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Here's a long-time classic Southern California resort that's reinvented itself as San Diego's coolest spa and sports getaway, with class and style.

Looking for a way to amuse the kids while indulging in a pampering spa treatment? Here’s a twist – why not let them indulge along with you? While we’ve seen a rise in spa programs designed for children and teens in the last year or two – offered at properties in a range of budgets – most confine themselves to manicures, pedicures, hair braiding and more gender-neutral face painting and temporary tattoos.

Hotel Del Coronado (800 HOTEL DEL) in San Diego takes the concept one step further offering the Teen Spa Sampler and other parent and child packages.  Both allow for a relaxing and enjoyable spa experience available for both young girls and boys and those tough-to-please teens above 13-years.

In the interests of science, during a recent stay with my two tweens – Chloe and Shane – we sampled the teen geared spa packages and participated in as many activities both on and near the property that we could cram into one weekend. That the 100-plus-year-old Hotel Del Coronado – known by its fiercely loyal fans as “The Del” – would design programs for tweens and teens should come as no surprise.

Keeping Tweens & Teens Happy

Although the property is known for drawing generations of repeat visitors, it is not one to rest on its laurels.

Teen and kids recreation programs are plentiful, ranging from surfing school and kayak clinics to black-light volleyball, bike tours and movie night. Teen fitness programs include Intro to Weight Training and Intro to Yoga (available on the beach) and there is even a teen lounge brimming with kid-friendly trappings.

But with all this, do kids really need – or care about – spa treatments? The answer, at least in our case, was – that depends. While previewing our itinerary, complete with surfing lessons and a trip to the San Diego Zoo, Chloe was more excited about the spa treatment than any other component of the trip. Shane, on the other hand, shuddered as he read the description of his mud wrap and only agreed to try it on the proviso that he could cry “Uncle” at any time during the treatment.

Pampered Teens are Happy Teens

Upon arrival and at the appointed hour, Chloe and I embarked on our Mother & Daughter spa experience – which comprised a 50-minute Swedish massage, a 30-minute manicure and 25-minute body scrub with enthusiasm. She loved the massage and nail treatments in particular, emerging with messy hair, day-glo nails and that dazed look that signify a successful spa experience. Best of all, the masseuse recognized the ritual quality of a girl’s first spa day and treated her accordingly.

Another exciting options for families is the Father & Sonpackage.  Starting outside of the spa, dad and son begin with a 90-minute surfing lesson in which wet suits and boards are included.  Then after a hitting the waves, the pair can come inside to unwind with a relaxing 50-minute Swedish massage.

Shane surprised himself by enjoying his Teen Sampler treatment – consisting of a 25-minute full body scrub, a 25-minute Swedish massage and a teen facial– although he reported to us later that his masseur abandoned an attempt to massage his feet “because it tickled, and I couldn’t stop laughing.” That the masseur was flexible enough to change his routine for his young client is a strong point in my book, since most spa experts agree that children tolerate tactile sensations – not to mention simply staying still – at different levels. Also including a manicure (although Shane passed on that one), the Sampler is offered to all teens aged 13 and older. 

I also liked that teen spa treatments are administered by same gender therapists (parents must be on the premises.) A third option that we didn’t try – the Teen Facial – offers a customized treatment which cleanses, detoxifies, hydrates and exfoliates teen skin. A facial massage and specially formulated mask helps teens reduce breakouts; guaranteed to leave skin with a healthy and natural glow. The 50-minute facial costs $125.

The treatments are not inexpensive at $250 each for the Mother & Daughter, $215 each for the Father & Son and $300 for the Teen Sampler package, but as a special treat, each made a lasting impression.