Spa Marin du Val Andre Review: Thalassotherapy Makes Winter Wonderful

Brittany thrives on its summer tourism and its popular thalasso resorts (if you’d like to learn more about thalassotherapy, check out my last blog post here). As the colder months come around, things quiet down. It may seem like there’s not a lot to do here in winter, but I think it’s the perfect time to book a spa day!

Even after visiting more than 20 spas in 5 different countries, I’m still discovering something new at each destination! On the winter solstice, I had the pleasure of experiencing thalassotherapy for the first time and enjoyed a Heart of the Ocean facial treatment at Spa Marin du Val Andre Thalasso Resort.

Overall, the spa is worth the visit, although I found it hard to reach a hostess to book. The spa space is bright and modern, decorated with white and beige and varied textures. It looks and feels clean and pure and a refreshing, calming signature scent permeates the area. The site is not as well represented online as it could be and I was pleasantly surprised by my first impression. Spa staff are very friendly despite giving the impression of being overworked.

The treatments are perfect for anybody wishing to renew themselves using top-quality marine ingredients, provided by Thalgo, and relaxation techniques. Take advantage of the marine circuit, counter-current swimming pool, hammam, and fitness area during your visit.

How to Choose a Spa

Although it was my first time visiting a thalasso resort, I have plenty of experience visiting spas in general. But if you don’t, here are some tips on what to look for when planning a spa day: 

• Staff: Spa personnel are there to help you on your wellness journey. If you don’t know where to start, reach out to a staff member for guidance. They’ll be happy to help! 

• Site: Take a virtual tour. Spas usually share information and photo galleries or videos online so you can get a feel for the site before you visit. 

• Menu: Not all treatments are expensive. You can usually find something on the treatment menu that will fit your budget. For example, Spa Marin du Val Andre offers treatments like seaweed body wraps starting at 55 euros. 



• Partners: Reliable skincare partners are important for spas and therapists. Find out who the spa works with and if you recognize and trust the brand.

Ocean Therapy on the English Channel

Spa Marin du Val Andre Thalasso Resort, ideally-located in the beautiful beach town of Pleneuf-Val-Andre, offers 20 treatment rooms for body treatments, massage, wellness coaching, seawater therapy, and facials and esthetic treatments. Treatments focus on the healing benefits of purified marine ingredients, provided by their partner, Thalgo.

The spa also includes:

• A heated seawater pool with underwater and swan neck jets and ocean view
• A counter-current seawater swimming pool with ocean view
• A hammam
• A fitness area
• Relaxation areas

The spa provides wellness retreats with accommodation from 1 night to 7 nights. You can also book treatments separately and enjoy access to the spa facilities for a half-day block; morning or afternoon, depending on your reservation. As my facial was scheduled for 4:50pm, I had access to the spa starting from 2pm.

Entering the spa is a whole vibe. The space is bright and open, with white and beige, natural textures, and modern furniture. On my visit, the reception and boutique area were tastefully decorated for Christmas with wood and gold accents and beautiful displays highlighting Thalgo’s Christmas giftsets. The entire spa is also scented with a mix of essential oils that evokes cleanliness and the ocean.  

The staff are very friendly, but also give the impression of being very busy. That being said, when you're able to speak to a hostess, they take their time to listen and make you feel comfortable. As it was my first visit, one of the hostesses took the time to explain the site layout to me and explained where to go for my treatment later on.  

A little touch that I really appreciated: your robe, towel, sandals and a branded tote bag to carry your items around the spa (and later to bring home your wet bathing suit in) is already placed in your locker.

Seawater and Steam

In the pool area, you’ll find two seawater pools, one containing a marine circuit and the other a counter-current swimming pool, as well as rest areas and access to the hammam.

The seawater is purified and heated, so the temperature is comfortable, neither cold nor hot, and I immediately felt buoyant, evidence of the salt and minerals in the water. The marine circuit is composed of:

• Aquabeds: Super effective for relieving pressure points all along the back of your body. I even had chills as the small, powerful jets released tension underneath my shoulders.
• Water toning stations: Underwater standing stations with jets over the entire body.
• Underwater jets: Including two stations that deliver jets directly under your feet. It was very relaxing to enjoy a hydromassage on my feet while being submerged in seawater and feeling weightless.
• Hydromassage benches: The jets here felt great on my calves. This is also the only area where you’re sitting during the circuit; the other stations are standing, except for the aquabeds, where you’re lying down.
• Swan neck jets: Swan neck jets are always one of my favorite features in hydromassage. I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders and these hit the spot for me.

While I was making my way through the marine circuit, a trainer entered the area to begin an aqua aerobics class in the counter-current pool, one of several while I was there and not very relaxing. I decided to visit the hammam for some steam and silence. As a Canadian, I’ve come to appreciate extreme temperatures, so the warm seawater pool, while totally comfortable, wasn’t quite cutting it for me. The hammam gave me the heat injection I was missing, and turned out to be my favorite installation. It’s decorated in dark tiles with high ceilings, so it feels spacious yet intimate, and scented with essential oils.

Heart of the Ocean

Waiting for my treatment was a lot less comfortable. The seating is deceptively low, meaning you kind of fall onto it which isn’t fun for your back or for keeping your Zen vibe. I also noticed the acoustics in the waiting area; I felt like I could hear the whole spa; and I watched a therapist drag out used linens and another therapist carry out a garbage bag. This area definitely needs to be revisited with the guest experience in mind.

Right on time, the esthetician greeted me for my Thalgo Heart of the Ocean facial treatment. The treatment rooms are clean and cozy, with a towel heater for your wet robe and bathing suit. She explained Thalgo’s ingredient benefits and the steps of the treatment. Before beginning, she guided me in a breathing exercise. The facial treatment included cleansing, exfoliating, masks and creams, all with a refreshing scent of algae and delicate florals, and face, neck, arms and shoulder massage. Products and massage were performed using movements that make me think of waves. The treatment is so relaxing that I even drifted off for a hot minute!



Afterwards, I was given a helpful list of Thalgo products and suggestions from the esthetician. Following the treatment, it would have been nice to enjoy a tea and sit comfortably for 15 before leaving the area. It would help with the transition from treatment back to daily life, which was too abrupt in my opinion.  

Recap

Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Spa Marin du Val Andre. The site is well-maintained and the little details weren’t lacking, like the signature scent and temperature throughout. The staff is friendly although they seem very busy. The facial treatment and access to the site was a good value in my opinion. Their product partner, Thalgo, is renowned for their quality, marine-sourced ingredients. I left feeling renewed and with glowing skin. My husband commented that I had come back with a whole new energy.

Improvements to the spa I would recommend:

• Make it easier to reach an agent and book a treatment
• Create a stronger, more cohesive brand identity for the spa; especially online
• Revisit and improve the customer journey
• Appreciation of the spa staff from a management perspective
• A more discreet noise and waste management system

Spa Marin du Val Andre is one of many thalassotherapy spas in Brittany and only the first I’ve visited. There's many more on my list so check back for more reviews and new blog posts!

Here are few other sites in the area that I'd love to experience: