Guerlain is synonymous for being one of the most renowned and respected French perfume, cosmetic and skincare house. Founded in Paris in 1828 by perfumer Pierre-Francois Pascal Guerlain, it is amongst the oldest perfume house in the world. I have been a fan of Guerlain since my early twenties when I purchased my first bottle of Midnight Secret, a cream that helped my skin cope with burning the candles at both ends. I then moved onto the super aqua range which was fantastic for hydration and giving my skin a glowing youthful appearance.
I recently fell in love with the brand all over again when I visited the only Guerlain spa in the United Kingdom, located in the luxurious five-star hotel, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian. The spa offers a range of treatments which provide a welcoming reprieve from the stresses of modern-day living, bringing a sense of calm and tranquillity. I was invited to try out one of their rejuvenating bespoke massage treatments, which could not have come at a better time.
Wandering along the grand hallway of the Waldorf Astoria, the stunning perfumed air is peppered with Guerlain’s accords, this lets you know that the spa is close by. As you enter the spa, it is as if you have set foot in one of the many Guerlain boutiques around the world. Not only do their stunning scents lace the air, rows of fragrances glisten like jewels and elegant skincare bottles are proudly on display. A central seated area under a unique lighting feature is the perfect place to relax and wait for your consultation to begin. It is not long before the friendly staff guide you through to your private changing area where you are provided with complimentary bottled water and a fluffy white robe and slippers.
A brightly lit walkway leads you to the relaxation room, it is here where you spend your first moments unwinding before your treatment begins. The room is a cosy and warming space encircled with opulent golden drapes which has a wonderful cocooning effect. A beautiful calming smell cascades the air, and that along with soothing background music provides a refuge from the bustling city centre outside. Comfortable leather beds swathed in the cosy fur-like fabric makes you want to drift off, even before the treatment has begun.
The ambience continues when you enter the treatment room, and even though it may seem slightly clinical, the candles, music and accents of orange add warmth and comfort. Due to Guerlain’s renowned fragrant past, you are treated to a choice of four decadent fragranced oils and whichever one you are drawn to the most, will be used in the massage. I gravitated towards an oriental enveloping scent which in turn also determined the type of massage I would receive. Like many others, I have been working from home, therefore I have been having some serious back issues, so a deep enveloping massage was certainly the perfect match.
The warming bed was immediately comfortable and before the massage began my therapist guided me through a relaxing story whilst breathing in calming scents, which allowed my mind to glacially drift off. The full body massage was a sumptuous 90-minute experience , paying more attention to the areas that I highlighted during my initial consultation. I must say I am a person who usually requests a strong pressured massage and I am very happy to report they tailored this massage to suit. Each part of the body was thoroughly treated with my chosen oil, allowing all my aches and pains to disperse. Due to Covid restrictions, a mask had to be worn during the treatment however this did not hamper any relaxation.
Although I wanted to roll over and sleep after the treatment, I was led back to the relaxation room. Here I was treated to a deliciously refreshing sparkling elderflower drink (usually this will be a glass of Champagne however unfortunately due to current COVID restrictions, alcohol cannot be given).
As facials cannot be carried out at the moment, Louise Banna, the Spa Senior Therapist, has cleverly created an at-home facial which allows you to experience Guerlain’s fantastic skincare products in the comfort of your own home. After a quick skin consultation, Louise compiled a small bag of products that aligned with my skincare concerns. Guided instructions and information regarding each product is also included, so you can sit back and enjoy the experience with ease.
All in all, I enjoyed my treatment in the Guerlain spa as I loved how it incorporated the world of fragrance combined with a relaxing massage. All of my senses were treated to a luxurious Guerlain experience and I left feeling truly de-stressed yet revitalised at the same time. Edinburgh is so lucky to have the only Guerlain Spa in the UK, one that delivers a fantastic array of treatments along with exceptional service.
Of course, as a fragrance addict, I couldn’t leave without trying the array of fragrances on display. So keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming Guerlain Fragrance Review.
Location 5/5
Ambience 4/5
Treatment 4.5/5
Service 4.5/5
Price around £180 for 90 minutes.
BLU BLAZER GUY 