THE NO.1 MAGAZINE
FOR SPA AND WELLNESS
Issue 67 | December/January 2019 | www.europeanspamagazine.com
‘FEEL GOOD AGAIN’
St Michaels Resort’s new focus on wellbeing in Cornwall, UK
FINNISH SAUNA
How the country’s passion is spreading around the world
A SENSE OF PLACE
Parisian luxury at Rosewood’s Hôtel de Crillon, France
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Our Expert Guide to the best spa managment software
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Welcome I SS U E 67 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2019
Prosperity and progress
A
s the festive season sparkles to life in spas across Europe, we can celebrate a year illuminated by superb innovations and spa developments.The sheer volume of industry intelligence delivered in this issue is a telling barometer of what’s coming in 2019. Our industry is certainly ending the year on a high with the Global Wellness Institute’s Global Wellness Economy Monitor revealing that spa continues to be a key segment of the overall wellness economy, which was valued at $4.2 trillion in 2017. According to its latest estimates, the spa sector saw 9.8% annual growth in that year, set against 6.4% in the broader wellness economy. Even more encouragingly, Europe leads the charge with estimated spa revenues of $33.3 billion and 46,000+ spas. The Asia-Pacific region was said to be home to the largest number of new spa developments between 2015-17, its total now exceeding 48,500, and many of these properties feature European-inspired treatment concepts, brands and equipment. Read more about the burgeoning wellness economy in our Global Wellness Summit report (p40). As the spa industry grows we will see a deeper consumer appreciation of expert wellbeing services: a key opportunity for spas to create valuable new revenue streams, meaningful programming and new customer engagement. As the traditional clean lines blur between beauty, fitness, nutrition and complementary therapies, dynamic new spa concepts and vibrant new brands are set to emerge. However, the expansion of the industry will undoubtedly exacerbate its staffing crisis, catalysing a much-needed shift in how we value and reward therapists and spa managers. Better ‘wellness at work’ policies are paramount to combat RSI and massage overloads, and to foster happier, healthier and more progressive spa careers. Looking after the people who look after the people is clearly key to spa success. We hope you and your teams enjoy a very successful Christmas season and look forward to bringing you the latest news and spa developments in 2019. Sarah Camilleri Publisher & founding editor
The Team Publisher & founding editor Sarah Camilleri +44 (0) 115 950 4748 sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com
Assistant editor Ian Parkes +44 (0) 115 950 4748 ian.parkes@spapublishing.com
Contributing editor Mark Smith +44 (0) 7956 658261 mark.smith@spapublishing.com
Art director Richard Page +44 (0) 7917 646495 richard@spapublishing.com
Contributing editor Sarah Todd +44 (0) 115 950 4748 sarah.todd@spapublishing.com
Subscriptions manager Angela Sharpe +44 (0) 1353 772173 subscribe@spapublishing.com
Production editor David Fagan +44 (0) 115 950 4748 david.fagan@spapublishing.com
Contributing editor Hellena Barnes +44 (0) 115 950 4748 hellena.barnes@spapublishing.com
Accounts manager Julie Jones +44 (0) 115 950 4748 accounts@spapublishing.com
Office address: European Spa magazine, Spa Publishing Ltd, Halifax House, Halifax Place, Nottingham, NG1 1QN, UK. Online & social media: www.europeanspamagazine.com
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The No.1 business magazine for spa and wellness professionals. Published six times a year by Spa Publishing Ltd, European Spa is an independent, intelligent business title specifically for spa decision makers shaping the wellness market throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. European Spa is printed by Buxton Press on paper sourced from FSC-certified forests.
Spa Publishing Ltd is registered in England. Company No. 6293825
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Contents I SS U E 67 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2019
Business 21 INDUSTRY NEWS
32
The latest industry developments, including the £8 million Milkwood Spa at Luxury Lodges’ new Welsh development.
30 NEWS FOCUS: NATURA BISSÉ
The Spanish skincare brand launches its first stand-alone spa at exclusive retail site The Village at Westfield London.
40 REPORT: GWS 2018
This year's Global Wellness Summit highlighted figures that prove the vital role of spa within the wellness industry.
48 THOUGHT LEADER: ABI WRIGHT
The founder of online booking service Spabreaks.com reveals its plans to focus on luxury properties and solo travellers.
64 REPORT: SPA LIFE UK,2018
We report back on two days of networking and speed-date-style meetings at the ninth annual event in Birmingham.
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68 INTERVIEW: KERSTIN FLORIAN
The international brand’s CEO and founder discusses the launch of its ANDA range, which centres on self-care.
78 COMPANY FOCUS: SOTHYS
Sothy’s Group president Christian Mas on maintaining excellence and staying ahead of the spa market.
40
102 REPORT: SPAFEST 2018
The second installment of this refreshing event gave attendees a chance to reflect on ‘people, planet and health’.
106 FOCUSING ON FINNISH SAUNA
All you need to know about the enduring appeal and growing awareness of this particular style of Nordic sauna.
114 IN CONVERSATION WITH...
JOHN STEWART The co-founder of Thailand’s Kamalaya health retreat believes true happiness comes from serving others.
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68
Expert Guide 90 SOFTWARE
Leading spa software providers outline how their products and services can influence the operations and revenues of spa businesses, including advice from Book4Time, Premier Software, ResortSuite and Tac | The Reservation Assistant.
Contents I SS U E 67 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2019
Spas 32 SENSE, A ROSEWOOD SPA,
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HÔTEL DE CRILLON, FRANCE The Rosewood Hotels & Resorts philosophy of instilling each of its properties with a distinct sense of place has been fulfilled in this Parisian landmark building.
52 THE SPA AT ST MICHAELS RESORT, UK The Cornish resort’s high-tech health club is complemented by a new luxury spa that offers guests hydro-thermal luxury to help them ‘feel good again’.
80 CLOUD TWELVE, UK
We visit London’s Notting Hill to become immersed in the beautiful interiors and cocooning spa experiences that await at this nature-inspired ‘holistic hub’.
64
Menu 71 MENU
The best new products and treatments including Skin Regimen’s Urban Detox and Urban Glow 15.0 facials, and the Joyaux Atlantique spa ritual from Thalgo.
Wellness
71
57 WELLNESS
We spotlight the reopening of Thai wellness destination Chiva-Som and interview Lanserhof Lans’ new medical director, Dr. Katharina Sandtner.
Design 85 STYLE
Renew your subscription today... Published six times a year and packed with quality coverage to inform and inspire, European Spa will keep you up to speed with the latest industry developments and news. To subscribe visit: www.europeanspamagazine.com/subscribe
email: subscribe@spapublishing.com
A look at celebrated Italian architect Matteo Thun’s enduring design at Vigilius Mountain Resort opens our guide to the best new additions to the spa style palette.
Annual subscription rates (six issues): UK: £65 EU: £85 Rest of world: £110 On the cover: A luxurious hydrotherapy pool in the new £10 million spa complements an extensive, high-tech health club at St Michaels Resort in Falmouth, UK
European Spa magazine is published by Spa Publishing Ltd. The Publisher has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the information detailed in European Spa magazine is correct at the time of going to print, and while every care is taken to avoid inaccuracies the Publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions from any information within this edition. Views expressed in European Spa are not necessarily those of Spa Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or part without the Publisher’s permission is strictly prohibited. © Spa Publishing Ltd
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GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
APPOINTMENTS
INVESTMENT
DIARY DATES
E D I T E D BY I A N PA R K E S
Luxury Lodges to build £8 million spa at new Welsh resort
Set in a landscape that inspired the poet Dylan Thomas, Milkwood Spa will be a centrepiece of the £30 million Laugharne development UK: Located in the region that inspired Dylan Thomas, and named after one of his most famous works, Milkwood Spa will form the centrepiece of the £30 million-plus (334 million) Luxury Lodges Laugharne development in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, when it opens in June 2019. Positioned in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views across the Taf Estuary and Gower Peninsula, the fifth offering from Luxury Lodges will comprise 145 beautifully appointed self-catering properties, many of which will come complete with hot tubs. The £8 million spa will be sited inside a stunning two-storey club house, overseen by architects PRP and designed by Louise James of Stockport-based Blackthorn Design Studio. The club house will also offer a restaurant, a bar and three separate terraces, all with panoramic views, along with an open kitchen that includes an indoor BBQ. Speaking to European Spa, managing director Ross Grieve said: “Luxury Lodges Laugharne is a
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huge development for us and we’re really excited to see it all come together. We have invested greatly in its development, ensuring the facilities are world-class and reflect the stunning natural environment around it.” For the development of the 563sqm spa, Luxury Lodges has employed the consultancy services of a team from Durham’s Seaham Hall luxury spa, as well as from one of the UK’s leading sauna and steam room manufacturers, Dalesauna, to ensure the facilities are of the highest standard.
