Le Spa Now Open at Four Seasons Hotel George V: Paris' Premier Champagne Wellness Retreat

The spa that dreams are made of recently reopened in the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. Come here to sip, lather, and soak in champagne — and still call it wellness.

PARIS — I had dined at Le Cinq, home of three-Michelin-starred chef Christian Le Squer; indulged in teatime in the opulent salon; and stopped to admire the artful floral compositions by Jeff Leatham. But a treatment at Four Seasons Hotel George V Spa? This would be a first.

The new, 8,000 square-foot spa reopened in July following an extensive, two-year renovation. I could feel myself glowing the moment I walked in. The elegant reception area, like the spa itself, was designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon in light grey and silver tones, inspired by Greek, Roman, and Turkish mosaics, as well as modern art. The inviting and massive pool to my left overlooked the fitness room, both only available to hotel guests. The hair salon is open to all. The extensive menu of made-to-measure treatments used non-invasive, results-driven techniques created by masters of skincare. My greatest challenge would be choosing one.

I was intrigued by the Kobido massage, an ancestral tradition dating back to 1472 and the Imperial Court of Japan. Focusing on muscles of the face and practiced only by experts trained by creator Dr. Shogo Mochizuki, it sounded extremely rejuvenating.

Until I noticed the treatment involving champagne and caviar. And a chardonnay body scrub. Apparently, champagne bubbles have anti-oxidant qualities, as do chardonnay and green caviar. A lathering in champagne and caviar, followed by a macaron tasting? Could I love the French any more?

In the end, I opted for an organic face and body treatment that incorporated Tui Na, a therapeutic art of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and promised to release energy tensions and blockages. The champagne could wait.

The Aleana Breath of Life treatment, developed by Dr. Peres, began with a body massage using natural products and the right amount of pressure. I chose a soft jazzy soundtrack and sank into the heated massage bed. While my body redefined relaxation, my aesthetician worked her magic on my face, enveloping it in creams and unguents. With each stroke, all tensions slipped farther away. 

After my body and mind rejuvenation, I retreated to the women’s hammam, where my mind returned to the many benefits of champagne. I would buy a bottle on the way home, I promised myself, and put the theory to use.

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