The Spa Guide Visits Chateau Elan
Dateline: 07/21/98
Château Élan
photo courtesy of Château Élan
Back in April, I presented an informational article about Château Élan on the Spa Site. I mentioned that I would be in Atlanta around the 4th of July. I also mentioned that I would like to take that opportunity to stay at Château Élan. Well, guess what? I did!
We flew down to Atlanta a full week before the 4th. In that week, we visited relatives in Alabama. My husband played golf at Auburn Links which he found outstanding - challenging, well-kept, and reasonably priced at $32 for 18 holes - cart included. He says it's the best course he's played on - ever. We visited two colleges with my daughter who is interested in studying music - Columbus State University (which seems to have a very nice, very well funded music program) and Auburn University (which seems to be dismantling its music program). We visited friends from our days at Georgia Tech. We visited WhiteWater (yes, even after the E-Coli outbreak). My husband ran in the Peachtree Road Race, and my daughter and I volunteered to be members of the road crew. We saw the fireworks in the parking lot of Lenox Square. We went to a Braves game. I mention all of this just to let you know that this was a busy, hectic, but fun vacation. And how much we appreciated the change of pace during our stay at Chateau Elan.
You can read about all that Chateau Elan has to offer in the earlier article. I'll just tell you about our visit. As you drive onto the extensive Chateau Elan property, you first see two palatial buildings flanked on the west by a vineyard and the Equestrian Center - the Winery and The Inn.
The Winery at Château Élan - photos by Julie
Register
The Inn at Château Élan - photos by Julie
Register
Only a short walk away from this main center of activity is The Spa at Château Élan. Convenient, yet it sits in wooded seclusion. The front of the building is deceptive. It does not reveal the extensive facility that lies beyond the front door. The left wing houses the 14 spa suites and the right wing, the actual spa.
Spa Entrance
Secluded patio on suite wing and rear of suite
wing facing pond - photos by Julie Register
The Setting
As soon as you walk through the front door, the peaceful
atmosphere seems to wrap around you and invite you stay, unwind
and enjoy the serenity. A very pleasant person who directs you to
either the spa desk, the restaurant, or the suites greeted us as
we entered the spacious common area. Walking straight ahead leads
to the spa restaurant Fleur-de-lis which overlooks a large
private lawn, woods, pond, and Gazebo
.
The Spa from the pond - photo courtesy of Château
Élan
Let me first tell you about the guest suites. This is my idea of a perfect setting for a spa. The rooms are specifically for spa guests. You would never have to leave the building. As I was told, you can put on a robe (provided by the spa) and stay in it for your entire stay. It makes you feel as if this were your home - chateau - and all the wonderful treatments, equipment, and food were there just for you. The rooms are each done in a theme with names such as the Vintage Room, Oriental Room, Greek Room, Western Room, Gatsby Room, Birthday Room, Victorian Wicker, Country French, and Hi-Tech Room. Pictures just don't do justice (especially the ones I took), but I had a chance to see some of the rooms and take a few shots:
The Georgia Room
The Lodge Loft and The Art Deco Room
The Fox Hunt Room
photos by Julie Register
The
Treatments
The multi-floor Spa is a world unto itself. The main level
has a large inviting hot tub, a well-supplied locker room with
whirlpool tub, steam shower, stacks of fluffy white towels, miles
of mirrors and counter space stocked with every beauty supply you
could possibly need, and walls of spacious lockers, a workout
room with aerobic studio and all the latest machines, and
inviting waiting and recovery rooms.
Hot tub, women's locker room, and work-out room -
photos by Julie Register
The lower level has a resistance pool, and the upper level has peaceful treatment rooms overlooking a sea of green treetops. You can't help but feel a sense of well-being - that someone has thoughtfully prepared all of this just for you - that all your needs have been anticipated and well prepared for.
I tried two treatments at the Spa: The Hot Stone Massage and
The Power Peel.
The Hot Stone Massage was undoubtedly my favorite. The therapist
used Swedish massage techniques with smooth, heated stones. The
deep-penetrating heat just melted muscle tension away. I felt
somewhat like I was being ironed, but it left me feeling peaceful
and relaxed.
