I was in Paris for a week in the winter and if you, like me, have ever visited the ‘city of love’ you would know just how magical it is during the festive season. The city is bustling with activity, christmas markets, end of season sales and people spend their evenings at cafes with their loved ones. The cold doesn’t seem to dampen the spirits and Parisians take their health very seriously so you will still see people running and doing yoga in the early AM even on a winter day. The wellness industry in Paris has doubled in the last couple of years because its residents have started to invest more heavily in spa and gym memberships, yoga classes and meditation centres, among other things.
I took the train and reached the city. I grabbed a latte and walked towards the Mandarin Oriental on Rue Saint Honore. The hotel was beautifully decorated for the holidays and I couldn’t wait to see what the day had in store for me. Models, actors, influencers and businessmen spend a large chunk of their time utilising the facilities at the spa. Instagram and the wellness blogosphere have thousands of photos and videos of people waxing eloquently about the spa so I knew I had to give it a shot.
The spa, is one of the largest spas in all of Paris measuring about 900 square metres. You feel a lot more relaxed from the moment you walk in with the ambient music, lighting and the way that the staff greet you. The team at the spa recommend that you change into your robe and fluffy slippers and get comfortable before you wait for your appointment. I suggest that you come in 15- 30 minutes earlier to settle in, grab a herbal tea, take a look around at their merchandise and spend a few moments in the steam or sauna.It’s really important to be able to allow yourself some time to wind down before and after a spa treatment so that you can reap all the benefits from the body work.
My treatment was a 80 minute ‘Oriental Essence’ massage and the treatment room that I was allotted was absolutely beautiful. The room was warm, the music wasn’t too loud or too distracting and the therapist made sure that I was briefed about the treatment before the ritual began. A perfect marriage of Eastern and Western; this bespoke Mandarin Oriental ritual is perfect for those of you feeling angsty, irritable, tired and all kinds of sore. The ritual is perfect for frequent fliers, business travellers, Type A personalities and anyone that needs a little TLC. The treatment incorporates the use of their Signature Quintessence oil blended with warming ginger, uplifting mandarin and sacred frankincense which promotes rest, relaxation and improves circulation. I spend a large part of my day cowered over my laptop or my phone answering calls, writing stories and responding to emails. As a result of this, I have a extremely tight and sore upper body. I was so happy to learn that the massage targeted shoulders, neck, back and stiffness in the limbs.
The therapist listened to me talk about my problem areas and my concerns and started to work away to alleviate some of that soreness. Some areas hurt me more than others but for the most part this deep pressure massage really helped me de-stress and decompress. I fell asleep a few minutes into the treatment and woke up feeling well rested. The only downside- because I was lying face down I had these impressions on my face from the towels on the bed. (You will see what I mean in my photographs).
The treatment finished with a hot towel wrapped around my head and an invigorating scalp massage to promote relaxation and improve hair growth and circulation. I also requested the therapist to give me a gentle facial massage with a little bit of oil because my skin around my face tends to get very dry in the winter. (Please do a patch test before using essential oils if you are prone to allergies or think you might be allergic to something. Discontinue the use of the oil if you experience redness, blotchiness or itching that makes you uncomfortable).
I drank some herbal tea and helped myself to some fresh berries before jumping into the sauna for a few minutes. I walked out, picked up a couple of cosmetics and helped myself to some high tea. I took some photographs at the lobby and everyone asked me what I had done because they said my face was radiant and glowing.
Stress, as we all know too well, causes inflammation which in turn causes chronic diseases. It is important to carve out some time every couple of weeks to opt for a massage or a ritual like this to allow yourself to become more mindful of the moment, in tune with yourself and watch your stress melt away. Studies show that a massage every now and then boosts circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage, ameliorates pain and fights stress to the curb. The result- you return home feeling invigorated and rejuvenated. I can’t wait to be back in #paris again so that I can spend more time at the spa.
Verdict: The spa is one of my favourite wellness spots in all of Paris. I highly recommend that you take a day off to explore this sanctuary while you are at the hotel and pick the ‘Oriental Essence’ treatment. Don’t forget to check out the cosmetics, brow bar, apparel after the treatment and treat yourself to a high tea post the ritual. A little pampering never hurt anyone and you must realise that you come first.
Disclaimer:I received the Oriental Essence Massage as part of this review. All views expressed here are my own. For more info, visit the Mandarin Oriental Hotel website, and follow them on twitter, instagram and Facebook.
About the spa:
A sanctuary of soothing, revitalising experiences, this haven of tranquillity extends over two floors
and includes seven Spa Suites of which three are double suites for 2 people. Decorated in shades
of amaranth, taupe and silver, the intimate comfort of the Spa Suites allows guests to completely
relax and enjoy the unique experience of Mandarin Oriental’s award-winning, holistic spa
treatments.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Paris also encompasses beauty and will feature an exclusive
collection of exceptional facial therapies by Guerlain. Since 1828, Guerlain has brought
excellence and effectiveness to the art of skin treatment. Each therapy is a sensorial delight that
captures performance and refinement in carefully formulated, delicately fragranced textures. The spa is managed by Anna Pierzak.
Photo Credits- Mandarin Oriental Paris
Quick Notes:
Mandarin Oriental
251 rue Saint-Honoré
Paris, 75001
France
+33 (0)1 70 98 78 88
Website- http://www.mandarinoriental.com/paris
https://www.instagram.com/mo_paris/?hl=en
Email- mopar-spa@mohg.com
9am – 9pm (Daily)
Oriental Essence-Price on request
you look beautiful