Welcome to the third iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, a compendium of the 100 best spas in the world, compiled based on first-person reviews and careful editing. This year, we’ve renewed our focus on establishments that have established a reputation for exceptional care of body and mind, though there is a great variety in the list. Whatever you are seeking when it comes to wellness, there is something here for you.
Why go here?
A real-life five-star French fantasy on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Le Bristol is sometimes referred to as “The Palace.” It’s known as a respite for royals and celebrities that remains aspirational for even in-the-know, culturally savvy locals. On my first trip to Paris Fashion Week, I would accept every opportunity to cross its threshold, often asking for a pack of matches to carry as a tiny reminder of true splendor. My most recent swirl through the revolving doors reveals a glamorous change: Amid its centenary celebrations last October, Le Bristol announced a partnership with the iconic American skin-care brand La Mer.
“We are very selective with our spa partnerships and choose to collaborate only with the best of the best,” says Sandra Main, global president skin care at The Estée Lauder Companies. “From the beginning, we wanted to maintain the Le Bristol experience while elevating the estheticians to deliver truly immersive treatments.” A new spa menu combines La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth with massage techniques that mimic the waves from which its sea kelp was harvested. Call me Ariel, I’m now an ocean princess stepping into a heart-of-Paris paradise.
What’s the vibe?
Opulence. The treatment rooms at Le Bristol are bathed in sunlight—a rare thing, as most hotel spas are relegated to subterranean levels. Here, a sliding glass door opens onto a terrace within a private courtyard where you can get a pedicure, surrounded by the trees and flowers. My practitioner, Vera, has worked at Le Bristol for 17 years, and believes the daily fresh air and sunlight are among many reasons she’s remained loyal to the institution.
There are eight treatment rooms, including one spacious duo room with two beds, a large soaking tub, and a steam shower. The hotel’s scenic rooftop swimming pool is under renovation until the end of May, so instead I stop by for a steam in the hammam. There’s a fitness area, but I won’t be using my time here to exert effort. Sitting around in my robe while sipping a ginger infusion is much more tempting.
The history?
In the early 18th century, Faubourg Saint-Honoré was born as Parisian meadowlands were turned into mansions for the court moving from Versailles after the death of Louis XIV.
In 1923, hotelier Hyppolite Jamet purchased the property that would become Le Bristol , and opened the hotel in 1925, the name a tribute to the 4th Earl of Bristol, a famous traveler from the 18th century. The European Oetker family took over the property in the late ’70s, and in 2011, the Spa Le Bristol arrived. That same year, the hotel received an official “palace” designation, a status awarded by the French Ministry of Tourism for hotels that go above five-star hospitality to contribute to the culture as well. In its 100-plus years, guests have reportedly included royals (Queen Elizabeth II! Grace Kelly!), musicians (Beyoncé! Madonna!), actors (Josephine Baker! Marilyn Monroe!), designers and artists (Elsa Schiaparelli! Dalí!). Since Le Bristol’s other nickname is “The Silent Hotel” in respect for guests’ privacy, I won’t be bothering staff for confirmation. Passing by Le Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, I respectfully avoid searching for familiar faces.
What should you try?
“Our most requested treatments are the Renaissance Facial and the Serenity Facial,” Main tells me shortly before I arrive. “Crafting exclusive rituals and designing our facial protocols became the core focus as we developed the Spa.” She mentions that the Serenity Facial is often selected by those who have traveled from afar, so I book an 85-minute session. As I lay on a heated bed, my face is cleansed, misted, wrapped in warm towels, masked, massaged, and hydrated with La Mer products beloved by more than one Vogue editor. I try not to nod off when the wave-like movements are as soothing as promised. After the treatment, I’m offered water, more of that delicious ginger infusion, or a cold glass of Champagne. I choose bubbles.
Next, I return to test what Main deems “the most indulgent treatment on the menu,” the La Mer Renaissance Facial. At 120 minutes, it incorporates La Mer’s Genaissance line into a bespoke ritual of “unmatched rejuvenation and indulgence,” according to Main. This time, the extended facial massage (swift, yet gentler than any device) combined with the sensorial Genaissance formulas is so relaxing that I do fall asleep, I think, a few times. I receive compliments the entire final week of fashion month on my “glow.”
How environmentally friendly is it?
The spa is free of any single-use plastics and uses a corn starch-based material, FSC-certified cardboard, or paper sourced from sustainably managed forests for packaging. For efficiency, the swimming pool’s water is warmed by recovering heat generated by the property itself. Even La Mer products start with sustainability, Main tells me, as the kelp required for its Miracle Broth is sustainably sourced and hand-harvested off the coast of Vancouver Island.
What else do we need to know?
The hotel is proudly pet-friendly. Right outside the spa doors, I spot a gorgeous cat playing with a tennis ball on the carpet, rolling around calmly to show its belly. This is Socrate, a friendly Sacred Birman, a hotel resident and informal mascot.
Who can go?
The spa is open to both hotel guests and visitors. For a next-level experience, the Azur Terrace Suite within the hotel’s Résidence wing features works from French artist Agnès Sandah—including an outdoor fountain.
Booking details for Spa Le Bristol by La Mer
Address: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
