Edinburgh Reviewed; The Indulgence Package the Guerlain Spa

The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh just knows how to do Christmas. From stunning meal and party options for the office, to Christmas Day meals and festive afternoon teas, there really is some amazing offerings on their Waldorf Winter brochure. Of course the Hotel is home to just more than gorgeous rooms and restaurants, it also boasts the beautiful Guerlain Spa that  I am always so eager to find out what they have planned. The work the staff have put in here to build bespoke packages for each season is really impressive and always of an incredibly high standard. The treatments themselves are built to incorporate innovative moves that combine the ultimate in relaxation and pampering, and the really friendly team provide that extra element of luxury that makes the Guerlain Spa such an ideal place to visit.

I have been a couple of times but never actually had the time to really try out the whole health facilities on offer at the spa so this time I was sure to keep a few hours free and pack a swimming costume to try out a whole shebang. The Indulgence package is one of 5 on offer for the whole of December in the spa which include a gorgeous couples massage package and a full body exfoliation option which is perfect for the party season. From the moment you walk in you are treated like a VIP and you can feel your self instantly start to de-stress and unwind with the unmistakable aromas of the various Guerlain fragrances sitting in reception surrounding you. I was shown to the locker area for the pool to get myself set up in my robe ( you might remember before I pointed out that this is not just any robe, it is literally the greatest duvet style robe you will ever experience) and I got settled into the treatment waiting room ready to experience the Caledonian Chic massage. With little nibbles and fruit and water laid out alongside a host of high end magazines to peruse in comfort, I was definitely read to shrug off the stresses of the week and unwind.

You start a treatment with a fragrance journey which allows you to match your experience to how you feel that day, you might want to leave feeling sexy and party ready and opt for Idylle or want to feel invigorated and full of energy with a light floral number like La Petite Robe Noire. On this occasion I wanted to fully relax so was most drawn to Insolence which was the perfect background to my treatment. The experience then leads to a lovely foot bath which is such a fantastically grounding start to the massage as it really gives you a moment to take in where you are and just let go of the outside world before the treatment begins. My therapist was fantastic at explaining the Caledonian Chic and the history of the hotel and the area that was used to inspire many of the moves used within. I think that  level of thought creates such a wonderful connection between guest and the spa and really feels on another level from many massages I have had in the past. I also had the opportunity to talk through any problem areas I was struggling with which was ideal as I was struggling with my shoulders and lower back.

The Caledonian Chic is an exquisite performance of moves that are executed with such skill from the therapists who clearly know their stuff. Particular attention was paid to my problem areas while still ensuring the massage encompassed the whole body. Quite literally this treatment is luxury from head to toe- each individual toe was worked on right up to the most wonderful head massage! I left the room completely walking on a cloud and the pains I has been struggling with felt absolutely amazing. It was such a pleasure to then be able to enjoy a glass of bubbles in the relaxation room and really just let the whole experience soak in before hitting the pool. The facilities here are really lovely and offer such a good overall package. I got to relax poolside between enjoying a few lengths and sitting enjoying the warmth of the Jacuzzi- all with being able to look at the stunning Edinburgh Castle through the windows.  There is a small but perfectly formed sauna to enjoy, right next to the steam room that no matter how hard I try, I still only lasted a few minutes in :) all together though it made for such a wonderful series of relaxations that left me feeling completely invigorated and incredibly keen to stay put for a few more hours! Lucky for me there is a host of beautiful Guerlain makeup and cloud nine straighteners on offer for guests to use to help get themselves real world ready- a wonderfully luxurious end to a luxurious few hours.

Ally giving his best hotel catalog pose

As always this visit to Guerlain was nothing short of magical, it is no wonder it is the Scottish Hotel  Awards Spa of the Year!

A trip here would make an ideal Christmas experience for you or loved ones.
You can contact the spa on 0131 222 8836.

Edinburgh Reviewed; The Beauty Lift at The Guerlain Spa

I cannot believe it has been three years since I set eyes on the beautiful Guerlain Spa, nestled in The Caledonian Hotel right in the heart of Edinburgh's City centre. Offering serious luxury to clients, this spa is a truly an indulgent experience that is not to be missed. To celebrate turning 3, the team there have added two fantastic new treatments to their menu to celebrate,  I have had some amazing experiences with Guerlain in these years, so I was super excited to find out more about the latest offerings.