“The spa will be a huge draw for visitors, with the very latest facilities propelling the destination onto the map for wellness tourists.” Ross Grieve Managing director
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the main features will be a 17m indoor infinity pool and an outdoor infinity hydrotherapy pool. Alongside the Dalesauna-supplied salt sauna and herbal steam room there will also be tepidarium beds, experience showers, two manicure and pedicure stations, and a mezzanine relaxation zone. Mediterranean-inspired luxury skincare brand Temple Spa is to supply the treatment products, while the beautifully appointed state-of-the-art gym will be equipped by LifeFitness. Grieve added: “The spa, in particular, will be a huge draw for visitors, with the very latest facilities propelling the destination onto the map for wellness tourists. “The location will offer panoramic views, giving our guests an insight into the region that so inspired great writers, such as the famous Dylan Thomas, while they take advantage of the spa’s many contemporary and stylish features.” www.luxurylodges.com/laugharne
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Business News & industry developments
Forte launches ‘Handmade in Italy’ skincare brand GLOBAL: Described as ‘the Mediterranean diet for your skin’, Irene Forte has launched her own brand of skincare using handpicked active ingredients from the organic farm at Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort in Sicily. Forte worked with Dr Francesca Ferri of Effegilab, as well as a team of biologists and dermatologists in Trento, Irene Forte Italy, to achieve a range of highly advanced formulas that she said “has been a few years in the making”. The initial facial range is to be followed next year by the introduction of a body and suncare line. “I realised that Sicily’s rich ingredients and the bounty of Verdura’s organic farm made the perfect base for a skincare line,” Forte told European Spa. “Inspired by Sicily’s authenticity and beautiful nature, I knew I wanted to create a nutritious skincare line that was sustainable in its entire life cycle. “I was also influenced by Sicilian handicraft, wanting to ensure that my products were hand-manufactured and that my treatments focused on the power of touch. “My lab is based in Italy, so as an Italian, I can also proudly say that the line is ‘Made in Italy’ – something that is very important to me.” There are 75 active ingredients across the entire line, with up to 16 in each of the products, including olive oil, geraci oligomineral water, sweet almond oil, helichrysum flower, hibiscus flower, pistachio oil and prickly pear leaf. Forte’s commitment to sustainability from production to packaging ensures the range is clean and free from allergens, parabens, emulsifiers, SLES and SLSs, while the packaging is made with 100% recycled fibres, recyclable glass and vegetable and soya-based inks.
CIDESCO deal aims to boost Indian beauty drive SWITZERLAND: A recognised leader in beauty and spa therapy standards, CIDESCO International has signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC). The B&WSSC was established to standardise the quality of education in the beauty and wellness sectors, and to enhance the employability of the Indian workforce globally. Obtaining CIDESCO’s internationally recognised certificate in skincare will increase the overseas employment opportunities for trained professionals from India. www.cidesco.com
Organic ilapothecary steps onto the high street UK: Organic skincare brand ilapothecary has launched its debut store in Kensington, London in a bid to complement its online offering. Founded by ila Spa creator Denise Leicester, the company’s store is described as ‘a wellbeing space where visitors can experience the full range of products, and enjoy treatments and workshops designed to address the energetic and emotional needs of modern living’. www.ilapothecary.com
www.ireneforteskincare.com
Italian Alps is setting for luxurious Le Massif spa ITALY: Italian Hospitality Collection (IHC) is promising ‘a world-class spa’ when it opens the doors to its hotel in the Alpine resort of Courmayeur, in late December. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Le Massif will be IHC’s first ski property, joining a portfolio that includes Chia Laguna in Sardinia and the thermal hotels of Bagni di Pisa, Fonteverde and Dr Nicola Fortunati Grotta Giusti. Designed by local architect Fabrizio Gandolfo, alongside 80 rooms and suites, and two on-site restaurants, the 400sqm spa will include a 30sqm pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna and a Technogym-equipped fitness room. [comfort zone] and Eteria will be used in the five treatment rooms. Speaking to European Spa, IHC’s general director of therme and spa, Dr Nicola Angelo Fortunati said: “The luxurious Le Massif Spa will offer our guests a range of treatments specifically designed to help relieve skiers’ achy muscles, guaranteeing that guests leave feeling refreshed and ready for their next day on the slopes. “With a range of pampering spa rituals, inflammation relief treatments, a sauna and a Turkish bath, Le Massif Spa caters to health enthusiasts and non-skiers alike, ensuring all the family can relax and enjoy their beautiful Alpine surroundings.” www.italianhospitalitycollection.com
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News in brief
CIBTAC approves Made for Life cancer therapy course UK: The Cancer Touch Therapy course by Made for Life has received the first endorsement for cancer-specific training from CIBTAC, the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology. The three-day programme was introduced in May 2017, and was accredited by the Complementary Medical Association. www.madeforlifeorganics.com www.cibtac.com
UKSA forms partnership with ukactive UK: The UK Spa Association (UKSA) has joined with not-for-profit health body ukactive to offer ‘Active Spa’. This new membership scheme for businesses that provide both spa and fitness services will offer support in areas such as health and safety, strategic business growth and counsel, as well as discounts on events and networking opportunities, public awareness campaigning and benchmarking. www.spa-uk.org | www.ukactive.com
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Business News & industry developments
British Beauty Council to ‘transform industry’ UK: A new organisation has been created to represent the British beauty industry in an attempt to “present a unified and uplifting face”, according to its newly appointed chairman, Jane Boardman (right). The not-for-profit British Beauty Council will work within an ethical framework to represent the interests of the whole sector irrespective of age, ability, gender, race, religion or culture. Its aim is to ensure the industry is fully recognised at all levels by policy-makers, the wider economy, existing and potential employees and consumers. “The UK beauty industry is something of an unsung hero in terms of image and reputation,” Boardman told European Spa. “From the outside, it at best feels fragmented and confusing, and at worst, lightweight and lacking in substance. “Despite this, the industry has much to be proud of – it is thriving, it contributes massively
to our economy and it offers an extensive depth and breadth of career opportunities. “The British Beauty Council has been formed to transform the industry’s reputation. We are here to provide it with the standing it deserves; we want everyone who works in it to feel proud. “We want to attract the best and brightest talent and for policy-makers, opinion-formers and investors to take us seriously. “Most of all we want to pull together all the diverse elements of the sector and present a unified and uplifting face.” In its first year, the British Beauty Council will commission a substantive report into the size and impact of the beauty industry on the British economy. This will set the groundwork for further development, both domestically and globally, of three strategic pillars – reputation, education and innovation. www.britishbeautycouncil.com
Resense spa opens at Maltese hotel
MALTA: Global spa company Resense has unveiled its latest offering on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Formerly the Plevna Hotel, a multi-million-euro refurbishment and rebranding has seen the Sliema property renamed Hotel 1926 as it features what is described as ‘a touch of the roaring ‘20s’. Owned by Maltese-based Roosendaal Hotels, and designed by architects DeMicoli & Associates, the 1926 Spa by Resense offers an 11m aquatonic pool, a sauna, a hammam, a Emma Darby tepidarium, a beauty room and a LifeFitness-equipped gym. Providing a boutique, modern, beauty-driven spa concept for the Maltese market, across its 305sqm there are also three treatment rooms offering a range of services from Amala and Sothys. “The 1926 Spa by Resense will bring a new energy to the concept of spa in Malta, and will offer something truly special, whether it be an overall wellbeing experience or results-driven treatments,” said Resense’s global operations director Emma Darby. “Our bespoke approach will ensure each tailor-made spa journey is a unique and personal experience from start to finish for each of our guests.” hotel1926.webee.com.mt
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Trainees can ‘earn as they learn’ at Eden Hotel Collection UK academy
UK: The Eden Hotel Collection has launched a pioneering training programme designed to enhance the career prospects of budding spa therapists. Following the success of its Chef Academy in 2016, the luxury collection of nine boutique hotels has launched the Elan Spa Academy, becoming the only hotel group in the country to offer a remunerated training course for successful applicants who will earn as they learn. Training will be provided by the International Beauty and Holistic Academy, run by Julie Speed (above right) and Debbie Moore (above left). Recruits will work for the group on a full-time basis, while attending three days of modular training per month throughout a 10-month programme. The Academy is to be sponsored by ESPA, which will provide additional product and treatment training. Lisa Redding, Eden Hotel Collection’s group head of HR, said: “The Academy has been designed to fast-track the skillset of aspiring therapists within a high-quality working and training environment, while underpinning the standard apprenticeship learning modules with premium product house training via ESPA. “We want to offer an entirely different approach and a special opportunity for aspiring therapists to join a luxury spa collection at entry level.” The benefits to the recruits, who will gain a bespoke Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualification, include a guaranteed full-time appointment upon completion of the apprenticeship. www.edenhotelcollection.com/careers/elan-spa-academy.shtml
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Business News & industry developments
The Chedi expands into Montenegro
Appointments Kunz joins Lanserhof’s new venture
Sebastian Kunz
UK/AUSTRIA: Sebastian Kunz will be medical director when Lanserhof opens at The Arts Club, London, on May 1, 2019. He will lead a team of 30 doctors, physicians and specialists in a venue where sports medicine and high-end diagnostics will meet natural healing procedures. www.lanserhof.com www.theartsclub.co.uk
Holmes moves to The Midland
MONTENEGRO: The Chedi has opened its second European hotel and spa, Luštica Bay, in the coastal Montenegrin town of Tivat, overlooking the Bay of Kotor that neighbours the Adriatic Sea. The 111-room hotel is the first of a prospective seven-hotel masterplan for the area by Singapore-based parent company GHM (General Hotel Management), which will include a thalasso hotel to be elevated above the sea and carved into an old quarry. The initial five-star hotel includes a 542sqm spa that offers a nine-metre indoor pool, a sauna, a steam shower, an experience shower and a juice bar, along with five treatment rooms exclusively using Voya products. There is also a Technogym-equipped gym. Jan Albers Designed by Cairo-based GG&Grace, and with Swiss company Orascom Development serving as consultants, the end result is a haven where it is claimed ‘those seeking serenity and rejuvenation will find both in abundance’. Executive assistant manager Jan Albers said: “Spa is a huge part of The Chedi brand, so it was only natural for us to continue that tradition in Montenegro. To make sure our guests will have a great experience, our professional therapists will help them to get rid of everyday stress via a tailored menu.”
