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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
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