From September, you can choose a new Deep Muscle Relaxation treatment designed to build a stronger body, relax the muscles and calm the mind, or experience a radiant lifted and toned face with The Beauty Lift. I was totally torn between the two as both of them sounded like exactly what I was needing right now- after a year of strength training I have become more in tune with what my body is needing and a massage designed for deep and lasting relaxation sounded ideal. Incorporating Balinese Massage this new treatment sounds completely ideal for sports enthusiasts  or people with particularly busy lives.

But as much as the body treatment sounds like a total dream for me right now I could not forget that without a doubt the most impactful facial treatment I have ever had was here at Guerlain and it  incorporated facial massage that completely transormed my deepest wrinkle concern ( hello frown lines!) and the results lasted for months. So in the battle of new treatments, it had to be The Beauty Lift I went for. Incorporating the anti-aging beauty massage technique that focuses on every facial muscle to target wrinkles and increase microcirculation, this muscle stimulation helps restore volume to areas where it has been lost and your therapist is there to provide you with top  secrets for you to leave with and carry on the newer radiant you at home.

Sound Dreamy? Well I can report it certainly was. As always I was greeted by the friendliest of faces at the Spa and got settled into a comfy robe and chilled out in the relaxation room ( complete with tasty healthy nibbles). My therapist Louise picked me up from here and started the journey by allowing me to select the Guerlain scent I would like used in my treatment. I love this aspect to of the spa as it  really allows you to tailor your treatment to how you are feeling in that moment and for what you want to leave feeling like ( relaxed/energised/soothed) On this visit I was really feeling the masculine scent of Idylle Homme and it was a stunning addition to my treatment to have in the room with me. As with all treatments, you start with a soothing footbath which is perfect for really bringing my focus to the treatment itself and actually relaxing into it. It also gives the therapist time to explain what to expect and answer any questions you might have ( never mind leaving you with lovely soft feet too!)

Feeling wrinkle-free and radiant following the Beauty Lift

The massage itself was absolutely beautiful and incredibly impactful, it is certainly firm in places in order to work the muscles hard but is not actually sore. It takes real skill on the part of the therapist to apply pressure in the right places  that really accentuates the facial contours and work away lines. While a mask works on your skin you are treated to a beautiful arm and shoulder massage ( can also opt for the head) which is then followed by a delightfully cooling application of massage balls to round it all off. The targeted movements used really stretch and relax the face in the most tense areas which was super soothing, I really had no idea how much stress I actually carry in my upper body and this really worked a lot of that away. I was super delighted with the outcome immediately after treatment, just like the first facial I had here that used massage techniques, my deepest frown lines were transformed and my face looked really plump and bright which lasted way after the treatment. If you suffer from particularly sagging skin in any area, I can really only imagine how much firmer skin would feel following this facial workout.

I was on a cloud following The Beauty Lift so I made myself at home back in the relaxation room to enjoy a soothing herbal tea and some fruit while I came back down to earth, it really was a dream way to spend an afternoon ( next time I am definitely also taking advantage of the pool and sauna facilities as they look just gorgeous). These two new treatments are such a good addition to the already impressive  menu at the Guerlain Spa and they are such a fun way to celebrate 3 fantastic years.

To book in with the fab team call 0131 222 8836

The Spa and Sparkle Package at the Guerlain Spa

Ahhh Guerlain.

 Just knowing I am coming through your spa doors at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh has me walking on clouds from the moment the appointment is booked. I am embarrassed to be the one running to you from Waverley Station pretty much undressing from the moment the train stops at the platform, desperate to be relaxing in those ridiculously soft robes whilst sipping on peppermint tea in your gorgeous relaxation room.  I seriously cannot get enough of this little haven of tranquillity and am always all ears when it comes to the the new treatments and packages they have on offer.

So of course I pretty much ran there when the opportunity to try their new Spa and Sparkle package they have available for the festive period presented itself. For £140 you can enjoy the gorgeous spa facilities and enjoy the perfect line up of treatments to get you relaxed and ready for the party season.