Rebecca Holmes
Trueman to educate for [comfort zone]
www.chedilusticabay.com
Moroccan chic at heart of a converted chapel
UK: The Midland Hotel in Manchester has appointed Rebecca Holmes as spa director. Holmes, who replaces Helena Grzesk following her move to the UK Spa Association, brings a wealth of experience, most recently as spa and leisure development manager at Brooklands Hotel, Surrey. www.thespaatthemidland.co.uk
Victoria Trueman
ITALY/UK: Italian skincare brand [comfort zone] has appointed Victoria Trueman as regional educator for the North UK. With 25 years’ experience in the spa sector, Trueman has worked within destination spas in the UK, as well as educating a number of high-profile international spas. www.comfortzone.it
Orel is Functionality Group president
Sherry Orel
UK: Shrigley Hall, a 19th-century Grade II-listed hotel in Cheshire, is to unveil a £2.7 million (s3.1 million) spa refurbishment in the spring of 2019. Housed inside a chapel once used by Salesian monks, the new 1,600sqm spa, to be overseen by West Yorkshire-based interior designers Curveline Design and constructed by A&S Property Services of Leicester, will adopt a Moroccan style. Facilities will include a 12m indoor pool and an outdoor vitality pool created to look like a garden pond, along with a range of thermal facilities that will incorporate a contemporary twist on authentic hammam and traditional Turkish baths.
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At present, 12 treatment rooms are planned, with brands yet to be selected. There will also be a private garden suite treatment room and additional quirky poolside rooms. “The space is so large and incredibly breathtaking, with gothic stone arches, that we have decided to place some treatment zones in this area,” consultant Claire Caddick, of SPArticulate, told European Spa. Of the outdoor area, overlooking a green valley, she added: “With an all-natural design, it will reflect the fact the hotel has its own water bore hole.” www.shrigleyhallhotelandspa.co.uk
UK: Sherry Orel is now president and CEO of Functionality Group, the UK-based makers of Scentered aromatherapy mindfulness products. Orel, previously CEO of New York-based marketing services agency Brand Connections, takes over from founder Lara Morgan, who is now board chairman. www.scentered.me
CIDESCO welcomes Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy
SWITZERLAND: CIDESCO has appointed Jacqueline Kennedy its business development officer. Kennedy, who has 29 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry, will create strategic educational business plans, as well as inspecting new schools and supporting International Sections globally. www.cidesco.com
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Business News & industry developments
Hyatt steps up wellness drive as host of GWS 2019 in Hong Kong GLOBAL: Hyatt believes its staging of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) in 2019 will be a ‘win-win’ for both the international hotel brand and the wellness industry. It will be the first time that a hospitality company has staged the event, with the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong serving as host in its 13th year, on October 15-17. The platform underlines Hyatt’s drive into the wellness market following its acquisition of two wellness companies last year – Miraval Group and Exhale. Mia Kyricos Speaking exclusively to European Spa, Hyatt’s recently appointed senior vice-president, global head of wellbeing, Mia Kyricos, said: “Hyatt’s purpose is to care for people so they can be their best. That might sound obvious, but it really is so simple and profound. “Because it is so authentic about its purpose, it is better positioned to really bring wellbeing to life. “This is the first time I’ve seen a company of this scale, with 14 brands, at a parent level, putting a stake in the ground that they want wellbeing to be a much greater part of its DNA going forward.” Kyricos, who served as co-chair at this year’s GWS at the Technogym Village in October, added: “By having the Summit at one of our hotels – and honestly, one of the best hotels in the world – it’s a win-win-win in terms of what’s happening with China, and in showcasing our passion for both our purpose of care and also the future of wellbeing. “Another aspect is to celebrate how far the Summit has come. The fact we have a hospitality company that is going to do that for the first time at a parent level is pretty remarkable.” www.hyatt.com | www.globalwellnesssummit.com
LivNordic’s new sauna partnership
SWEDEN/FINLAND: Spa and wellness brand LivNordic has launched a new collaboration with Sauna from Finland designed to ensure spas and consumers discover the importance of authentic sauna practice (see p106 for more). Sauna from Finland is a network of 200 sauna companies that assists hotels and spas to implement authentic Finnish sauna experiences. The partnership with LivNordic aims to raise awareness of the benefits of sauna as it is felt a lack of understanding has limited adoption in many countries. Anna-Cari Gund Anna-Cari Gund, managing director of spa and wellbeing consultancy company Raison d’Etre, which includes the LivNordic brand, told European Spa: “At LivNordic we are very passionate about what we call Nordic bathing, which is spending quality time in the sauna and finishing with a cold dip or roll in the snow. The health effects are tremendously positive, and we share Sauna from Finland’s mission to educate the world.” Sauna from Finland executive director Carita Harju added: “This kind of collaboration means everything to us as LivNordic has over 120 spas which allows us to spread the right message about sauna.” www.livnordic.com | www.saunafromfinland.com
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A retreat into Deep Nature FRANCE: Global spa consultant and developer Deep Nature is to open its seventh mountainside property, which it describes as being ‘for young and old’, on December 15. La Plagne Bains et Spa, in the French Alpine region of Belle Plagne, provides three distinct spaces set over 1,500sqm. A 170sqm family spa area includes an outdoor aquatic trail in which the water is heated to 35°C, with a swan-neck shower, a waterfall, geysers, water beds, a counter-current walking lane and back, leg and foot massage jets. The 500sqm premium spa, for those aged 15 and over, features three saunas, a steam room, a 31sqm hammam that can fit up to 25 people, a salt grotto, a relaxation room, and an area where herbal teas are served, known in France as a tisanerie. Outside there is an additional counter-current swimming lane, along with a whirlpool and Nordic baths. The final area comprises six treatment rooms, including two doubles, offering a full range of customised Deep Nature treatments, along with facials from Cinq Mondes. Dual parent/child sessions, or ‘My first spa’ treatments for children aged six and over, will use French cosmetic brand Nougatine. www.deepnature.fr/en/spa-la-plagne-bains-et-spa
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Business News & industry developments
Villa La Coste reveals its organic, natural, yet high-tech spa FRANCE: Prestigious hotel Villa La Coste has added an “organic and natural” spa circuit to complement its overall wellbeing offering. The property opened last year within 500 acres of Provence wine estate Château La Coste. At the time it housed only eight treatment rooms. Irish property magnate and estate owner Paddy McKillen has now invested in the development of the spa, working with Design for Leisure CEO Don Genders and Zurich-based advisor Greg Payne of Satori Living, who previously developed the global spa concept at Aman Resorts. The spa now includes two Turkish hammams and a steam room, by Lux Elements; a KLAFS Casena sauna; and three wet treatment rooms, two featuring Jouvence dry floatation beds and a Vichy Prestige by Unbescheiden, with all plumbing and shower features by Dornbracht. There is also a yoga studio and a small Technogym-equipped fitness area. “In adding this technology, we looked at it from the perspective that the equipment should augment the potency of the treatment, and not be the treatment itself,” Payne told European Spa. “So, for the hammams, we actually massage the muds into the body rather than simply applying them, and in the dry float, our therapists are incorporating cranial sacral techniques while guests are cocooned in the wrap.” The overall 1,000sqm space, which includes the treatment rooms, has come in at a cost of around €2.5 million (£2.22 million) and Payne believes the investment has been worthwhile. He said: “There is something about the space, its synergy, the way you can move between the sauna, steam, dry float and hammam. It is a circuit that is organic and natural.” www.villalacoste.com
Ardencote creates Destination Spa
UK: Ardencote, formerly a manor house dating back to 1863, has added what has been described by owner Dale Huckerby as “the final piece in the jigsaw” with the Destination Spa. Huckerby, who bought the 103-acre Warwickshire estate in 1996, has over the years turned Ardencote into a four-star destination resort hotel, complete with 110 bedrooms. A £1 million (d1.1 million) refurbishment, with the aid of Austrian spa and wellness consultancy Schletterer, has resulted in the 800sqm addition of an aromatherapy steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna, a
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tepidarium, an outdoor Tyrolean kilo sauna, a monsoon experience shower, a foot spa, an ice fountain and a relaxation lounge. There are now a total of nine treatment rooms using Elemis products, with Jessica used in three manicure and two pedicure stations. The new facilities complement the existing outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, along with indoor facilities that include a pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room and a gym, while there are also three floodlit tennis courts, three squash/racquet ball courts and a dance studio. www.ardencote.com
Irish Spa Business School programme continues to flourish
UK: The Irish Spa Business School’s Spa Business Accelerator programme continues to blossom following the sell-out success of its second event, which was staged recently at Johnstown House Estate & Spa. Partners Peigin Crowley (above) and Michelle Hammond worked with spa managers from The Merrion, The Cliff Group, The Radisson Group, Muckross Park, and Kilronan Castle at the event. Sponsored by leading skincare brand Elemis and specialist commercial toweling company BC Softwear, the two-day residential – held in the middle of an intensive 12-week blended learning programme via webinars and workbook preparation – provided the managers with the strategic tools to bring about returns relevant to their business. “The beauty of the programme is that it’s not based solely on theories of how to run a business; more critically it forces those in the position to drive the business to delve deep in to where they are and where they want to be,” said Crowley. The third programme is scheduled for March 2019. www.spabusinessschool.com/theirishspabusinessschool
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Business News & industry developments
Phytomer opens ‘emblematic’ Parisian spa
Diary dates CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT
FRANCE: Marine-based French skincare brand Phytomer has taken what it sees as a logical step by opening its first flagship city spa in the heart of Paris. Settling on what international commercial development director Tristan Lagarde calls “a prime location a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe”, the 250sqm Spa Étoile is set over two levels at the corner of Rue Washington and Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Designed by Dominique Tosiani, who oversaw the development of Phytomer’s spa and wellness centre in Saint-Malo, where the company’s headquarters are based, the Parisian urban haven offers clients nine treatment rooms, a whole-body cryotherapy chamber, a Japanese infrared sauna, a hair salon and a manicure area. Speaking to European Spa, Lagarde said: “It is logical for us to have such an emblematic spa in Paris to
answer the needs of Parisians. “Phytomer is committed to bringing all the benefits of the sea to those who live in the city, whose skin is constantly under attack. “The spa caters to a local clientele but will also serve as a showcase for all international partners, consultants and architects who pass through Paris and do not have the time to come to the coast of Brittany.” Lemi has supplied the treatment tables, with linens from RKF Luxury Linen, while Fashionizer Spa has provided the therapists with their stylish and eco-friendly uniforms. The spa offers a range of treatments and packages, with its anti-ageing menu complemented by the Vie Collection, a cosmeceutical brand that specialises in facial protocols inspired by aesthetic medicine. www.phytomer.com
