In the midst of a concrete jungle in a suburban alley of South Mumbai, stands a marvelous wellness sanctuary with a Mediterranean twist meant to heal the urban soul. The French beauty brand, L’Occitane in its fourth innings in India, brings to the commercial capital of the nation, ‘Spa La Vie’. The uniquely given name connotes living a tranquil life through spa experiences was tactfully picked by Sanghvi Brands (L’Occitane India’s Master Franchisers). The sprawling 8000 sq. feet spa has not only confirmed to be the city’s largest day spa in the city but has also left no stone unturned with its unique treatments/services served with love.
Spa Mantra takes a peek at Spa La Vie by L’Occitane that radiates luxury and finesse and tells you what’s in store for the city’s discerning spa patrons.
Nouveau Concept
Most spas across the globe try to imbibe ancient Thai, Ayurvedic, Balinese, Japanese or Chinese philosophies. But L’Occitane has embedded a new and unique Mediterranean Concept of wellbeing. The Spa follows a Mediterranean theme and it is executed in the design of the space, the products used and the treatments offered. Every gesture, every ingredient, every ritual is drawn from a page of the L’OCCITANE grand herbarium, a resource of hundreds of essential oils and natural ingredients. The escape begins with scent; from the moment one enters the Spa, the fragrances transport you to Provence.
Darpan Sanghvi, Master Franchisee, L’Occitane Spas in India explains, “With its new concept, the spa hosts refreshing natural products and has an unparalleled sense of understated luxury making it a highly desirable brand; and to add to its goodness, the Provencal fragrances from the products are a delight!” He further said, “We are happ
Although the Sanghvi Brands had already stuck the right chord with the French brand when the first L’Occitane spa debuted in Rajasthan in 2010, the October 2012 launch of Spa La Vie by L’Occitane takes the cake!
Contemporary Designing
Crafted to exude a Mediterranean calm, a collaborative effort by interior designer, Kdnd Atelier and L’Occitane turned Spa La Vie into a peaceful haven. The focus is to give one a feeling of escape and space, which is lacking in a city like Mumbai. It oozes lavishness and modernism in every nook while retaining a balance in its structure and elements.
Since the spa is humongous, it is spread out beautifully across two levels. The lower level is divided into various sections – the reception area, foot spas and manicure lounge strategically dividing the waiting area from it, a pre and post serene relaxation lounge that makes room for 6 relaxation beds, a pantry and an in-house laundry service room. The upper level is led up to by marble stairs lit with yellow lights that beam from the sides. This level consists of seven large treatment rooms – three single, two VIP Couple Suites, an Ayurveda room, and the city’s only heated stone Hammam and Vichy Shower.
Some of the most interesting elements in the spa are a 20ft living Green Wall, double height ceilings, open spaces, generous natural light and use of rich traceable materials to create a Spa experience unlike any spa Mumbai has ever seen before. Italian noche travertine, Danish Marble, traceable materials like wood, water, living green walls make up some of the materials used in the spa. Mediterranean hues with colours of natural materials and stones like the noche travertine make for a serene setting.
Training & Staff Management
Dr. Vijay Aggarwal, Manager Training & Quality Excellence for L’Occitane India explained that the each and every staff member is inducted with rigorous training at their specifically created Academy in Pune, India. To make sure the local staff and therapist follow the L’Occitane protocol a French tutor from their overseas office educates and takes them through the various processes that they would have to adhere too while working with the spa brand and their products. Human Anatomy, physiology, complete description of products and benefits and the various skills and techniques are part of L’Occitane’s syllabus.
Truly French in its service!
Prior to your treatment, one is greeted with a Welcome Ritual of sipping on herbal tea with honey, basil and ginger and then slipping out of your tight shoes into matt slippers. This is followed by a consultation from the spa in-house Dr. Vijay Aggarwal, manager training & quality excellence for L’Occitane on what products would be used pertaining to the skin type and your treatment protocol. The spa experience then takes one on a true journey, sequenced at every step by soothing or energizing aromas. The voyage of the senses continues through gestures, sensorial textures, and relaxing music inspired by Provencal traditions. The Spa is a natural extension of the brand. With respect to authenticity, the spa always prefers hand-performed treatments over machines and traditional massage techniques over technologies.
Strategy and marketing
Spa la Vie by L’OCCITANE offers a limited number of VIP Memberships to the Spa. Member privileges include complimentary Spa treatments every month, access to the private members’ only Hammam, access to members’ only Signature therapies, complimentary Provencal Steam experiences or well-being baths with every treatment, special member previews to new products/treatments, benefits and discounts at all participating L’OCCITANE Spas in India, Hong Kong and Paris and invitations to special L’OCCITANE Spa events, among others.
The spa also urges its clients to have a relaxing day with some of their close friends over a mani-pedi or an elaborate Spa Soiree for 50. Spa la Vie by L’OCCITANE makes the most exclusive setting in Mumbai to bring your friends together over some Spa tastings and Mediterranean pampering.
Socially Responsible Spa
L’OCCITANE goes a step beyond in their commitment to social responsibility. A spa, because it is heavily water oriented, has to limit waste through constant controls and continuous consciousness. “We strive to maintain a green environment. For this reason we select natural materials with traceable origins (and eco-friendly whenever possible) and save energy through controlled use of utilities. With features such our in-house laundry, we ensure you only get the purest linen and a most hygienic experience. This way, L’OCCITANE Spas curbs our impact on the environment,” explicates Sanghvi.
Sanghvi Brands Foresee
Confident Sanghvi believes that the future is bright for L’Occitane in India and we will be seeing more calming retreats like this one in the future soon. He confirms two more wellness sanctuaries in Delhi and at Gurgoan in January and March-April 2013 respectively.
Spa Mantra congratulates the beauty skin care brand L’Occitane and the Sanghvi Brands on their endeavors in producing a successful Mediterranean spa model with a blend of Indian accents that awakens and rejuvenates the body, mind and soul.
Written by Ayesha Augustine
