When someone goes to a day spa, they expect to choose from a menu of massages and other treatments to ease tension and soften the spirit. They expect a soothing environment to help them unwind and relax. And they expect to leave feeling rejuvenated, ready to take on the world.
Le Rêve Rittenhouse Day Spa in Philadelphia certainly offers all of these charms, but make no mistake: Le Rêve is a day spa of a much different sort.
Clients experience the difference the moment they enter this stunning Rittenhouse oasis. They see it in the exquisite detail work of the reception area, highlighted by the soothing décor, which includes a crystal chandelier and an onyx reception desk. They smell it in the soothing aromas that waft through the hallways. They sense it in the soft colors, dim lighting and other elemental touches that add character and comfort to the individual spa suites. And they feel it in the restorative energy that quite literally radiates from the spa walls.
When Sophia Brodsky founded Le Rêve, she wanted to create a place of healing, one that enriches a client’s life and enhances their holistic health, both inside and out.
“We are a wellness spa, not just a place to get a good massage,” Brodsky says of Le Rêve, which means “the dream” in French. “The services we offer are to help people relax, to provide them with a sense of calm, and to connect the mind and body.”
A Place to Escape
For example, as part of a spa package, clients may choose to “detoxify” in the breathtakingly designed Himalayan Salt Organic Energy Lounge. This quiet, earth-toned room features Himalayan salt blocks from Pakistan that create a soothing atmosphere in which clients can feel the stress exiting their bodies, from head to toe.
“You feel a difference as soon as you walk into the salt lounge,” Brodsky says. “It just smells natural, and you can feel the presence in the air. From the colors we’ve used to the room’s soft design, it’s all very atmospheric. It’s a place where you will have the opportunity to calm your mind down and just escape for half an hour.”
With its heated floor and gentle lighting, Brodsky says clients often remark on the peaceful feel of the lounge. Likewise, many clients say they leave the lounge feeling not only more relaxed but also refreshed. That’s because the negatively charged ions in the salt have the potential to enhance mood and energy, Brodsky says, and the particles may actually help to improve one’s respiratory health.
A Place to Recharge
In addition, Le Rêve recently added a new state-of-the-art anti-aging system designed to refresh the facial skin through treatments such as microdermabrasion and microneedling. Known as the “wrinkle eraser,” the anti-aging system was created by a German manufacturer that specializes in restoring facial beauty. Brodsky says the system can reverse the signs of aging by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and stimulating the growth of new collagen to provide “a lifting effect.” Clients may see a significant difference in as little as a few treatments.
A Place to Reconnect
“Le Rêve is a connector between the body and the mind,” she says. “It can also be a connector between two people. With our special couples’ packages, couples come here to spend valuable time together. While they are receiving their treatment—maybe aromatherapy or deep-tissue massage or scalp massage—the time they spend enjoying the experience together intensifies their bond.”
The spa even offers a romantic late-night package for couples, for those who are celebrating an anniversary, a special event or “just because.” As couples arrive at 7 p.m., they are greeted by serene sounds, aromas and experiences, including detoxifying water, before moving on to the spa services of their choice. After the services are complete, the couple can relax in the wet or dry sauna, sipping wine or champagne and nibbling on gourmet chocolates.
“They’re spending three to four hours together, and while they’re here we do everything we can to deepen their connection,” Brodsky says. “We offer relaxing drinks and special aromatherapy oils so the experience is special and personalized to the couple.”
Brodsky welcomes prospective clients—single, couples, groups—to experience the difference for themselves.
“I like to tell people to check out all kinds of spas to find the one that works for you,” she says. “I’ve worked very hard to make this place very unique, very special, so when you come here you’re going to find a very personal, nontraditional experience—something you haven’t seen anywhere else.”
Le Rêve Rittenhouse Day Spa
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life Magazine, June 2018.
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