TTN

Sri Lanka’s Grand Dame to unveil L’Occitane Spa

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More than 153 years after first opening its doors, one of the oldest hotels east of the Suez, the Galle Face Hotel, will cut the ribbon on a new L’Occitane spa that pays tribute to the property’s glamorous association with Hollywood over the decades.

Adorned in a romantic palette of soft textures, alpine and teal hues, the spa’s clean and crisp interior will be accented by natural, dark ash-stained wooden floorboards, doors and window frames, recessed Oriental-style rugs, silk screens and exquisite upholstered furniture.

TTN was informed that the spa would stay true to L’Occitane’s traditions, including its essential oils, natural ingredients and traditional massage techniques, yet be distinct in character, inspired by the grandeur of the hotel’s historical association with some of Hollywood’s most recognizable icons.

Spanning a palatial 1,115 square metres, ‘Spa L’Occitane En Provence’ will feature eight therapy rooms, including couples and Ayurveda rooms, as well as a nail spa, lavish indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, gym, steam rooms, dry saunas and Jacuzzis.

Situated adjacent to the hotel’s pool bar and terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean, the spa’s lush outdoor area, replete with daybeds and tropical plants including fuchsia of rich pink bougainvillea designed to attract pockets of butterflies, will serve up a spa menu ranging from healthy snacks to specially created cocktails.

The spa will offer an ample choice of massages, facials and other treatments based on natural ingredients such as lavender from Provence in the south of France and shea butter from Burkina Faso in west Africa.

Both as a backdrop and as a place of respite post-filming, the Galle Face Hotel has hosted a number of stars over the last century and a half, including Laurence Olivier, David Lean, Gregory Peck, Carol Reed, Peter Finch, William Holden and Alec Guinness.

Bo Derek checked in for the shooting of Tarzan, the Ape Man in the ‘80s. In the same decade Harrison Ford was a guest when Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was filmed on the island. Steven Spielberg, Roger Moore, Carrie Fisher, Jean Simmons and Scarlett Johansson also figure on the guest list.  

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