Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2012 issue 2
Ask an expert...: overbuilding
Are large, extravagant spas and treatment rooms really sustainable? Or is it time to wise up about spa design? Katie Barnes reports
Interview: Darrell Metzger
Destination Resorts is creating world-class tourist developments in Malaysia on behalf of the government. Jennifer Harbottle speaks to the man heading it all up
Spa management training: The learning curve – part one
On the eve of a new GSWS study into the state of spa management training globally, we launch a three-part series to delve into our industry’s educational offering and operational needs. Rhianon Howells gets studying
US Hotel spa research: Closer look
Leonor Stanton analyses the findings from PKF’s latest Trends® in the Hotel Spa Industry study and gets the reaction of top spa professionals
Profile: Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Inc president and the face of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit talks to Rhianon Howells about the art of uncovering up-and-coming industry trends, ethics and the importance of innovation
Resort Spa: Dual purpose
Switzerland’s renown Dolder Grand Spa has an offering to satisfy its onsite, longer-staying guests as well as local day spa customers. Katie Barnes pays a visit to this standout facility
Design: Jean-Michel Gathy
The owner of Asia-based design company Denniston has worked on some of the world’s leading spas and resorts. Jennifer Harbottle finds out about his passion for creativity
Samui spotlight:
The second most popular Thai island has been transformed from a backpackers haven to a luxury lifestyle destination with a number of new five-star spa resorts. Neena Dhillon reports
Middle East benchmarks: Peaks & Troughs
Leonor Stanton reviews hotel spa performance in Lebanon, Jordan and Doha following the 2011 benchmark surveys recently released by PwC in the Middle East
Online wellness gaming: Game Changer
Scoreboards, socialisation, challenges, rewards and feedback – the compelling components of online gaming could be key to getting people to become healthy says Susie Ellis
Kuwait focus: Cue Kuwait
The first in a two-part series on the Kuwaiti spa market by Kate Cracknell focuses on the spa-goers in the capital and the new Six Senses Spa at the Hotel Missoni
Research: Happiness
Older adults who are the most content and have a more positive outlook are likely to live longer according to a new study based on 3,800 participants
The station: Launched in January 2012, the Reflexology Station provides the bather with a stimulating all over body massage in the water. The user sits within the massage enclosure and air is injected into the base unit and water is pumped through jets in the seat, enclosure walls, foot plate and back plate. The station delivers a vigorous air massage and stimulating hydro massage to the lower legs and torso.
What makes it stand out? The unit combines three popular Barr + Wray products – the Body Massage Station, Foot Massage Jets and the Air Tub – in one to help combat pain, tension, sore muscles and aching joints.
Other key features: Using the principles of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and water temperature, the Reflexology Station is designed to improve circulation, stimulate the body and induce sound, restful sleep after use.
Company background: Barr + Wray supplies small independent and large hotel groups, including Sofitel, Hyatt, Taj Hotels and Four Seasons. It has offices in Glasgow, Dubai and Hong Kong and distributes its products worldwide. It has completed projects in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US.
What’s next? Barr + Wray’s pool range, which includes underwater a selection of air recliners and water massage stations, is currently being redeveloped with different materials.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Barr + Wray
JUST ARRIVED
HEALING LIQUID, INVIION
The pool: The Healing Liquid Pool combines herb-infused water (or healing liquids) with heliotherapy and sound wave therapy, allowing the guest to relax in a clean, sterile freshwater bath and enjoy the full benefits of the bathing experience.
What makes it stand out? The hygienic environment and water vibrations are generated by sophisticated sound wave technology, meaning that pipes and nozzles, which can be prone to bacterial growth, are not needed. Nor is chlorine or disinfectant and dirt from the body is removed through an efficient circulatory system built into underfloor drainage.
Other key features: The pool has been created to use significantly less energy than conventional whirlpools, which require pumps and fans and constant water heating.
Company background: Inviion distributes its products globally and has offices in Europe, Moscow, Cairo, Dubai and Hong Kong. It supplies luxury hotels including Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol, Austria; Hotel Andreus Golf and Spa Resort, Italy; Mohr Life Resort, Austria; and the Panorama Resort and Spa, in Switzerland.
