Four Seasons Resort, Provence
My train of thought hurried along and expanded. What if this wonderful pampering was an extravagant and lavish indulgence that you could either offer as a luxury gift to yourself or a special loved one. Just as I was mulling this idea over, imagine my astonishment when out of the blue I received a call from Cristina Garcia of the Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche in Tourrettes (Var) asking if I would like to come and visit their Spa!
As I write this I am still amazed by her timely phone call to me. After explaining the different treatments and facilities available at the Spa we arranged for me to drive over and see their facilities first-hand a few days later. She then asked me what treatment I would like to try while I was there. My astonishment was only surpassed by the feeling that this was exactly what a St Valentine's gift should be: unexpected, delight, and an absolute indulgence.
And my decision? I opted for a pedicure.
Serene and Scented
The warm fragrant soapy water felt good as I twiddled my toes in the foot basin, as did the comfy beige leather seat I was sat on. Un-intrusive music played gently in the background and clever lighting added to the relaxing, almost cocooned feeling I had.
I'd been looking forward to my pedicure; in fact for as long as I can remember I've been dreaming about having one but felt I could never justify it, or, when I could, never finding the time. While for many people a pedicure may be a normal monthly session (I know it is for my mum but then she's old and her eyesight is failing, but don't tell her I said so) for me it was everything.
Creams, potions and lotions were the order of the day and each one smelt better than the last: a veritable cocktail of strawberry, cherry, apricot and apple scents. After massages, invigorating scrubs and other cleansing treatments it was then time to have my toenails painted: a fabulous kaleidoscope of colours were presented to me. I chose a deep burgundy red and, my word, they certainly looked smart afterwards. In all I had spent 55 minutes being pampered and it felt brilliant. With the varnish dry, I slipped my feet back into my moccasins and made a mental note to myself: to wear open sandals to show off my gorgeous looking toes next time. Thanking Juliet, my extremely charming treatment hostess for her kind attention and care, I made my way down to the ground floor and to the Café Fusion salon for lunch.
Before proceeding to the first floor where all the treatment rooms were located, I had earlier looked through their menu, put together by their Michelin one-star chef Philippe Jourdin. There was much there to tempt me but I decided upon Saveurs d'un Vent du Sud (carrot & orange soup with fresh coriander, followed by steamed jumbo shrimps with sate, tandoori flavoured fruity marinade, and then by free range chicken breast steamed with tarragon and fennel, sesame and soy dressing with herbs and finished in sublime indulgence of poached pear flavoured with lemon grass and orange, red current sauce), which was fabulous.
During the short 20 minutes, the time for the Chef to do his culinary magic, I relaxed by the salon's crackling log fire, sipping an iced fusion of lavender. This was the first time I'd ever drunk lavender, using it normally as a soothing pillow spray when I change the bed linen, and was very pleasantly surprised.
Sitting at my table, with sweeping views stretching across the parkland, rolling hillsides and hilltop villages, I marvelled at the tranquillity of the Spa, both in design, comfort, and service. The colour scheme throughout is excellent, with beige, brown and white artfully used; large French windows allowing vast amounts of natural daylight through, dressed on either side by floor to ceiling curtains. Paintings, sculptures and elegant plants added to the serenity.
In today's fast and hectic lifestyle we sometimes forget to take a moment to slow down. More succinctly we tend to forget our own well-being in the process or feel guilty when we do but, this February, and especially with St Valentine so close at hand, why not treat yourself or your loved one? Come to think of it, such a gift would make the perfect surprise Birthday or Wedding present too.
As a relative newcomer to the Cote d'Azur, the Canadian-owned Four Seasons Resort has chosen its site well. While close to the buzz and glamour of the French Riviera, they have nestled themselves in the peaceful hills of Provence, affording vistas of hillside views, medieval villages and fragrant fields of thyme and lavender. Moreover, their location affords them the luxury of offering their guests a unique hotel and resort, with multiple onsite sporting facilities plus the addition of a fabulous Spa.
Oddly enough, I drove past the resort several years ago when it was being built - its fabulous golf course already being the talk of the town. Little did I know then that I would return and find an incredible haven of peace and privacy.
The drive over to Tourrettes is in itself really pleasant, and especially so this time of year, as the verges of the A8 motorway turn a stunning golden yellow with mimosa trees bursting into millions of tiny flowers. Having been indulged by this scenic beauty, you're then offered a fantastic vista as you drive round Lac de St Cassien, an amazing man-made lake surrounded by a dense mixture of pine and oak trees. Forty-five minutes after leaving Chateauneuf-de-Grasse I pulled up outside the Four Seasons' Resort Spa.
The Spa has been built in keeping with the region's traditional architecture with rustic mottled-grey curved roof tiles and the warm tones of ochre painted on its façade and so typical of the homes found along the Cote d'Azur and Provence. This stunning 2-level villa sits in landscaped grounds surrounded by olive trees, lavender and other Mediterranean plants, in keeping once again with its Provençal location. Large ochre coloured oval ceramic pots, cleverly designed as small fountains, greet you at the entrance, and also add to the feel of the Mediterranean.
They had also created an atmosphere of privacy and peace that belied the fact that tucked away were some pretty impressive rooms. Thus I found 14 luxurious treatment rooms, including two adorable couple's VIP suites with private terrace and double whirlpool baths, a fitness centre comprising of impressive weight machines, stretching areas, and cardiovascular equipment. Situated next to the fitness centre is a Zen studio offering a range of fitness classes and relaxation classes that include yoga and Pilates. There is also an indoor Romanesque-style 20 metre length swimming pool, open-air invigorating heated vitality pool, saunas, steam rooms, laconiums, and ice fountains, nail and hair salons, and of course their tennis courts and renowned 18-hole golf course, driving range and putting green.
The resort also offer a range of treatments from a number of different massages, body treatments, facial, manicure and pedicure and as well as having created unique signature treatments (browse their website for more information or contact Cristina Garcia directly as she'll have the details at her fingertips).
While it is true that the Four Seasons Resort Spa becomes busier as the summer months approach and so it's important to book your treatments well in advance, out of season the Spa is quieter and reservations can be made at much shorter notice.
I must admit that I would never, ever have thought about having a pedicure, manicure or any treatment at such a prestigious place, but I am so very pleased that I did. The people were absolutely charming, the sheer feeling of indulgence was perfect and of course the drive there and back meant that I arrived home still feeling relaxed, happy and pampered. And, yes, my toes still look great!
Contact details:
Four Seasons Resort, Provence
Domaine de Terre Blanche
83440 Tourrettes (Var)
Website
Contact: Christina Garcia
Tel: 04 94 39 36 35
Email:
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