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The first three Six Senses lodges and spas have opened across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that’s famously strict on development and tourism, with the remaining two set to debut in March 2019
Spas at each of the six lodges focus on a different strand of Bhutan’s unique Gross National Happiness index
The collection of boutique lodges, with just over 80 rooms in total, is one of Asia's most anticipated openings and spa facilities at each site create a special wellbeing circuit.
Guests can travel to each location to experience a unique taste of wellness based on Bhutan's gross national happiness (GNH) index. The Buddhist country uses GNH, focusing on the wellness of its people, as a measure of development instead of gross national product.
The spas at each lodge focus on a different domain of GNH. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has the largest lodge with the most comprehensive spa which takes its lead from the GNH strand of physical and mental health. It offers Six Senses' Integrative Wellness Screening to measure biomarkers and pay close attention to mental health. Breathwork and visualisation is also incorporated into each treatment.
In the low-lying valley of Punakha, the spa is based on the 'time use' domain and the balance between work and rest, which is where Six Senses sleep programme comes in. Treatments include medicinal Bhutanese aromatherapy, grounding massages and vedic eye therapy.
Education is the theme behind the spa at Paro, the last location in the circuit, where intentions for the future are written on Bhutanese flag prayers.
When they open, the spas in Gangtey and Bhumtang will focus on psychological wellbeing and culture.
Overall, standout therapies such as traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, swedana sweat treatments, meditating in a pyramid prayer pavilion and having a massage overlooking ancient stone ruins, have been woven into the offering.
"We take guests on an educational and experiential journey of happiness," Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses' VP spa and wellness, tells Spa Business. "Bhutan has a special, magical energy – the spirit of the land, the culture and people, the beautiful nature and the preservation of the country's values – which leaves no one untouched. Our aim is to not only give guests an outside-in journey with all they can explore, but also an inside-out journey working on mindfulness, happiness and brain health."
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In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
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The first three Six Senses lodges and spas have opened across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that’s famously strict on development and tourism, with the remaining two set to debut in March 2019
Spas at each of the six lodges focus on a different strand of Bhutan’s unique Gross National Happiness index
The collection of boutique lodges, with just over 80 rooms in total, is one of Asia's most anticipated openings and spa facilities at each site create a special wellbeing circuit.
Guests can travel to each location to experience a unique taste of wellness based on Bhutan's gross national happiness (GNH) index. The Buddhist country uses GNH, focusing on the wellness of its people, as a measure of development instead of gross national product.
The spas at each lodge focus on a different domain of GNH. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has the largest lodge with the most comprehensive spa which takes its lead from the GNH strand of physical and mental health. It offers Six Senses' Integrative Wellness Screening to measure biomarkers and pay close attention to mental health. Breathwork and visualisation is also incorporated into each treatment.
In the low-lying valley of Punakha, the spa is based on the 'time use' domain and the balance between work and rest, which is where Six Senses sleep programme comes in. Treatments include medicinal Bhutanese aromatherapy, grounding massages and vedic eye therapy.
Education is the theme behind the spa at Paro, the last location in the circuit, where intentions for the future are written on Bhutanese flag prayers.
When they open, the spas in Gangtey and Bhumtang will focus on psychological wellbeing and culture.
Overall, standout therapies such as traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, swedana sweat treatments, meditating in a pyramid prayer pavilion and having a massage overlooking ancient stone ruins, have been woven into the offering.
"We take guests on an educational and experiential journey of happiness," Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses' VP spa and wellness, tells Spa Business. "Bhutan has a special, magical energy – the spirit of the land, the culture and people, the beautiful nature and the preservation of the country's values – which leaves no one untouched. Our aim is to not only give guests an outside-in journey with all they can explore, but also an inside-out journey working on mindfulness, happiness and brain health."
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Thomas Klein
Senior living, family resorts and urban retreats are all on the cards for Canyon Ranch says COO and president Thomas Klein. Katie Barnes finds out more
Trends: Spa Foresight™ 2018/19
Spa Business’ predictions for the future include vegan spas, blue light antidotes, home wellness and plastic-free facilities
Interview: Dietmar Mueller-Elmau
The owner of Germany’s Schloss Elmau tells Spa Business why music, culture and spa feed the mind and soul
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Living Earth Crafts has distinguished itself with furniture for the spa industry that combines high design with seamless functionality. Brian Paris gives us insight into the company’s stylish new introductions
Event report: GWS 2018 - Bella vita
An Italian inspired Global Wellness Summit featured fashion, food, fitness and spa… and cameos from Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey. Spa Business gives its highlights
Research: Growing up
Spa is the fastest growing sector of the US$4.2tn global wellness economy according to the latest GWI research
Event report: WTA Conference
What do wellness travellers want? And what issues need to be addressed as the wellness tourism sector grows? Anne Dimon reports from the inaugural meeting of the Wellness Tourism Association
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Ashley Neese tells Spa Business about the possibilities of breathwork and opening up the practice to more people
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
