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Larry Ellison bought Lana’i island as a base for his wellness business / s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
When tech billionaire Larry Ellison bought the Hawaiian island of Lana’i, for a reported US$300m (€269.5m, £232.7m), in 2012 he already had a ‘vision for wellness’.
Co-founding software company Oracle, among other ventures, has made him the sixth richest man in the world, yet he found himself powerless watching a close friend die.
As his friend’s health deteriorated he began spending more time with a mutual connection, Dr David Agus, a professor of transformative medicine at the University of Southern California and former doctor to Steve Jobs.
Motivated by a shared experience and passion for preventative health – the pair set out on a mission “to help people live longer, brighter lives” and created wellness company Sensei.
Lana’i is being used as a testbed for Sensei and so far, food has been the initial focus. Ellison is using the island to home his automated indoor hydroponics business which is combining renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to “transform agriculture”. The idea is for Sensei Farms to sell fresher produce to restaurants in Hawaii and eventually to retailers at a more affordable price than imported goods.
With the hydroponics business well underway, Ellison has now turned his attention to hospitality and spa. Last month, Sensei announced a partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Lana’i at Koele – one of two Four Seasons hotels on Lana’i owned by Ellison – to offer the company’s first Sensei Retreat which focuses on “fully comprehensive and customisable wellness”. Ellison says: “We’re focusing on products and experiences to empower you to grow well.”
He’s been gathering a team of industry experts to drive this side of the business, with input from Agus.
Figures include ex-Accor and Mandarin Oriental spa leader Andrew Gibson as a senior executive; and Civana founder Kevin Kelly as president, who’ll also be involved in sustainability and hydroponics. Their goal has been to create the best spa and wellness centre in the world and to enable guests to enjoy the natural and unspoiled beauty of Lana’i.
Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, a Sensei Retreat reopened in early November following a near five-year overhaul and a reported US$75m (€67.2m, £58.2m) investment.
Located inland and surrounded by towering Cook pines and banyan trees, the all-inclusive, adults-only resort has 96 guest rooms, a golf course, a Sensei by Nobu restaurant and – in a Four Seasons first – will focus exclusively on wellness retreats.
The extensive wellness centre comprises 10 private spa hales [Hawaiian for ‘house’] which boast oversized treatment beds, infrared saunas, Japanese ofuro bathtubs, plunge pools and lounging areas. Two hales also have watsu pools for therapeutic water-based treatments.
In addition, there’s an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens, a pavilion with silk hammocks for aerial yoga and lakeside yoga platforms, 24-hour fitness studio and a hair and beauty salon.
To bring the concept to life, Ellison, Agus, Gibson and Kelly have handpicked a team of wellness specialists, nutritionists, chefs, fitness coaches, therapists and hospitality professionals.
When guests book a retreat, they’ll be matched with a wellness concierge or ‘Sensei guide’ to customise their itinerary in advance. Throughout a guest’s stay, the guides will use thermal body mapping, sleep analysis and other health markers, as well as feedback from the wellness team, to adapt the program.
Agus says: “Our goal is to create experiences, products and services that help people address the gap between their wellness intentions and daily practices. Our retreat provides a great environment to work towards balance, health and wellbeing with the support of a dedicated data-driven wellness team.”
Each stay is assembled around the three core components of movement, cuisine and treatments. The idea is to help people to “maintain a conversation with their body and mind… Movement is how we interact with our environment, nourishment is what fuels us, and rest is how we recover and grow”.
There are around 16 fitness classes a day, plus yoga and daily hikes. Up to 30 body treatments are available – although the resort is keeping the menu under wraps. Meanwhile, Sensei by Nobu will serve healthy meals using locally grown Sensei Farm produce in line with Agus’ own nutritional standards.
The core components are then enhanced with cultural and enrichment activities – think anything from ocean sports, whale watching and horseback riding to stargazing and mindful art sessions.
Prior to leaving, guests will reconvene with their Sensei guide to review what’s been learned during their time and discuss ways forward. There will also be an option to schedule in catch-ups after the stay.
Sensei Retreats start with a minimum three-night stay and prices are upwards of US$900 €814, £694) a night on average.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
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...]
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engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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Larry Ellison bought Lana’i island as a base for his wellness business / s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
When tech billionaire Larry Ellison bought the Hawaiian island of Lana’i, for a reported US$300m (€269.5m, £232.7m), in 2012 he already had a ‘vision for wellness’.
Co-founding software company Oracle, among other ventures, has made him the sixth richest man in the world, yet he found himself powerless watching a close friend die.
As his friend’s health deteriorated he began spending more time with a mutual connection, Dr David Agus, a professor of transformative medicine at the University of Southern California and former doctor to Steve Jobs.
Motivated by a shared experience and passion for preventative health – the pair set out on a mission “to help people live longer, brighter lives” and created wellness company Sensei.
Lana’i is being used as a testbed for Sensei and so far, food has been the initial focus. Ellison is using the island to home his automated indoor hydroponics business which is combining renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to “transform agriculture”. The idea is for Sensei Farms to sell fresher produce to restaurants in Hawaii and eventually to retailers at a more affordable price than imported goods.
With the hydroponics business well underway, Ellison has now turned his attention to hospitality and spa. Last month, Sensei announced a partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Lana’i at Koele – one of two Four Seasons hotels on Lana’i owned by Ellison – to offer the company’s first Sensei Retreat which focuses on “fully comprehensive and customisable wellness”. Ellison says: “We’re focusing on products and experiences to empower you to grow well.”