What’s next? Inviion is developing new relaxation equipment for 2012.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: inviion
The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy
The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy
TOP PROJECT: ESPACE HENRI CHENOT
CARACALLA MASSAGE BATH AND JOUVENCE DRY FLOAT, UNBESCHEIDEN
The project: The five-star Palace Merano hotel, Italy, has had 18 of its 24 new treatment cabins fitted with an adapted version of the Caracalla massage bath, as well as a Jouvence dry float bed, as part of an extensive renovation to its Espace Henri Chenot spa this year (see p16).
The equipment: With its curves and deep ergonomically designed tub, the Caracalla is a quiet, simple to use experience bath with a range of intensive health massage programmes. Its 278 nozzles can massage 20 body zones in 10 sequences, from the stimulating energy massage to the smooth relaxing massage.
The Jouvence dry floatation bed is designed for body wraps.
What makes it stand out? Unbescheiden has adapted its baths to the biontologia method used at the spa which specialises in mind body programmes. Based on the principles of Chinese medicine, biontologia follows a three-phase hydro-energetic cure – a powerful underwater massage with beneficial bath additives followed by a relaxing body wrap, enhanced by the Jouvence bed, and then a stimulating jet shower.
Other key features: Unbescheiden offers spa design services and operational advice as part of its strategic partnership with global spa consultancy GeoSpa.
What’s next? The baths will be installed in Thalazur Spa, Cabourg, France, during the next 12 months.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: Unbescheiden
18 new rooms all feature the Caracalla and Jouvence
SHOWCASE
SHOWER CORRIDOR, THERMARIUM
The shower: The Shower Corridor creates a walking experience for guests. After a sauna or steamroom the bather can walk through the shower into a thunderstorm atmosphere created by music, sounds and flashing lights, while water refreshes their body.
What makes it stand out? The combination of special light and sound effects plus shower design and water creates a striking effect. Thermarium says customers new to the attraction are often surprised and stunned from the experiences.
Other key features: Because guests move through the corridor as part of the experience, the showers don’t get blocked with people waiting to use the attraction.
Company background: Thermarium distributes globally and customers include Steiner Leisure, Six Senses Spas and ESPA.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: thermarium
The corridor creates a walking experience
JUST ARRIVED
EXPERIENCE SHOWER, BRADFORD PRODUCTS
The shower: Bradford’s Experience Shower combines water with relaxing chromatherapy, soothing acoustics and rejuvenating aroma. The bather can choose from experiences – Arctic mist, body spray, tropical rain, drench shower and island storm – on a touch screen.
What makes it stand out? The shower is fully custom-designed and personalised to fit any spa concept.
Other products: The next level Experience Shower is the Private Heaven for VIP suites. This incorporates all the functions of the shower as well as features of Bradford’s SteamRoom, including steam and a heated bench. It is large enough for two people.
Company background: Experience Showers have been installed in Northern Quest Casino, US and Four Seasons Baltimore, US.
What’s next? A more compact version of the Experience Shower is being developed for homes, smaller wellness suites and destination spa guestrooms.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs Bradford Products
Shower experiences include Arctic mist, tropical rain and island storm
touch screen controls
SHOWCASE
THE CUBE, KLAFS
The whirlpool: The Cube has been created to match bathing pleasure with elegant design and modern technology. It can be used in both private and public settings and can accommodate up to five users. It was introduced in 2010 by swimming pool specialists SSF, part of the KLAFS group, and won the Schwimmbad & Sauna magazine innovative whirlpools Golden Wave Award in 2011. It has a unique air bubble system and the nozzles are ergonomically designed and placed in hollows for seating comfort.
What makes it stand out? The round whirlpool sits within a square border and a steel cubic construction. The outside cladding and other surfaces can be designed with materials and colours to match an existing wellness area.
Other key features: The water overflow channel is hidden and integrated within the structure. It can either be installed at floor level or free standing.
What's next? SSF intends to launch a new swimming pool safety cover this year.