Brown to raise Accor’s wellness standards GLOBAL: Emlyn Brown (right) has vowed to improve the wellness offering of AccorHotels’ guests following his appointment as vice-president of wellbeing for the company’s luxury and upscale brands. Brown, who brings with him over 20 years of international experience, most recently as managing director of Resense Spas, along with positions at GOCO Hospitality and Six Senses Resorts & Spas, replaces Andrew Gibson. After almost four years with Accor, Gibson left in May this year to join new wellbeing company, Sensei, run by American entrepreneur Larry Ellison. Outlining his vision in taking up the role, Brown said: “From designs and concepts to facilities and programmes, my goal is to continue to surpass the expectations of our guests and infuse their entire hotel experience with opportunities for transformative, innovative and extraordinary moments of wellness and wellbeing.” Welcoming Brown to the position, Rick Harvey Lam, senior vice-president of global brand marketing, said: “Emlyn will direct our global strategy in the pivotal area of wellbeing, enhancing our global luxury wellness offering through transformative guest experiences integrated with our leading spa and wellness standards.” www.accorhotels.com
Share your appointments, announcements, launches and diary dates with Ian Parkes by calling +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email ian.parkes@spapublishing.com
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Cosmoprof Bologna
March 14-18 Fair District, Bologna, Italy For 2019, the event’s various sectors - Beauty and Spa, Hair and Nails, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Natural Products, Packaging, Machinery, Contract Manufacturing, and Raw Materials - will each enjoy its own hall to maximise the opportunities for new contacts and new projects and simplfy the visitor experience. www.cosmoprof.com
World Spa & Wellness Convention February 24-25 ExCel, London, UK The global networking event delivers a dedicated two-day programme that is designed to help senior management members of hotels and spas improve their skills and talents in order to grow their businesses. www.worldspawellness.com
Beauty Düsseldorf
March 29-31 Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, Germany With more than 1,500 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees, the event provides an international showcase for innovations and education, spanning sectors from spas and cosmetics to nails and wellbeing. www.beauty.de
The Wellness Collective
April 24-27 Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy Making its debut, the event is a premium networking concept, one that brings together senior level decision makers with a carefully curated host of potential brand partners. www.wellnesscollectiveevents.com
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News Focus: Natura Bissé
Natura Bissé Spa debuts in UK Celebrating its continued growth in the spa market, Natura Bissé has selected the UK capital to debut its first global stand-alone day spa. European Spa reports
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uxury Spanish skincare provider Natura Bissé has launched its first stand-alone spa in London as part of its recent global expansion. Founded in 1979, the Barcelona-based company has a presence in 35 Veronica Fisas countries with subsidiaries in the US, Mexico, the UK and Dubai. Natura Bissé Spa at The Village, a first for the brand, is described as ‘a complete and immersive Natura Bissé experience’ located within an exlusive, luxury retail centre at Europe’s largest shopping centre, Westfield London. Sali Flores, the brand’s UK managing director, told European Spa: “It is an important milestone for the company. Westfield is a key shopping destination for global travellers and we are delighted to be present in The Village as the only spa brand offering unique experiences to both tourists and UK consumers.” Clients can expect a world-class offering combining wellness and relaxation with an elegant boutique offering skincare consultations and the full range of Natura Bissé products. The 340sqm Mediterranean-inspired spa was designed by renowned Spanish architect Juan Trias de Bes to reflect the sophistication and five-star Forbes-accredited service that the brand is internationally renowned for. The décor features a colour palette with golden and warm natural tones that create a unique sense of place. Three treatment rooms benefit from 99.9% pure filtered air and the famous Natura Bissé treatment bubble will be a permanent feature.
A Diamond offering The extensive spa menu boasts results-driven treatments for body and face that blend science and technology with luxury protocols and unique signature touches. As part of the project, the team at Natura Bissé has created a signature Village treatment combining the very best from the brand’s Diamond Extreme collection. Featuring chronocosmetics designed to address the needs of the skin according to its circadian rhythms, the products act in synergy with the skin to stimulate its own biological processes. The treatment includes thorough cleansing, deep exfoliation using Radiance Lifting Peel
Golden and warm natural tones create a unique sense of place to greet a global clientele at Natura Bissé Spa at the Village in Westfield London
and Glycoline, and a dual infusion of two concentrates that stimulate cellular renewal. Intensive regeneration and repair featuring Diamond Extreme oil is employed with a lifting massage to sculpt the facial contour, and the treatment concludes with a Diamond Extreme Mask followed by an Inhibit High Definition Gel Mask. These boost hydration, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and calm and soothe the skin. Also available for private hire, the spa looks set to become a must-visit destination for spa aficionados in London as well as a magnet for global travellers visiting the city. Veronica Fisas, CEO of Natura Bissé and daughter of founder Ricardo Fisas, said of the launch: “This first stand-alone spa represents an important step to consolidate our international expansion. As a company, we want to be with like-minded brands that understand the consumer of tomorrow and know how to stay ahead of the commercial curve. "As the only spa in Westfield London we are pleased to be part of an exclusive retail experience.” www.naturabisse.com
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To celebrate the opening of Natura Bissé Spa at the Village, the brand is delighted to offer European Spa Magazine readers a full size Diamond Cocoon Ultimate Shield (valued £112)* with every Signature Treatment until 31st January 2019. thevillage@naturabissespa.com
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, HĂ´tel de Crillon, France
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, Hôtel de Crillon, France
Sense in the city Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ unique Sense Spa concept has been brought to life in full at the sumptuous Hôtel de Crillon. European Spa heads for Paris to experience its full effect
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ôtel de Crillon occupies an iconic location overlooking Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris. Built at the request of Louis XV in 1758, the French neoclassical building has served as both a palace and a private home, becoming the residence of Count de Crillon and his family in 1788. Since being transformed into a hotel in 1909, its guest list has included politicians, royalty and celebrities ranging from Charlie Chaplin to Madonna. With a long, rich history – in 1919, the Covenant of the League of Nations was signed in the main salon – the building is a Parisian landmark of national significance. Clearly a place to see and be seen in, the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts-managed building reopened in 2017 following a four-year renovation, unveiling 124 guest rooms and suites; four restaurants; a newly created swimming pool; and the stunning Sense, A Rosewood Spa, to reaffirm its position as one of Paris’ most celebrated hotels. “It’s such an historic and relevant building for Paris,” says Niamh O’Connell, group vice-president, guest experience and wellness at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. Some 17,600 golden scale tiles on the bottom of the indoor pool are brought to life as natural daylight floods the room, which features a mural by noted ceramist Peter Lane
“A Sense of Place’ is in the Rosewood DNA. Our goal at Sense Spas is to offer an experience that is authentic and resonates with the culture of each property.” Niamh O’Connell Group vice-president, guest experience and wellness, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
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“The years spent restoring the hotel and bringing it back to its former glory make it a once-in-a-lifetime project. The design now reflects the heritage of a bygone era at the hotel, but at the same time we have managed to keep it approachable and relaxed, setting it apart from some of the more formal palaces.” The renowned building is now firmly set as a jewel in the crown of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which currently manages 24 one-of-a-kind luxury properties, including 20 spas, in 15 countries. An additional 21 new hotels are under development, all of which will feature spas. A sense of place The Rosewood philosophy is to instil a sense of place in all of its hotels, incorporating the history, culture and sensibilities of each location. Hôtel de Crillon is the perfect example of this, reflecting the world-renowned elegance of French fashion and design. Similarly, the spa menu was inspired by the history and heritage of French beauty, which is celebrated around the world. At each of its spas, the Sense teams research local culture and traditional healing methods, in some cases speaking with community elders, with the aim of reviving local healing techniques. “‘A Sense of Place’ is in the Rosewood DNA. It’s an integral part of what makes us unique,” says O’Connell. “Our goal at Sense Spas is to offer an experience that is authentic and resonates with the culture of each property. Our society is so fast-paced we have lost sight of many traditions, so the spa menu of each property features unique Lost Remedies.” Keen to respect the luxurious elegance of French spa culture while curating something
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, Hôtel de Crillon, France
uniquely Parisian, Sense Spa at Hôtel de Crillon has combined exceptional products in glorious surroundings to offer a world-class experience. Split over two floors, the spa overlooks a stylish courtyard at the rear of the hotel and adjacent to its ground-floor reception are a Hair Salon by David Lucas and The Barber, by La Barbière de Paris. Two treatment rooms can be found on the ground floor with two more on the lower ground floor along with a gym and a 12m indoor pool. Reshaping this area was a particular challenge due to the dramatic nature of the transformation required. “This space was not previously a spa area so all the elements you would expect from a modern spa had to be fitted into it,” explains O’Connell. “Another consideration was the challenge of building at basement level in a city near the river Seine.” The project features architectural elements from two different interior designers, Tristan Auer and Chahan Minassian. The décor thoughout the spa is reminiscent of sea baths thanks to the use of marble in nude tones, Venetian plasters, various ceramics and Celadon mirrors all enhanced by aqua and turquoise accents. Curved walls and corridors give the space a softer, very welcoming feel. A highlight of the spa journey is the stunning indoor pool, surrounded by a modern mural crafted in blue and gold by noted ceramist Peter Lane. The Art Deco-style subterranean area is flooded with natural daylight, which delicately
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Clockwise from above: The entrance to Hôtel de Crillon in the heart of Paris; marble in nude tones is complemented by colourful ceramics to heighten the sense of opulence; the glamorous Hair Salon by David Lucas; a mirrored wall reflects the stylish interior; guests can relax poolside backed by the the striking Peter Lane mural
highlights the mosaics and some 17,600 golden scale tiles on the bottom of the pool, producing a mesmerising mix of natural blue, turquoise and light-filled reflections. Guests can relax poolside on recliner loungers or sip tea in the comfort of elegant chairs before and after treatments.