He’s been gathering a team of industry experts to drive this side of the business, with input from Agus.
Figures include ex-Accor and Mandarin Oriental spa leader Andrew Gibson as a senior executive; and Civana founder Kevin Kelly as president, who’ll also be involved in sustainability and hydroponics. Their goal has been to create the best spa and wellness centre in the world and to enable guests to enjoy the natural and unspoiled beauty of Lana’i.
Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, a Sensei Retreat reopened in early November following a near five-year overhaul and a reported US$75m (€67.2m, £58.2m) investment.
Located inland and surrounded by towering Cook pines and banyan trees, the all-inclusive, adults-only resort has 96 guest rooms, a golf course, a Sensei by Nobu restaurant and – in a Four Seasons first – will focus exclusively on wellness retreats.
The extensive wellness centre comprises 10 private spa hales [Hawaiian for ‘house’] which boast oversized treatment beds, infrared saunas, Japanese ofuro bathtubs, plunge pools and lounging areas. Two hales also have watsu pools for therapeutic water-based treatments.
In addition, there’s an outdoor pool surrounded by gardens, a pavilion with silk hammocks for aerial yoga and lakeside yoga platforms, 24-hour fitness studio and a hair and beauty salon.
To bring the concept to life, Ellison, Agus, Gibson and Kelly have handpicked a team of wellness specialists, nutritionists, chefs, fitness coaches, therapists and hospitality professionals.
When guests book a retreat, they’ll be matched with a wellness concierge or ‘Sensei guide’ to customise their itinerary in advance. Throughout a guest’s stay, the guides will use thermal body mapping, sleep analysis and other health markers, as well as feedback from the wellness team, to adapt the program.
Agus says: “Our goal is to create experiences, products and services that help people address the gap between their wellness intentions and daily practices. Our retreat provides a great environment to work towards balance, health and wellbeing with the support of a dedicated data-driven wellness team.”
Each stay is assembled around the three core components of movement, cuisine and treatments. The idea is to help people to “maintain a conversation with their body and mind… Movement is how we interact with our environment, nourishment is what fuels us, and rest is how we recover and grow”.
There are around 16 fitness classes a day, plus yoga and daily hikes. Up to 30 body treatments are available – although the resort is keeping the menu under wraps. Meanwhile, Sensei by Nobu will serve healthy meals using locally grown Sensei Farm produce in line with Agus’ own nutritional standards.
The core components are then enhanced with cultural and enrichment activities – think anything from ocean sports, whale watching and horseback riding to stargazing and mindful art sessions.
Prior to leaving, guests will reconvene with their Sensei guide to review what’s been learned during their time and discuss ways forward. There will also be an option to schedule in catch-ups after the stay.
Sensei Retreats start with a minimum three-night stay and prices are upwards of US$900 €814, £694) a night on average.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
Editor's letter: Democratic wellness
To truly flourish, the spa industry needs to step outside its comfort zone and reach out to different markets with new and exciting business models, says Katie Barnes
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Boundary-pushing wellness in Iceland, self-care focus at Devarana and Civana’s equine retreat all feature in our spa menu round-up
Interview: Alexandre Cantin
Canada’s Groupe Nordik wants to open 10 nature spas, focusing on bathing and thermotherapy, by 2027. Katie Barnes talks to its VP of growth and strategy
Promotional feature: Starpool - Star quality
Wellness expert, Starpool, is known for offering complete wellness solutions with Italian design flair, enabling operators to create world class treatments and experiences
Training: Covering all bases
Resense joins forces with Lobster Ink to create an online training program for multiple spa roles
Promotional feature: Gharieni
Spa equipment innovator, Gharieni, is partnering with leading spas around the world to showcase its products to clients in real world settings, as CEO, Sammy Gharieni, explains
Research: Positive picture
ISPA’s latest US spa study shows continued growth across key metrics and pinpoints CBD and gen Z as trends. Russell Donaldson reports
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSystems - Cool customer
Rainer Bolsinger, who heads up hotel and spa sales of icelab at Zimmer MedizinSystems, and icelab customer Chenot Group, explain how cryotherapy can be incorporated into your business
Promotional feature: Biologique Recherche - Skin deep
Biologique Recherche has spent the past 40 years developing technology and products to understand the skin on an individual level. Pierre-Louis Delapalme and Rupert Schmid tell Spa Business about the Parisian brand’s latest innovations
Research: On the move
The global physical activity market is now worth US$828bn according to a new GWI study. But what emerging trends do spas need to know about?
Promotional feature: SpaSoft - Onwards & upwards
The enhanced integration between SpaSoft and multiple PMS systems will help your team save time, remove the possibility of human error and create an elevated guest experience
Software: Monetising
How is software helping spas to navigate e-commerce and further monetise their relationship with clients
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.
Aditya Saluja, an industry leader in luxury wellness hospitality, has been
appointed as
commercial director of spa and wellness for the spa management division of
Minor Hotels,
MSpa International.
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
Virgin Active has officially opened its redesigned Mayfair club, unveiling its latest Social Wellness Club and
signalling a significant evolution of its proposition.
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 MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Templespa Templespa was founded in 2000 by Liz and Mark Warom, seasoned entrepreneurs with a proven track reco [more...]