On arrival you are taken on their trademark personalised fragrance journey, I really love this element of their treatments as every time I have been I have been in a different mood or wanted to leave feeling a certain way and being able to tailor those emotions to my experience is so unique. You are then led into the stunning treatment rooms for the first part of the treatment which was a glorious and invigorating body scrub. My therapist  Louise started it off with a foot bath and walked me through the procedure, I then got settled on the bed while she used a body brush to boost my circulation before applying the body scrub. When the treatment was all done, not only did I smell heavenly but my skin felt like silk- I was buffed and polished to perfection from head to toe!

Leighton Denny Paparrazi

I was then taken through to their nail bars and treated to a fantastic Leighton Denny manicure and pedicure complete with a glass of fizz that went down a treat! I opted for a bright pink on my fingers and a stunning pin up red on my toes. I never really go for mani's or pedis but I have to say when I have had it done I feel so glam, it really picks up my mood and after these treatments I genuinely wanted to hit the town right then and there, if only it wasn't half 12 on a Saturday afternoon.

After all that pampering you get to make yourself at home in the gorgeous relaxation room with a host of herbal teas and healthy nibbles to enjoy. It is such a soothing place and just being snuggled up in your robe feeling fabulous makes the experience well worth the money. To finish up Louise took my through the Guerlain makeup range and applied my 'touch of colour' which was perfect for getting me ready to hit the busy streets of Edinburgh. I was in love with the lingerie de peau foundation, and she applied the products just as I wanted them- a daytime look that was natural but polished. It is such a good way to end the package and give you that extra boost as you leave.

My little touch of colour after leaving

With nearly 200 years of distinguished work in the field of wellness and beauty, Guerlain knows what it takes to deliver flawless spa experiences and the Spa and Sparkle package is no exception. It is the perfect Christmas gift to yourself or a special person who is in need of quality pampering.

To book you can call the spa on 0131 222 8836

A pre festival pamper with Guerlain

Just a quick post to fill you in on my gorgeous stop off at the Guerlain Spa on the way to the Fringe on Saturday. For £65 their festival  pamper treatment truly is the best way to kick off any visit, I was left relaxed but invigorated- a little buzz from some fizz and some seriously gorgeous hot pink on talons. I was ready for anything!

The experience starts with a scent journey, based on your mood and how you want to feel afterwards  your therapist gets you to pick a scent that is then placed in your room and incorporated into your treatments. I wanted to feel invigorated, confident and ready for a day of shows so my therapist helped me to pick out Idylle as my scent. She explained to me the bottle was designed so that if you look at it upside down it has the sexiness of a woman's high heel, I loved that little touch and like many Guerlain products there is a fabulous story that goes with it.

I was taken to change into my robes ( truly the softest thing you will ever feel- seriously) and taken into my treatment room, all prepared with my chosen scent. My therapist Jennifer talked me through the treatment while I enjoyed a relaxing foot bath and she explained the movements behind the Caledonian Chic massage that are used. The therapists here actually created this routine and each of the moves had a real amount of thinking and history involved which is something I have never experienced before. Pulling on Scottish inspiration moves included one based on the pattern of tartan, one based on historical use of the Caledonain Waldorf Hotel itself and one themed around our weather- rain! It was fascinating to learn how much had gone in to putting this routine together, offering the perfect blend of both relaxing but also deeper movements to ensure your are really experiencing the benefits of massage therapy.

For half an hour Jennifer really worked some magic on my badly knotted back and I was in utter bliss. The atmosphere in the room is just divine, twinned with those well thought out and balanced moves you are left feeling absolutely incredible. I felt so much stress disappear and it really brought my focus to relaxing and enjoying our adventure. I was then taken for an on the go manicure, picking a beautiful pop of pink from Leighton Denny to brighten up my hands, Jennifer expertly evened out my nails which had been a huge mess while I enjoyed a relaxing glass of bubbly. To allow my nails to dry, I then made my self comfortable in the spa's gorgeous relaxation room, enjoyed a cup of green tea and a magazine before getting dressed and heading off into the hustle and bustle of the Edinburgh Fringe. In an hour and a half I had gone from a sleepy ball of stress to calm, relaxed and excited to get going and enjoy everything there is to see in the busy city. I absolutely adored the treatment here, it has been so well thought out to allow you to get the most out of a stay, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Thanks as always to the super lovely team at the Guerlain Spa for having me.

