YOLO Journal Issue 12 - Flipbook - Page 15
LILY OF THE VALLEY,
PROVENCE
Photographs and Words by Yolanda Edwards
As we drove into La Croix-Valmer, of the most incredible lunches looking
a small town on the Côte d’Azur about
out onto the sparkling Mediterranean—
30 minutes southwest of Saint-Tropez, it was as if we were on a proper summer
I couldn’t get over how un-South of
holiday again. “Happiness is a big part
France it felt to me. No giant oligarch
of being healthy,” suggested Stéphane,
houses, large hotels, or shopping streets
our new leader. “Don’t worry, tomorrow
with the usual-suspect luxury brands— everything starts.”
I imagined this was what the area felt
We checked into our rooms—
like many decades ago, with modest-sized
contemporary design as you’d expect
homes built into the pine-covered hillside
from Starck, with organic-shaped,
and views to the sea. We were there to
earth-toned decor, and lots of vintage
check out Lily of the Valley, a 44-room
Provençal pots on the outdoor terrace.
hotel designed by Philippe Starck that
Spa treatments followed—Indiba
opened in 2019 and calls itself a “wellness
(regenerative radio frequency treatment)
luxury hotel”—and to immerse ourselves
for me, and an osteopath for Matt, and
in a four-day detox.
then…cocktail hour! As we drank our
As soon as we arrived, the very
olive oil martinis made with a Provençal
charming general manager, Stéphane
gin called Oli’Gin, we looked around the
Personeni, brought us down to the
dining room and saw some tables clearly
beach club restaurant, La Brigantine, “on the program,” and others who were
where a magnum of Provençal rosé was
digging into a whole roasted shoulder of
immediately presented. We liked this
lamb. The room was buzzing—a far cry
wellness approach already. Seeing our
from some of the more somber clinical
wide eyes and grins, Stéphane made
dining rooms at many detox spas filled
sure we knew the real detox was going
with solo diners. Here, you can be on the
to start the next morning. “It’s Sunday
program while your spouse (or kids!) can
in the South of France, a November
be eating whatever they like. The food
day that’s like summer—it’s your first
from the regular menu is so good, I’d go
day, and you have to enjoy it,” he said. out of my way to come here just for that!
We were definitely not in Germany or Pavlova was our swan song, and it was a
Switzerland! Rosé was followed by one
delicious one.
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