The Parisian lifestyle is surrounded around plaisirs and one place you can step into this French way of living is at Le Spa Bristol.
As my fellow New Yorkers know, city life can be very busy and stressful. We are all longing for a moment to get away, and I know most of us have that dream trip to Paris booked somewhere in the back of our mind. When you think of the City of Light, you probably imagine seeing so many of its sights, like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Sacre Coeur, etc. Is it even a vacation if we’re doing the same running around but in a different city?
As I learned after two months living the Parisian lifestyle, you don’t actually experience Paris until you live like the Parisians do and experience le joie de vivre, the joy of living. The French find pleasure in everything they do from what they eat to where they go and how they spend their time. And if there’s any one place I remember experiencing this feeling, it was during my time at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie.
From the moment I walked into the hotel, I was immediately immersed in luxury as I ascended the spiral staircase and was greeted by the spa’s friendly associates. For the first half hour, I was invited to a pamper room with a sauna and a few of La Prairie facial cleansing products. Afterwards, I met my facialist, who escorted me to one of their eight treatment rooms, which instantly transports anyone to a place of serenity with holistic music and a view of their interior garden.
I had the pleasure of experiencing their new Hydrafacial treatment, which was by far the best facial I have experienced. Before the treatment, my facialist explained every step and product she would be using to put me at ease with what was happening during the process. She educated me on the globally renowned Hydrafacial technology, known for its regenerative and intense hydrating properties.
The non-invasive treatment includes three steps: cleanse, remove impurities, and hydrate with intense moisturizers and powerful antioxidants. After she prepped the skin, she glided the hydrafacial wand on my skin and I felt a soft vacuum-like grip on my face, opening up my pores for a deep cleanse. The suctioning aids in easily extracting impurities and dead skin cells.
After the treatment was over, I relaxed for a couple more minutes in the unwinding room with some French treats and a detox tea. When I looked at my skin in the mirror, I saw a more radiant complexion. My new glow was complimented by a nourished, soft texture. As someone with eczema, I was shocked at how hydrated my skin was and how long the results lasted afterwards.
The Hydrafacial treatment is a versatile experience that works on all skin types. While the facial alone can brighten the complexion and boost elasticity, you can also combine it with any of La Prairie and Tata Harper’s other facial treatments. You can also indulge in one of the spa’s other services, like a Balance & Ground Ritual Body Ritual or a Liquid Gold Body Massage. If you need help choosing from all of the amazing services they have to offer, the facialist team assists each client in creating a personalized experience based on their skin type and needs.
Overall, the time I spent at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie was unforgettable and truly made my Parisian experience authentic and wonderful. If you have any time to spare (or make – trust me, it’s worth it), I highly suggest taking some time to visit the spa during your next trip to Paris. And when you return home, you can truthfully say you’ve experienced the plaisirs de Paris.