The Guerlain Spa Edinburgh Festival Package

Following on from my post on my fantasy 48hr Fringe, I have a new nugget of information I had to share for anyone currently working on their own Fringe schedule. The absolutely stunning Guerlain Spa at the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel is offering a superb festival package for those looking for a break from all the action, a little stop off to rest and reboot and keep you looking fabulous for the long night of shows and adventures ahead of you.

If you want the scoop on the Guerlain Spa then you can read my experience of it here. I am heading back this Saturday for a spot of pampering before my second day of shows at the festival and I could not be more excited, this is the ideal way to kick off the festivities! The luxury and relaxation offered at the spa is second to none,  it is a gorgeous hideaway right in the heart of the city and this little package offers the perfect way to try out what they have on offer at a great price, and it is available all throughout August.

At £65 for the hour, Guerlain are offering;

Their Unique Fragrance Journey on Arrival

A relaxing and luxurious footbath

An on the move manicure or pedicure

A back, neck and shoulder massage

and an all important glass of champagne.

This is definately guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to go at the festival and I am so excited to give it a try. I will update the blog once I have given it a whirl but I wanted to get it out there are soon as possible for anyone thinking of heading to Edinburgh this weekend as this looks like something well worth slotting in.

For further information on the package or to book, call 0131-222 8836 or

email guerlainspa.caledonian@waldorfastoria.com

The Guerlain Spa at The Caledonian Hotel

I was incredibly lucky to be invited to spend a day with Guerlain at the Caledonian Hotel the other week to celebrate the launch of the first Guerlain Spa in the UK which is set to provide a new standard in skin care excellence and absolute pampering right here in Scotland. This is one of those posts that I have had to rewrite so many times as there is just so much to cover, the spa and the whole 'experience' was just so absolutely incredible I have been struggling to do it justice with words! I kind of just want you to all come and actually feel my skin (even after two weeks) and just see what the treatment has done to its texture- it feels so plump and nourished even now, I still don't want to have make up on top of it!

Choosing my scent for my treatment

My experience began with a fragrance journey using scent cones, Michelle the lovely spa manager talked me through the scents and helped me choose the one that suited my needs most that day, my therapist for the day Alison ( known as a beauty coach in Guerlain land), who was listening in on my fragance selection then quietly headed off to prepare my treatment room, tailoring it to my chosen scent the gorgeous Aqua Allegoria Manderin Basilic.  I thought was an such a gorgeous little touch that instantly made me feel special and I knew I was in for something completely different than to anything I have ever experienced before. 

We were shown to our treatment room which was beautifully set up, from the lighting and music to the little details like the robe with my chosen scent ( seriously, I know you might think a robe is a robe but this was just something else- the softest, cosiest thing in the world!) Once I was all kitted up, I was then led to the gorgeous relaxation room to enjoy a herbal tea and a magazine as Alison got the rest of the room ready for the main show, the Orchidee Imperiale Treatment. 

Each treatment begins with a footbath ( again tailored to your scent) which is exactly what I needed to unwind before the treatment began. This instantly put me in the zone and it gave Alison a chance to ask me a couple of questions and for me to ask her any I had. After a delicious half leg exfoliation and leg massage, I got into place and extremely comfortable thanks to a duvet made from whatever cloud the robe is made from and an electronic bed that allowed me to be in the optimum position, I have never had something like that in a spa before! Alison then walked me through what all was involved in the treatment, I loved that it was all explained before hand- being two and a half hours long it is nice to know what you can expect. I often find treatments so relaxing that if you do go off in your own world, any movements your therapists can make can actually be alarming and take you out of that haze, but Alison was so good at explaining  what she would be doing and any movements she would need me to make to assist her that I felt completely at ease as we began.

