Hotel remodels completed with finishing touch of spas: prominent sites get facelifts that include relaxation facilities.

A number of Los Angeles' most prominent hotels have recently completed remodels, and in several cases a spa opening has provided the crowning touch.

The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, completed a $35 million renovation this fall. Restaurants the Blvd, Wolfgang Puck's CUT steakhouse and Sidebar have received lots of attention, but the hotel also opened a salon, spa and pool deck with cabanas. The hotel spa is replete with aromatherapy steam room, ice fountain and an "experience shower" with different flashing lights depending on the water pressure.

"The spa is designed so that guests will be completely relaxed before their treatment begins," said Katherine Petty of the Beverly Wilshire. The 8,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest hotel spas in the city.

The Beverly Hilton completed an $80 remodel in October. All of the rooms were modernized and restaurant Circa 55 restaurant and bar C55 replaced Merv's restaurant among other upgrades. Finally, the hotel opened a spa, christened Aqua Star, after the neighboring pool where film and swim star Esther Williams once made a splash.

Last week, Sofitel LA completed its $40 million renovation with the opening of its "Le Spa." The spa opening follows the debut of its restaurant, Simon LA, helmed by celebrity chef Kerry Simon. Inside the hotel, everything was redone from carpet to furnishings.

"We're the cherry on top of the renovation," said Spa Director Maureen Schumacher. The spa, Sofitel's first in North America, adjoins the hotel's gymnasium. Each of the state-of-the-art treatment rooms has iPod docks and numerous loops of music. A bonus for LeSpa, which has entrances on the street and through the hotel, is their cross-the-street proximity to the Beverly Center.

Other hotels have followed suit. Peninsula Beverly Hills opened a remodeled spa this month, having taken out two guest rooms to allow for an expansion. The Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard also added a spa as part of its $12 million remodel.

Staff reporter Emily Bryson York can be reached at [phone], ext. 235, or at [e-mail].