Destination Hotels is opening a 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) indoor/outdoor spa sanctuary in June 2016 at its La Cantera Hill Country Resort, located on 550 acres just outside of San Antonio, Texas.
Part of a multi-million-dollar transformation of the 498-guestroom resort, Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness will offer holistic, meditative and restorative treatments that blend indigenous Texas elements with European influences.
Loma de Vida – or ‘Hill of Life’ – is carved into the hillside with dramatic views of San Antonio’s distant cityscape, and will specialise in merging products, services, technology and nature, the company said. It will also feature social elements that include wellness, education and communal events.
Indoor and outdoor treatment areas as well as lush outdoor gardens with winding paths are designed to create a sense of place for peaceful seclusion, healing energy and fun.
“The architecture and design of the spa creates intentional spaces that are peaceful and comfortable as well as edgy and playful,” said Maggy Dunphy, executive director of spa and wellness for Destination Hotels and La Cantera Resort. “What makes Loma de Vida truly unique is its emphasis on mindful living, which means being open to more than traditional spa treatments to clear the clutter in your mind caused by the overstimulation of today’s supercharged world.”
Blu Spas acted as the spa and fitness design and planning consultants for La Cantera’s spa renovation, working with Dunphy on the project.
“Maggy wrote the original story and programme for Loma De Vida Spa,” said Cary Collier, principal at Blu Spas. “The concept was beautiful and we developed it to perfection over the last two years. We were fortunate to have the input of the managing director, John Spomer, who continues to provide valuable input to the project. This is one of those remarkable projects that comes around where you just know all the magic is working. We had a rock star team of consultants and the collaboration with this team, Maggy and John was inspiring and fun.”
Loma de Vida features 17,000sq ft (1,579sq m) of indoor space with 15 treatment rooms, including eight massage/body rooms, three facial rooms, two couple's’ suites and two Sky Lofts – “spas within the spa” that can accommodate VIPs, couples, or small groups. The Sky Loft suites overlook the first hole of the Tom Weiskopf-designed Resort Course, and feature glass facades with dramatic views, as well as old-fashioned cowboy bathtubs.
The Gathering Place is designed to be a place to recharge and reconnect, with a fireplace, revolving art gallery and terrace with expansive views of the Texas Hill Country.
Another 8,000sq ft (743sq m) of manicured outdoor space rounds out the facility, including three private garden cabanas and a private Saline Grotto pool.
The Fitness and Movement studio features functional fitness machines, an adult jungle gym, punching bags and rowing machines. Spin classes and yoga will be on tap, along with a fusion of movement classes and TRX suspension training.
Quench serves fresh organic and cold-pressed juices as well as protein elixirs, and a special spa menu will feature healthy options designed to stimulate the metabolism and enhance internal healing. This will incorporate herbs from La Cantera’s on-site organic gardens.
“The intention is to have food and beverage options that will complement the treatments people are receiving to optimise the benefits of the treatments,” said Dunphy.
The spa is using skincare brands ila and comfort zone, along with Lavende, a Texas-based lavender and hair care from Davines. Loma de Vida will also offer customised services and complementary services.
“Some people come for luxury and pampering,” explained Dunphy. “Some come to heal. Some come to socialise. Our goal is to meet people where they are and cultivate an experience unique to their needs. Loma de Vida is a welcome respite that exudes the true meaning of health and wellness, whether it’s for an hour or for a few days.”
