleece robes and sandals.

    Some trend-setting spas do feature fitness equipment and even a full-fledged gym. However, the list of these gym-spa combos is relatively small. Some resorts are also starting to offer memberships, combining gym and spa facilities as well as the resort's other recreational amenities such as pools, golf and beach access.

    Perhaps this spa hybrid is the “gym” of the future. This would be a place where you can workout or take a yoga or dance class, and then spend time in the adjacent spa for some much-needed sacred solitude, as well as doing your hair and makeup.

    In Orange County, there are a handful of good spa membership choices out there. Here's what we found:
 
Spa & Fitness Club: South Coast Plaza's Spa & Fitness Club truly combines fitness and visiting a spa with state-of-the-art gym equipment in an upscale spa environment. Located next to The Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, this upscale gym and spa offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a serene relaxation lounge, Zen-like treatment rooms and elegantly decorated locker rooms with all the upscale amenities of a five-star resort. The shower rooms are quite unique as each has its own scented products such as lavender and papaya mango. Also offered are complimentary valet parking and fitness trainers. Monthly membership fees start at $131 per month with a $400 registration fee. Visit thespaandfitnessclub.com.
 
Burke Williams: With Orange County locations in Orange and Mission Viejo, Burke Williams has the sensuous environment of the Italian countryside along with tons of amenities such as upscale hair products, several quiet lounge rooms and a hot whirlpool. This spa also offers extensive massage, facial and body treatments, including chiropractic. The annual membership fee ($600 for 1 spa and $750 for all 9 California locations) includes unlimited use of the spa except before 5 p.m. on Saturdays only. Members receive 20% off all services and products. Visit burkewilliamsspa.com.
 
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Spa: The Spa at Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point combines fitness and a generous resort spa environment. This spacious spa overlooking picturesque Dana Point Harbor is decorated in soothing whites and light woods, along with a healing punch of Mediterranean oranges and yellows. Memberships start at $95 per month ($180 initiation fee) for such amenities as unlimited fitness center and spa usage, free self-parking and use of the outdoor pool and tennis courts. Members receive 15% off all spa services and products. Visit lagunacliffsspa.com.
 
Balboa Bay Club: Newport Harbor's Balboa Bay Club has one of Orange County's most elegant and exclusive spas, along with a gym and outdoor pool. This handsome spa, which is located right on scenic Newport Harbor, features an interior decorated in cheery nautical colors of white, blue and yellow with classic French accents. To be allowed unlimited spa and fitness center privileges, you have to first become a full-fledged member of the resort. After having your application approved, there's an annual membership fee ranging from $9,000-$20,000 and a $250 monthly fee. Visit balboabayclub.com.
 
Spa Gaucin at St. Regis Monarch Beach: The 5-star, 5-diamond St. Regis Resort in exclusive Monarch Beach also offers gym and fitness center privileges along with a complete resort membership. The resort's world-class Spa Gaucin is a by-the-sea paradise done in light woods and shades of healing turquoise. For ultimate relaxation, Spa Gaucin has a soothing relaxation lounge, amenities-laden locker rooms with a Jacuzzi, a large outdoor lap pool, its own café and a yoga/dance studio. Resort memberships start at $4,800 annually with a $5,000 refundable initiation fee. Visit stregismb.com.
 
Glen Ivy: You don't need a membership to enjoy Glen Ivy every day of the year. Founded in the 1960s as an outdoor mineral hot springs, Glen Ivy's spa in Corona makes for a perfect day trip from Orange County. The newly renovated hot springs is truly a magical place for spa aficionados, with palm and oak trees, picturesque pools, massage treatments galore, saunas, mud baths and truly fresh and flavorful spa cuisine at its Café Solé restaurant. The Grotto, Glen Ivy's newest treatment, takes you down into a cave-like area for a “group spa experience.” First, you are literally painted with rich, green body moisturizer. Then, you sit in a warm, cavern-like space where you are misted from above with aloe vera and sea kelp-scented natural mineral water. After you feel calm and moisturized, you step into an underground shower room to rinse off from head to toe. (There's an extra fee for The Grotto.) Remember to plan a whole day for a visit to this mineral hot springs spa experience at Glen Ivy's Mediterranean-style desert oasis, and have a healthy breakfast or lunch at the resort's refreshing cafe. Glen Ivy also has 4 day spas in California, including its upscale and highly serene spa at the Brea Mall. Visit glenivy.com.

    Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer from Costa Mesa and a regular contributor.

Willow Stream Spa offers discounts

The new Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Newport Beach offers a free Friends of Fairmont “membership” card for Orange County residents. After filling out a form that includes your email address, the card provides a 15% discount off spa services Mondays through Thursdays.

This modern and well-decorated spa features large tiled showers in its treatment rooms, a private bathing room and even a delicious bento box lunch served up in a posh poolside cabana. For details, visit fairmont.com/newportbeach.