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What’s been your biggest life lesson? At 26 I was a GM in the Seychelles living through a coup d’etat with African mercenaries complaining about the breakfast buffet. I quickly learned to think on my feet.
I had 14 years with Four Seasons in Asia and saw how the extreme power of corporate culture can make magic every day over many years.
Eleven years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of the transformation and growth of Six Senses, working and hanging out with passionate believers and creators in wellness, sustainability and extraordinary experiences.
When diagnosed with bladder cancer (all clear now), my colleague and dear friend Anna Bjurstam sent me to Vaidyagrama, an ayurvedic clinic in Tamil Nadu for five weeks. The wise people I met there reinforced my belief in the ancient healing arts and the power of the universe.
What do you still hope to accomplish? There’s still plenty to do at Six Senses with various brand stretches. We want to become experts in the retreat and festival business, allowing us to spread the word more deeply and fill rooms in less busy periods.
Can the industry as a whole broaden the reach of its programming to a wider audience, who are less able to experience ultra-luxury? Personally, I believe we have an obligation to.
What industry changes have you observed? Finding the right employees is always difficult, but our value set is compelling to many young people joining the industry. What we do is no longer considered ‘woo woo’ and it’s attracting great talent to us.
Secondly, the customer is so much more informed and wellness washing doesn’t work. Providers have made great strides – the modalities they offer are light years ahead of what they were two decades ago. And this is obviously good for the industry as a whole.
What key innovations can you identify? We launch two new initiatives a year and these are overseen by a Wellness Innovation Team. We like to think it keeps us ahead of the curve. At the very least it keeps us honest and focused.
We’ve made countless advances in sleep health and in understanding circadian rhythms, nutrition, longevity, genetics, functional medicine, brain health, mind/body practices and ancient healing arts from China, India and South America which are now all in the West.
The list is endless and it makes the next 20 years look so exciting. And are we talking about AI? Of course we are.
What do you wish had been invented? A cure for cancer and cognitive degradation. Optimal obesity solutions. I’d love to see general lifestyle education become an essential part of the curriculum in schools.
What business models are exciting? We’re finally talking about wellness communities, which have the potential to take our industry into another dimension. Yet this will require professional and innovative real estate developers to work closely alongside a brand. It presents a huge opportunity and is a win-win.
How do you hope the industry will be in 2050? That there’s the same passion, drive and innovation as there is today. And that we continue to do real good for our guests and customers.
What’s holding the industry back? People are sometimes their own worst enemies. Be brave, be curious. Listen to the wise.
"Spa Business is the title I look forward to receiving. Newsy, on top of the trends, well-written and good-looking"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group
Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
Klafs GmbH
Founded in 1928, Klafs is known as an award winning, world-leading trendsetter in wellness and spa. [more...]
What’s been your biggest life lesson? At 26 I was a GM in the Seychelles living through a coup d’etat with African mercenaries complaining about the breakfast buffet. I quickly learned to think on my feet.
I had 14 years with Four Seasons in Asia and saw how the extreme power of corporate culture can make magic every day over many years.
Eleven years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of the transformation and growth of Six Senses, working and hanging out with passionate believers and creators in wellness, sustainability and extraordinary experiences.
When diagnosed with bladder cancer (all clear now), my colleague and dear friend Anna Bjurstam sent me to Vaidyagrama, an ayurvedic clinic in Tamil Nadu for five weeks. The wise people I met there reinforced my belief in the ancient healing arts and the power of the universe.
What do you still hope to accomplish? There’s still plenty to do at Six Senses with various brand stretches. We want to become experts in the retreat and festival business, allowing us to spread the word more deeply and fill rooms in less busy periods.
Can the industry as a whole broaden the reach of its programming to a wider audience, who are less able to experience ultra-luxury? Personally, I believe we have an obligation to.
What industry changes have you observed? Finding the right employees is always difficult, but our value set is compelling to many young people joining the industry. What we do is no longer considered ‘woo woo’ and it’s attracting great talent to us.
Secondly, the customer is so much more informed and wellness washing doesn’t work. Providers have made great strides – the modalities they offer are light years ahead of what they were two decades ago. And this is obviously good for the industry as a whole.
What key innovations can you identify? We launch two new initiatives a year and these are overseen by a Wellness Innovation Team. We like to think it keeps us ahead of the curve. At the very least it keeps us honest and focused.
We’ve made countless advances in sleep health and in understanding circadian rhythms, nutrition, longevity, genetics, functional medicine, brain health, mind/body practices and ancient healing arts from China, India and South America which are now all in the West.
The list is endless and it makes the next 20 years look so exciting. And are we talking about AI? Of course we are.
What do you wish had been invented? A cure for cancer and cognitive degradation. Optimal obesity solutions. I’d love to see general lifestyle education become an essential part of the curriculum in schools.
What business models are exciting? We’re finally talking about wellness communities, which have the potential to take our industry into another dimension. Yet this will require professional and innovative real estate developers to work closely alongside a brand. It presents a huge opportunity and is a win-win.
How do you hope the industry will be in 2050? That there’s the same passion, drive and innovation as there is today. And that we continue to do real good for our guests and customers.
What’s holding the industry back? People are sometimes their own worst enemies. Be brave, be curious. Listen to the wise.
"Spa Business is the title I look forward to receiving. Newsy, on top of the trends, well-written and good-looking"
More from spa industry leaders...
In celebration of Spa Business’ 20th anniversary, industry leaders take a look at how far the sector has come since the magazine’s inception in 2003, share personal career highlights and reveal their plans and ideas for the future.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2023 issue 3
Editor's letter: Reflection point
As Spa Business celebrates its 20th birthday, Katie Barnes pauses for thought and rejoices in the industry’s evolution
Spa People: 20th anniversary issue: Anna Bjurstam
The strategic senior advisor at Six Senses and Raison d'Etre on being initiated as a shaman, why psychedelics are here to stay and her bigger fear for the global spa industry
Promotion: Klafs: Relax into wellbeing
Klafs and Studio F. A. Porsche have combined their design and wellness expertise to create an oasis for total-body relaxation
News report: Eastern promise
Japan’s spa industry is valued at US$4.2 billion and is part of the world's third highest-performing wellness economy
Jeremy McCarthy: Theory of evolution
From spa to wellness and now leisure – Spa Business’ contributing editor looks at where hospitality experiences are heading
Promotion: Lemi: Built to last
Lemi is committed to leading with innovation to create
cutting-edge treatment room solutions that excel
in terms of performance and eco-credentials
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN: Collagen pioneers
GM Collin’s expertise in collagen research and product formulation has resulted in the creation of a new serum that combats age-related skin degeneration
Promotion: Comfort Zone: A brighter future
Consumers are increasingly interested in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation and a new line from Comfort Zone has been launched to address this emerging need
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Life changing experience
Vikki and Robbie are often exhausted after work. A visit to the spa to experience
the Art of Cryo Tech-Spa Module is a chance to re-set and rejuvenate together
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.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Lemi Group Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and equipmen [more...]
