The minute I entered my beautiful room at Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Plymouth, Massachusetts, it was love at first sight. Kind of how I felt when I first saw Paris.
Our suite, including the ceiling, was painted in a luscious purple and featured toile accents, an inviting fireplace and distinctive furnishings. I took a deep breath and said to myself, “Now I can relax. I am right at home.”
While my husband, Bill, and I were happily ensconced at Mirbeau in Plymouth, there’s another location in Skaneateles, New York, just minutes from Syracuse. No matter which one you travel to, it’s going to be a great experience. And stay tuned: This fall, Mirbeau is opening a 17,000-square-foot day spa in Albany.
In Plymouth, Mirbeau is just eight miles from Cape Cod, making it a happy hideaway for the summer or for leaf peeping in the fall. It is situated in The Pinehills, an intimate, award-winning residential community of finely crafted single-family homes, condominium townhouses and luxury leased apartments. As part of your trip, you can travel to Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Plantation. Local attractions also include whale watching, fishing tours, beaches, golf and a reproduction of the Mayflower, on which the Pilgrims set sail. History buffs, make sure to plan ahead: The year 2019 is the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival and the town is planning an extravaganza.
Mirbeau’s goal is to transport its guests to an inn that is reminiscent of a French country estate, like Impressionist Claude Monet’s at Giverny, surrounded by landscaped gardens, a tranquil waterfall and koi fishponds. Inside, you’ll find an Aubusson tapestry of a floral country scene, a 1780s French painted buffet and Art Nouveau-inspired wrought-iron columns. This year Travel+Leisure magazine awarded the resort one of its World’s Best awards.
But let’s get to the spa, shall we? Here, spa lovers can enjoy rejuvenating and life-balancing services in an environment of elegance and comfort. There are 14 treatment rooms and a full range of services that use Babor products, an award-winning luxury line made in Germany that is Mirbeau’s exclusive skincare partner.
Why not indulge in the classic Monet’s Favorite Fragrance Massage? This aromatherapy treatment is described as tending “to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being with your choice of natural essential oils and the benefits of a classic Swedish massage.” Or you might try a Crushed Cabernet Scrub — which they describe as “a blend of grapeseeds, honey and brown sugar (that) invigorates and refines to stimulate microcirculation and the drainage of excess toxins.” Or savor the Honey and Wine Wrap, a nourishing and delectable wrap to address chronically dry skin and dehydration.
Me? I had a plain ol’ massage but it was offered in such an elegant ambience of refinement and comfort that I turned to jelly the moment the masseur touched me. The spa also features eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, a blowout bar, nail salon and gift shop. Don’t miss the gift shop. I needed a super-special birthday present for my niece, who lives in Trumbull, and I bought her the most adorable scented soaps — all shaped like colorful French macarons that look good enough to eat. The gift shop alone is worth the price of a visit.
Also available are Day Spa packages that incorporate your favorite treatments, as well as delicious dining. All Day Spa Packages include a two-course lunch, taxes and gratuities.
Did I say lunch? Yes I did and no matter what meal you share, here it’s bound to be a French delight. Breakfast in the Bistro, for example, can include chocolate crepes, a ham-and-Gruyere quiche or French ham omelets accompanied by fresh croissants. Then there’s the Aqua Terrace featuring artisanal cheeses, a signature salmon salad and a French spa burger made with tofu, beans and charred vegetables. And let’s not forget the Giverny wood-fired pizza with blue cheese and fresh figs — a classic.
Mirbeau is the next best thing to being at Giverny — and there’s no passport required.
For more, visit Plymouth.mirbeau.com and for more on Debbi, visit GorgeousGlobetrotter.com and MarketingAuthor.com.