On the menu The spa team has developed a unique offering that fulfils the ‘sense of place’ brief without being clichéd. Much thought, care and attention has gone into the guest journey and the treatment offering, with many traditional therapies and Lost Remedies providing an inspiring wellness offering. Relaxing beauty rituals are incorporated throughout the spa experience, including Oshibori hot towels for the hands and feet, while French Duvelleroy fans made of perfumed silk jacquard and pear wood are wafted gently in front of the face and body before each treatment starts. Each protocol ends with a silky perfumed powder sprinkled over the skin using a vintage atomiser by Marcel Franck. The menu features a myriad of unique treatments
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, HĂ´tel de Crillon, France
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, Hôtel de Crillon, France From top: Treatment rooms are spacious, modern and refined, reflecting the philosophy of providing ‘a sense of place’; the spa features architectural elements from interior designers Tristan Auer and Chahan Minassian; Hôtel de Crillon reflects the heritage of a bygone era while remaining relaxed and welcoming
including Bespoke French Skin Care, a signature, personalised facial that draws on many years of history and heritage. Reviving the beauty secrets of French great-grandmothers, it features a soothing, regenerating recipe that combines Bulgarian rose and St. John’s wort essential oils. Another unique 60-minute treatment, which works to soothe headaches and migraines, is inspired from the fields of Provence. A fresh clay poultice is placed on the forehead while the neck, shoulders and head are massaged to increase the flow of oxygen. A combination of mint and lavender essential oils from the French province are designed to release tension during this traditional therapy. Traditional therapies, modern approach From heritage therapies handed down over centuries to modern product houses steeped in tradition, the Sense Spa at Hôtel de Crillon has crafted a strong and compelling identity for guests looking to discover the heart of French beauty. The Sense journeys are designed as an escape from the fast pace of city life, providing a window on the calming, serene and fragrant French countryside with perennial favourites, such as thyme, rosemary, lavender and peppermint, as well as crystal salt from the rugged coast of northern France. While 60% of the spa’s clientele come from Paris and the surrounding area, the remainder are an international mixture that includes the hotel’s own guests. The menu reflects this by balancing a range of anti-ageing treatments with deep tissue and bespoke massage, ensuring there is plenty of choice for the jet-lagged traveller. The spa’s Healing Signature Massage is a deeply therapeutic experience that was designed especially for the location. Therapists work to release areas of tension in the body, blending techniques of Breema, Shiatsu, Esalen, Thai, Swedish and Indonesian massage therapies. It combines constant touch with rhythmic movements along the body that help to relax the mind and release stress. “To create a sense of place we use two French product houses that are exclusive to Rosewood,” says O’Connell. “Maison Caulières is an artisanal French body treatment brand and EviDenS de Beauté combines sublime French elegance and Japanese technology for revitalising anti-ageing facial treatments.” Maison Caulières’ bodycare products are based on a 250-year family history of cultivating plants. Ancestral recipes passed down through generations provide a unique offering for guests and the brand has created four body treatments that follow the rhythm of the seasons, which sit alongside two signature Rosewood treatments. EviDenS de Beauté, developed by Charles-Edouard Barthes, is more results-driven and features a range of anti-ageing products for sensitive skin. Guests can choose from its line of products and experiences, including the Absolute Ritual Global Anti-Age 360° facial, which was created exclusively for the spa.
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© Max Krasnov / Fotolia
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TAKING WELLNESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL www.gharieni.com
MADE IN
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Spa Sense, A Rosewood Spa, Hôtel de Crillon, France
Clockwise from above: The Barber, by La Barbière de Paris offers traditional male grooming services; the spa overlooks a peaceful courtyard at the rear of the hotel; the stylish reception area
The treatment menu is complemented by a full range of bodywork therapies and targeted facials, including the Water Jet Peel, which is simultaneously relaxing and invigorating as it tightens pores and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles. Future-proofing the business As the requirements of the luxury wellness traveller are constantly changing, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts believes bespoke offerings, curated concepts and individuality are key to meeting their evolving demands. O’Connell emphasises the three pillars of spa – a sense of place, balance and individuality – that allow it to fulfill these aims. Having developed a large award-winning portfolio of spas around the world, Sense Spa has received 18 awards so far in 2018 and is set to open an additional four Sense Spas in 2019, as well as one under the Asaya brand. Asaya is a new global wellness concept from Rosewood, launched in Phuket, Thailand in late 2017, that fuses alternative therapies, lifestyle coaching, educational wellness, fitness activities, healing treatments and a dedication to pure, authentic ingredients and thoughtful design. “Recognising the growing trend in wellness tourism, we saw a need to create a specific brand to service this segment, offering a holistic wellness experience,” O’Connell explains. Guests at Asaya are offered the chance to discover their
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own personal wellness journey while learning from visiting experts, local practitioners and Asaya professionals, enabling them to continue the benefits at home. “Our guests can determine how immersive they wish their wellness experience to be; some may commit four to five hours a day and participate in a mind, physical or community experiences programme, while others may wish to have a ‘wellness lite’ programme spending two to three hours per day focusing on a specific aspect of their life, such as nutrition or mental wellbeing,” says O’Connell. “Having both Sense Spa and Asaya within Rosewood provides us with the flexibility to respond to market conditions or location. Asaya supports personal growth through integrative wellness experiences, while Sense Spa provides luxurious treatments that enhance overall wellbeing,” she adds. With this flexible pairing of concepts, it certainly seems that Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the growth in wellness tourism, and with a global expansion programme that places spa at the heart of its offering, it is poised to serve the needs of luxury travellers on every level. Sense, A Rosewood Spa, Hôtel de Crillon, France +33 1 44 71 15 00 | www.rosewoodhotels.com Owner: Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Spa design: Chahan Minassian and Tristan Auer Spa size: 900sqm Spa team: 12 Treatment rooms: Four (including one double) Product partners: Maison Caulières, EviDenS de Beauté Suppliers: Gharieni, Technogym
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Business Report: Global Wellness Summit 2018 1
Shaping the business of wellness Held at Technogym’s headquarters in Cesena, Italy, the 12th Global Wellness Summit highlighted record-breaking figures that proved the future of the wellness industry has no limits
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taged under the theme of ‘Shaping the business of wellness’, the 12th annual Global Wellness Summit (GWS) underlined the increasing importance of an industry that, according to the latest research figures, is now worth $4.2 trillion. In the opening address, GWS chairman and CEO Susie Ellis welcomed an unprecedented 630 delegates from a record 50 countries, 43% of whom were attending for the first time, to the headquarters of one of the world’s leading fitness companies, Technogym. They were treated to a thought-provoking three-day agenda that focused primarily on what the future holds for the various sectors that sit under the umbrella of ‘wellness’. In 1993, long before the word had begun to be embraced by the mainstream, Technogym founder Nerio Alessandri proved himself to be a visionary by adding the tagline ‘The Wellness
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R E P OR T BY I A N PA R KES
Company’ to his business script. Nine years later, Alessandri pioneered Wellness Valley, an area in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy – in which stands the small town of Cesena, where Technogym is based – that has become renowned for its proactive attitude towards health and quality of life. A further 16 years on, Alessandri was clearly proud to welcome leaders from the worlds of wellness, spa, complementary medicine, fitness, health, nutrition, beauty, technology and the arts to his stunning Antonio Citterio-designed nerve centre, where around 200,000 pieces of fitness equipment are produced annually. The fitness pioneer’s rousing opening keynote set an all-encompassing tone for the event. “We are here to help out mankind and to contribute so that the world becomes a better one, which is an incredible honour,” he stated. “Do we realise how lucky we are, that we
have the best jobs in the world, helping people to live better, longer and in a happier way? “We are people living a social mission. People are born to move, and we have forgotten this. Today we risk dying due to an excess of rest, which is a great risk for the sustainability of mankind, so we need to move again.” Referencing the impact of the fourth industrial revolution – that of the digital age – Alessandri urged delegates to help shape people’s daily routines. “If we create a legacy and promote wellness on-the-go, every day and everywhere, then we have an amazing opportunity to improve people’s lives,’ he said. “Wellness is a culture, a mindset. It’s not about going to a gym or a club for a few hours a week. It’s about what you eat and drink, about spending time with your family. “So, we want to make wellness accessible, any time, any place. Let’s move for a better world!”
