By J.S. Fletcher and Kathy M. Newbern © 2011
Part 4 in Series
St. Barth is a French island, so it makes sense the Carl Gustaf Hotel would feature a version of the famed Carita Spa of France, a brand with a long history.
In 1945 from their salon on Rue du Faubourg St Honoré, Maria and Rosy Carita, a pair of farsighted, hard-working sisters, opened shop and soon became the leading female hairdressers in Paris at what became famously known as The House of Beauty. Reaching beyond their interests in hair dressing, they took on the world of fashion and beauty by linking with daring designers who became the future stars in French haute couture. Today, their global beauty concept features three essential components – face, body and hair – with products and services for all three.
St. Barth’s Hotel Carl Gustaf was the first property to host a Carita Spa, named the Boutique Spa by Carita and housed in the lower level of the hotel’s main building. Accessed from both sides of a double staircase, one side from the lobby and the other from the restaurant, the spa’s entrance favors that of hidden shrine, in this case to beauty and health. The exterior, flanked by potted plants can be seen while walking up the steps from the suites below. (See the slideshow.)
Our last day here we sampled the Bourtique Spa, and even at the end of the season when the property was geared more to wrapping up the season than addressing another, we were appreciative of the experience. (Note: Nearly the entire island shuts down the month of September, so plan your visit accordingly.)
The Boutique Spa’s reception foyer is deceptive. Our first impression was that it was small, but then our quick tour by Astrid (who was doing triple duty during the last week as the only employee) revealed that in addition to reception, which housed all those Carita products for sale as well as products from Decleor, there was also a well-equipped fitness center. Adjacent to it is a hydro-zone area, with a huge whirlpool bath, a Hammam (steam room), and Essential Oils shower, a jetted foot bath with pebble floor, and an ice fountain that sounds great for summer days or when you’ve been in the Hamman too long.
Because we were so busy while we were here, we did not get to use either the exercise room or this pool area. While it was great to have a massage here, we simply didn’t have time to sample any other components of the total menu of face, body, hair services – ah, if we’d had just one more day!
As to facility size, when we were taken to the treatment rooms, we found that the spa has two levels, with a total space of around 2,150 square feet, not at all that small, and it’s well laid out to suit the needs of a boutique hotel the size of Carl Gustaf. The changing rooms also were tastefully decorated and well designed, providing comfortable space. The same goes for the treatment rooms that efficiently used the space in a way that made it feel bigger.
Yet the proof of any great spa is a great treatment, and both of us totally enjoyed our 45-minute massages administered by Astrid. The Decleor Aromatic Massage Balm teamed with her balanced sense of pressure and technique proved professional and therapeutic, leaving us feeling pampered and relaxed.
(At least that was the case for Fletcher, who was getting his treatment while Kathy returned to the suite where she had an unexpected guest waiting for her. See the video.)
When you visit Gustavia or stay at the Carl Gustaf, allow some pampering time in the the The Boutique Spa by Carita.
Next Up: Hotel Christopher, the second property we sampled on our six-night trip.
For moreon Hotel Carl Gustaf, visit www.hotelcarlgustaf.com. To make a reservation, or request brochures, call 866-297-2153, or e-mail at reservation@hotelcarlgustaf.com.
About St. Barth
After David Rockefeller bought a property here in 1957, this little island of eight square miles quickly grew into an upscale tourist destination. Today, distinctly French in feel, it remains a chic but casual hideaway with many villas and hotels welcoming French and other visitors (about 200,000 a year).
There are beautiful beaches, plenty of watersports, plus wining and dining in the island’s varied restaurants, shopping in Gustavia’s trendy boutiques, and a variety of cultural events year-round.
Warm Caribbean temperatures vary just slightly from 86° in the summer, (July/August highs of 90°) to just 80° in the winter. Summer ocean temperatures can reach as high as 84°.
If You’re Going:
St. Barthélemy lies about 150 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the French West Indies. Flight by small plane, like St. Barth Commuter and Winair, arrive from St. Martin, Anguilla or San Juan. The island is also accessible by 45- to 90-minute ferry from St. Martin.
For additional island information, visit www.saintbarth-tourisme.com. If you need a tour guide, consider Claude Questel; email him at Claude.taxi10@hotmail.fr A rental car is recommended.
If you enjoyed this story, you might also enjoy:
• Other stories by Newbern and Fletcher
• Other Stories by JS Fletcher,
• Stories by Kathy M. Newbern, Luxury Travel Examiner
• @FletcherNewbern
• @YourNovelcom
International Travel Examiners J.S. Fletcher and spouse, Kathy M. Newbern, report on luxury destinations, spas and cruising around the globe. They are award-winning members of the Society of American Travel Writers and created YourSpaReport.com and YourNovel.com, their personalized romance novel business.
Comments