As the world steers itself through a COVID-19 landscape, people are placing a much higher value on guaranteed social distance, safety and minimised risk of infection during their hospitality and wellness experiences. As a result, private wellness offerings have become increasingly popular, particularly with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI).
Ultima Collection’s portfolio of European residences, chalets, villas and a hotel means it’s well placed to answer this demand, according to managing partner Michala Chatel. Each destination offers five-star amenities and service, including a spa, in the intimacy of a private residence and have recently added on-demand wellness experiences.
“Our approach to wellness and wellbeing is completely tailored to each guest and every Ultima spa is powered by a concierge team including on-call clinicians, aestheticians and therapists who create unique and bespoke treatments,” explains Chatel, “no request is too big or small for them.”
Spa Business spoke to Chatel to understand the logistics of offering wellness on-demand in this way.
What wellness services is Ultima providing? Every Ultima spa offers a range of treatments and services, from cellular hydration and lifting treatments to aromatherapy massages and body wraps, all provided by Swiss Perfection.
We’ve also partnered with Switzerland-based Aesthetics Clinics to empower guests to identify their strengths and weaknesses through its DNA testing services. This helps us plan a roadmap of individually tailored treatments and services for optimal wellbeing.
What epitomises Ultima’s wellness offering? We know 80 per cent of UHNWIs are dedicating more of their time and money to wellbeing, so we recently created a holistic wellness retreat to cater to this demand: the Ultima Escape.
Available at all our properties, this self-care trip focuses on immunity, lifestyle and the environment and future healing and is designed to leave guests feeling rejuvenated over the course of a full month.
Guests can tend to their mind, gut and soul for a detoxifying stay, starting with a health check-up with a nutritionist and assessments with a personal trainer and masseuse.
Then, treatment plans are curated following Aesthetic Clinics’ DNA analysis to help make positive, long-term changes and mitigate the risks of developing illnesses in the future.
Guests receive tailor-made immunity booster supplements informed by hair analysis, health check-ups by a licensed physician and four massages a week. They’re also provided with butler service five-days-a-week, three personal training sessions a week, full access to on-site spa facilities and daily healthy breakfasts.
How much does it cost? The Ultima Escape begins from CHF263,000 (US$291,558, €239,715, £206,381) for one month for up to 10 people, including accommodation and a chef.
Additional services available on request include service staff for lunch and dinner, private driver and car, extra facility sanitisation and private helicopter/jet flights, as well as yacht charters.
What inspired you to launch the Ultima Escape? We knew we had to create something that answered the call of all those who are looking to maximise their exposure to wellbeing treatments and therapies.
The average length of stay at our properties is 33 days and we’re continuing to witness a steep increase in the number of our long-stay guests.
With these factors in mind, we wanted to create a well-rounded experience that perfectly caters to these demands. Thus, the Ultima Escape was born to offer a combination of revitalisation and rejuvenation for guests who like to prioritise their health and wellness.
Can guests add more wellness treatments to the package? Yes, they can personalise the package however they like. Massage treatments start at CHF197 (US$221, €180, £156) for 50 minutes and Swiss Perfection’s range of cellular facials are priced from CHF296 (US$331, €270, £234) for 60 minutes.
How popular has wellness been with Ultima’s guests following the pandemic? In 2021 alone, we’ve already had over 60 per cent of guests incorporate wellness treatments into their stays. DNA analysis in particular has been one of the most popular treatments as it can help inform every detail of their experience – even down to personalised menus.
In light of this uptake, we’ll continue to focus on wellness as we expand. Our new destination in Courchevel, France will feature two world-class spas and wellness amenities.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa people: Adrian Zecha
Adrian Zecha talks about his latest brands and why he's not planning retirement anytime soon
Spa people: Michala Chatel
Ultima Collection's managing partner explains why and how it's adding wellness options to exclusively rented villas and properties
Spa people: Stephanie Stahl
The Ace of Air co-founder tackles sustainability head on with a 'buy the product rent the packaging' scheme
Menu engineering: At your service
Art and sauna bathing collide in a Japanese exhibition; Banyan Tree rolls out its Wellbeing Sanctuary concept globally
Top team: Capella
Neena Dhillon talks to the owning company and senior executives from this burgeoning Asian hospitality brand with a passion for wellness
Ask an Expert: Treating Long COVID
One in 20 people who've had coronavirus are still battling its side effects for three months or more. How can spas help?
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Cool night's sleep
High-performance cryo chamber specialist Art of Cryo joins forces with leading bed manufacturer Samina to launch cryo centres for sleep health
Interview: Stelian Iacob
Therme Group's COO tells Katie Barnes how it's making the traditional thermal facility model more relevant to today's consumers
First person: Yasuragi
Spas in Sweden stayed open in the pandemic, but does the nation still have an appetite for wellness? Andrew Gibson investigates at this Japanese concept spa hotel near Stockholm
Interview: Tammy Pahel
The VP of spa at Carillon Miami candidly shares some of the challenges of the past year with Lisa Starr and explains why she's investing in touchless innovations
Spa survey: Wellness time
A new consumer survey shows how people's attitudes towards wellness and spas have changed. Mindbody's Katherine Wernet
Focus on: IV nutrition therapy
Is IV nutrition therapy as credible as some spas claim? Lisa Starr investigates this increasingly popular treatment
As the world steers itself through a COVID-19 landscape, people are placing a much higher value on guaranteed social distance, safety and minimised risk of infection during their hospitality and wellness experiences. As a result, private wellness offerings have become increasingly popular, particularly with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI).