Company background: SSF supplies, designs and builds private and public spas mostly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with plans to expand globally. It has worked on the spas at Hotel Eden Roc in Switzerland and the Kameha Grand Hotel, in Germany.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: KLAFS
Outside cladding and other surfaces can be individually designed
SHOWCASE
TREMILLIMETRI SHOWER COLUMN, GESSI
The shower: This sleek multi-functional shower is made from a 3mm thin strip of reflective steel, which contains the thermostatic mixer handles, a hand shower and an LED light. Different height nozzles produce flat hydro jets and rainfall, and there is an atomizer and a free fall spout for hydro massage.
What makes it stand out? The flat lines and two-dimensional design of the shower are designed to offer minimalist elegance and are different from traditional showers. Launched in September 2011, Tremillimetri has already won awards globally for its innovative design.
Other key features: The shower is designed to be lightweight and easy to install and to use water efficiently. The LED light is self powered and doesn’t need connecting to the mains or a battery.
What’s next? Next month, Gessi is launching its iSpa bathroom and wellness fixtures collection, which is simply designed with naturally rounded, soft edges.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Gessi
The flat design of the shower creates a minimalist elegance
TOP PROJECT: RELAIS SAN MAURIZIO
KNEIPP PATHWAY, HAPPY SAUNA
The pathway: The 8m-long Kneipp pathway created by Happy Sauna is a part of the Via del Sale salt, medical and beauty spa which opened in 2009 at Relais San Maurizio – a rejuvenated 17th century monastery – in Santo Stefano Belbo, Italy.
What makes it stand out? The salt-water pathway is said to be excellent for improving blood circulation as well as stimulating the skin. Happy Sauna excavated the pathway deep inside the rock around the monastery, along with two salt pool caves, creating a unique natural ravine.
Other key features: The pathway and salt pools have chromatherapy.
What’s next? Happy Sauna, which designs and supplies spas, is creating a 4,500sq m (48,400sq ft) spa in Moscow, and is also working on another project in Slovakia which is set to open towards the end of 2012.
Company background: Happy Sauna’s goal is to create unique spaces to suit the natural environment of the spa site. It has worked across Europe on cruise ships and luxury hotels, including the Grand Hotel Molino Stucky Hilton, Italy; Terme di Saturnia, Italy and the Grand Hotel Donat, Slovenia.
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group
Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2012 issue 2
Ask an expert...: overbuilding
Are large, extravagant spas and treatment rooms really sustainable? Or is it time to wise up about spa design? Katie Barnes reports
Interview: Darrell Metzger
Destination Resorts is creating world-class tourist developments in Malaysia on behalf of the government. Jennifer Harbottle speaks to the man heading it all up
Spa management training: The learning curve – part one
On the eve of a new GSWS study into the state of spa management training globally, we launch a three-part series to delve into our industry’s educational offering and operational needs. Rhianon Howells gets studying
US Hotel spa research: Closer look
Leonor Stanton analyses the findings from PKF’s latest Trends® in the Hotel Spa Industry study and gets the reaction of top spa professionals
Profile: Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Inc president and the face of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit talks to Rhianon Howells about the art of uncovering up-and-coming industry trends, ethics and the importance of innovation
Resort Spa: Dual purpose
Switzerland’s renown Dolder Grand Spa has an offering to satisfy its onsite, longer-staying guests as well as local day spa customers. Katie Barnes pays a visit to this standout facility
Design: Jean-Michel Gathy
The owner of Asia-based design company Denniston has worked on some of the world’s leading spas and resorts. Jennifer Harbottle finds out about his passion for creativity
Samui spotlight:
The second most popular Thai island has been transformed from a backpackers haven to a luxury lifestyle destination with a number of new five-star spa resorts. Neena Dhillon reports
Middle East benchmarks: Peaks & Troughs
Leonor Stanton reviews hotel spa performance in Lebanon, Jordan and Doha following the 2011 benchmark surveys recently released by PwC in the Middle East
Online wellness gaming: Game Changer
Scoreboards, socialisation, challenges, rewards and feedback – the compelling components of online gaming could be key to getting people to become healthy says Susie Ellis
Kuwait focus: Cue Kuwait
The first in a two-part series on the Kuwaiti spa market by Kate Cracknell focuses on the spa-goers in the capital and the new Six Senses Spa at the Hotel Missoni
Research: Happiness
Older adults who are the most content and have a more positive outlook are likely to live longer according to a new study based on 3,800 participants
The station: Launched in January 2012, the Reflexology Station provides the bather with a stimulating all over body massage in the water. The user sits within the massage enclosure and air is injected into the base unit and water is pumped through jets in the seat, enclosure walls, foot plate and back plate. The station delivers a vigorous air massage and stimulating hydro massage to the lower legs and torso.
