Imagine being invited to a spa opening event, thinking you going for a quiet relaxing evening, only to find out that the fabulous surprise they reserved for you was a post spa party complete with a DJ, Monkey Shoulder whisky and the Monkey Crashers: a band of Parisian party animals! (Had I known, I would have made arrangements to stay out later, but I did manage to enjoy myself until about 9pm!)

 So about that spa… Carita, you know I love Carita since this is NOT the first time I have mentioned them here. I have tested them at their main address on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, at the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, and now I have had a little introduction into their newest address inside the chic and trendy Hotel Bel Ami. This gem of an address from the B Signature Hotels and Resorts group, is more than just a hotel, it’s a VERY cool spot to hang out. FINALLY, a hotel has really understood that they don’t have to attract just tourists or business travelers! Hotel Bel Ami, is lucky to have Tony Jacob as the director of operations and he makes sure this place is THE place to go in Saint Germain des Près. Several soirées were happening in different (cozy) function rooms when I arrived for the spa invitation. It’s nice to know that something hip has infiltrated this very bourgeois, old-Paris quarter.

 

I met fellow bloggers in a VIP lounge area, and was offered treats and refreshment while waiting for my complimentary hand treatment. But honestly, that isn’t why I agreed to go to this event, it was because Tony told me I would NOT want to miss it, and of course kept the surprise of the Monkey Crashers until later. And as intriguing as that was, the clincher for me was the images on their website, showing the lounge area, complete with Hermès wall paper. I thought, well if that isn’t the epitome of chic, and decided I had to see this hotel for myself.

After our delightfully relaxing hand treatment, we chilled out with cocktails, mixed by some pretty talented hands, waiting for this surprise. It errupted in a fun and raucous manner when this band of politely rowdy masked partiers “crashed” the venu, taking over the bar, the DJ and the room. They took pictures and selfies and handed out masks for everyone, there were Monkey Shoulder whisky cocktails being handed out as fast as these dancing crazies could make them. The men in smart suspenders and the woman in a sexy pencil skirt, they certainly pushed the ambiance to a level 10. It was more than fun, and I wish I had known it was going to be a party rather than a spa evening, I would have made sure I could have stayed out late!
 

 

But my pumpkin arrived early, and I had to skip out by 9pm. I hope I get to attend another soirée where the Monkey Crashers take over!