My beauty coach Alison preparing a nice peppermint tea before the treatment

 I was given the option of receiving a brow shape or lash tint whilst in the treatment which was just such a fab extra bit of detail that really added to the pampering element of the package. She also gave me an expert and detailed skin analysis, sensitively touching upon my problem areas and ensuring she explained to me what this particular treatment could do for each of these. This analysis and diagnosis is where I really got a feel for the extensive knowledge the Guerlain coaches have and how much training they have undertaken to ensure they are providing an outstanding experience for every client. The level of detail she could provide on not only the products she would be using but on the reasons behind some of my skin troubles was fantastic and really made me feel in the most capable hands.

a very ambient relaxation room

The Orchidee Imperiale is the company's signature treatment and is a firming and anti ageing routine that is based around the benefits of the orchid, which Guerlain grow themselves and have continued to develop their products utilising them over the last 12 years. They combine their products stacked full of beneficial nutrients with their gymnastiques massage techniques that are quite something. Unlike other facials that can often feel quite formulaic this really felt like a work out ( albeit a relaxing one) of precision movements for the skin and I could feel every layer being stimulated. Applying different masks according to my skin needs using kabuki brushes, the Orchidee Imperiale treatment really lavishes you with attention, feeding the skin what it has been crying out for while giving the whole body a true sensory experience.

 In the whole two and half hours Alison did not leave the room or take her hands away for more than a couple of seconds which I think is something really special. While products are working some serious magic on your cells, your beauty coach is using different pressures and working on your neck, shoulders, upper back and decollete at any given time. For me this is what made it the ultimate luxury experience, having someone focus on your relaxation as a whole was utter bliss and it is all performed so seamlessly too. Alison was incredibly professional and respondent to my needs, working muscles she felt needed extra attention and moving so lightly and efficiently my relaxation was never broken. The effects of the facial aside It is worth pointing out that I felt pampered from head to toe with the Imperiale treatment  from the paraffin wax hand treatment that worked wonders on my dry hands to the expertly applied lash tint- I felt truly incredible as I walked out of the Spa,something I had to force myself to do, I had big plans to move in!

So relaxation and glorious all round experience aside we need  to talk about the results...and oh my...
After the treatment was complete Alison handed me a mirror to take a look at my skin and I can honestly say I have never been more shocked! I genuinely did not think a facial could actually give you those results that were really truly apparent- but I actually looked 10 years younger! Seriously, I sat bolt up right to inspect my skin further I was so shocked. I may not be firmly in the anti ageing concern category but what this did for my skin was a revelation, my skin was bright, smooth, plump and just vibrant all over. Whats more you could really see the results in my main ageing bug bear, my two very deep frown lines between my eyebrows caused by years of refusing to wear my glasses! When I looked in the mirror they were genuinely pretty much completely gone, Alison remarked I looked as though they had been botoxed and I had to agree, it was completely unbelievable.  Fast forward two weeks and those lines are still far more plumped and less visible than before- in fact my whole skin still has a softness and healthiness and tone  to it that it has not had in,well pretty much forever. I can only imagine the results of a treatment like this could have on a more mature skin.



The experience still wasn't done there, you are then treated to a touch of colour so that you can head straight on out to dinner or shopping looking absolutely flawless. Alison applied some of their Lingerie de Peau foundation ( now firmly on my to buy list) and a beautiful blush in shade pink punk and I have to say I was blown away with how it looked on top of my newly plumped face. I looked radiant and glowing but with a beautiful even natural base with just a hint of colour to the cheeks. It was the perfect end to the treatment and is a lovely touch, it made me practically skip along Princes street to the train. I ended up missing the first train because I actually stopped to about three times to look at my face in mirrors- seriously. Usually I avoid them like the plague but I was just SO excited to see my face looking that bright that I couldn't resist!

Me after the treatment, tiny amount of base and blush on but mostly just smooth skin

Absolutely DELIGHTED

I was sceptical at first at how I would be with a two and a half hour treatment, being of short attention span and prone to wandering off, this was a revelation. In treatments I have often found it hard to 'commit' to the relaxation element but here at the Guerlain Spa it was impossible not too. The time flew in thanks to the many different stages, and I could have easily stayed  in that room for three times as long. A visit to the Guerlain Spa would make the most incredible present I think you could get a man or a woman, with a fantastic menu of treatments  with an express mani for £20 through to the full Bridal Glow package for £564, there is something for everyone. Their signature Orchidee imperiale treatment is £250 which may be a little out of my price range for now but without a doubt if I could afford a repeat visit soon I absolutely would. When I look at what some spas can charge for a day in the spa including only one hour treatment , this makes this seem all the more 'reasonable', for the level of pampering, products, skill and the longevity of the results you are getting, this makes the treatment worth every penny.

