In early 2019, Thalassa Sea & Spa announced the launch of its new Active Break concept: a holistic experience that goes beyond traditional thalassotherapy and marine spa treatments, and a total commitment to wellbeing based on the 6 pillars of wellness (Destination, Treatments, Rest, Nutrition, Beauty and Fitness) to suit every mood and desire. Following more than 18 months of refurbishment, the brand unveils the first Thalassa Sea & Spa Resort embodying this concept, in Le Touquet, France. Active Break, the brand’s signature concept, offers guests the opportunity to take a Break and feel completely Re-energized.
A MAJOR REFURBISHMENT
The Thalassa Sea & Spa Le Touquet resort is the first property to roll out the new “Active Break” concept, which will then be extended across the entire network over the first four months of 2020.
“Le Touquet is a destination where wellbeing has always been a core focus. We want to share Le Touquet’s soothing ethos by offering guests a genuine get-away-from-it-all experience, however long their stay, to help recharge the batteries, restore inner harmony and create lasting memories”, says Claire Bartholus, Managing Director of Thalassa Sea & Spa Le Touquet.
In terms of design, Toma Dryjski from architects DVVD was behind the revival of this flagship destination. He primarily drew inspiration from the paintings of Nicolas de Staël when choosing colors and materials that promote wellbeing and sensory appeal, while incorporating the strong local roots of the hotel.
A MULTI-FACETED LOCATION AND A TRUE WELLBEING RESORT
The new Thalassa Sea & Spa Le Touquet resort is the brand’s new showcase. Whatever their goals, guests in search of wellbeing are offered a holistic experience that combines accommodation (Novotel and ibis hotel brands), treatments and dining in the heart of this haven of tranquility. The wellbeing experience is totally personalized, the range of dining options both simple and healthy and the accommodation tailored to guests’ budgets to ensure totally satisfying stays.
Between sea and sky
The lobby, shared by both hotels, is the starting point for this new experience: vast, bright, surprising, welcoming and multifunctional, it opens onto the landscape and out to the ocean.
The reception desks of both hotels as well as the thalassotherapy and spa reception are enveloped in wood. This is a genuine living space with its own boutique and product counter.
In the 145-room Novotel, the terrace, bar and restaurant invite guests to indulge in a new sensory experience inspired by nature and light. Every choice made in relation to design, materials and shades is intended to ensure a soothing atmosphere. The sea appears in the background in full frame, smooth concrete gives the walls a sleek effect echoed in the soft wooden hues of the floor. The new rooms with views of the sea offer the perfect balance between modernity and ever-present nature.
Another feature of the site is its second, more economic accommodation option. Between the sea and the sunlight, on Le Touquet’s sandy beach, facing only the waves, and just a short walk from the heart of an elegant centenary town. At all times, guests are surrounded by warmth and thoughtfulness. Most of the 91 guestrooms have a balcony, overlooking either the sea or the garden. A bright and warm atmosphere reigns at this ibis hotel, where the guestrooms include an ocean view to guarantee genuine immersion and the opportunity to wake up facing the beach.
A COMMITMENT TO DELICIOUS AND BALANCED DINING OPTIONS
The produce is seasonal, and the cuisine combines balance and regional specialties. The landscape is breathtaking. Bistro-style gastronomy or Surf & Turf bar – whatever your preference, there is something to suit every taste!
Bistro flair at La Maison Mer
Head Chef Bastien Moerman loves produce from both the sea and the land. Dishes are simple yet delicious. La Maison Mer offers creative bistronomy where fish reigns supreme. With his recipe for monkfish tail with venere black rice and served with a red curry and coconut milk sauce, fresh produce is always given pride of place.
At Le Potj’, Yannick Tellier’s dishes have their roots in the terroir of Northern France. A space connecting the indoor to the outdoor, the restaurant has been extended with a new 95m² terrace. It offers a traditional menu full of flavor, where guests in search of understated cuisine can enjoy dishes such as cod loin in a gingerbread crust, served with a beurre blanc and chicory sauce.
