Régis Boudon-Doris, Bbspa_Group
/ photo: Bb_spa Group
What’s been your biggest life lesson? Definitely the pandemic. On the one hand, it gave me the time for introspection and I felt good about myself, which is not trivial for me, on the other hand, it radically changed the perception and importance of wellness for our clients, investors, hotel and spa managers, along with that of their clients, the end users of our projects.
How has the industry changed? At last, many entrepreneurs/investors have realised that the wellness industry and especially spas are absolutely profitable as well as strategic investments for any hospitality business.
What business models are exciting? Neighbourhood destination spas. Large 10,000sq m spas located near major urban centres, which are easily accessible because they’re already located in commercial hubs that have the infrastructure to accommodate vast numbers of customers.
I’m not talking about wellness-themed playgrounds, but actual spas, which are designed to be multifaceted. Investment won’t be cheap, but they’ll have two fundamental characteristics now lacking in many projects that will justify the cost. Firstly, you’ll have speed of implementation which is attractive to large institutional investors. Secondly, these facilities will be designed to be able to quickly adapt to new market trends, with plug-and-play modules to keep offers fresh and exciting.
What trends are impacting spas? The number of potential wellness clients has greatly widened, enabling us to move out of the niche we were once confined to. We’re no longer obliged to design in the standard features – sauna, steamroom, hydropools and emotional showers plus a few treatment rooms. We can create projects to satisfy every segment of clientele across all age groups and income brackets.
This does not mean ‘all spas for everyone’ but instead ‘a spa for each of us’. Hyper-personalised facilities, tailored to specific locations, which will be sure to meet the audience where they’re at and lead to success.
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
Régis Boudon-Doris, Bbspa_Group
/ photo: Bb_spa Group
What’s been your biggest life lesson? Definitely the pandemic. On the one hand, it gave me the time for introspection and I felt good about myself, which is not trivial for me, on the other hand, it radically changed the perception and importance of wellness for our clients, investors, hotel and spa managers, along with that of their clients, the end users of our projects.
How has the industry changed? At last, many entrepreneurs/investors have realised that the wellness industry and especially spas are absolutely profitable as well as strategic investments for any hospitality business.
What business models are exciting? Neighbourhood destination spas. Large 10,000sq m spas located near major urban centres, which are easily accessible because they’re already located in commercial hubs that have the infrastructure to accommodate vast numbers of customers.
I’m not talking about wellness-themed playgrounds, but actual spas, which are designed to be multifaceted. Investment won’t be cheap, but they’ll have two fundamental characteristics now lacking in many projects that will justify the cost. Firstly, you’ll have speed of implementation which is attractive to large institutional investors. Secondly, these facilities will be designed to be able to quickly adapt to new market trends, with plug-and-play modules to keep offers fresh and exciting.
What trends are impacting spas? The number of potential wellness clients has greatly widened, enabling us to move out of the niche we were once confined to. We’re no longer obliged to design in the standard features – sauna, steamroom, hydropools and emotional showers plus a few treatment rooms. We can create projects to satisfy every segment of clientele across all age groups and income brackets.
This does not mean ‘all spas for everyone’ but instead ‘a spa for each of us’. Hyper-personalised facilities, tailored to specific locations, which will be sure to meet the audience where they’re at and lead to success.
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
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
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.
