I tried the new La Prairie spa at the Chateau Saint Martin last week and absolutely loved it! This is a state of the art new spa with top notch facilities and world-class treatments that make it the perfect place for a decadent wellness stay or a quick visit if you happen to be visiting the area.

The Chateau Saint Martin is owned by the same family that owns the legendary Hotel du Cap in Antibes and the hotel recently made a significant investment to create a spa that lives up to the hotel's reputation and quality. The look of the spa is contemporary (which contrasts nicely with the hotel) and soothing and with 5 treatment rooms, hammam, experience showers and relaxation area this spa has everything you need . The treatment rooms are really well thought out with mood lighting, heated beds and showers in every treatment room.

I had the signature body massage that used wonderful natural olive oil grown on the property. David, the massage therapist did a great job in working through the tension in my back and shoulders and I especially liked the fact that he took the time at the beginning of the massage to check on where I was feeling tension and then to check through the massage that he was using the right pressure.

My La Prairie facial was with Emilie and was completely decadent -- I actually fell asleep halfway through which I have never done before. My skin came away glowing, smooth and nourished and the neck, shoulder and head massage was a bonus.

If I have a complaint its the use of the public spaces in the spa. The reception area is small and just outside the treatment rooms so when things get busy you can hear people outside the door which is a shame given how well thought out the spa was. If you have some time between treatments or if you want to simply relax after your treatment, there is a very large and private relaxation area but its downstairs and just not as convenient. Instead, you tend to hang-out in the reception area which only increases the pressure on this small area and makes more noise for those people who are having a treatment.

We combined our spa weekend with a little gastronomic decadence -- something that should be done more often! The head chef, Yannick Franques, has worked with some of the top chefs in France (including Alain Ducasse) and created a menu that impressed even the foodies in the group.

This place is not cheap but its certainly is special and will be something I will remember for a long time to come.