A love letter to Philadelphia, the W Philadelphia takes its cues from the city of brotherly (and sisterly) love. Inspired by Penn's urban grid, city parks, French architectural and cultural influences, the 70's music scene, and revolutionaries past and present, the various design elements contextualize local culture and history.

The spa is part of the 51-story dual-branded hotel in Philadelphia. The hotel opened in August 2021 and populates the lower four levels and the top 18 floors of the building. The hotel features a ground floor lobby, three floors of meeting space, a rooftop pool and bar, spa, fitness facility and 295 guestrooms and suites.

The spa is a 3,000 sf luxury wellness and beauty sanctuary located on the pool level of the hotel, along with the pool, pool bar, fitness center and rooftop garden rounding out the hotel’s urban retreat.

• 3,000 Square Feet
• Five treatment rooms
• Opened Fall 2021

Facilities: The spa is a playful sanctuary with the central beauty-bar/retail, two beauty-pods, two manicure stations, men’s and women’s luxury changing rooms, a co-ed lounge and five treatment rooms. It is also conveniently located on the same floor as the WET Deck with the outdoor heated pool and pool bar, fitness center and rooftop garden.

What was Blu Spas responsible for in the project? Comp Report, Technical review of design and equipment. Specifications for operational OS&E.

Architects/designers: Interior Design: Sharilyn Olson Rigdon of designstudio ltd (Portland, OR) Architect: Cheryl Smith of Nelson Worldwide (Philadelphia, PA).

Design aesthetic: The AWAY Spa by W Hotels is a luxury wellness and beauty sanctuary located on the pool level (WET Deck), along with the WET bar, GYM and Secret Garden rounding out W Philadelphia’s ultimate urban retreat, whose design takes its cues from the city’s social, historical and cultural influences. The AWAY Spa extends the WET deck concept of a French parterre garden, inspired by Versailles and Benjamin Franklin’s visits there. As a nod to the hedonistic nature of the AWAY Spa concept, the spa design is inspired by Louis XVI’s Versailles and Sofia Coppola’s film of that period, Marie Antoinette. Scenes from the film as well as the actual palace inspired the color palette and overall sense of joie de vivre. Further pushing this modern and hedonistic approach to beauty was the inspiration from artist Marilyn Minter’s contemporary perspective on beauty and pleasure. AWAY Spa embraces Minter’s edgy take on indulgence with two large scale prints of her work that welcome the guest into the beauty zone and the chill lounge. Treatment room artworks inspire indulgence with candy-colored baroque fantasies by Chad Wys.

The AWAY Spa program includes two unique features, the Beauty Bar and Spa. The W's brand DNA is translated through storytelling to create a unique and innovative design experience. W's philosophy of Cocktail Culture is translated through design, programming and FF&E to create a socially oriented spa experience.

When guests pass through the transparent entrance, they pass through the dark and intimate changing rooms to the red velvet draped Chill Lounge where they await their treatment in one of the five pink-hued treatment rooms. The playful sanctuary includes the beauty bar, semi-private beauty pods, luxury changing rooms, lounge and five treatment rooms. Unlike traditional spa environments, this spa invites guests to indulge in a welcoming retail storefront designed with the option to engage at the bar for cocktails or healthy elixirs. The beauty-bar also serves as DJ stand for beauty and wellness events as well as private parties. The intimate nature of the spa is conducive to small groups and private parties. Couples’ rooms can accommodate friends or couples’ treatments.

Signature treatment / skincare: Signature treatments include detox treatments, massages, facials, body treatments like scrubs and wraps, lip treatments, men’s treatments and manicures/pedicures. Products are by The Davines Group and include / skin regimen / and [ comfort zone ]. The spa also features local product line Franklin & Whitman.

Spa equipment: Supplied by Universal Companies. Brands include Living Earth Crafts, NILO, Comphy.

USPs: Our menu features luxury beauty and wellness treatments with a dedicated Detox menu with massage, body and facial treatments designed to detox from life’s stressors. AWAY Spa’s approach to services is meant to fuel your mind, body and glow so that you can feel good, go longer and stay later. It’s all about detox, retox, repeat, and living life in balance. The brand’s program is unique and promotes a new kind of wellness space.

Most exciting: The social aspect, the detox/retox aspect and the flexibility of the space and ability to hold private parties.

Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge at The Seabird, Oceanside, California: an open-house vibe for guests and the community offers diverse gender access to the Cove (sanarium - hybrid sauna and steam}, laconium (radiant heated tiered benches for lounging) and cool aroma mist (cool down feature); beauty lounge & parlor plus the library for treatments, events & gatherings and chill time; Residential approach to changing spaces - 7 changing spaces that give the ambiance of a private dressing room while offering the assurance of individual use and space. Lockers are staged outside of changing spaces with more open area to access. Each is carefully stocked with thoughtful amenities, plush towels and Seersucker Seabird Robes and Cozy Pajamas.

“The thoughtful approach to the design that Cary, Maggy and the team with Blu Spas used for our space, embraces the good-hearted energy that is distinctly Oceanside. They expertly struck a balance between integrating modern touches of sustainability with inclusive, updated twists on traditional relaxation spaces. The warmth radiates from the Spas seaside views to the welcoming yellow doors, each welcoming with designed detail.” - Marissa Edwards, Spa Director

“The design focus of the spa creates a space that is far less commercial and much more residential and convivial. The retail area serves as the window to the overall spa from the resort, and invites guests to discover not only the unique items displayed, but to glimpse into the salon as well. At the separate spa area, Glass walls at the sanarium, lanconium and mist areas provide visual accessibility and create a feeling of openness which is vital to this coed area.

