Summer is my favorite season. It’s when I’m happiest, feel my greatest, and the only time of year that makes the thrill of a fast-paced life worth it. Maybe it’s because I’m from Los Angeles and my happiness depends on warm weather, but the transition from spring to summer really does something to me, and this year, I needed a mental reset more than ever. So, after one night of doom scrolling on TikTok, I decided to book three nights at Terra in Palm Springs—a 13-room boutique hotel rooted in holistic wellness at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.
But this trip was different from previous vacations: I decided to go solo. It was the first time I’d ever spent three full days completely alone outside of Los Angeles. (I did meet a few lovely people staying at Terra who, like me, were doing their own thing. It almost felt deliberate, as if we were all in quiet agreement to live life on our own terms that weekend.)
Before my getaway, life around me felt uncertain—protests, politics, work-life balance, the list goes on—so I was craving a weekend in the desert for the full factory reset. Growing up in LA, I’ve always been spoiled with easy escapes—Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, even the Bay Area when I’m feeling ambitious—but there’s something about driving down the I-10, music blaring, weaving through the desert windmills that power the Coachella Valley that instantly soothes the mind. I packed light: skincare routine, a Speedo, flip-flops, a couple of tops, some shorts, underwear. Truth be told, even that was overpacking—I wore the same Speedo every day and only changed to go to bed. My trusty Away carry-on held everything.
I had one goal in mind: to bask in the sun, put my phone on Do Not Disturb, and simply be. Thanks to Terra’s welcoming staff and thoughtful amenities, like the Himalayan salt sauna, rain room, massage room, I did exactly that.
Setting Clear Intentions
Wally Montes De Oca
The 106-degree heat welcomed me the second I stepped out of my car. Upon entering Terra, I was greeted by the front desk—a clever three-in-one setup that doubles as guest services, bar, and mini-market. (It took me a second to realize that was the check-in desk, until someone noticed me looking around and cheerfully called out, “Yes, that’s it — check in there!”). Terra’s General Manager Blake greeted me warmly and remembered our earlier call.
The 13-room villa felt immediately calm. Cozy without being cramped, friendly without being intrusive—this was home for the weekend and I was ready to get going on my mission.
To my left, a row of bikes stood ready for guests to ride to and from downtown. And straight ahead, at the center of it all, was the a serene pool and jacuzzi, surrounded by the villas and framed by the breathtaking backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains.
My room wasn’t ready yet, so I checked my bags, grabbed a towel, and sank into a lounge chair by the pool. The faint smell of sunscreen hung in the air as light misters cooled my skin. Within fifteen minutes, I was indistinguishable from the other guests: serene, silent, under Terra’s spell.
Every morning, I’d swing by to raid their complimentary spread of Chobani yogurt, fruit, and coffee. Though I ordered in most nights, one afternoon I indulged in a Caesar salad by the pool from Workshop Kitchen & Bar, a James Beard Award winning restaurant and an official Terra partner.
Less than an hour later after check in, Blake let me know my room was ready and reassured me there was no rush as he noticed how quickly I settled in.
The Cold Plunge Room
Pablo Enriquez
I booked Terra’s signature Cold Plunge Room—yes, to stay in—which became my own little wellness retreat and restful haven within Terra. I walked in, and the first thing I noticed was a handwritten note welcoming me to Terra and assuring me I was in the best hands. The room came with my very own cold plunge on a lush private patio, a Sealy king bed wrapped in Parachute Home linens, a bathroom lined with rustic burnt-orange tiles, and Le Labo Santal 33 products that scented the air all weekend. Every room also features a fully stocked Wellness Mini Bar, filled with curated drinks, healthy snacks, and beauty products (all at an extra charge).With muted hues, double curtains for blackout, and faint white noise from the Loftie clock, everything about the space whispered “do not disturb.”On a chair, with an instructional note card from the Terra staff, was a HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Pro Mat, a recovery tool combining Infrared Therapy and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field to boost energy, recovery, and deep relaxation. Next to it was the $350 HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask.The room also came with Vuori workout equipment, which I actually used each morning.
The Treatments
Pablo Enriquez
Day one was for unwinding; day two was restoration. I booked two of Terra’s Ayurvedic-inspired spa treatments—Reiki and the Abhyanga Herbal Oil Massage. Both are listed as their “Foundational Treatments” rooted in India’s 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic healing tradition, using warm oils, medicinal herbs, and intentional touch to bring the body and mind back into harmony.
I decided to book the treatments back-to-back, considering each was 60 minutes long and I usually book 120-minute massages back home. I started with Reiki. “For those seeking relief from anxiety, emotional burden, or energetic imbalance,” as stated in Terra’s spa brochure. I was curious (and a little skeptical) to try it for the first time.
The therapist instructed me to lie face-down as she placed her hands gently on key points of my body, guiding me through deep breaths as she worked her way from my back upward. At times, it felt like I was floating—her touch so light it was almost imperceptible—and the only moment I came back to reality was when I had to flip over. At a certain point, it was as if time dissolved completely, and with every deep breath came another wave of healing energy. When it was over, I felt lighter, almost like my nervous system had been quietly recalibrated.
After a quick break, I transitioned into the Abhyanga Herbal Oil Massage. My therapist began by assessing my body through soft-to-firm touches and asking where my trouble areas were. As someone who’s chronically on a laptop, it goes without saying: my upper back needed some serious TLC.
There were no deep-tissue strokes here—instead, I asked my therapist to find my trouble spots and address them with firm yet soothing pressure. This time around, my shoulders and upper back demanded the most attention. And addressed it she did, with warm oils and fluid strokes. (Side note: the massage room was fully stocked with products from Surya,a line of Ayurvedic wellness, skincare, and Panchakarma treatments developed by internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic expert Martha Soffer.)
By day three, my body and mind felt more aligned, which meant it was time to face the cold plunge. Let’s be real for a second: I’ll try anything once. But something had always held me back from an ice plunge, probably because it reminded me so much of the Vine-era ice bucket challenge.
But the days of Vine and social media challenge tags are long gone, and this time I decided to make the cold plunge about facing my own fear. I woke up early on day three to set the scene: speedo on, tripod set up (because of course), a few push-ups to psych myself up, hit record… and climbed in.
Not more than ten seconds later, I scrambled out, gasping, feeling like I’d been trapped in a freezer for hours. It was unbearable. For the milliseconds between getting out and the endorphins kicking in, I actually thought: what was that for? But the rush afterward—the warmth returning to my body—was addictive. So I did it again. And then a third time.
Final Thoughts
Pablo Enriquez
It was more than just a trip to the desert and crossing things off my bucket list; what I really needed was time to myself, and Terra helped me indulge in the kind of healing that feels both indulgent and essential. It wasa reprieve from the constant buzz of work, news, and notifications. Before this trip, the idea of spending three days alone sounded daunting. But that time away gave me a few meaningful firsts: solo travel, Reiki, and a cold plunge. Small, maybe, but fulfilling. Terra set the stage for all of it, and more.
A few years ago, if you’d asked me whether I could see myself packing up and spending three days alone as a form of mental health, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve always loved being around my friends, but even the most creative people allow themselves to sit in solitude. I like to think I’m one of those people now—andI’m already thinking about my next solo escape.