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Business Report: Global Wellness Summit 2018 2
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Spa growth and Blue Zones The spa sector remains a significant player in the wellness industry, as highlighted in the latest Global Wellness Economy Monitor, which was presented by Global Wellness Institute (GWI) senior research fellows Ophelia Yeung and Katherine Johnston (see box on p46). While the wellness economy is in a buoyant position, recording a 6.4% annual rise over the two years since the previous figures were published, the spa economy was highlighted as showing a 9.8% increase over the same period. However, Dr Ranieri Guerra, the World Health Organisation’s assistant director-general of strategic initiatives, delivered a dose of reality to the audience, underlining Alessandri’s call for the world to get moving. After pointing out the growing worldwide trend of child obesity, Guerra said “physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality”, with estimated direct health care costs of $54 billion. Taking the point further, Guerra added: “There is very little sense in individual health and wellness if we don’t invest in the health and wellness of the planet. Planetary health is linked to the health of human civilisation and the state of the natural systems on which it depends.”
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Giovanni Mario Pes, a senior researcher at the University of Sassari, and Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones, both highlighted the fact that a healthy way of life results in longevity, as has been discovered in several parts of the world. Pes was the first to report on the exceptional longevity of a number of the population living in the Sardinian mountain area, later dubbed a Blue Zone – a place where people live the longest, healthiest lives – and his work was followed up by Buettner, who has also implemented Blue Zone projects in a number of communities across the US. Buettner, who claimed “loneliness shaves eight years off longevity and is as bad as smoking eight cigarettes per day”, added: “Longevity is not something that is successfully pursued, but instead is the product of the right environment.” In a world more prone to non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, Susie Ellis, alongside Richard H. Carmona, chief of health innovation at Canyon Ranch and former surgeon general of the US, reiterated the Summit’s drive for ‘A World Free of Preventable Disease’ through its Wellness Moonshot initiative that was launched at last year’s event. Drawing on her company’s philosophy of
1. The industry leaders who spearheaded this year’s Global Wellness Summit 2. As a leading sponsor, Sammy Gharieni leads the signature collection for the Wellness Moonshot initiative 3. Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute and GWS 4. Technogym’s Nerio Alessandri
making each and every day better through focused intentions via ‘fashion, style and wit’, BuDhaGirl CEO and creative director Jessica Jesse unveiled her own moonshot calendar. Declaring it to be a visual cue, Jesse said: “The objective of the calendar is awareness. We have an obligation to make the world better now, not in 10 years, and this programme is going to show you can make a difference.” Jesse, who also presented a fashion show ahead of the gala dinner at the Grand Hotel, Rimini, was joined in the fashion arena by fellow designer Alberta Ferretti, who discussed her devotion to aesthetics and wellbeing for people. She claimed that “the link between fashion and wellness is so tangible”, adding: “Sports should be a daily activity, and this expression of wellbeing is transforming fashion.”
The spa challenge Although it has been four years since GWS removed the word ‘spa’ from its title, it is clear
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Business Report: Global Wellness Summit 2018 1
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Recognising industry leaders Each year GWS hails those it feels has made a significant contribution to the industry. This year’s winners were: Nerio Alessandri, Technogym Leader in Innovation For his foresight in promoting wellness long before it became fashionable Sheila McCann, Lanserhof Group Leading Woman in Wellness For her role as a key figure in the global spa industry. Clodagh, Clodagh Design Leader in Sustainability For being at the vanguard of wellness design. Rupert Schmid/Pierre-Louis Delapalme, Biologique Recherche Leaders in Social Impact On behalf of their work in making it possible for more people and societal groups to live healthier, happier lives. John Stewart, Kamalaya Debra Simon Award as a Leader in Furthering Mental Wellness In light of his work at the pioneering wellness resort Kamalaya Koh Samui. Denise Bober, The Breakers Leader in Workplace Wellness For the vice-president of human resources’ commitment to employee wellness. Maria Mu - Shark Tank of Wellness An entrepreneurial student from Cornell University who has developed a new sleep technology in the form of a glowing, hanging mobile that guides users through breathing exercises to help them fall asleep.
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from the GWI report that spa remains integral to the industry given the sector has shown the most growth over the past two years (see p46). A panel entitled ‘The Luxe Life’, chaired by ESPA founder Sue Harmsworth, MBE, discussed what works at the upper end of the spa market and the integration of medical and wellness services into resort offerings. Alcide Leali, managing director of Lefay Resorts, Italy, conceded it was a challenge to mix medical and leisure guests, but added: “At Lefay, people can choose a medical or pampering programme and we find they can run together.” Aldo Melpignano, managing director at Borgo Egnazia, Italy, stated: “We take an approach to happiness and wellness which is not all medical. Our concept is about encouraging wellbeing for all our guests.” At Switzerland’s Bürgenstock Resort, which is home to the medical-led Waldhotel, general manager Robert Herr, said: “We believe the medical aspect is the fastest growth opportunity now. People are getting older, and then there are
1. Anna Bjurstam of Six Senses Spas & Resorts 2. An engaged audience inside the conference hall at Technogym’s headquarters 3. Influential designer Clodagh 4. The Future Laboratory’s Jessica Smith
the challenges of the workplace when you don’t have time, so you need a programme that can condense the services for time-poor guests.”
Cancer education An area that is a priority for the spa industry is educating therapists in the treatment of guests who have suffered cancer. Harmsworth said “a lot of people are jumping on the bandwagon and not understanding the problem”. On a panel moderated by Julie Bach, executive director of Wellness for Cancer and a thought leader within the Global Wellness Institute, Anna Bjurstam, who oversees the running of Six Senses spas and is a partner at wellbeing brand Raison d’Etre, revealed that a decision was taken within Six Senses a year ago that its thousands of employees would be trained to receive cancer sufferers.
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Business Report: Global Wellness Summit 2018
1. Irene Forte of Rocco Forte Hotels 2. Lefay Resorts’ Alcide Leali 3. Tony de Leede of Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat 4. Architect Matteo Thun 5. Antonio Citterio, architect and designer 6. Delegates enjoy a dance workout energy break 7. Susie Ellis confirms Hong Kong as the destination for GWS 2019
“You can’t just treat cancer medically today,” said Bjurstam. “You have to treat it with common sense and be able to welcome those who are suffering. It is our responsibility to be able to do that and get the knowledge across.” Dr Elke Benedetto-Reisch, medical director at Lanserhof, one of Europe’s leading health resorts, said: “All our people are trained to understand that for those who have cancer, it’s not associated with a death sentence, [but] that many can be healed forever.” She said Lanserhof aimed to look at what went wrong for guests before they developed cancer, “what gave a person an imbalance, what gave them stress”, and offer them a way forward. “We provide them with complementary medicine, to go along with their chemotherapy and radiation treatment, to help them find a way to restore their balance,” she explained. A fascinating presentation on CBD (cannabidiol, a cannabis compound that has considerable medical benefits) was delivered by
What the delegates said... “As chairman of the Wellness Tourism Association I say to people, ‘don’t run before you can walk’, so the key thing for me is to keep banging home our definitions – clear definitions with clear statements around them, where you can inform people about what wellness tourism is.” Andrew Gibson, Sensei “Andrea Illy talked about stakeholder value versus shareholder value, which raised the number of investors coming into our market. Instead of ROI, we should have ROWI (Return On Wellness Investment). So, I’m going to establish some metrics for my business because I want to continue to take care of my team very well.” Tony de Leede, founder, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat “This was my ninth GWS and after every Summit I have found something to takeaway. On this occasion it was more personal – hearing about the Blue Zones, where people live very healthily. That’s not rocket science. I take care of what I eat anyway, but it shows me it’s not complicated to live healthily. We should all do it.” Sammy Gharieni, founder and CEO, Gharieni Group “Compared to where I used to be 10 years ago, even five years ago, I feel the market has changed. Unlike years past, where we have had to create a demand for wellness, now we have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to help shape health and wellbeing for everyone in a way we’ve not had before.” Mia Kyricos, SVP & global head of wellbeing, Hyatt Hotels
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Melisse Gelula, co-founder of forward-thinking website Well+Good. Claiming “cannabis is getting a wellness rebrand”, she added that her website’s editors were receiving numerous pitches per day on CBD products, with the industry projected to reach $2.1 billion in consumer sales in the US by 2020.
