A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new
customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be
sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Some of the world’s best destinations have amazing pools which deliver a real wow factor,” says Ibrahim, “But building them so they’re sustainable, while still delivering a stunning design, takes creativity and technical expertise.”
With clients such as Six Senses, The W and Jumeirah, The Wellness is building a reputation for delivering stunning pools which are also sustainable, as well as natural bio pools, where swimmers don’t have to bathe in chlorine.
“Many operators engage to a contractor to develop their pools,” says Ibrahim, “But these kinds of companies tend to focus on the construction and not on the experience, the aesthetics or the sustainability.
“At The Wellness, we do it totally differently, by considering how we can make the experience special in every way possible – how does the water look? How can we use the space to become an anchor point in a wider and attractive space? Only once all this is established, do we move on to look at the technical aspects.
“We’re not just engineers, we’re architects and designers,” he says, “Our process starts with the design, by clearly establishing the kind of experience we want to create.
“If it’s done well, the pool in a resort or a destination will become the ‘hero shot’ – one of the main images you want to see on your website – and it will give a standout commercial advantage.
“In the context of its location and constraints, every water element is different,” says Ibrahim, “We come up with a narrative for every single element and use storytelling to create something special for each customer. There’s a story linked to the local culture and heritage behind every project and it needs to be meaningful, so the project gains maturity from it.
“We love to work with dedicated operators,” he says, “Because they spend time getting this context right, so the projects evolve to be outstanding.”
Sustainability “When it comes to sustainability, people are sometimes concerned it will cost more,” says Ibrahim, but this isn’t the case and we can provide a feasibility study showing investors how quickly they can get a return on their investment if they choose a sustainable solution.
“A typical example would show a return on investment within two to three years, after which time savings are made, which fully justifies the investment, as well as helping to save the planet.”
Ibrahim says market-leading operators are aware of the value to customers of swimming in natural clear water: “Having a chemical-free pool is an ideal way to avoid the disadvantages of normal chemical material. Low-quality chlorine products will affect pool tiles, pool equipment and users will have a bad experience because of smell and eye irritation
“Salt chlorinator systems generate and dose free chlorine into pool water by an electrolysis process – you just need to add the right amount of salt to your pool and you will have safe water and will enjoy a long day in the pool without having red eyes,” says Ibrahim.
For example, the Al Faya Lodge by Mysk project, which was recently completed by The Wellness uses a new filtration system called OC-1, which is manufactured by Certikin. This saves 70 per cent of backwash water which leads to huge energy and chemical reductions.
Natural pools Another alternative is a completely natural pool, explains Ibrahim: “For hundreds of years people enjoyed swimming in natural lakes and ponds where water gets cleaned by nature, without any chemical use.
“In a natural swimming pool – or bio pool – the water is purified and cleaned without any mechanical filtration or chemical use, after being fed through a regeneration zone, where it’s filtered through layers of gravel and aquatics plants.
“The regeneration zone provides a balanced ecosystem by breaking down harmful bacteria in water and converting them into nutrients for plant growth,” he explains. “Despite their higher capital cost when compared to normal pools, bio pools have much lower running costs.”
The Wellness recently completed a bio pool in Europe which is environmentally friendly and will deliver a great user experience.
“If you make wise decisions in terms of limiting what you build and make something beautiful, sustainable and which really adds a wow factor, then the whole project is running at a higher level and you’re going to save on investment, running and maintenance costs,” concludes Ibrahim.
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Energy medicine at Six Senses; aroma retreat on Croatia’s Island of Vitality and menopause programming all feature in our spa menu round-up
Top team: Rosewood
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Promotional feature: The Madison Collection
Innovation of form and function in robes and towels is a vital part of attracting the next generation of wellness consumers. Charmaine T Lang from The Madison Collection explains how her company consistently maintains its successful point of difference
Interview: Markus Engel
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Promotional feature: The Wellness
A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Interview: Davide Bollati
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Event Report: APSWC Round Table
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Eco spa: Going green
Joanna Roche and Bonnie Baker share their ambitions for the Green Spa Network
A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new
customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be
sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Some of the world’s best destinations have amazing pools which deliver a real wow factor,” says Ibrahim, “But building them so they’re sustainable, while still delivering a stunning design, takes creativity and technical expertise.”
With clients such as Six Senses, The W and Jumeirah, The Wellness is building a reputation for delivering stunning pools which are also sustainable, as well as natural bio pools, where swimmers don’t have to bathe in chlorine.
“Many operators engage to a contractor to develop their pools,” says Ibrahim, “But these kinds of companies tend to focus on the construction and not on the experience, the aesthetics or the sustainability.
