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Sothys plans UK expansion
‘French luxury is always in fashion’
With a global reputation as the partner of choice for luxury spa hotels, Sothys’s recent collaboration with Sofitel London St James marked the beginning of a UK expansion
Sothys is a pioneer in professional beauty with a long history of serving the luxury spa market. Launched in 1946 by Dr Max Hotz, the brand was acquired by the Mas Family in 1966 and is now the proud partner to over 200 internationally renowned spas in 120 countries.
Its global portfolio of luxury hotel spa partners includes St Regis Bora Bora, Tahiti; St Regis Bal Harbour, USA; St Regis Toronto, Canada; Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam; Hotel Le Cap Estel, France; Sofitel London St James, UK; and Cordis Auckland, New Zealand.
One of its newest UK spa hotel partners is Whatley Manor, where Sothys’s signature Seasonal Garden Spa Experience will debut in 2023.
With a factory in the US and logistics centres there and in Singapore, the brand is firmly headquartered in France, where it also has production facilities. An in-house research and development department combines scientific research with natural ingredients, inspired by the Sothys Gardens in Auriac, to produce a range of results-driven professional products and treatments that offer a distinct sensorial experience.
A luxury spa partner “Sothys is a great spa partner because we have the expertise and know-how, based on our 75-year brand heritage,” says Victoria Dello Ioio, Sothys’s UK sales director. “We continue to evolve and to be a step ahead of the game, combining
Victoria Dello Ioio UK sales director, Sothys
Sothys offers a range of sensorial treatments
that luxury French touch, from a country that has been a pioneer in skincare and luxury treatment protocols.”
The brand’s UK subsidiary in Kent, boasts sales, training and marketing expertise, and spas benefit from a range of seasonal promotions and monthly activities, all designed to excite the client and engage spa teams.
The brand’s R&D department works with a treatment creation team to curate iconic product lines and rituals. “We have the results and efficacy data for our treatments after just one session or a course of treatments,” says Dello Ioio. “These are brilliant to communicate, especially for those spas with memberships, or to instantly draw someone in while clients are browsing the treatment menu.”
Sothys introduces a seasonal product and treatment range each spring/summer and autumn/winter. The treatments can be adopted by spas without additional training as they rely on Sothys’s special protocols, but many spas build this into a themed concept across their F&B, day spa and residential packages too.
Iconic products, sensorial treatments With something for every skin type, Sothys’s treatment and retail collections – Detox Energie, Youth and Hydra – are its hero ranges. These intensive facials are central to any partner spa’s menu, offering guests exceptional results.
The brand’s Secrets range offers an even more premium and luxurious experience, while for the body, spas can choose from signature rituals including Hanakasumi, Sensations Orientales and Indonésie Ancestrale, which take guests on a sensorial journey around the world.
“Our retail offering is positioned at a realistic price point,” says Dello Ioio. “Our treatment rituals and product formulas provide incredible experiences and visible results. We always say that no matter the trends, French luxury will never go out of fashion.” A perfect example of this is Sothys’s super-luxurious face cream, Premium La
Above from left: Sothys’s hero Hydra range; Sofitel London St James, UK; the brand’s body treatments are sensorial and efficacious
Crème 128, produced in collaboration with the state-of-the-art French luxury porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud, and named after the brand’s flagship at 128 rue du Faubourg St Honoré in Paris.
The brand is expanding its operations in the UK
Expanding in the UK Sothys’s UK development is focused on the luxury hotel spa market, and a recent partnership with Sofitel London St James is a benchmark for this. “We want to move at a steady rate,” says the brand’s president, Christian Mas. “Our focus has been in London, and we are looking further north, as well as at the Scottish spa market.”
She adds that Sothys has many plans for 2023. “Keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling of our newly refurbished Flagship Institute at 128 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré,” says Mas. “As well as some exciting face and body launches.” www.sothys.com