What makes it stand out? The unit combines three popular Barr + Wray products – the Body Massage Station, Foot Massage Jets and the Air Tub – in one to help combat pain, tension, sore muscles and aching joints.
Other key features: Using the principles of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and water temperature, the Reflexology Station is designed to improve circulation, stimulate the body and induce sound, restful sleep after use.
Company background: Barr + Wray supplies small independent and large hotel groups, including Sofitel, Hyatt, Taj Hotels and Four Seasons. It has offices in Glasgow, Dubai and Hong Kong and distributes its products worldwide. It has completed projects in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US.
What’s next? Barr + Wray’s pool range, which includes underwater a selection of air recliners and water massage stations, is currently being redeveloped with different materials.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Barr + Wray
JUST ARRIVED
HEALING LIQUID, INVIION
The pool: The Healing Liquid Pool combines herb-infused water (or healing liquids) with heliotherapy and sound wave therapy, allowing the guest to relax in a clean, sterile freshwater bath and enjoy the full benefits of the bathing experience.
What makes it stand out? The hygienic environment and water vibrations are generated by sophisticated sound wave technology, meaning that pipes and nozzles, which can be prone to bacterial growth, are not needed. Nor is chlorine or disinfectant and dirt from the body is removed through an efficient circulatory system built into underfloor drainage.
Other key features: The pool has been created to use significantly less energy than conventional whirlpools, which require pumps and fans and constant water heating.
Company background: Inviion distributes its products globally and has offices in Europe, Moscow, Cairo, Dubai and Hong Kong. It supplies luxury hotels including Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol, Austria; Hotel Andreus Golf and Spa Resort, Italy; Mohr Life Resort, Austria; and the Panorama Resort and Spa, in Switzerland.
What’s next? Inviion is developing new relaxation equipment for 2012.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: inviion
The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy
The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy
TOP PROJECT: ESPACE HENRI CHENOT
CARACALLA MASSAGE BATH AND JOUVENCE DRY FLOAT, UNBESCHEIDEN
The project: The five-star Palace Merano hotel, Italy, has had 18 of its 24 new treatment cabins fitted with an adapted version of the Caracalla massage bath, as well as a Jouvence dry float bed, as part of an extensive renovation to its Espace Henri Chenot spa this year (see p16).
The equipment: With its curves and deep ergonomically designed tub, the Caracalla is a quiet, simple to use experience bath with a range of intensive health massage programmes. Its 278 nozzles can massage 20 body zones in 10 sequences, from the stimulating energy massage to the smooth relaxing massage.
The Jouvence dry floatation bed is designed for body wraps.
What makes it stand out? Unbescheiden has adapted its baths to the biontologia method used at the spa which specialises in mind body programmes. Based on the principles of Chinese medicine, biontologia follows a three-phase hydro-energetic cure – a powerful underwater massage with beneficial bath additives followed by a relaxing body wrap, enhanced by the Jouvence bed, and then a stimulating jet shower.
Other key features: Unbescheiden offers spa design services and operational advice as part of its strategic partnership with global spa consultancy GeoSpa.
What’s next? The baths will be installed in Thalazur Spa, Cabourg, France, during the next 12 months.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: Unbescheiden
18 new rooms all feature the Caracalla and Jouvence
SHOWCASE
SHOWER CORRIDOR, THERMARIUM
The shower: The Shower Corridor creates a walking experience for guests. After a sauna or steamroom the bather can walk through the shower into a thunderstorm atmosphere created by music, sounds and flashing lights, while water refreshes their body.
What makes it stand out? The combination of special light and sound effects plus shower design and water creates a striking effect. Thermarium says customers new to the attraction are often surprised and stunned from the experiences.
Other key features: Because guests move through the corridor as part of the experience, the showers don’t get blocked with people waiting to use the attraction.
