Exuberant contemporary classicism overseen by the House of Versace weaves its way around the fashion brand’s second hotel in the world. More than 2.5 million mosaics can be found in the tower, all handcrafted by fourth-generation Milanese artisans, alongside a kaleidoscope of signature Versace emblems, including its iconic Medusa head, geometric Greca motif and Barocco print. Expressed in carpets, furniture and sculptures, these symbols appear consistently and creatively throughout, with the overall effect of a glamorous Italian palazzo. To complete the brand experience, Versace Home textiles, lighting and linens are integrated into the opulent 271 guestrooms across 12 floors.

The Spa at Palazzo Versace Macau continues this luxurious Italian aesthetic, although a chrysanthemum has also been introduced in everything from the flooring and walls to cushions, coasters and a detoxifying tea served in the welcome lounge. The flower is a local symbol of good health and appeals to Chinese people, who make up the majority of visitors.

Beautiful amber-hued Lasvit chandeliers illuminate the spa reception and complement the Italian marble and red leather furniture. The spectacular pool complex – created in part by Barr + Wray, which had a hand in the mechanical design of all spa wet areas across the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort – is a standout feature. Meanwhile, the corridor leading to the spa deserves its own mention for the hand-drawn prints of fashion models wearing the brand’s shimmering dresses, exclusively created by the House of Versace for the hotel.

Central to the Versace wellness concept is the hammam experience, here given an Italian twist, and Mediterranean-infused therapies underpinned by Frame Cosmetics. Based on raw ingredients grown in southern Italy’s protected Pollino National Park, Frame has also choreographed treatments exclusively for our Palazzo Versace spa. A spokesperson for Grand Lisboa Palace says: “These treatments by the advanced Italian brand support the body’s inner wellbeing with herbal infusions, prioritising genuine wellness over abstract notions of beauty.”

For spa visitors, this translates into a distinctive Mediterranean wellbeing experience with hammam rituals that incorporate crushed olive seed scrubs, Mediterranean sea salt and organic herbs such as neroli and lavender, which are present in oils and purifying masks. Even the spa’s signature fragrance epitomises this part of the world, evoking a garden with the scent of sage. Visitors choosing a signature body ritual are given a free run of a wet area featuring a steamroom, sauna, plunge pool and ice fountain that all complement the candle-lit, mosaic-patterned hammam, in which Versace’s famous Tresor de la Mer print makes an appearance. As these rituals continue to unfold in one of the seven treatment rooms, artworks and mosaics maintain a strong visual link to the Versace lifestyle.

As the only hotel designed exclusively by the late fashion legend, The Karl Lagerfeld bears his fingerprint at every turn. While he never got to actually see the hotel he obsessively handcrafted through hundreds of sketches, his team – including The Karl Lagerfeld senior VP of image and communications Caroline Lebar – ensured the finishing touches to his vision were executed after he suddenly passed away in 2019. From headboards to door knobs, the book lounge to the spa, every detail is as Lagerfeld imagined for a hotel that he wanted to reflect the influence of “Chinese art on European style.” Recurring features include oversized porcelain vases handmade in Jingdezhen, circular room dividers influenced by Chinese moon gates and Chinoiserie-inspired decorative touches enlivening a rock-star palette of gold, black and red.

The intimate 7,750sq ft Spa at The Karl Lagerfeld is tucked away purposefully on the third floor of this sprawling complex. Designed to be private, doors glide open to a residential-style gold-hued reception, complete with a 2.1-metre-high jade art piece inspired by the detail from one of the late fashion designer’s belts. Lagerfeld loved China, in particular the country’s artisanship and artistic traditions. This passion is reflected in the fantastical scenic landscapes of pagodas, bridges and birds captured in the black-and-gold mosaic walls of the spa’s wet area, which includes saunas, steamrooms and jet pools for men and women. His personal taste also runs to the eye-catching, cascading metal chain chandeliers he had in his own home, which are installed here in gold.

The spa team confirms that Lagerfeld was directly involved in every design detail, from the choice of silk and brocade embroidery panels in the six treatment rooms to the luxurious black wall coverings and sensuous chain screens in the relaxation room. A Grand Lisboa Palace spokesperson says: “This meticulous attention extends to the design of staff uniforms, the spa’s signature scent, selection of linens and amenities, the furniture, fixtures and fittings and even the floral arrangements.”

To differentiate the treatment offering, the Lagerfeld spa offers therapies from 111SKIN, bringing the brand to Macau for the first time. Clinical-grade facials are the focus, with anti-inflammatory rose gold masks and serums combined with rose quartz crystal therapy or cryotherapy stones to depuff and define the skin. There are also targeted facials for skin pigmentation and blemishes, as well as a smaller menu specifically for men.

The combination of Lagerfeld’s personal styling and 111SKIN’s treatments is designed to attract travellers with an interest in fashion and wellbeing. The experience is enhanced by a gym in which yoga and personal training sessions are available, as well as two magnificent pools. The indoor pool, in particular, conjures up art deco magic with bathing beauties in 1920s swimming caps painstakingly created out of mosaics, while scalloped stone columns are complemented by a signature moon-gate-shaped bar, keeping this area right on The Karl Lagerfeld brand. As a nice post-treatment touch, spa visitors are handed colouring books to take home and bring to life their own Lagerfeld sketches, one of which depicts the designer’s celebrity cat, Choupette.

The business model at the resort sees SJM serving as both the developer and operator of these two fashion hotels. Running of the spas, including overseeing 30 spa therapists, is the responsibility of the Grand Lisboa Palace team.

Both the Versace and Lagerfeld spas certainly capture the essence of each brand with style, flair and impressive levels of detail, which a spokesperson at Grand Lisboa Palace says is drawing in a different audience. “We’re finding that guests not only want an exceptional design from their hotel room but also wellness facilities that reflect the ethos of each fashion icon, tempting them beyond just a night’s stay. These innovative spas are attracting a new type of traveller, the fashionista, with an enriched sensory journey.”

There’s no doubt that haute couture names are piquing people’s attention as the hotel towers were certainly bustling with activity. At the time of Spa Business’ visit in the middle of the day, however, the spas themselves were quiet – the team explained that as they cater to casino and leisure guests, they’re busier in the early morning and evening. The health facilities in the Versace tower had more traffic, with visitors using the Technogym-equipped studio and two incredible pools.

Whether or not the fashion-focused spas have enough pulling power beyond their designs to capture and build a repeat clientele remains to be seen. Overall, however, the wellbeing facilities were generously staffed, with therapists and pool butlers on hand to satisfy every need, a level of service to be expected from spas representing world-renowned lifestyle brands.