To find out more about the Spa and the treatments on offer you can find them HERE or you can reach them on  Tel: 0131 222 8836

A Guerlain masterclass at the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel

My fascination with Guerlain began after watching the first episode of a BBC Documentary called Perfume, in which they followed the prestigious House of Guerlain as they looked outside the family for its next perfumer-in-chief, the esteemed Thierry Wasser. The sheer decadence that surrounds every element of Guerlain was captivating, it was impossible not to get swept away with the story of one of the oldest perfume houses in the world.

Fast forward to now and you can imagine my utter delight and honour at being invited along to a masterclass led by brand ambassador Richard Hawkins (one of only a handful of highly specialised fragrance experts in the world) at a venue as elegant and luxurious as the brand itself, The Caledonian, Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

the absolutely stunning Pompadour at the Caledonian.

From the moment I walked into the reception to the minute I left (after the most spell binding facial I will ever have- review to follow) I felt like a movie star. The hotel located on Edinburgh's historic Princes Street is absolutely beautiful, we were greeted in the Pompadour which is one of the most spectacular rooms I have ever been in! The duck egg blue hand painted wall decor was out of this world and is so fresh, bright and inviting- the absolutely perfect location to learn all about the iconic Guerlain brand. After some delicious brunch nibbles we took our seats as Richard took us on a captivating journey through Guerlains history and the stories and secrets behind their fragrances. Introducing us to the different natural ingredients, inspirations and design ideas behind each scent, he expertly led us from the initial conception right through to the final bottles for each one and it was absolutely enchanting- I could have listened to him talk for hours!

Guerlain is so steeped in history that there is so much to learn, my perfume knowledge was not up to scratch but after this masterclass I am so keen to find out more and actually take on board what I wear and what it says about me. Am I as mysterious and distinctive as Mitsouko ( favoured by greats such as Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlowe)? or am I more exotic and sensual like Bridget Bardot or Rita Hayworth and their scent of choice, the iconic Shalimar? From bergamot to black pepper and every note in between there is story to tell and it was an absolutely pleasure to get to hear just a few of them from someone as passionate and as experienced as Richard.

The masterclass then shifted to make up and we were walked through some of Guerlains most famous  pieces, I was most familiar with their famous terracotta bronzer that I have seen countless people bring out of their make up bag over the years, but I was less familiar with some of their other products. However now the lipsticks, with their innovative designs and stunning shades, are now firmly on my lust list along with countless of their other products! I can safely say Guerlain is so very much on my radar after my experience, a brand as aspirational and synonomous with elegance and luxury, is one I can absolutely see myself saving for and splurging on. There is something about having a product or scent that feels really special that I love, one that can make you feel like a different person just by having it in your handbag to take out and use is really magical and it is these little pieces that are really worth their price tag.

After such a magical morning we were then whisked away to the beautiful surroundings of the Galvin Brasserie De Luxe within the hotel and were treated to an outstanding 3 course lunch. From the impeccable service of the staff to the well thought out and executed menu the experience was heavenly and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Whether you are looking for an afternoon tea, some fine dining or just a cocktail with a an elegant backdrop then you must give the Caledonian a look in. I was really pleasantly surprised with their offer of a set menu for only £15.50 for 2 courses or £18.50 for 3, this is a complete bargain if you ask me- the food was incredible and the surroundings gorgeous,so it is not to be missed if you are in the city!

The hotel has just launched the UK's first ever Guerlain Spa and it is absolutely beautiful- luxurious does not even cover it! Keep your eyes on the blog for my upcoming review of the most sensational treatment I have ever had, the Orchidee Imperiale.

Many thanks to both Guerlain and The Caledonian for such a wonderful day.