Kempinski The Spa will branch out into Central Africa with the launch of a new location at the Equatorial Guinea Conference and Golf Hotel.
The 450-bedroom hotel is one of many new-builds taking place in the heart of Equatorial Guinea’s rainforest, as part of president Teodoro Obiang’s ambitious plans to make the rapidly-forming city of Oyala the country’s new capital.
Obiang – who ousted his uncle in a military coup in 1979 and is now the world's longest serving non-royal head of state – hopes to use the country's oil and timber fortunes to create Africa's city of the future, with international construction crews currently hard at work on Oyala's infrastructure. A newly-laid six lane highway, dubbed the Avenue of Justice, connects the fledgling city to the rest of the country.
Scheduled to open in Q4 2014, the spa will be designed and operated by Resense – a joint venture between Kempinski Hotels and spa consultancy Raison d’Etre founded in 2009.
The 750sq m (8,073sq ft) spa will feature four single treatment suites, a wet area with sauna, steam and experience showers, fully equipped fitness studio and large indoor swimming pool with relaxation area and whirlpools. A championship golf course and tennis courts will also feature, with the spa providing a range of golf-inspired treatments to help guests soothe away aches and pains from a day on the green.
According to Resense, the new facility will emulate the Kempinski The Spa philosophy, whereby spa treatments are inspired by the European cycle of the seasons. Therapists begin each treatment with a consultation to identify needs and objectives before creating a personalised treatment geared towards relaxation, detox, balancing or energising.
Kasha Shillington CEO of Resense said: "We are very proud to be involved in such an innovative project. This spa will set the benchmark for new and unique spa experiences in Equatorial Guinea and the Central African region.”
In addition to its 450 bedrooms and suites, the hotel complex will feature 50 private four-bedroom villas, a 1,200 person banquet room, two bars, a café, six restaurants, including Italian, Spanish and African offerings, as well as a deli, retail gallery and a night club.
