Eco Chateau Wellness Spa, a long-standing wellness retreat with locations in San Diego’s Mission Valley and Chula Vista, closed both of its doors without warning on Sunday, May 18, 2025 - leaving shocked customers scrambling for answers and refunds.
The spa, known for its blend of modern wellness therapies and ancient spa rituals, had built a loyal clientele over its eight years in business. It offered services ranging from colon hydrotherapy and private infrared sauna sessions to facials, detox treatments, and massage therapies. The business branded itself as a French chateau-inspired sanctuary for healing and rejuvenation, promoting a message of holistic wellness and elegance.
The sudden closure, announced only hours before both locations ceased operations, has triggered a wave of confusion and frustration, especially among clients who had prepaid for packages, gift cards, or services they never had the chance to use. Many have reached out to the company to find out what they should do to obtain refunds.
A social media post from Eco Chateau issued late Sunday afternoon cited the "current economic climate" as the reason for the shutdown, but offered no mention of next steps for impacted customers or information on refunds. The abrupt nature of the announcement - issued by email at approximately 6:03pm the same evening the doors closed - left many feeling blindsided. Some patrons reported purchasing new packages or gift cards just days before the closure. The company even promoted sales on services in the days leading up to their final day in business. The spa, known for its blend of modern wellness therapies and ancient spa rituals, had built a loyal clientele over its eight years in business. It offered services ranging from colon hydrotherapy and private infrared sauna sessions to facials, detox treatments, and massage therapies. The business branded itself as a French chateau-inspired sanctuary for healing and rejuvenation, promoting a message of holistic wellness and elegance.
The sudden closure, announced only hours before both locations ceased operations, has triggered a wave of confusion and frustration, especially among clients who had prepaid for packages, gift cards, or services they never had the chance to use. Many have reached out to the company to find out what they should do to obtain refunds.
"I have no idea what’s going on," one customer told SanDiegoVille. "We got the email after the spa had already closed for good. I replied immediately and called the Chula Vista location, but it just went to voicemail. We’re shocked—especially because they sent a promotional email on Thursday advertising another sale."
Dozens of frustrated customers have taken to Eco Chateau’s Facebook and Instagram pages asking for clarification, many demanding refunds for services never rendered. "I have several unused prepaid services," one commenter wrote. "Will we be getting refunds?" Others expressed disappointment over the lack of notice, with one patron writing, "I literally just booked an appointment—why was I allowed to do that if you were shutting down?" The company eventually shut down the ability to comment on both its Facebook & Instagram accounts.
Eco Chateau was originally founded in 2012 and changed ownership in late 2017, when Christine McDannell sold the spa to Steve Wright and his partner Anna. The new owners relocated from Fort Lauderdale and emphasized personalized service and operational excellence, with Wright reportedly working full-time on-site. Their second location in Sorrento Valley quietly closed in 2023.
The business’s silence since its final social post has only fueled concerns, particularly given the volume of outstanding service credits reported by patrons. Some clients have suggested pursuing chargebacks through their credit card companies, while others are exploring potential legal options or waiting to see if the business files for bankruptcy, which could open the door to formal claims.
As of this publication, no additional communication has been issued by Eco Chateau's owners. Customers with unused credits or packages are encouraged to document their purchases and monitor official channels for any updates.
SanDiegoVille will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Originally published on May 20, 2025.
Eco Chateau was originally founded in 2012 and changed ownership in late 2017, when Christine McDannell sold the spa to Steve Wright and his partner Anna. The new owners relocated from Fort Lauderdale and emphasized personalized service and operational excellence, with Wright reportedly working full-time on-site. Their second location in Sorrento Valley quietly closed in 2023.
The business’s silence since its final social post has only fueled concerns, particularly given the volume of outstanding service credits reported by patrons. Some clients have suggested pursuing chargebacks through their credit card companies, while others are exploring potential legal options or waiting to see if the business files for bankruptcy, which could open the door to formal claims.
As of this publication, no additional communication has been issued by Eco Chateau's owners. Customers with unused credits or packages are encouraged to document their purchases and monitor official channels for any updates.
SanDiegoVille will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Originally published on May 20, 2025.