By Raoul Sudre

There are numerous boutique hotel spas in the world today but there is one that stands apart from the rest because of its exceptional location, concept and quality of services. It is Les Fermes de Marie in Megève, in the Savoy Alpine region of France; located half way between Geneva and the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain peak in Europe. Megève is at 1200m altitude (4000ft.) which is the ideal altitude for healthy regeneration. At the turn of the century most sanatoriums were built at that altitude (as one of the advantage of spending at least a week) so, at that level doubles the number of red blood corpuscles in the blood stream of the body. Megève is picture postcard Alpine village and the "Fermes de Marie" is a hotel that totally blends in the savoyard style with state of the art comfort and luxury.

The spa was designed around the concept of the traditional Chinese medicine of the 5 elements; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Treatments offered make use of most of the medicinal plants found in the Alps and that have been the foundation of the European herbology for centuries. Jocelyne and Jean Louis Sibuet have married the most advance international spa techniques with the ancestral therapeutic use of mountain flowers and herbs. Some of the treatments use ingredients such as natural mountain goat milk, St. John's Wort gel applied in a facial mask as well as Edelweiss renowned for its anti-aging property. A spa visit at the "Ferme de Beaute" is truly an exceptional experience. The whole staff is on a continuous training program. They deliver an outstanding level of services.

The very unusual décor, built in the mountain has used the natural setting to create a most interesting and satisfying ambiance; half-cave half- 21st century space station!

The Products used at the spa are all home-made using ancestral recipes and the local herbs and flowers; they can also be purchased for home use. The hotel is most active during skiing season and of course in the summer. Activities in Megève can satisfy both the athletic minded and the leisure clientele. Shopping in Megève is as exciting as it is in Paris or Geneva and as most places in France, the gastronomy is widely recognized.

The "Fermes de Marie" is a hidden gem worth discovering and if you go you will share the space with the world's jet-setters and celebrities and without a doubt will fall in love with the place as I did!

© SPA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL - NOVEMBER 2004


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