Occasionally, The Society brings in industry experts to report on the latest in trends and tips to keep you “in the know” when it comes to luxury travel. This blog post marks the first of many insightful submissions brought to us by Marjorie Rothstein, our resident luxury lifestyles consultant and spa trends expert.

Her work has been featured in Malibu Magazine, Celeb Life/Celeb Staff and  online with La2Day.com, Chictoday.com and Justluxe.com. We are proud to bring her luxury expertise to you. Get your imagination in gear and enjoy, as she will guide you on a path to “Living the 5-Star Life.”

Secret Hideaway: Haven-Cal-a-Vie
by Marjorie Rothstein

What do Paula Abdul, Kirstie Alley, Tim Daley, Sharon Gless, Angelica Huston, Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman, Kathleen Turner and Claire Danes have in common? If you’ve guessed that they’re all celebs, that’s true. But what makes this bunch even more unique is that they all love to escape to a secret hideaway in the hills of Vista, Ca. What is this place? It’s a haven for the very rich and famous, or anyone who wants to be pampered beyond words.

This is so exclusive, only 25 guests can be there at the same time. It is so private, you cannot even find the place without explicit directions. You can’t enter this hilltop sanctuary without an invitation and there is no access except an electric gate. What is the name of this place that looks like an authentic village in Provence, with real antiques and original artifacts? It’s called Cal a Vie and it is located on Spa Havens Way.

If you crave to escape to an intimate setting where you are pampered to perfection, with personalized attention, then this is your place. If you seek the best in gourmet spa meals, sybaritic pleasures, set amongst finest quality French antiques, you will love this place. When you take a break from the daily routine, check out the au courant fashions at the spa boutique. (especially to reward yourself for the hard workouts). While you’re hunting for gifts, check out the recipes from Chef Steve Pernetti’s new spa cuisine book.

Order a copy of Cal-a-Vie Living, gourmet spa cuisine (so you can try all the recipes you loved including the macadamia-crusted chicken and mocha mousse swirl at home!).

If your goal is fitness, health and nutrition, you will find it here.

This is truly a labor of love, where the owners have truly gone beyond the norm to create the ‘best of the best in the ultimate spa’ experience. Focused on wellness, you will be privy to the latest classes in health and nutrition, including specialized weeks with guest speakers. LoRayne Haye, the staff nutritionist is a must, to find out the leading edge in how to rev-up your metabolism. She was an Angel! You can try out the latest fitness classes, such as the Bozu Ball workout (like a half-cut balance ball) to the fun, low impact dance classes that are all the rage. Time flies so quickly you may not even notice that you’ve worked out harder than at home. Your body, your mind and spirit will emerge with a renewed sense of vitality and a more toned body. This is the kind of place you can experiment with new workouts from Zumba (a latin-based movement class) to all kinds of aerobics (water and land based). This is the ideal opportunity to get personal attention for circuit training to Tai Chi or cardio kickboxing. If you are a hiker, the challenging hillside trails are so diverse, you will never get bored on 400 acres. They have just purchased the Vista Valley Country Club with a challenging 18 hole golf course that is like a‘hidden jewel’, with exquisite natural beauty. There are so many improvements being made to this already ‘perfect escape’ from an aquatics center to an authentic L’Orangerie for the ultimate wedding ceremony!

The most luxurious part of the program (from 3 nights to a week of indulgences), are situated in the Provencal Bath House and the salon. There are so many unique treatments from the scalp massage with the vibrating chair (what a surprise) to the microcurrent facial with an oxygen mask.

Did you know that coffee grounds can help with cellulite?

I know it sounds exotic to have coffee rubbed on your skin, but it does have some really therapeutic qualities. I highly recommend the BodyCoffee Vichy Scrub which is an exfoliating body polish with Dead Sea Salts, revitalizing essential oils and coffee grounds! Then you will be smothered in the Body Wash which has antioxidants from the coffee extract, along with aloe vera and olive oil to help smooth the skin. After this you will be soothed with a BodyCoffee Body Lotion. It really works!

There are numerous other treatments, like the Thalassotherapy-Seaweed Wrap. It is a signature treatment at Cal-a-Vie applied in 3 phases. Another exfoliating process but this time with a more gentle mélange from an ancient Indian mud as well as roots, herbs, minerals. After the skin is sloughed and the dead cells are removed, you are slathered in a nutrient-rich concoction of freeze-dried seaweed, algae and bentonite clay for the detox ahead. You will be wrapped thermal blankets that stimulate the toxin release. At the same time, to distract you from being encased like a mummy, your attendant will be gently massaging your face and scalp. Swaddled like an infant, you will feel rejuvenated from head to toe! The final touch is the removal of the seaweed and a soothing application of firming and hydrating serum. Your skin will feel like a baby and you will be totally pampered beyond words.

Another favorite was the Microcurrent Facial Treatment. Forget the Nip Tuck for now, just start rejuvenating your skin with non-surgical treatments. This preventative approach is the best way to maintain elasticity and restimulate collagen so your skin will get a jumpstart. The skilled aesthetician is so knowledgeable and will surprise you with her exceptional ability to create younger looking skin after only one treatment. A series is best for this facial rejuvenation method that utilizes a combo of microcurrent and healing colored light. Utilizing the acupuncture meridians to tone and balance the face, the effects are improved muscle tone, detox and cleansing of the skin without harsh procedures.

Check out www.cal-a-vie.com or call 1 866.SPA.HAVENS for reservations