Everybody needs a reset at some point. When I received an invitation to visit Bel Air Tremblant (Mont Tremblant, Canada), a 543-acre estate with luxury domes, pods, chalets, and residential homes, for a C’est La Vie wellness retreat, I didn’t hesitate to accept. Working from home had left me feeling a bit sluggish, too overwhelmed to prioritize daily workouts and probably snacking more than I should. Sitting in front of a laptop for hours on end was doing nothing to boost my cardio health or mood. I figured the three-day retreat would be the reset I needed to eat cleaner and move more.
C’est La Vie Wellness & Retreats is a Miami-based company founded by Armelle Mesguich, a former executive with more than 20 years of experience in retail, fashion, and luxury space, and Karen Letayf, a plant-based chef and certified health coach. Mesguich, originally from France, and Letayf, from Mexico, were brought together by Mesguich’s husband. Recognizing that his wife wasn’t feeling her best, he surprised her with a wellness consultation with Letayf following a recommendation from a friend. The two hit it off and eventually decided to team up to create C’est La Vie Wellness Retreat along with Seabelle, a plant-powered skincare line.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by Mesguich and Letayf and given an overview of what to expect in the coming days. “We want our guests to feel empowered to make smart lifestyle choices with transformational long-term results,” says Mesguich. “Of course, results will only be achieved thanks to their commitment during and after the retreat. But, we make sure our guests are leaving the retreat with tools acquired at every moment of their stay: during activities, meals, workshops, and lectures.” Prior to the retreat, I had filled out an extensive questionnaire detailing my health and wellness goals. General manager Percy Carriapen then gave me and other retreat attendees a tour of the property before escorting us to our accommodations, which turned out to be Bel Air’s luxury domes.
What We Love
- Private sauna and Jacuzzi
- Gas fireplace
- Letayf’s creative plant-based cuisine
- The many activities available at the resort, including hiking, zip lining, fat biking, and more
- Spacious and comfortable domes
What Not to Miss
- A visit to the on-site farm
- Hiking the Bridge of Dreams, a suspended bridge and pathway to various platforms through the trees, complete with string lights
- Dining at Ekki Sushi
Accommodations
While many might think of Bel Air Tremblant as a glamping escape, the term glamping doesn’t really do it justice. Designed by owner and CEO Eric Harari, the domes, pods, and chalets feel much more elevated, even if the term “pod” fails to convey an accurate description of the charming, modern cottages. My dome, like most, came with a private deck, a sauna, and a Jacuzzi. Bright and spacious, it featured 700-square feet of living space, with an open kitchen, a king-size bed, a gas fireplace, a stand-alone tub, and more. It was a unique and comfortable space that I would have enjoyed spending more time in it had we not been busy with various retreat activities. Overall, I found it to be a delightful place to stay. I especially enjoyed waking up to the beautiful panoramic views through the oversized window.
Cuisine
I’ve always believed food to be one of the greatest determinants to our overall wellbeing. I was especially excited to learn that healthy eating would be a key component of our C’est La Vie Retreat. Letayf, who studied and worked with plant-based celebrity chef Matthew Kenney, is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to eating healthy. After developing alopecia, an auto-immune disorder, she took a deep dive on the role diet and processed foods play in our immune system. As a health coach, she helps people to reverse chronic illnesses with proper nutrition. Throughout the retreat, she prepared delicious meals that relied on nourishing ingredients, such as kale apple salad and a baked sweet potato with red cabbage. She also led a cooking demo in Bel Air’s on-site yurt, sharing how to make spinach tortillas, and curated a special menu for the group at the onsite Ekki Sushi, considered the top sushi restaurant in Mont Tremblant.
Each morning began with a glass of lemon water followed 15 to 30 minutes later with a glass of celery juice. Fifteen to 30 minutes after that came vitamin shots of B12, C, and zinc. According to Mesguich, the morning is the best time to release toxins from the body. The routine is designed to help cleanse the liver.
Spa & Fitness Facilities
As part of the retreat, I also enjoyed a soothing facial using products from Seabelle Skincare and a lymphatic drainage massage at Ono Spa, located on the second floor of the clubhouse. The treatment menu features a variety of massages, ranging from a Relaxation Massage ($96, 60 minutes; $133, 90 minutes) to a Jade Hot Stone Massage ($111 CAN, 60 minutes; $140, 90 minutes), and the Classic Facial ($81 CAN, 60 minutes). A nearby fitness room was also available with a host of state-of-the-art equipment for individual workouts. The retreat also included an evening meditation each day followed by a cup of herbal tea to help prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Although I experienced an abbreviated version of C’est La Vie’s four-day retreat, I found myself feeling refreshed and more inclined to eat healthier. “We want the retreat to be a push-start to restore their physical and emotional wellbeing,” says Mesguich. “Our guests practice self-care and make themselves a priority—at least during the length of the retreat. They eat low-fat, plant-based healing food; they exercise, which can help decrease depression and anxiety and improve moods; they get and are supported to get enough sleep; and they connect and share these moments with people who share the same intentions.”
C’est La Vie’s next retreat at Bel Air Tremblant is slated for October 1-5, 2023.
