Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have your wine — and drink it too?
Les Sources de Caudalie, a five-star hotel near Bordeaux, is inspired by the “French Paradox,” discovered more than 20 years ago. This refers to a study proving that the French diet and lifestyle, particularly in Southwest France, is conducive to good health. Statistics and reports by cardiologists showed the positive effects of wine consumption with regard to fighting cardiovascular disease. With the aim of living out the French Paradox in the most enjoyable way, Les Sources de Caudalie — one of the world’s greatest hotels and spas — is devoted to sharing the French lifestyle with guests in the heart of the wine country, maintaining local traditions and focusing on quality at all levels. (And you can go there for New Year’s Eve — but more on that in a minute.) It is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The property is located among the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Graves great growth, which was established in 1999. Alice and Jérôme Tourbier have continually enhanced and improved this five-star hamlet ever since. The hotel has 61 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a Vinothérapie Spa combining the therapeutic effects of warm mineral springs with vine and grape extracts. Yes, that’s the big beauty secret here — grapes and grapeseed oil.
To provide every guest a total change of scene, only few minutes from Bordeaux, the French-inspired architecture of Les Sources de Caudalie is the perfect reflection of the traditional villages in Aquitaine. Architect Yves Collet created contemporary buildings from recycled local materials in tune with the surroundings. Activities such as cruises on a pinasse (traditional local flat-bottomed boat) on the Bassin d’Arcachon, or bicycle tours around Château Smith Haut Lafitte, are examples of what guests can do to discover the region’s cultural heritage.
Les Sources de Caudalie is located in a bucolic setting where the vineyards mold the landscape. If you’re an oenophile, you’re sure to have a great time.
It is also a place where you can have your grapes — and enjoy them too, in other ways.
It has resulted in a prestigious cosmetics brand — Caudalie. It was created from the discovery of a new way of using active polyphenol components found in grapes. Pioneer of a concept invented in France a decade ago, at a time when only beauty centers and thalassotherapy centers existed, the Vinothérapie Spa offers the virtues of naturally warm spring water combined with vine and grape extracts. This large spa offers exclusive well-being treatments based on vine and grape-based products, such as the famous Crushed Cabernet scrub, Honey and Wine Wrap, Barrel Bath, and Winemaker’s Massage. For example, the Vinothérapie Ritual (half day) consists of a Caudalie grand facial treatment or any other 50-minute facial treatment such as a merlot wrap or a Fleur de Vigne wrap.
Caudalie 100% Organic Herbal Teas are complimentary. On the day of your treatments, you can experience unlimited access to a thermal bath with jetstream, relaxation rooms and hammam.
There’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool plus an indoor swimming pool as well as tennis available.
Of course, I couldn’t write an article about the spa without mentioning the book, The French Beauty Solution (Penguin Random House, 2015) written by Caudalie skincare founder Mathilde Thomas, featuring world-class information about looking your best a la francaise. Ms. Thomas drew on her company’s 20 years’ of scientific skincare expertise, backed by the research of dermatologists and other doctors — plus the beauty secrets she learned growing up on a vineyard — to offer a first-class French beauty regimen.
So why not jet over to visit the property for New Year’s Eve? Their package includes:
Two nights among the vineyards
Gourmet breakfasts every morning
New Year’s Eve dinner at the country-inn La Table du Lavoir or at the two-Michelin-stars restaurant La Grand’Vigne, drinks excluded
The January 1st brunch, with a glass of champagne, at La Table du Lavoir or at La Grand’Vigne
And a surprise gift
The cost is $1571 for two people; available only from December 30th.
And don’t forget — the spa and hotel always features fresh grapes for some serious, smart snacking — just the thing if you’re starting a diet, like most people, on January 1!
