More than 153 years after first opening its doors, The Galle Face Hotel in Sri Lanka will cut the ribbon on a new L’Occitane spa. Adorned in a palette of soft textures and alpine iced teal hues, the spa’s interior will be accented by natural, dark ash-stained wooden floorboards, doors and window frames, recessed Oriental-style rugs, silk screens and upholstered furniture.

The spa is set to stay true to L’Occitane’s traditions, including the presence of its essential oils, natural ingredients and traditional massage techniques, yet be distinct in character.

“This is a spa that strives to transport you to an early Hollywood era, a gentler, more luxurious time when glamour reigned and time moved slower,” explains Deni A. Dukic, the hotel’s general manager. “We want to ensure that the services offered at the spa are equal to the standards guests from around the world have come to expect of The Galle Face Hotel.”

Spanning a palatial 1,11m², Spa L’Occitane En Provence will feature eight therapy rooms, including couples and Ayurveda rooms, as well as a nail spa, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, gym, steam rooms, dry saunas and Jacuzzis.

Situated adjacent to the hotel’s Pool Bar and Terrace, which overlooks the Indian Ocean, the spa’s outdoor area, replete with daybeds and tropical plants, will serve up a spa menu ranging from healthy snacks to specially created cocktails.

First opened in 2001 in Brazil and Vietnam, L’Occitane spas focus on socially responsible practices, limiting water and energy use where possible as well as selecting natural materials.

The Galle Face Hotel has hosted a number of Hollywood icons over the last century and a half, including Laurence Olivier, David Lean, Gregory Peck, Carol Reed, Peter Finch, William Holden and Alec Guinness.

Due to open mid-2017, the spa’s emergence follows a 30-month restoration, completed in late 2015 that brought the hotel’s guestrooms and suites, restaurants and bars, and lobby and ballrooms of the North Wing back to their original grandeur.

www.gallefacehotel.com