Tucked away in the Malibu Colony Plaza, this small Aveda concept spa offers ayurvedic services.

It's more than that recognizable smell of Aveda products that brings people back through the door here. Every nook and cranny is utilized and designed to represent the five elements in ayurvedic philosophy: infinity, air, fire, water, earth. When you walk into to the dimly lit "relaxation room" from the retail area (a sea of Aveda products for men and women), someone might be getting a foot bath in the corner by one aesthetician while a masseuse picks out oils for her next client. Candles flicker everywhere, silk fabrics hang from the ceiling and walls and a calming Zen soundtrack plays in the background. The day fades away by the time you've downed your first glass of lemon-cucumber water. One caveat: Changing rooms don't comfortably hold more than one person at a time, and the men's room doubles as the spa's restroom. But with only three treatment rooms, the likelihood that you'll bump into anyone else is slim.

Tola uses ayurvedic "science of life" principles, so every treatment is customized to how you are feeling that day. After filling out the "elemental nature" questionnaire, which determines everything from your skin type to which of the five elements your thought process leans toward, an aesthetician presents several scents for you to choose from. Those oils feature prominently in the custom-made products for facials, body wraps, massages and even mani/pedis. One of the best massages is the hydrotherm, which keeps you on your back (no suffocating face cradles!) on warm, water-filled water cushions while the masseuse kneads you. It feels as if four people are working at one time. After a treatment, go next door for a frozen yogurt and then walk down to the beach.—Lesley Balla