The first three Six Senses lodges and spas have opened across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that’s famously strict on development and tourism, with the remaining two set to debut in March 2019
Spas at each of the six lodges focus on a different strand of Bhutan’s unique Gross National Happiness index
The collection of boutique lodges, with just over 80 rooms in total, is one of Asia's most anticipated openings and spa facilities at each site create a special wellbeing circuit.
Guests can travel to each location to experience a unique taste of wellness based on Bhutan's gross national happiness (GNH) index. The Buddhist country uses GNH, focusing on the wellness of its people, as a measure of development instead of gross national product.
The spas at each lodge focus on a different domain of GNH. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has the largest lodge with the most comprehensive spa which takes its lead from the GNH strand of physical and mental health. It offers Six Senses' Integrative Wellness Screening to measure biomarkers and pay close attention to mental health. Breathwork and visualisation is also incorporated into each treatment.
In the low-lying valley of Punakha, the spa is based on the 'time use' domain and the balance between work and rest, which is where Six Senses sleep programme comes in. Treatments include medicinal Bhutanese aromatherapy, grounding massages and vedic eye therapy.
Education is the theme behind the spa at Paro, the last location in the circuit, where intentions for the future are written on Bhutanese flag prayers.
When they open, the spas in Gangtey and Bhumtang will focus on psychological wellbeing and culture.
Overall, standout therapies such as traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, swedana sweat treatments, meditating in a pyramid prayer pavilion and having a massage overlooking ancient stone ruins, have been woven into the offering.
"We take guests on an educational and experiential journey of happiness," Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses' VP spa and wellness, tells Spa Business. "Bhutan has a special, magical energy – the spirit of the land, the culture and people, the beautiful nature and the preservation of the country's values – which leaves no one untouched. Our aim is to not only give guests an outside-in journey with all they can explore, but also an inside-out journey working on mindfulness, happiness and brain health."
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Interview: Dietmar Mueller-Elmau
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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...]
The first three Six Senses lodges and spas have opened across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that’s famously strict on development and tourism, with the remaining two set to debut in March 2019
Spas at each of the six lodges focus on a different strand of Bhutan’s unique Gross National Happiness index
The collection of boutique lodges, with just over 80 rooms in total, is one of Asia's most anticipated openings and spa facilities at each site create a special wellbeing circuit.
Guests can travel to each location to experience a unique taste of wellness based on Bhutan's gross national happiness (GNH) index. The Buddhist country uses GNH, focusing on the wellness of its people, as a measure of development instead of gross national product.
The spas at each lodge focus on a different domain of GNH. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has the largest lodge with the most comprehensive spa which takes its lead from the GNH strand of physical and mental health. It offers Six Senses' Integrative Wellness Screening to measure biomarkers and pay close attention to mental health. Breathwork and visualisation is also incorporated into each treatment.
In the low-lying valley of Punakha, the spa is based on the 'time use' domain and the balance between work and rest, which is where Six Senses sleep programme comes in. Treatments include medicinal Bhutanese aromatherapy, grounding massages and vedic eye therapy.
Education is the theme behind the spa at Paro, the last location in the circuit, where intentions for the future are written on Bhutanese flag prayers.
When they open, the spas in Gangtey and Bhumtang will focus on psychological wellbeing and culture.
Overall, standout therapies such as traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, swedana sweat treatments, meditating in a pyramid prayer pavilion and having a massage overlooking ancient stone ruins, have been woven into the offering.
"We take guests on an educational and experiential journey of happiness," Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses' VP spa and wellness, tells Spa Business. "Bhutan has a special, magical energy – the spirit of the land, the culture and people, the beautiful nature and the preservation of the country's values – which leaves no one untouched. Our aim is to not only give guests an outside-in journey with all they can explore, but also an inside-out journey working on mindfulness, happiness and brain health."
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Thomas Klein
Senior living, family resorts and urban retreats are all on the cards for Canyon Ranch says COO and president Thomas Klein. Katie Barnes finds out more
Trends: Spa Foresight™ 2018/19
Spa Business’ predictions for the future include vegan spas, blue light antidotes, home wellness and plastic-free facilities
Interview: Dietmar Mueller-Elmau
The owner of Germany’s Schloss Elmau tells Spa Business why music, culture and spa feed the mind and soul
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Living Earth Crafts has distinguished itself with furniture for the spa industry that combines high design with seamless functionality. Brian Paris gives us insight into the company’s stylish new introductions
Event report: GWS 2018 - Bella vita
An Italian inspired Global Wellness Summit featured fashion, food, fitness and spa… and cameos from Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey. Spa Business gives its highlights
Research: Growing up
Spa is the fastest growing sector of the US$4.2tn global wellness economy according to the latest GWI research
Event report: WTA Conference
What do wellness travellers want? And what issues need to be addressed as the wellness tourism sector grows? Anne Dimon reports from the inaugural meeting of the Wellness Tourism Association
Fitness: Inhale the future
Ashley Neese tells Spa Business about the possibilities of breathwork and opening up the practice to more people
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.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
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...]
