A day in the life of a Spa Manager

At Constance Hotels Experience, our spas offer an oasis of calm where guests can restore a sense of equilibrium to their mind and body.

Sophie Demeret, Spa Manager at Constance Le Prince Maurice Mauritius

Sophie Demaret, Spa Manager at Constance Le Prince Maurice Mauritius

Sophie Demaret is our Spa Manager at Constance Le Prince Maurice in Mauritius. Take a look at her typical day spent running the spa on this tropical island.

I wake up at 6.30 am. The first thing I do is open the window. No music, only birdsong. I live in a single-storey house surrounded by exotic trees. It’s a pleasant and peaceful place to live.

I go and wake up my son, gently tickling his head. His name is Hugo, he’s 11. He inspired me to develop the kids’ spa range of treatments at Constance Hotels.

I take a shower – I love this moment of wellbeing, feeling the warmth of the water. Then I feed my two cats who are patiently waiting next to their dish!

For breakfast I enjoy a violet black tea, toast and orange juice. I listen to the news on France Info, and then I get ready for work.

I live just 15 minutes away from work, which is pure luxury. To reach the hotel, I pass along an amazing winding road that weaves through a forest and takes me close to nature; the heart of Mauritius. On this island, nature surrounds us.

I get to work at 8.15am. A few members of the team are already setting up the treatment rooms, fitness centre, golf, tennis and reception desk.

Constance Le Prince Maurice, main entrance

Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

I check my email and schedule. Then I prepare for our morning meeting at 8.45am.
Before I leave, I check the appointments and write down things we need to do that might help our guests have an unforgettable stay.

After the meeting, I go around the rooms with a therapist in order to check hygiene, the set up, the flowers. The Spa Constance offers a natural approach where treatments include Ayurvedic massage, reflexology, shiatsu, aromatherapy and Thai massage.

I never take anything for granted. The team and I spend a lot of time trying to improve what we do and to find new ideas. We’re developing new treatments at the moment which is very exciting. I love the idea that each person takes part and expresses him or herself.

Our team is diverse: Creoles, Hindus and Tamuls. It’s a fascinating melting pot, and we have to adjust to each other. Our guests are international so it makes our work really interesting and multi-cultural.

 

During the week, I don’t have a break from work. From time to time, I allow myself a foot reflexology massage with a therapist. It helps me regenerate, and increases my energy levels.

Treatment room at Spa de Constance

Treatment room at Spa de Constance

Throughout the day I spend my time with the team on the ground, meeting with clients and discussing with them about their stay and their expectations.

This job involves perpetual self-questioning and lots of patience. We’re dealing with human beings - both therapists and clients.

I love my job, and everyday I get to learn new things.

My day finishes late at night. I clean my office before leaving so that everything is in order for the following day.

When I get home, my family is waiting for me. I put some music on, and light some incense. Sandalwood is one of my favourites. Then we cook a light meal together, while talking about our day.

Find out more about 5 massage therapies to soothe away stress and the spa for children and teenagers at Constance Le Prince Maurice.

Customer reviews: 'Heaven on earth'

Recent customers to our Constance resorts in Mauritius, the Seychelles and Maldives have posted some great feedback on Trip Advisor. Naturally, we want to share these with you.

Here are some of the most recent comments:

Constance Halaveli, Maldives

Constance Halaveli beach view, Seychelles

Breathtaking views across the beach at Constance Halaveli, Seychelles

‘Heaven on earth’ from Julieboulton5

Best holiday we have ever had and we have travelled all over the globe. Excellent in every way. Everybody should go here at least once in their life time. If you want a place to completely relax and unwind, eat and drink the best, be pampered by the best of staff, and be surrounded by beauty on this paradise island, then Constance Halaveli Resort is for you.

Room Tip: All rooms are excellent you cannot go wrong

‘Heaven, peace and relaxation combined in one’ from ACS21

Excellent rooms, service. Friendly staff, comfort and you feel as you are a VIP.

Constance Moofushi dining on the beach

Beach dining at Constance Moofushi, Maldive

Constance Moofushi, Maldives

‘Nice house reef, good value for money’ from lovemoofushi

Just came back, enjoyed everything. The resort has very nice house reef. Suggest to book the seaplane schedule in advance, otherwise u might need to take the 7:00 seaplane to the resort, this is no good if u arrived Male at late flight.

Check out is 12:00pm , if u have late flight, should consider something to do for the rest of the day. The resort is quite full for the moment. The food is fine, good variety. pleasure to stay. I would highly recommend.

‘Perfect Maldivian Island’ from Tracy187

We stayed in a Water Villa on Moofushi last week, mid May. As per other reviews yes they are a good walk away from the main area but that makes them pretty private as you can snorkel straight off the steps of your water villa and we hardly saw anybody in the water there. The villas were also very luxurious with some unique design elements to it which I loved.

The food in the main restaurant was great, take lunch up on the covered area off the main restaurant and watch sharks and fish whilst eating. The staff were also lovely and even carried our plates up to our seats for us as we came back from the buffet, not that our plates were that heavy! A very sweet touch.

The pool is really lovely and relaxing with hardly anybody in it and literally a stroll away from the clearest water imaginable. The All Inclusive package is rare on 5* islands and a great idea and its lovely to be able to just grab drinks from the mini bar if you are relaxing on your decking. If you have any doubts at all, just go – you will love it as much as me!

