Banyan Tree Samui in Koh Samui, Thailand has launched a spa package to ride the wave of popularity generated by the island being the setting for the HBO TV series, The White Lotus.

The satirical series of a fictional resort and its guests was filmed at Four Seasons Samui.

A spokesperson told Spa Business bookings at Banyan Tree Samui are close to 100 per cent occupancy and that The White Lotus-related enquiries are “constant”.

Banyan Tree’s Sense of Lotus package includes programmes of meditation, fitness, healthy cuisine and yoga in rainforest hideaways that are reminiscent of those in the TV show – minus the drama. The locally-infused welcome beverage guests receive on arrival are also similar to those delivered to the series’ characters.

There’s also a themed 120-minute scrub and massage, as well as new speedboat tours taking guests to various islands and places used in filming.

For other exciting plans at Banyan Group, read our interview with Paul Hawco, global director of integrated wellbeing at www.spabusiness.com/hawco

Location: Banyan Tree Samui, Thailand

Eco hospitality group Our Habitas has done a deal with breathwork academy BreathQ to offer a seven-day retreat in October and more dates in 2026 at Our Habitas Namibia – a safari lodge in the Kalahari Desert.

Only 22 guests are invited to stay at 11 of the property’s tented suites to experience Breathe Wild: a breathwork safari for body, mind and soul.

The aim of the retreat is to teach ancient breathing practices to help heal and strengthen the mind-body connection. The schedule will also include sound healing, meditation and nature immersion in Namibia’s wilderness, sunrise yoga, dancing under the stars and safari game drives.

Location: Our Habitas Namibia, Africa

Duration: Seven days

Cost: Starts at US$4,800 (€4,268, £3,592)

French football legend, Zinédine Zidane has been revealed as the new ambassador for Palace Merano, the Italian medi-spa known for its preventative Revital Method which blends functional, allopathic and energy medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Through this partnership, he’ll serve as the face of Palace Merano while also advising on new programmes.

Zidane has been a regular guest at the property for 30 years, visiting twice a year to underpin his training regime.

During visits, he follows a wellness routine centred around the Revital Detox Programme, with early mornings devoted to medical check-ups and consultations with naturopaths and nutritionists, followed by hydro-mud therapy and massage.

He says: “It’s a place that completely recharges me, where I can truly disconnect and refuel.”

Location: Palace Merano, Italy

Duration: Four days

Cost: Starts at US$4,800 (€4,268, £3,592)

Echelon Health, a medical clinic in London, has introduced a dementia assessment as part of its mission to detect disease at its earliest stage.

Having previously collaborated with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Echelon could be open to other partnerships for forward-thinking spas to offer tests for dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Pre-symptomatic identification of cognitive decline is being achieved by Echelon through blood tests for risk factors – such as diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid and vitamin deficiencies – plus an MRI scan and other brain imaging systems. It also uses the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, a highly accurate test in detecting early-stage dementia and offers access to disease-slowing treatments.

The dementia assessment is available on its own or alongside the clinic’s platinum assessment for a 360-degree examination of physical and cognitive health.

To learn more about how spas are integrating brain health programmes see p92.

Location: Echelon, London, UK

Cost: £3,000 (US$3,978, €3,570)

Luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone London has debuted its first spa treatment at an underground bathhouse in the UK capital.

Aire Ancient Baths London, which opened in 2021, boasts a series of pools differing in temperature, an aromatherapy steamroom and a salt bath.

Jo Malone partnered exclusively with the site to launch its Restorative Ritual. The 150-minute experience includes a 15-minute scrub and 60-minute massage showcasing its new Care Collection products.

Access to the baths, chocolate treats and sparkling wine complete the package.

Aire Ancient Baths is inspired by Greek, Roman and Ottoman bathing traditions and has eight urban locations in Spain, Denmark, the US and London. Read our review of the London outpost at www.spabusiness.com/aabuk

Location: Aire Ancient Baths, London, UK

Duration: 150 minutes

Cost: £290 (US$386, €342)

Preventative health operator, SHA Wellness, is collaborating with Whoop to enhance its Leaders Performance Programmes, designed to help high-achieving guests reach their full mental and physical potential.

CEOs, elite athletes and entrepreneurs enrolled in the SHA Leaders Performance Programmes at both SHA Spain and SHA Mexico will now have access to real-time biofeedback.

Data collected by Whoop’s wearables include measurements for HRV, sleep quality, strain and recovery. This information will be combined with SHA’s advanced diagnostics, precision nutrition, cellular therapies and biohacking protocols to deliver personalised longevity strategies for guests.

Whoop has a similar partnership with Sensei Lanai, the resort launched by tech billionaire Larry Ellison in Hawaii.

Meanwhile, SHA also recently revealed its Tailored-Made programme powered by a smart algorithm developed with OpenAI technology “enabling an unprecedented level of hyper-personalisation in health and longevity”.

Location: SHA Wellness, Spain

Duration: Seven nights

Cost: €7,500 (US$8,457, £6,365)