After 15 months of renovation and an investment of €6m (US$6.8m, £5.3m), The Relais Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu, France has opened its 1,500sq m (16,146sq ft) four-storey wellness centre.
Designed by the Claude Correia architecture agency, the facility includes a ground floor garden level with two ‘worlds’ designed to provide an intense and varied stimulation of the five senses.
The ‘multisensorial zone' includes a phlebology area, detoxifying bench, effervescent beach, water bikes, Hydronox sofa, massage alcoves, pool and geyser. The ‘delight’ area aims to foster relaxation and wellbeing, and includes a sauna with a view of the garden, hammams, experiential shower, ice fountain, waterfall bucket and sea-air cabin.
The first floor hosts ten treatment cabins and a rejuvenation room, as well as the Loiseau des Sens restaurant, which provides cuisine based around ‘health and pleasure.’ Designed by Bruno Borrione and Mariana Casagrande, the restaurant decor takes its inspiration from The Lady and the Unicorn, the famous allegory of the five senses. Most of the food is organic and local, and there is a juice bar, vegetarian menu and organic wine list.
The top floor contains a seminar room and private spa, and a green roof will soon be host to beehives producing honey to be served to customers and sold in local stores.
The spa is using its own Secrets de Cassis range – created by Dominique Loiseau and based on the aromatic and nutritional qualities of Burgundy blackcurrants – as well as Decleor for body and face treatments and Charme d’Orient for skin exfoliation.
The spa also includes the Hydromel, a floating bed for skin exfoliation with seaweed and mud applications, and the Medyjet, a hands-free system for dry hydromassage.
The wellness centre features a contemporary look, with Morvan douglas fir cladding and an oak staircase. A biomass heating system as well as ozone treatment for the pools have also been incorporated.