"To further reinforce the residential idea, locker rooms were eliminated in favor of individual changing and shower rooms and lockers were replaced with personal armoires storage niches. The design palette is intentionally kept minimal and cool while lighting helps sculpt the space and provides intuitive wayfinding for guests. artwork was thoughtfully selected as to its visual impact and its relevance to the natural environment of the region. The relax lounge location provides guest with a breathtaking view and forms a powerful connection to the ocean which calms and regenerates their spirits.” - Bill Bocken, Interior Design Architect

• 7,000 Square Feet
• 9 treatment rooms
• Opened June 2021

Facilities: 9 Treatment Rooms (2 available for duo), 3 Hair Stations, 3 Manicure Stations, 4 Pedicure Stations, Individual Locker Rooms with armoires instead of traditional lockers, The Cove (classic Mediterranean grotto experience), Fitness & Wellness spaces (includes TechnoGym equipment, a Peloton, Rowers, Free Weights, TRX System, Yoga, HIIT, Stretch Classes, Sound Bath and Wellness Retreats), Retail Space, relaxation space with ocean views.

What was Blu Spas responsible for in the project? Blu Spas Inc. along with Maggy Dunphy planned the spa layout and design.

Architects/designers: Bill Bocken served as Interior Design Architect, Delawie of San Diego were the interior designers and Maggy Dunphy and Spa Director, Marissa Edwards, created the spa menu together.

Design aesthetic: Inspired by the good-hearted energy of Oceanside, the design is a balanced blend of modern touches of sustainability with inclusive, updated twists on traditional relaxation spaces. The focus is less commercial and more residential and convivial. The palette is intentionally minimal and cool with thoughtful lighting allowing easy wayfinding for guests. Artwork enhances the relevance to the natural environment of the region.

Signature treatments / skincare: We offer massage, body, skin and salon treatments each that offer a playful twist on beauty, wellbeing, and holistic “soul care”. Partnering with Osea, Circadia and Tara, our lines offer an eclectic blend of ‘farm to sea’, traditional, and holistic rituals inspired by the power and endless energy of the sun and ocean.

Suppliers: We partnered significantly with Living Earth Craft.

USPs: The way in which the Spa design allows us to bring the Ocean and shoreline in through our relaxation lounge, or Lookout as we call it, is unlike many others. The entire spa environment is enveloped in the natural soundtrack of Oceanside Beach, offering a subtle mix of calming and life infused energy. It flows naturally from that space and by pairing it with naturally infused products and sound and vibrational meditative techniques, the Spa becomes a full immersion experience not just a treatment space.

The Tierra Luna Spa at Arizona Biltmore was the result of a complete transformation and expansion of Arizona Biltmore’s spa. In addition to adding treatment rooms, including two doubles suites with steam showers and private gardens, indoor and outdoor lounges were introduced to enhance the wellness offerings and guest experience. The spa includes the Sol Garden, Tierra Luna Spa Boutique and 12 treatment rooms. Updated men’s and women’s locker rooms gained steam rooms and lockers with touchless technology. Douglas Fredrikson Architects and SFA Design excelled in creating an overall design that both honored the Frank Lloyd Wright style and captured an unmistakable connection to this desert location.

• 28,000 square feet (includes Tierra Luna and Sol Garden)
• 12 treatment rooms (including 2 doubles suites with showers and private gardens)
• Opened May 2021

Facilities: Men’s & Women’s Dressing Rooms (with showers and steam rooms), Wellness Bar, Sol Garden outdoor space (with firepits, infrared sauna, chilled trellis area, jacuzzi, cold plunge.

What was Blu Spas responsible for in the project? Blu Spas were a part of the design for both Tierra Luna and Sol Garden. They also assisted with concept ideas for the brand ID.

Architects/designers: Douglas Fredrikson Architects and SFA Design

Photo: Tierra Luna Spa at the Arizona Biltmore Resort / Thomas Hart Shelby

Design aesthetic? Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Piestewa Peak, Tierra Luna Spa embodies the divine connection between the desert and the cosmos. Timeless and free-spirited, with a ruggedly chic aesthetic, the holistic spa is reinventing the modern spa experience. The physical space has been designed to integrate seamlessly into its desert setting, for a sense of openness that connects strongly to the cosmos.

Signature treatments / skincare: With a name that honors both the earth below and the moon above, the new spa features 12 soothing treatment rooms and a range of curated therapies inspired by the surrounding Sonoran Desert. From innovative treatments, such as the Desert Oasis Massage and Lucid Awakening, to cosmic offerings including an Alchemy Mud & Crystal Body Treatment featuring an onsite astrologist, Tierra Luna Spa adds a dynamic new dimension to the “only at the Biltmore” magic. Our services are built on three pillars, Desert Botanicals, Cosmic Connection and Dynamic Recovery. Each of the experiences at Tierra Luna speak to one of these pillars and helps our guests to connect to our purpose and story.

• KYRPIS – local, organic, wild crafted, sustainable
• DermYoung – I-Genesis technology, safe, clean cosmeceutical results
• LilFox – Concentrated earth-borne ingredients that nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Beautiful rituals, tools, and products
• Body Bliss – Organic, hand crafted, local products. Chakra oils and indigenous muds

Suppliers: Oakworks treatment beds, Lemi Dream Beds.

USPs: We are most excited about telling our story through a unique wellness journey. When our guests arrive they often immediately recognize the grounding energy that exists. We are most excited about creating an experience that articulates the special story of Tierra Luna.