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Putting food first The delegation was given food for thought by Neil Grimmer, founder and CEO of Habit, who delivered a fascinating presentation on the rise of personalised nutrition. This was followed by David Bosshart PhD, who gave an engaging keynote entitled ‘Forget about Wellness – Think Food First’. Bosshart, CEO of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, an independent think-tank that specialises in trend research, cited the continuing focus on superfoods, nootropics, gut health and digestive wellness, asking his audience to consider the significant polarisation and socialisation created by food. “We define ourselves not only by what we eat but what we are not eating,” he said. “Food defines our lives. We are social eaters – we become super humans when we drink wine together because it is pleasure – it brings us release. Friendship emerges from social drinking. For wellbeing, a bottle of red wine with friends can be magical. It’s about story telling. Social eating is very important as it is closely related to happiness.” Addressing the environmental aspect of what we eat, Andrea Illy, chairman of Italian coffee house illycaffè, suggested we were now heading to a new era of “the health age”. “We are shifting from the current resource depletion model to a resource-renewable model. To progress a regenerative culture requires a call for action from the wellness industry,” he stated.
Design for life The world of design and architecture featured heavily at this year’s GWS, with three of the best in their field – Clodagh, Matteo Thun and Antonio Citterio – all highlighting how their work lent itself to wellness. With an award-winning portfolio across 24 countries, Clodagh pointed out that “good design appeals to all six senses”, emphasising that with every project she tries to make people happy, which in turn promotes wellness. While fitness was clearly in focus at Technogym, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat and Komune Resorts founder Tony de Leede led a panel entitled ‘Where Fitness Meets Wellness’. He suggested that while fitness “is an
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Business Report: Global Wellness Summit 2018 intimidating word” in contrast to wellness, he felt that “delivering wellness/fitness in smaller bites is the way of the future”. In response, Kenneth Ryan, vice-president of global spa, fitness and online retail operations for Marriott International, remarked: “We believe fitness is wellness, and we’re talking about changing the word, with Marriott taking a big step into the space because of the demand from the customer. We’re looking at our fitness centres and how we increase them in size, and changing the equipment, while in some of our properties we have filled in indoor pools and replaced them with fitness centres. “A trend we’ve capitalised upon is the digital aspect in the fitness world. We’ve shot 17 fitness videos, ranging from 3-25 minutes, that can be shown in a guest room. We’ve had 28,000 views in a short period of time. It’s something customers are looking for to provide added value when staying in one of our hotels.”
Global Wellness Institute: The rise of the wellness economy The global wellness economy is now worth $4.2 trillion according to the latest research, with the spa sector showing the greatest growth over a two-year period from 2015 to 2017.
The future of beauty
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The findings in the Global Wellness Economy Monitor for 2017 highlight a rise of $0.5 trillion, and 6.4% annually, compared to its previous figures released two years ago. Global economic growth over the same period was only 3.6%. Note: Numbers in the graphic above do not add due to overlap in segments. Dark coloured bubbles are the sectors for which GWI conducts in-depth, country-level primary research. Light coloured bubbles are sectors for which GWI aggregates global estimates only, drawing from secondary sources.
All 10 sectors of the global wellness economy recorded strong growth, however, the standout performer was spa, which showed a 9.8% rise from $98.6 billion in 2015 to $118.8 billion in 2017, of which $93.6 billion is accounted for by spa facilities. GWI claims the number of spas worldwide is now more than 149,000, employing 2.6 million workers.
Source of both charts: Global Wellness Institue, Global Wellness Economy Monitor, October 2018
In the area of beauty, The Future Laboratory duo Rhiannon McGregor and Jessica Smith highlighted how artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in the sector, in particular with the development of algorithms that can identify patterns and trends to determine the right products for an individual’s skin type. It was also suggested that given the growing collaboration with science-based companies, treatments would be driven as much by technical innovation as by new formulations. Developments in smart phone cameras were also said to be providing consumers with a map of their face that enables them to receive more accurately customised advice than ever before. Conversely, they also warned that while many Snapchat filters are innocuous, they were also creating a skewed sense of self, and potentially making it more important to be beautiful online than in real life. Following engaging presentations from Sir Rocco Forte and daughter Irene, along with Nerio Alessandri and his daughter Erica, on how to successfully mix business and family, the Summit concluded with the announcement that the 13th GWS will switch to the Far East and be staged at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, on October 15-17. Explaining the decision, Susie Ellis said: “Hyatt plans to be the top hospitality brand with regard to wellness, so hosting a Summit is probably the best way to let everyone know that’s your goal and to show what they can do.”
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Business Thought leader: Abi Wright, Spabreaks.com
A desire to drive change Spabreaks.com founder Abi Wright discusses her mission to revolutionise the spa industry for operators and guests alike via the highly successful online booking platform
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pabreaks.com founder Abi Wright anticipates her business will turnover £26 million this year – not bad for someone who at the age of 17 was told not to aspire to anything beyond “finding a nice man, getting married and having lots of babies”. Needless to say this summation did not sit easily with Wright’s self-confessed stubborn drive to never be told ‘no’, and in 2008 she launched Spabreaks.com with just 25 spas in its portfolio and two students for assistance. Today, a team of 63 agents handles over 1,200 enquiries per day, booking 7,000 trips each week to 800 properties across the UK and Ireland, and a further 400 overseas. With one million unique users per month, such exponential growth has contributed to making Spabreaks.com an online booking company to watch, and last November, Wright was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Everywoman Travel Awards.
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I NT ERV I E W BY I A N PA R KES
Describing herself as “a bit of a rebel” , Wright has become a tour de force in the industry thanks to her passion to make spa more accessible. With plans in the pipeline to expand Spabreaks.com’s offering further in 2019, the passionate spa advocate talks to European Spa about her journey and what lies ahead for her company.
Why did you launch Spabreaks.com? While working in a sales and marketing role at Donnington Valley hotel in Newbury, UK, we launched a new luxury spa project. I was so involved and so inspired that I began to really watch the industry as a whole as this spa evolution gained momentum. I then managed the third-party relationships with lastminute.com and Spabreak Direct, and both did a good job. However, neither really moved at the pace I felt was needed to keep up with what was happening in the industry.
In getting very involved with the setting up of the spa and gaining an understanding of what was going into it, spa really came alive for me in such a way that even now, 16 years later, it creates an inexplicable fire in my belly. When I left Donnington, I ran my own PR agency for two years, which gave me the time and headspace to think about what exactly the industry needed, what was missing. I worked with a number of clients during those two years to help me gain an idea of what I wanted Spabreaks.com to be, and I gave a lot of thought as to how we would be different. I just felt the industry was crying out for something that challenged the status quo and pushed the limits a little further than lastminute.com and Spabreak Direct seemed to be doing at the time.
What makes Spabreaks.com so innovative? Our belief that there is a spa for everybody is what drives me on a daily basis. As we are a
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Business Thought leader: Abi Wright, Spabreaks.com
THOUGHT LEADER
dynamic marketing platform, we work with the spas. We’re not a third party that’s hungry for commission, we’re not an agency, we’re far more than that. The very essence of who we are and what we do has been set up in a way that complements, not compromises, their business strategies. This is our constant message – that we are a complementary service. We have a product team of eight dedicated to your account management, ensuring we’re giving you the intel you need about our site, what people want and what they’re booking.
How do you go the extra mile for spas and their guests? We have a strict quality assurance basis in our call centre. We now have 63 agents on the telephones seven days a week. They are at the absolute forefront of the recommendation service that we offer. Every Wednesday, our spas come in and train those sales agents so that they are fully aware of the USPs and of the language they should be using when selling their spas; so they understand any disability elements, in terms of where has a winch, steps into the pool, treatment beds that lower to the floor etc. In turn, this means our customers are fully engaged and encouraged to buy products and extra treatments.
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How is the burgeoning digital age transforming your business? Connectivity is massive for me. We are a hybrid model so £6 million of our turnover this year will be booked through our online portal. In excess of 1,400 people per week book through this. Customers are booking from live availability, without having to speak to someone in a call centre. For the last four years, I’ve also been working exclusively with Premier Software in creating an API (application programming interface) that allows my sales agents to book directly into a spa’s treatment diary. We have 80 spas working with us this way. It means we’re not having to call them and draining resources away from getting their own business directly. I’m freeing up the spas to do what they do best with their membership and local guests, while sending them complementary, top-up business and closing out the dates they have asked us to sell. As a result, our customers are getting some fantastic pricing and packages because we’re working exclusively with them.
