Global French Brand Caudalie Launches First U.S. Spa at The Plaza

NEW YORK, Oct 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- This week, internationally acclaimed French brand Caudalie will open the first Vinotherapie(R) Spa in the United States at the iconic New York City hotel, The Plaza. Caudalie revolutionized the spa world in 1999 when they pioneered Vinotherapie(R) by harnessing the untapped, restorative power of grapes and grapevine polyphenols.

This landmark property will house the fourth international Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spa and the first and only not located on a European vineyard. The Caudalie Spa at The Plaza will bring the vineyard experience to an urban setting with several accoutrements reminiscent of the wineries and chateaux where the Caudalie spas are found worldwide. These include: 

    --  French Paradox Wine Lounge - An 800 sq ft. Wine Lounge stocked with
        artisanal and terroir-driven varietals from the French, Spanish and
        Italian vineyards where Caudalie Spas are located, as well as other
        French wines, champagnes and American wines.  This includes Chateau
        Smith Haut Lafitte, the family estate and vineyard of Caudalie founder,
        Mathilde Thomas. The Lounge features an imposing wine cellar of wood and
        bissazza, with a floor of slate grey tiles interspersed with elegant
        rugs and comfortable chairs and couches.

    --  On-Site Sommelier - Caudalie's Wine Lounge will house a sommelier,
        Cliff Rames, to host wine tastings between treatments, as well as offer
        instructional wine classes.  Wines will be sourced and rotated on a
        consistent basis and paired with regional tasting plates.

    --  Bois Grille - To further enhance the vineyard sensorial experience,
        founder Mathilde created a signature scent for the Caudalie Spa at The
        Plaza in tandem with French perfumer and friend, Olivia Giacobetti.
        Bois Grille reflects the aroma of her family's cooperage, the
        workshop where wine barrels are still hand-crafted in their ancient
        tradition.  White Oak staves are charred or toasted and emit sensual
        wafts of toasted bread, almond, vanilla and grounding, warm wood aromas.

    --  Small Plates - Caudalie founders, Mathilde and Bertrand, hand-selected
        favorite foods indigenous to the vineyard regions of France, Italy and
        Spain where additional Caudalie spas are found.  This menu of
        "small plates" will be available to guests and paired with
        select wines from the Caudalie Wine Lounge.

Services
    --  The Plaza Spa services include Honey & Wine Wraps, a Red Vine bath,
        a Crushed Cabernet Scrub, a Fresh Grape Massage and a menu of
        world-famous Caudalie facials with grape and vine active patents and
        Caudalie products to purify, firm, energize and illuminate skin.
    --  Treatments are all manually therapeutic and performed by trained
        Vinotherapists. Each with the restorative benefits of grape and
        grapevine polyphenols.  Special Fresh Grape Manicure and Fresh Grape
        Pedicure services are exclusive to The Plaza.
    --  Like all Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spas, the full menu of treatments is
        exclusive to Caudalie. Guests are served organic draining herbal tea
        made from red vine leaves and grapes throughout their visit to the spa.

This 8000 square ft. spa will feature 14 treatment rooms, Vichy shower, private VIP room for two, Vinotherapie(R) Spa signature barrel bath and 2 Hammans (1 mens, 1 womens).

Architect

The Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spa at The Plaza was designed by international acclaimed architect, Yves Collet, who is known for his work as the designer of the famed Virgin mega-store in Paris and Dubai, as well as the private homes of international personalities. Yves was also responsible for designing the first Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spa, at Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux, France (1999), the second in the Piemont region of Italy, Spa Vinotherapie(R) Caudalie al Relais San Maurizio (2003) and the third Caudalie Marques de Riscal, housed in the notable Marques de Riscal Hotel (2006).

Furniture Designer, Philippe Hurel

Furniture in wood and warm sensual colors marry to wine reds and rose inspired by the Grands Crus; additionally, orange, green and brown tones highlight the elegance of the location.

Photographer, Julien Oppenheim

Large photographical images celebrate the beauty of the body and sensuality of the vine as a subliminal call to care and treat both mind and body.

Caudalie founders, wife and husband team, Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, revolutionized the spa world in 1999 when they introduced the first-ever Vinotherapie(R) Spa in the heart of the Chateaux Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard (Bordeaux, France). Rated the second best spa in the world by Travel & Leisure and "Hot Spot" by Conde Nast Traveler, the Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spa is a world-renowned destination whose treatments and techniques were developed exclusively for their spas - a second which opened in the Piemont region of Italy in an 18th Century monastery, followed by a third in the Riojas region of Spain whose property was designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry.

WHERE TO FIND IT: The Plaza Retail Collection, One West 58th Street