Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and the birthplace of the American Revolution, is rich in history and known for its many diverse neighborhoods, each filled with a different energy and their own unique charm. One of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city is Back Bay, a mecca for shopping and dining, as well as rows of large Victorian homes, art galleries, and Copley Square. Located just a short walk from many of the city’s attractions, including the galleries of Newbury Street and the Prudential Center, Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Symphony Hall is a new Boston landmark, Raffles Boston, the first Raf es property in North America. With so much going on right outside its doors, it’s no wonder that visitors and locals alike seek solace inside The Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston.
Developed in partnership with the renowned Parisian beauty and wellness brand, Guerlain, the spa features three private treatment rooms and one couples’ treatment room, each with private hydrotherapy baths and showers. The spa also boasts saunas and steam rooms, ice showers, and a 20-meter heated indoor pool and fitness center featuring Guests can enjoy the heated indoor pool pre- and post-treatments to enhance their overall experience at the spa. Technogym equipment. “The spa was designed to provide an environment of elegance and to emphasize tranquility with soft lighting and neutral colors to promote relaxation,” says Louise Amerine, director of spa at The Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston. “You will find soft natural tones, like beige, taupe, and soft whites that evoke calmness, and throughout different areas of the spa are signature Guerlain elements in our displays and signature scents that reflect the brand’s heritage.”
The curation of the spa’s menu of services was inspired by the vibrant energy of the city and designed exclusively for Raf es Boston. “Our spa brochure was designed and created in collaboration with Guerlain to include exceptional and unique treatments,” says Amerine. The Ultimate Black Orchid ($390, 60 minutes; $550, 90 minutes), for example, utilizes black orchid to help skin look younger and more radiant, while the Royal Honey Repair & Renew ($360, 90 minutes) combines a ne rice powder exfoliation with a purifying massage using warm plant-infused pouches to help repair and smooth the skin. “Guests are enticed by our Guerlain facials and learning about the unique massage gestures and significance of the Orchidée Impériale skincare used in some of the treatments, which possesses exceptional regenerating powers to enhance vitality and radiance of the skin.” An exclusive treatment at the spa is the Boston Energy ($240, 60 minutes; $320, 90 minutes), an intensive full-body treatment designed to help treat stiffness and soreness using a signature Guerlain balm and oil and soothing hot stones. “The spa team always asks questions to determine the goals of our guests and recommends a treatment best suited to their needs,” says Amerine.
Guests travel to Raffles Boston from all over the world, but many local residents also enjoy the services and amenities at the spa. “We have had the pleasure of welcoming guests who are loyal to the Guerlain brand and thrilled to be able to enjoy treatments at our spa,” says Amerine. “We have built a strong local clientele in our first year since opening and we will be designing unique experiences this year to entice existing guests to return and attract new guests to the spa.”
Currently, guests can browse a selection of iconic and exclusive collections of Guerlain skincare, fragrances, and makeup products, including Orchidée Impériale, Abeille Royale, the Perfumery of Art, and Terracotta. According to Amerine, the spa plans to launch even more retail offerings soon.
While the 13,000-square-foot spa can accommodate around 15 guests per day during the week and around 24 guests per day on weekends, Amerine says the biggest challenge for her remains ful lling the vast number of requests from guests looking to receive services. “We receive a large volume of requests, which we would love to accommodate more of,” says Amerine. “The hours of our operation may change in the future to accommodate more guests. Also, with the evolving needs of guests seeking treatments to enhance their overall health and wellbeing, we are looking to implement different treatment experiences and be more health-focused with nutritionally balanced beverages.” For now, the spa is focused on ensuring each guest achieves exactly what they desire during a visit to The Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston. Says Amerine, “Our guests are truly looking for an environment to fully unwind and escape the bustling daily stresses.