Category Archives: Spa

Auberge du Soleil – The Art of Relaxation

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The official summer proclamation – Memorial Day has slipped past. If your summer plans don’t include the South of France and a rejuvenation escape is required, may I suggest a marvelous location, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford?

Auberge Cottage eveningThe Auberge properties have always been on the top of our client list and an early spring holiday reinforced several themes: periodic escapes are essential to our well being and Auberge du Soleil still deserves their legendary status.

Situated high on the hills above the Napa Valley, the maisons are dotted about the art filled rambling gardens, all with sweeping vineyard views. My favorite rooms, the new Maison Saint-Tropez Deluxe Upper Valley View rooms offer 520-plus square feet of indoor and outdoor space. My corner suite had drop-dead views in each direction; an eagle gliding and soaring above the hilly outcropping forest of pine trees enchanted me. Turn another direction and gaze at the undulating picturesque panorama of olive trees, grapevines and an occasional lofty palm tree. Auberge defined: quiet laid back luxury, an enriching experience in a very natural setting.

Highly recommend a stroll through the art and sculpture bedecked gardens, the landscaping is varied and consists of flowering streams, olive trees, and outdoor sculptures in an open-air gallery. Art installation, by Ma(i)sonery includes figurative and abstract sculpture in all media, including bronze, steel, ceramic, stone and wood, amid terraced rock walls created by hand in the Mediterranean tradition.

Details: Many of the maisons have been completely refurbished by Suzanne Tucker, an early Michael Taylor assistant. His vision and spirit has been maintained, subtle neutral tones induce a soothing calmness. The renovation includes a few high-tech touches. All suites at Auberge now feature plasma televisions in both sitting areas and bedrooms. Bathrooms in all rooms and suites feature 15¬inche flat screen televisions for viewing from the extra ¬large soaking tubs. DVD players and wireless Internet access are also standard in all guestrooms.

Certainly you know of their outstanding dining room, many fabulous dinners have been enjoyed in the treetop dining room and the more casual terrace bistro with the wrap around deck. Celebrated since opening day, the dining room and bistro offer innovative cuisine, menus inspired by the bounty of the Napa Valley. Mediterranean flavors are highlighted with local fresh produce; much raised in the chef’s on property garden, ask for a tour.

I adore a mini-escape and Auberge is the perfect antidote for a fleeting holiday or a longer week sojourn – allowing one to explore favorite vineyards and galleries at a leisurely pace. Ultimate relaxation, the tempting terraces, combined with the heavenly views might inspire a complete shut in visit! Options, so many options!

Did I mention the spa? Auberge Spa guests can arrive early to enjoy a water ritual, which includes a soak in each of their three temperate springs overlooking the Napa Valley vineyards and Auberge’s olive grove. Bliss for the Body!

Our clients are VIP, as always!

Auberge Valley view

Sense Spa at CordeValle

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As any spa aficionado will share, one is always pursuing the ultimate and flawless treatment – essentially seeking bliss, even if for a mere 90 minutes! The afterglow lingers for hours.

CordeValle’s spectacular Northern California setting is reflected in spa treatments that draw upon the natural healing properties of the region’s herbs, plants, minerals and fruits. With vineyards flourishing on the sunny hillsides, it’s only natural that grape seeds are a part of several signature and specialty spa treatments. Each treatment room has a private garden designed to bring in the wonder of the outdoors.

Managing a 24 hour escape to CordeValle in San Martin, on a rare rainy June day, Sense Spa summoned and satisfied!

Perusing a spa menu inspires and tantalizes: Raindrop Ritual, Bungalow Love, Cherry Bark Scrub, Rain Room Rejuvenation…depending on your mood, which prescription will deliver the ultimate delight?

Snuggle into a brown and white stripe seersucker robe and pad down the hall to the tearoom. Trickling water fountain and fine art, comfy wing back chairs welcome as you begin the path to oblivion. Attention to detail, including the robes!

Ocean Immersion: Immerse yourself in the healing powers of the ocean and experience a body treatment like no other. Begin with a rhythmic full body exfoliation with their Salt of the Earth scrub – a combination of five salts sourced from around the world. Next flow with the application of warm Undaria Algae Oil combined with White Algae mask to re-mineralize and rehydrate your skin. Float off to a state of complete relaxation as you rest in your nourishing cocoon while your massage therapist provides a nurturing Cranial Wave treatment in combination with a scalp massage. After your emerge from your cocoon, the healing products will be rinsed by the powerful Vichy shower, in preparation for an application of Marine Body Gel leaving your skin as soft as an ocean breeze.

They don’t describe or sell the rhythmic ocean music, which permeates the tiled room. I am certain I hovered above the water pillow table several times, buoyant in a cocoon of otherworldly music, as if curled up in a conch shell on the sandy beach, gently rolling with each soft wave.

Ask for Cynthia.

Pity they discourage bathrobes in the dining room, I would have been completely satisfied to pad in for a glass of Bordeaux and seared duck breast.

Fond memory of the Amanbagh Spa in Rajasthan where the general manager welcomed us to the dining room fireplace still in our robes and mussed hair.

Sense Spa, Sensational!