“At The Wellness, we do it totally differently, by considering how we can make the experience special in every way possible – how does the water look? How can we use the space to become an anchor point in a wider and attractive space? Only once all this is established, do we move on to look at the technical aspects.
“We’re not just engineers, we’re architects and designers,” he says, “Our process starts with the design, by clearly establishing the kind of experience we want to create.
“If it’s done well, the pool in a resort or a destination will become the ‘hero shot’ – one of the main images you want to see on your website – and it will give a standout commercial advantage.
“In the context of its location and constraints, every water element is different,” says Ibrahim, “We come up with a narrative for every single element and use storytelling to create something special for each customer. There’s a story linked to the local culture and heritage behind every project and it needs to be meaningful, so the project gains maturity from it.
“We love to work with dedicated operators,” he says, “Because they spend time getting this context right, so the projects evolve to be outstanding.”
Sustainability “When it comes to sustainability, people are sometimes concerned it will cost more,” says Ibrahim, but this isn’t the case and we can provide a feasibility study showing investors how quickly they can get a return on their investment if they choose a sustainable solution.
“A typical example would show a return on investment within two to three years, after which time savings are made, which fully justifies the investment, as well as helping to save the planet.”
Ibrahim says market-leading operators are aware of the value to customers of swimming in natural clear water: “Having a chemical-free pool is an ideal way to avoid the disadvantages of normal chemical material. Low-quality chlorine products will affect pool tiles, pool equipment and users will have a bad experience because of smell and eye irritation
“Salt chlorinator systems generate and dose free chlorine into pool water by an electrolysis process – you just need to add the right amount of salt to your pool and you will have safe water and will enjoy a long day in the pool without having red eyes,” says Ibrahim.
For example, the Al Faya Lodge by Mysk project, which was recently completed by The Wellness uses a new filtration system called OC-1, which is manufactured by Certikin. This saves 70 per cent of backwash water which leads to huge energy and chemical reductions.
Natural pools Another alternative is a completely natural pool, explains Ibrahim: “For hundreds of years people enjoyed swimming in natural lakes and ponds where water gets cleaned by nature, without any chemical use.
“In a natural swimming pool – or bio pool – the water is purified and cleaned without any mechanical filtration or chemical use, after being fed through a regeneration zone, where it’s filtered through layers of gravel and aquatics plants.
“The regeneration zone provides a balanced ecosystem by breaking down harmful bacteria in water and converting them into nutrients for plant growth,” he explains. “Despite their higher capital cost when compared to normal pools, bio pools have much lower running costs.”
The Wellness recently completed a bio pool in Europe which is environmentally friendly and will deliver a great user experience.
“If you make wise decisions in terms of limiting what you build and make something beautiful, sustainable and which really adds a wow factor, then the whole project is running at a higher level and you’re going to save on investment, running and maintenance costs,” concludes Ibrahim.
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Energy medicine at Six Senses; aroma retreat on Croatia’s Island of Vitality and menopause programming all feature in our spa menu round-up
Top team: Rosewood
Jane Kitchen talks to the wellness team behind Rosewood, and its forward-thinking spa concepts, as CEO Sonia Cheng leads a vigorous global rollout
Everyone’s talking about: CBD
Are CBD treatments and products an unregulated fad, or a serious business proposition? Spa Business investigates
Promotional feature: The Madison Collection
Innovation of form and function in robes and towels is a vital part of attracting the next generation of wellness consumers. Charmaine T Lang from The Madison Collection explains how her company consistently maintains its successful point of difference
Interview: Markus Engel
The CEO of Asia’s Urban Resort Concepts talks to Spa Business about positive disruption in the hospitality and spa sector
Promotional feature: The Wellness
A beautiful pool can be the standout feature that draws new customers. It can also cut your running costs if it’s designed to be sustainable. Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of The Wellness, explains
Interview: Davide Bollati
Liz Terry speaks to the founder of Comfort Zone about the group’s new botanical garden and ongoing commitment to environmentalism
Research: Generation gap
A new consumer study by ISPA uncovers spa-goer preferences and habits across different age groups
Promotional feature: Phytomer
Formulating the ultimate universal product to heal and defend the skin has taken three years of R&D for Phytomer, the French luxury marine skincare brand. The company’s scientific director tells Spa Business about the launch of the groundbreaking Prebioforce serum
Event Report: APSWC Round Table
Industry leaders contribute to APSWC’s third white paper at annual gathering. Catharine Nicol reports from Malaysia
Family spa: Play time
Spa Business takes a look at innovative spa programmes for children and families
Eco spa: Going green
Joanna Roche and Bonnie Baker share their ambitions for the Green Spa Network
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
