The Best Spas in Paris by Matt Morley
Featured Hotel in Paris
Hotel le Bristol
See all hotels in Paris >
Mention the word “Paris” and, for many of us, thoughts of indulgence, romance and joie de vivre are never far away. The everyday reality for locals may be somewhat different, but such positive associations are what keep Paris firmly at the top of the “world’s favourite city” lists. After a recent bout of new arrivals, the city is now vying for the title of Europe’s spa capital, too. Here’s our run-down of the crème de la crème...
Dior Institut: Hotel Plaza Athenée
Entering via an all-white corridor lined with mirrors, a water feature and gentle touches of purple lighting, guests of the Dior Institut are offered a warm herbal tea and escorted to the changing rooms for a shower and sauna before commencing their treatment.
The aura of subdued calm that pervades the entrance area continues through to the spacious treatment rooms where pre-warmed massage beds, extra thick blankets and fine cotton sheets await. A guest therefore feels immediately enveloped by sensual materials, as if lying in a silk cocoon.
A team of masterfully trained masseuses are on hand to ensure the next 90-minutes are as close to the sublime as possible. Using Dior beauty creams, arguably some of the most indulgent on the market, most treatments here begin with a back massage to realign the body’s posture, increase energy levels and brighten the complexion.
Spa Valmont: Hotel le Meurice
Valmont is a Swiss cosmetics brand with a strong focus on genetic research and cellular technology. Their products and treatments are based on solid foundations of scientific knowledge aimed at reducing the dehydration of our skin and the visible signs of ageing. The result is rebalanced, radiant skin that is better equipped to do battle with the negative effects of time.
While the 50-minute Discovery Treatment is a quick yet effective introduction to the Valmont facial product range, it’s worth considering one of the full 90-minute Glaciers Moisturising or Glaciers Regenerating treatments, both of which deploy collagen masks to help make wrinkles disappear and leave the skin feeling ten years younger.
A 60-minute Vitality treatment is designed specifically for men, aimed at exfoliating dead cells on the skin’s surface via use of a collagen mask. The products used in this particular facial are deliberately soothing to mitigate the possibility of rashes or negative reactions from sensitive skin.
Spa Anne Semonin: Hotel le Bristol
It’s all change at Hotel le Bristol. Not only have they bought the adjacent building, with plans to add a plethora of new rooms and suites, but the spa can now be accessed directly from the hotel and has also been enlarged with three additional treatment rooms including a double room (with two massage beds) and a makeup booth run by Canadian cosmetics guru Lise Watier.
Natural stone floors, whitewood furniture, cashmere cushions and silver accessories all help create a feeling of refined luxury throughout the spa.
All treatments start with an initial diagnosis for each client based around their lifestyle, skin type and the beauty products they normally use. Then, the therapists develop a treatment adapted to the client’s specific needs by diligently mixing the most suitable essential oils with various treatment products. Finally, to finish the treatment, clients are offered Mariage Frères tea, accompanied by the hotel’s homemade mini-macaroons.
U Spa, Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere
The Jacques Garcia-designed Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere may not have the history of the traditional Parisian ‘palace’ hotels but nor did it have the same build constrictions when it came to designing its spa. Consequently, the U Spa houses one of the few hotel swimming pools in the city centre, and one of the largest too at 16m in length.
Far more than just somewhere for a few lengths of backstroke, the pool functions as the centrepiece for the entire 750 sq m spa area. Look out for hidden jacuzzis, submerged recliners and both hot and cold water jets, as well as a resort-like chill-out area next to the pool with loungers, lifestyle magazines and herbal tea, perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons.
Seven treatment rooms offering a range of facials, massages and scrubs, as well as a sauna and hammam, have all been given a contemporary design using generous amounts of teak decking, maroon coloured walls and aluminium finishes.
Planning a spa break in the French capital? See our full selection of spa hotels in Paris. Or browse our entire collection of luxury hotels in Paris.