Ultima Collection’s portfolio of European residences, chalets, villas and a hotel means it’s well placed to answer this demand, according to managing partner Michala Chatel. Each destination offers five-star amenities and service, including a spa, in the intimacy of a private residence and have recently added on-demand wellness experiences.
“Our approach to wellness and wellbeing is completely tailored to each guest and every Ultima spa is powered by a concierge team including on-call clinicians, aestheticians and therapists who create unique and bespoke treatments,” explains Chatel, “no request is too big or small for them.”
Spa Business spoke to Chatel to understand the logistics of offering wellness on-demand in this way.
What wellness services is Ultima providing? Every Ultima spa offers a range of treatments and services, from cellular hydration and lifting treatments to aromatherapy massages and body wraps, all provided by Swiss Perfection.
We’ve also partnered with Switzerland-based Aesthetics Clinics to empower guests to identify their strengths and weaknesses through its DNA testing services. This helps us plan a roadmap of individually tailored treatments and services for optimal wellbeing.
What epitomises Ultima’s wellness offering? We know 80 per cent of UHNWIs are dedicating more of their time and money to wellbeing, so we recently created a holistic wellness retreat to cater to this demand: the Ultima Escape.
Available at all our properties, this self-care trip focuses on immunity, lifestyle and the environment and future healing and is designed to leave guests feeling rejuvenated over the course of a full month.
Guests can tend to their mind, gut and soul for a detoxifying stay, starting with a health check-up with a nutritionist and assessments with a personal trainer and masseuse.
Then, treatment plans are curated following Aesthetic Clinics’ DNA analysis to help make positive, long-term changes and mitigate the risks of developing illnesses in the future.
Guests receive tailor-made immunity booster supplements informed by hair analysis, health check-ups by a licensed physician and four massages a week. They’re also provided with butler service five-days-a-week, three personal training sessions a week, full access to on-site spa facilities and daily healthy breakfasts.
How much does it cost? The Ultima Escape begins from CHF263,000 (US$291,558, €239,715, £206,381) for one month for up to 10 people, including accommodation and a chef.
Additional services available on request include service staff for lunch and dinner, private driver and car, extra facility sanitisation and private helicopter/jet flights, as well as yacht charters.
What inspired you to launch the Ultima Escape? We knew we had to create something that answered the call of all those who are looking to maximise their exposure to wellbeing treatments and therapies.
The average length of stay at our properties is 33 days and we’re continuing to witness a steep increase in the number of our long-stay guests.
With these factors in mind, we wanted to create a well-rounded experience that perfectly caters to these demands. Thus, the Ultima Escape was born to offer a combination of revitalisation and rejuvenation for guests who like to prioritise their health and wellness.
Can guests add more wellness treatments to the package? Yes, they can personalise the package however they like. Massage treatments start at CHF197 (US$221, €180, £156) for 50 minutes and Swiss Perfection’s range of cellular facials are priced from CHF296 (US$331, €270, £234) for 60 minutes.
How popular has wellness been with Ultima’s guests following the pandemic? In 2021 alone, we’ve already had over 60 per cent of guests incorporate wellness treatments into their stays. DNA analysis in particular has been one of the most popular treatments as it can help inform every detail of their experience – even down to personalised menus.
In light of this uptake, we’ll continue to focus on wellness as we expand. Our new destination in Courchevel, France will feature two world-class spas and wellness amenities.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa people: Adrian Zecha
Adrian Zecha talks about his latest brands and why he's not planning retirement anytime soon
Spa people: Michala Chatel
Ultima Collection's managing partner explains why and how it's adding wellness options to exclusively rented villas and properties
Spa people: Stephanie Stahl
The Ace of Air co-founder tackles sustainability head on with a 'buy the product rent the packaging' scheme
Menu engineering: At your service
Art and sauna bathing collide in a Japanese exhibition; Banyan Tree rolls out its Wellbeing Sanctuary concept globally
Top team: Capella
Neena Dhillon talks to the owning company and senior executives from this burgeoning Asian hospitality brand with a passion for wellness
Ask an Expert: Treating Long COVID
One in 20 people who've had coronavirus are still battling its side effects for three months or more. How can spas help?
Promotion: Art of Cryo: Cool night's sleep
High-performance cryo chamber specialist Art of Cryo joins forces with leading bed manufacturer Samina to launch cryo centres for sleep health
Interview: Stelian Iacob
Therme Group's COO tells Katie Barnes how it's making the traditional thermal facility model more relevant to today's consumers
First person: Yasuragi
Spas in Sweden stayed open in the pandemic, but does the nation still have an appetite for wellness? Andrew Gibson investigates at this Japanese concept spa hotel near Stockholm
Interview: Tammy Pahel
The VP of spa at Carillon Miami candidly shares some of the challenges of the past year with Lisa Starr and explains why she's investing in touchless innovations
Spa survey: Wellness time
A new consumer survey shows how people's attitudes towards wellness and spas have changed. Mindbody's Katherine Wernet
Focus on: IV nutrition therapy
Is IV nutrition therapy as credible as some spas claim? Lisa Starr investigates this increasingly popular treatment
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.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