The experience
The floor to ceiling windows of the restaurants overlook the beach. Guests can enjoy the generous buffet or select from a menu featuring salads, as well as simple dishes and regional specialties. Thanks to local producers and short French food supply chains, it is easier to discover local flavors! United by a common goal, Yannick Tellier and Bastien Moerman work together to source the finest produce and develop authentic, exquisite and simply delicious dishes. They take an environmentally responsible approach, where the key is to pare back the dish as much as possible to allow the ingredients to shine.
THE BEAUTY AND WELLNESS CENTER
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
The ambiance
Facing the waves and the ever-changing tides, the treatment areas cover a total of 2,000m² overlooking the beach with its large glazed walkway. Bathed in light and tranquility, guests can enjoy limitless comfort and relaxation in an area designed in tune with the feel of the Resort, culminating in a view of the ocean. The link to nature is expressed through a minimalist and understated ambiance thanks to the balance of colors and materials used in the treatment and fitness areas. The guest experience is at the heart of the upgrades made to the center, in both the thalassotherapy and marine spa areas.
The experience is coherent and conducive to wellbeing rituals. The areas have been redesigned to ensure a smoother guest experience and an expanded range of treatments with the addition of two seawater massage rooms, a cryotherapy room and a marine experience pool. New and flexible treatment rooms grouped together in the Beauty Studio, individual wellness coaching rooms and a twin treatment room overlooking the sea mean personalized and tailor-made offers are available at the center. The thalassotherapy and spa rooms have been refurbished to create a soft and intimate ambiance, that varies from light to dark according to the treatments being provided.
A Beauty counter showcases the entire range of beauty products, in particular Thalassa Sea & Skin, Thalassa Sea & Spa’s marine beauty product brand.
The boutique includes a wide variety of products, from swimsuits to men’s and women’s fashion, as well as swimming and fashion accessories.
A “Training Studio” with sea views is accessible to all, enabling fitness fans to stay in shape while enjoying the breathtaking views of the English Channel.
Between treatments…
Unwind: 25-meter heated seawater pool overlooking the beach, terrace with sunbeds & herbal infusions at the herbal tea bar.
Move: Awaken your muscles on the beach, private coaching, sand yachting, new fitness center.
WELLBEING INNOVATIONS
MICRO-SIESTA: RESTORE YOUR ENERGY
> LE TOUQUET’S NEW SIGNATURE TREATMENT AVAILABLE AT ALL PROPERTIES IN FRANCE
This session teaches you how to breathe, stretch, visualize and fall asleep in the blink of an eye, promoting restorative sleep. At the end of the session, every participant leaves with personalized advice to better manage their sleep and boost their energy levels on a day-to-day basis. This session is a genuine resource to help change guests’ everyday lives beyond their stay, to improve their sense of wellbeing at home.
€45 (25 MINS)
RELAXING MARINE SELF-MASSAGE*
Another flagship thalassotherapy product, which takes place in a small group, in a heated pool of water in front of a powerful underwater jet. There are three exclusive variations of marine self-massage: invigorating, suitable for all, sculpting, for clients with a slimming objective, and a totally new relaxing treatment for those seeking to unwind in the Thalasso.
Relaxing marine self-massage takes place in two stages – a relaxation by floating stage, to let go and release tensions, followed by aquatic hand and foot reflexology in front of the jet to re-energize.
Specifically tailored to their needs, the relaxing marine wave and the relaxing marine self-massage will appeal to today’s guests, helping them to discover a new side to thalassotherapy where expertise combines with pleasure.
€40 (25 MINS)
JAPANESE SAUNA
The Japanese Sauna combines state-of-the-art technology and Japanese tradition to purify the body, rejuvenate the skin and lose weight. The infrared booth is ideal for people who cannot tolerate intense heat and who experience a sensation of suffocation in a normal sauna. In a Japanese sauna, the body is warmed directly by rays without increasing the ambient temperature. Stretch out and relax to enjoy a moment of pure pleasure.
€70 (30 MIN).