Company background: Thermarium distributes globally and customers include Steiner Leisure, Six Senses Spas and ESPA.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: thermarium
The corridor creates a walking experience
JUST ARRIVED
EXPERIENCE SHOWER, BRADFORD PRODUCTS
The shower: Bradford’s Experience Shower combines water with relaxing chromatherapy, soothing acoustics and rejuvenating aroma. The bather can choose from experiences – Arctic mist, body spray, tropical rain, drench shower and island storm – on a touch screen.
What makes it stand out? The shower is fully custom-designed and personalised to fit any spa concept.
Other products: The next level Experience Shower is the Private Heaven for VIP suites. This incorporates all the functions of the shower as well as features of Bradford’s SteamRoom, including steam and a heated bench. It is large enough for two people.
Company background: Experience Showers have been installed in Northern Quest Casino, US and Four Seasons Baltimore, US.
What’s next? A more compact version of the Experience Shower is being developed for homes, smaller wellness suites and destination spa guestrooms.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs Bradford Products
Shower experiences include Arctic mist, tropical rain and island storm
touch screen controls
SHOWCASE
THE CUBE, KLAFS
The whirlpool: The Cube has been created to match bathing pleasure with elegant design and modern technology. It can be used in both private and public settings and can accommodate up to five users. It was introduced in 2010 by swimming pool specialists SSF, part of the KLAFS group, and won the Schwimmbad & Sauna magazine innovative whirlpools Golden Wave Award in 2011. It has a unique air bubble system and the nozzles are ergonomically designed and placed in hollows for seating comfort.
What makes it stand out? The round whirlpool sits within a square border and a steel cubic construction. The outside cladding and other surfaces can be designed with materials and colours to match an existing wellness area.
Other key features: The water overflow channel is hidden and integrated within the structure. It can either be installed at floor level or free standing.
What's next? SSF intends to launch a new swimming pool safety cover this year.
Company background: SSF supplies, designs and builds private and public spas mostly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with plans to expand globally. It has worked on the spas at Hotel Eden Roc in Switzerland and the Kameha Grand Hotel, in Germany.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: KLAFS
Outside cladding and other surfaces can be individually designed
SHOWCASE
TREMILLIMETRI SHOWER COLUMN, GESSI
The shower: This sleek multi-functional shower is made from a 3mm thin strip of reflective steel, which contains the thermostatic mixer handles, a hand shower and an LED light. Different height nozzles produce flat hydro jets and rainfall, and there is an atomizer and a free fall spout for hydro massage.
What makes it stand out? The flat lines and two-dimensional design of the shower are designed to offer minimalist elegance and are different from traditional showers. Launched in September 2011, Tremillimetri has already won awards globally for its innovative design.
Other key features: The shower is designed to be lightweight and easy to install and to use water efficiently. The LED light is self powered and doesn’t need connecting to the mains or a battery.
What’s next? Next month, Gessi is launching its iSpa bathroom and wellness fixtures collection, which is simply designed with naturally rounded, soft edges.
SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Gessi
The flat design of the shower creates a minimalist elegance
TOP PROJECT: RELAIS SAN MAURIZIO
KNEIPP PATHWAY, HAPPY SAUNA
The pathway: The 8m-long Kneipp pathway created by Happy Sauna is a part of the Via del Sale salt, medical and beauty spa which opened in 2009 at Relais San Maurizio – a rejuvenated 17th century monastery – in Santo Stefano Belbo, Italy.
What makes it stand out? The salt-water pathway is said to be excellent for improving blood circulation as well as stimulating the skin. Happy Sauna excavated the pathway deep inside the rock around the monastery, along with two salt pool caves, creating a unique natural ravine.
Other key features: The pathway and salt pools have chromatherapy.
What’s next? Happy Sauna, which designs and supplies spas, is creating a 4,500sq m (48,400sq ft) spa in Moscow, and is also working on another project in Slovakia which is set to open towards the end of 2012.
Company background: Happy Sauna’s goal is to create unique spaces to suit the natural environment of the spa site. It has worked across Europe on cruise ships and luxury hotels, including the Grand Hotel Molino Stucky Hilton, Italy; Terme di Saturnia, Italy and the Grand Hotel Donat, Slovenia.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
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.
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...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