Main building  and pool at Constance Lemuria, Seychelles

Main building at Constance Lemuria, Seychelles

Constance Lémuria, Seychelles

‘Enchanting’ from charlot74

We return from the Seychelles excited! After staying on Mahé (Ephélia) we spent a week at Lemuria Resort on Praslin: Top of the Top “Chateau” … beauty, charm, luxury, peace ….. Excellent reception. Exceptional location, beautiful architecture, built in granite boulders and lush vegetation, cascading infinity pool is also built into the rocks: magnificent.

Read more of this review on Trip Advisor in French or select the translate button on the Trip Advisor website.

Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

Villas at Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

‘Top service – the best hotel in Mauritius’ from Rennscheier

This was our 2nd stay at the Prince Maurice. The service and especially the good food we liked most definitely. Certainly a top destination for golfers. This was our 7th stay in Mauritius. We have stayed in many good hotels in Mauritius (Touessrok, Dinarobin, Paradise Cove ..) Our favorite is the Prince Maurice.  Tip: book half board – you will not regret it …

Learn to cook with the professionals at Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

There’s a special cookery class taking place at Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius on Thursday 30 September.

Colourful spices of Mauritius

Colourful spices of Mauritius

Seasoned and novice cooks alike can enjoy a day learning about Mauritian cuisine.

The event will be hosted by two of our chefs, Rajesh and Frederic Goisset, and wine tasting is led by our head sommelier at Belle Mare Plage.

Against the backdrop of the Deer Hunter restaurant, situated at the Legend golf clubhouse, our chefs will reveal some of our island secrets for creating subtle and lingering flavours.

Deer Hunter restaurant at Constance Belle Mare Plage

Deer Hunter restaurant at Constance Belle Mare Plage

Guests will learn about roasting spices using traditional local Mauritian methods, and how to prepare them. One such method involves a rock, known as the roche carrie, which is used to crush and mix the spices.

This relaxed and informative day includes:

  • 2 hour cookery lesson, where guests will make chicken with garam masala
  • Presentation by the Z’épices Experience shop
  • Recipe sharing including traditional methods
  • Wine tasting with our head sommelier
  • Three course lunch dining with the chefs (includes wine, drinks and coffee)
  • Gifts to take home including an apron, recipe CD and diploma for the course

As this special day will be popular, you can avoid disappointment by booking your place in advance. Email us at: info@bellemareplagehotel.com or visit the Constance Belle Mare Plage website to find out more about our luxury hotel.

Recipe: Lemon compote with star anise and vanilla

This week’s delicious recipe from the Constance kitchens is Lemon compote with star anise and vanilla. It’s the perfect partner for seafood or duck.

Star anise

Star anise is a key ingredient for Mauritian lemon compote

Let us know how you get on and send us your comments and pictures of your own lemon compote.

You can get in contact with us via Twitter, Facebook or the comments section below.

Serves 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 3 1/2hours

Ingredients

  • 1 kg lemons
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 5 star anise
  • 500g sugar
  • pinch of salt

1. Brush lemons under cold running water and cut 4 vertical slits into each of them.
2. Cook them for 4 minutes in boiling salted water, then put them into iced water. Do this three times to remove any bitter taste.
3. Cut the lemons in 4, remove seeds. Then cut the lemons into wedges, and then dice them.
4. Put the diced lemons in a saucepan, add 1 litre of water, the vanilla, star anise and sugar Cook on low heat for 3 hours.
5. Allow to cool and keep in the fridge until needed.

WIN a luxury, 5-star holiday in Mauritius, flights included

Constance Le Prince Maurice Resort, Mauritius

Constance Le Prince Maurice Resort, Mauritius

Constance Hotels is running a fantastic competition to win a luxury 7-night stay for 2 at the 5-star Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel in Mauritius.

As well as half board in an exceptional luxury Junior Suite, the prize includes flights from our partners, Air Mauritius* and access to two championship 18 hole golf courses.

All you have to do is answer 3 simple multiple choice questions about Constance Le Prince Maurice and you’ll be in with a chance of winning. And the answers can all be found on this blog!

Enter the competition now by visiting the Constance Hotels Experience Facebook page.

Perfume, wine and champagne on Twitter

Weekly prizes can also be won on Twitter throughout May, including bottles of wine from the wonderful Art de Vignes, magnums of champagne from Champagne Deutz and high-class French perfume from Serge Lutens.

*Flights must be taken from an Air Mauritius Gateway. Prize does not include transfers to and from the airport to Constance Le Prince Maurice. Holiday insurance isn’t included.

Serge Lutens – sponsors of our Twitter competition

Serge Lutens Fragrances

You can win Serge Lutens fragrances

Every week for the next month we’re offering fabulous prizes through our Twitter account including perfume from the world class perfumer Serge Lutens.

Serge Lutens’ perfumes are famous for their individuality, authenticity and rarity. Although born in Lille, France, Serge Lutens draws inspiration from his adopted home, Morocco.

His scents are pure and intoxicating yet anchored in reality. They smell of the things you recognise: places, skin, sex, people, even bread.

Lutens’ newest perfume Jeux de Peux is said to be inspired by childhood memories of warm, crusty bread. Other popular perfumes include Ambre Sultan, Fille en Aiguilles and Daim Blond.

Enter our Twitter competition throughout May and you could discover for yourself the beauty of Lutens’ fragrances.

You can also enter our fabulous competition to win a luxury 7-night stay for 2 at the 5-star Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel in Mauritius including half-board and flights.

You can enter the competition now! Check out Constance Hotels Experience on Facebook to enter.