Grape Expectations

Forget herbal teas and juice cleanses. At Caudalie’s latest Vinothérapie spa, the drink and treatment ingredient of choice is of the vineyard born. This October the grape-centric brand will open its fourth spa and first U.S. location in the recently overhauled Plaza Hotel. The 8,000-square-foot spa will feature 14 treatment rooms and a variety of amenities including a VIP room for two, Vichy shower, two hammans and the brand’s signature barrel bath. All of the treatments, from the Honey & Wine Wrap to the Fresh Grape Pedicure, incorporate Caudalie’s philosophy of using grape and vine extracts to pamper and treat the skin and body. The most unique feature of the Plaza location is the wine lounge, a relaxation room where guests can sample an international array of artisanal wines, handpicked by brand founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, while they unwind and munch on complementing gourmet small plates. “Wine is our heritage and culture,” says Mathilde. “Our other spas [located in France, Italy and Spain] are surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Here in New York we wanted to bring the vineyards to the spa.”