My Valentine’s gift this year… a visit to Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, the New York City outpost of my dream spa and wine destination, Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux, France. You can find this paradise on the fourth floor of The Plaza Hotel combining blissful spa treatments AND a luxurious wine lounge. Opened in 2008, this is a must-visit for any spa and wine lover as Caudalie combines the best of what it makes from the grape… wine and its skin healing products.
You’re greeted at the spa by the wonderful scents of Caudalie’s signature products and surrounded throughout by materials of a French Château like warm woods, stone, vines, fabulous grape photography. The spa offers a full range of treatments including many of their signatures. I enjoyed the Wine Maker’s Massage with Doug. It “recreates the timeless ritualistic steps of the wine-making process: Bare-hand massage techniques alternate with a rolling massage using a wine maker’s stick over the body, and gentle finger-tip pressure applications along the body’s vital energy paths. This massage, like fine wine, offers balance and brilliance.” 50 heavenly minutes!
Doug then escorted me to the lovely “French Paradox” Wine Lounge featuring the only Spa Sommelier in the world! Clifford Rames, the Caudalie Sommelier, is the best! (As is all of the staff!) He’s very approachable and will tell you all about the wines he pours. Relax for as long as you want (we were there for several hours) in the burgundy Bordeaux leather chairs and sofas surrounded by bottles of wine and French music playing in the background. Poured during our afternoon, Cliff served us glasses of Smith Haut Lafitte‘s Les Hauts De Smith White (95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris) and Red (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 105% Cabernet Franc), part of Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux. Both wines are delicious!
It was the perfect Valentine’s afternoon!
For more details on Caudalie, the original Vinothérapie Spa and Château Smith Haut Lafitte Winery, check out posts on our Bordeaux visit.