Ah, the Crillon… one of the most legendary hotels in Paris! After four years of renovation, the famous Parisian palace reopened under the American Rosewood banner in 2017. The centerpiece of this pharaonic project was the construction of a superb basement spa with swimming pool. Since October 2019, the spa has featured a wet area with sauna, hammam and sensory showers, and is now home to French luxury cosmetics house Sisley. It was high time for us to test the best hotel spa in France according to the “World Spa Awards”! Here’s the story from Pascal Languillon, our CEO and editor-in-chief.
A flagship of the French luxury hotel industry
Considered one of the most majestic establishments in the world, the Hôtel de Crillon is one of the few 5-star hotels to be awarded the “Palace” distinction. A living symbol of French art de vivre, it has been overlooking the Place de la Concorde for over three centuries, and welcomed its first guests in 1909. Today, the hotel boasts 124 rooms and suites, 4 dining areas and – the main attraction of my visit – a superb spa.
Although now owned by the Saudi royal family and under the American Rosewood banner, the Hôtel de Crillon embodies the very image of French luxury. Its refined, cosmopolitan clientele, which includes celebrities and heads of state, is still attracted by its reputation for excellence and its unique history. Timeless!
Rooms are at least 32 square meters, and suites are huge. Made-to-measure furniture, exquisite decorative details, noble materials – luxury is everywhere…
An exceptional hotel, an exceptional spa!
At the heart of the Hôtel de Crillon is an exceptional spa, designed by interior architects Tristan Auer and Chahan Minassian. Brilliantly directed by Marlène Belvalette, whom we interviewed here, it features a fitness room, three treatment rooms, three beauty areas including one dedicated to men’s beauty (barbers), a hairdressing salon by David Lucas, a swimming pool and a pleasant new wellness area with hammam, infrared sauna and detoxifying salt wall.
French cosmetics in the spotlight
The spa is called “Sense, A Rosewood Spa” to echo the Rosewood hotel brand’s other spas around the world. Despite the Anglo-Saxon name,French expertise is present at all levels. The Hôtel de Crillon has chosen the prestigious French house Sisley to offer its guests a moment of relaxation and regeneration, with a complete menu of facial and body treatments, culminating in an exclusive treatment: Sisley Signature Care. They also chose the Maison Caulières for body care, specializing in natural plant oils, andEvidenS de Beauté, a Franco-Japanese luxury cosmetics brand for the face.
EviDenS de Beauté is an elegant anti-aging skincare brand, whose effectiveness has been proven by Japanese research institutes. It uses ultra-sophisticated formulas, with astonishing textures and effects (a crackling gel, for example), for visible, long-lasting beauty results. A very exclusive brand that’s not widely available, and yet a real favorite for me!
Absolute luxury
The women’s changing rooms boast an exclusive, oversized rain shower, but the men can’t complain either, with beautiful marble changing rooms… From the reception to the treatment rooms, the décor is refined, offering a feeling of chic relaxation that is ultimately very Parisian .
The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the absolute luxury of the splendid 14 meter swimming pool , with a floor covered in 17,600 golden scales, in a room wonderfully decorated in shades of blue and green… The only one of its kind in the world, and so “Instagrammable”, I must admit!
After enjoying the gentle warmth of the infrared sauna and a delightful dip in the unreal color of the pool, it was time for me to discover the treatment in store for me: an innovative facial using Jet-Peel technology.
An innovative facial treatment: the Jet-Peel
Spa director Marlène Belvalette warned me: this isn’t the most pleasant treatment on the menu, but it’s certainly the one that produces the most stunning effect. Above all, it’s a true exclusivity in Parisian luxury spas, and a best-seller that attracts many men and women in search of results. What exactly are we talking about?
Jet-Peel Esthetic is a 100% natural repair and anti-aging treatment that allows hyaluronic acid to penetrate the skin without the use of needles or injections. A feat invented by French company Cesam Esthetic for non-invasive aesthetic treatment.
I take a seat on the heated massage table, as my therapist, Coraline, warns me that the treatment will be very cold on my face. A small device propels a mixture of air and saline solution at supersonic speed in the form of a jet of microscopic droplets, without any contact with the skin.
First, this supersonic jet will exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin, combined with drainage… Then, in a second step, high-speed projection allows the active ingredient to penetrate several millimeters into the skin. First, glycolic acid to tighten pores and give a smoother complexion, followed by an application of hyaluronic acid for its anti-aging properties. The treatment lasts 45 minutes and costs 200 euros.
The result? Surprising indeed! My skin was considerably hydrated and smoothed, giving me a beautiful complexion, which is much appreciated in the middle of winter. The benefits of this treatment were felt for several days. For a longer-term effect, the procedure should ideally be repeated once a month. Parisians, savor your chance to have this treatment available in the capital!
*****
Watch our interview with Marlène Belvalette, spa manager, and our video below showing the pool and wet area.
Our feeling
The Hôtel de Crillon is a legendary hotel. Although the spa isn’t huge, it stands out for its elegance and absolute refinement, culminating in the most beautiful swimming pool in Paris. Go ahead with your eyes closed! But open them wide once you’re inside to soak up all the beauty..
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Tested and approved in January 2020.