Exfoliation is one of those skin maintenance treatments that
should be done from time to time. I have tried fruit peels and
acid peels and now The Power Peel. The Power Peel is a
micro-dermabrasion treatment that essentially is like a mini
sandblaster. To be honest, I don't like the way my skin feels
after any exfoliation treatment. It tends to burn and itch for a
few days afterwards. And I am not sure I like the suction of the
Power Peel. Not that it's very strong, but I don't even like the
drag a tube of lipstick puts on my lips. However, my skin did
look nice and did feel softer after the treatment. They say after
several treatments, acne scars will be less obvious and age
spots, fine lines will be erased, and its safe to use on all skin
types and colors.
My daughter and husband both had Swedish massages and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Afterwards, we relaxed in what may be my favorite room - the recovery room - well stocked with water and juice, soft music, and the most comfortable lounge chairs I've ever had the pleasure of reclining on.
Recovery room at the Spa - photo by Julie Register
Other therapeutic techniques offered include harmonic massage, thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, hydrotherapy, Vichy showers, herbal body wraps, body exfoliations, facials, and hand and foot paraffins.
The Food
Château Élan has seven restaurants. The spa restaurant,
Fleur-de-lis, prepared healthy and delicious Spa cuisine. Each
item is analyzed for fat, cholesterol, sodium and calorie
content. I particularly enjoyed the Shrimp and Rice Roll Salad. I
love Japanese food (there's more to it than raw fish!) and the
kitchen did a fine job of preparing this. Breakfast, lunch and
dinner are served in at the Spa. Dinner is served Thursday,
Friday and Saturday evenings only.
Shrimp and Rice Roll Salad at Fleur-de-lis -
photos by Julie Register
Not all our meals were health-conscious. We splurged at Le Clos - fine dining in a formal atmosphere in the Winery. We had a seven-course classical French meal with an appropriate Château Élan wine with each course ($79 per person). The soup, Creme de Chanterelle avec des Quenelles de Pain au Lardons (Cream of Chanterelle with Bacon Bread Quenelles) had a rich, exquisite flavor, perfect consistency, and was the highlight of the meal. Other courses included an Appetizer of Brochette de Coquilles St. Jacqes et Crevettes ...(Chardonnay), Intermezzo of sorbet, Entre of Duo of Boeuf Wellington et Cotelette de Veau avec Pommes Mousseline...(Merlot), Salad of Moules Vertes a L'aioli de Fines Herbes, endive frise (Green Lip Mussels with Herb Aiolo and Curly Endive) - also outstanding (Johannesberg Riesling), Dessert of Soulffle au Gingembre avec Son Sabayon (Ginger Bread Souffle with Eggnog Cream Sabayon) - again outstanding (Port). Of the wines, we especially enjoyed the Chardonnay and the Port.
Le Clos - photo courtesy of Château Élan
The Rest
We toured the Winery,
got to taste a number of the wines made at Château Élan, and of
course, bought a few bottles at the Wine Market.
The winery - photo by Julie Register
The Wine Market - photo by Julie Register
My husband enjoyed playing golf on The Woodlands par 72 course but thought it was a bit pricey at $68 and felt the greens could have been in better shape.
Will I return to Chateau Elan? Most definitely. Who knows...maybe when my husband goes back to Georgia this fall for the Buick Challenge (Oct 1-4), I will go with him. As far as the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport anyway. From there, he can head south for Callaway Gardens (which, by the way, is a lovely place to stay - no spa, though) in Pine Mountain and I can head north for another stay at Chateau Elan. I see a stay in the Georgia Room and a hydrotherapy treatment in my future.
Château Élan
100 Tour de France
Braselton, Georgia 30517
(800) 233-WINE (9463), FAX: (770) 271-6915
(770) 932-0900
Mail to: chateau@chateauelan.com
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Body,
Mind, Spirit in Roswell
Jolie
The Day Spa & Hair Design in Buckhead
Natural
Body in Morningside
Plumyumi in Peachtree City
Quintessence
in Buckhead
Buckhead Bodyworks
The Mind Spa in Norcross
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