What does the future hold? Well, I’m happy to report that the five-star, high-end spas have enjoyed a record year with us. I believe we are now educating
Above from left: Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork, Ireland; Galgorm Resort, Ballymena, Northern Ireland; Rockliffe Hall, Darlington, UK; and Mallory Court, Royal Leamington Spa, UK are all accessible to guests booking through Spabreaks.com, founded by Abi Wright
our customers on the benefits of real spa experiences, so it is my intention to expand further into this space in order to celebrate the genuine encounters being provided by our premium partners. I want the top spas to shine without providing special offers, discounts and all this horrible messaging that goes with spa a lot of the time. I also want to champion the solo traveller next year. We’re marginalising people who have chosen to travel alone, or are travelling alone because they find themselves in that situation. As an industry, we preach that it’s important to have time out, to be on your own and to have mindful space, yet we penalise the solo traveller by charging them double because they are one person in a room, not two. I will work with the spas to package things differently, so they’re making up what they’re losing on bedroom spend through treatment time. I’m just constantly trying to throw things up in the air and make them come down a bit differently. www.spabreaks.com
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Spas St Michaels Resort, UK
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Spas St Michaels Resort, UK
Clockwise from far left: One of the spa’s ten new treatment rooms is a double; the stunning hydrotherapy pool is equipped with 21 massage stations; St Michaels aims to offer guests a service unrivalled in Cornwall; a Harvia heater warms the traditional Finnish barrel sauna
‘Feel good again’ The mission statement of St Michaels Resort in Falmouth has been brought to life by the creation of a new spa in the first part of a significant investment programme R E P OR T BY I A N PA R KES
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ommanding spectacular views towards Gyllyngvase Beach, one of the finest stretches of sand in Cornwall, St Michaels Resort in Falmouth was purchased by Nigel Carpenter in 2001. Now, following the completion of a £10 million (s11.2 million) redevelopment programme, according to Carpenter, the once “tired, run-down hotel” has been transformed into a four-star oasis of health and wellness where visitors can “feel good again”. In 2012, the original St Michaels was already running a profitable, albeit somewhat cramped, spa and health club, with the latter hitting a peak of 1,200 members. However, Carpenter says: “We were constantly managing the potential conflict between those enjoying a relaxing spa day, gym members working out, and parents and children staying at the hotel.” In April that year, a neighbouring hotel property, Falmouth Beach, was destroyed by a fire. Recognising the need for expansion to realise St Michaels’ potential, Carpenter purchased the razed site from owners Best Western. “We had to develop a masterplan, the key component of which has allowed us to become a full resort, playing to our success in wellbeing and wellness,” says Carpenter. “We had the opportunity to create a very large, very well fitted health club on the one side, and also a completely new spa on the other.” It was not without its trials and tribulations though, and with both still in the planning phase Carpenter opted to put the property up for sale in 2015 for £20 million. It was only after securing three separate tranches of investment from CBRE Global Investors, BH Group and Acorn Property Group, that he opted to see the plans through to fruition.
“Our tagline as a business for the last eight years has been ‘Feel good again’. That rings even more true now in light of the redevelopments.” Nigel Carpenter Owner
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On the site of the old Falmouth Beach hotel now stands the Beach House, containing 32 beautifully appointed rooms. Beneath it, opened last year, is a 1,000sqm health club with a 17m swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, experience showers, a heated relaxation area and a sun terrace. The health club’s 350sqm fitness suite has cardiovascular and resistance equipment from Technogym, Matrix, Escape, Concept2 and Keiser, along with three studios for spin, rowing and fitness classes. Its 100 instructor-led classes each week run at 80-90% occupancy and club membership currently stands at 2,000, with a ceiling of 2,500. Follow the yellow brick road In conjunction with the opening of the Beach House has been the refurbishment and redevelopment of the core of the 52-room hotel, now known as The Main House, with the two buildings linked by what has playfully been termed ‘The Yellow Brick Road of Wellness’ by spa manager Lucy Mingo, due to the yellow pathway that runs from one to the other. Alongside two new restaurants, Brasserie on the Bay and the Garden Kitchen, and the impressive Wine Vaults private dining room, has been created a stylish 800sqm spa. Here, the pièce de résistance is a 14m hydrotherapy pool, designed by Apex Pool Engineers, which is heated to a constant 35°C and offers 21 massage stations and seven different experiences. In addition, there is a herbal Finnish sauna, a rainforest steam room and the world’s only Cornish Sea Salt steam room, the delivery of which was all overseen by Anapos, based in Wigan. Two different sets of experience showers, four thermal loungers, the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’, a four-poster cabana and various loungers complete the indoor offering, while outside on the south-facing relaxation terrace, with views over the bay, there is a Red Cedar hot tub and a Finnish barrel sauna with a heating system from Harvia. As Carpenter explains, there was a clear case for the development of both areas. “We’d built up a very successful spa business, but we were completely at capacity with the four treatment rooms. We’d also developed a very successful
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Spas St Michaels Resort, UK
Clockwise from above: St Michaels will see a further £30 million investment as part of its redevelopment; a guest enjoys a high-tech treatment; the Anapos-supplied thermal suite; OPI is the product partner for nail care; the health club’s high-end, fully equipped gym; the outdoor Red Cedar hot tub and Finnish barrel sauna; a refreshing hydrotherapy pool experience
health club, but again that was straining at the seams. “We knew that if we could build a national-standard health club – one that would not be out of place in London, but in a Cornish environment – then it would be very difficult for anyone in this area to match. “For the resort, the creation of the destination spa was really important from the point of view of being able to deliver a truly relaxing spa break, which wasn’t completely possible while it coexisted with the health club. The atmosphere is different. In one, you’re pumping people up; in the other, you’re chilling people down.” Describing the ambition that drove the development, Carpenter adds: “In Cornwall, there’s been a big growth in spa. We were one of the first to come along and put a spa into a hotel, but then we needed to leapfrog to the top of the pack again to ensure we delivered a very special experience. “We feel we have achieved it, which means that going forward we have the opportunity to sell a
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lot more spa breaks. The spa will help us to run at more than 80% occupancy all-year-round.” With the aforementioned trio of investors on board, phase two of the development masterplan, which is expected to cost around £30 million (w34 million), will see the creation and sale of 53 self-catering apartments, with the resort offering a total management service to the new owners. An additional four eco-spa lodges and a new access road into the overall site are also due to open in the spring. Something for everyone Anapos further developed the rasul, which houses a traditional Moroccan steam chamber with exfoliants, muds and clays supplied by Natural Spa Factory. Meanwhile, Natura Bissé, Elemis and ishga cater for the majority of the broad offering in the 10 treatment rooms – one of which is a double – and there
“As the spa is still new, the menu will be refined and adapted over time as we discover what our clients like, what’s selling and what’s less popular.” Lucy Mingo Spa manager
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Spas St Michaels Resort, UK
is also a capsule collection from Made for Life Organics. Complementing those brands for use in the nail bar’s three manicure and pedicure stations is OPI’s ProSpa skincare range and tanning products are supplied by MoroccanTan. Discussing the treatment selection, Mingo says: “As Elemis was our brand partner in the previous spa, and given they are an incredibly well-known British brand, it was an easy decision to retain them. “But we wanted to offer something for everyone. In particular, we wanted something truly exclusive, like Natura Bissé, who are pioneers in terms of development. They provide us with something different and unique. “As for ishga, given our location by the sea, we wanted our signature treatments to be organic and to showcase a seaweed base, which has allowed us to be more tailored to individual preferences. We have created treatments together that are unique to us. “With Made for Life, their Cancer Touch treatments are very special, and, of course, they’re Cornish. As for Natural Spa Factory, they are such an easy brand to work with, and their rasul products are amazing. “As the spa is still new, the menu will be refined and adapted over time as we discover what our clients like, what’s selling and what’s less popular.”
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Making people happier For now, Carpenter is simply delighted that the property he bought 17 years ago is thriving. Given its location and the range of facilities on offer, St Michaels Resort is in a position to attract a wide demographic across a number of facets of the business – from local health club members and spa break couples, through to families. Abiding by the hotel’s motto, Carpenter says: “Our tagline as a business for the last eight years has been ‘Feel good again’. That rings even more true now in light of the redevelopments. Whether you’ve had a drink in the bar, lunch in the Garden Kitchen, a workout, or a three-night luxury spa break, we want to send people away restored, relaxed, feeling a little better, and a little happier than when they came in. That’s what we try to live by.” St Michaels Resort +44 (0) 1326 312707 | www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk Owner: Nigel Carpenter Investment: £10 million Spa size: 800sqm (plus an additional 1,000sqm health club) Spa team: 21 Treatment rooms: 10 Product partners: Elemis, Natura Bissé, ishga, Natural Spa Factory, Made for Life Organics, OPI, MoroccanTan Thermal and wet spa design and supply: Apex Pool Engineers, Anapos Other suppliers: Gharieni, BC Softwear, Harvia, Ellisons, Cornish Sea Salt Company, Technogym, Matrix, Escape, Concept2 and Keiser
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Wellness
HEALING THERAPIES
NUTRITION
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Editor’s choice
Chiva-Som reopening unveils revitalised wellbeing offering
Leading Thai wellness destination completes third phase of refurbishment with enhanced facilities and newly designed treatments
Thailand: Leading wellness destination Chiva-Som International Health Resort has unveiled a wide range of enhancements to its offering that it says will ‘further underline its position as a pioneer of the wellness industry’. The luxury beachfront resort, founded 23 years ago in the town of Hua Hin, reopened on November 1 following completion of the third stage of an extensive four-phase remodelling project. Complementing the physical overhaul of the resort, Chiva-Som has added new physiotherapy-based protocols to its extensive treatment menu, offering isokinetic exercise to aid guests who have experienced injury or surgery, and dynamic hip function exercises to remedy muscle contractions. A new Bio Cellulose Coconut Mask, said to be effective in reducing redness and hydrating the skin after laser treatment, has been added to the aesthetic beauty menu. The spa has also taken delivery of LPG’s Cellu M6 Alliance, a non-invasive piece of
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equipment that mechanically stimulates the skin to smooth the appearance of cellulite. Three new colonic hydrotherapy treatments are also now available, using water, herbal solutions and enzymes as well as substances such as coffee, probiotics and charcoal to cleanse the large intestine. The resort has also introduced a comprehensive folate assessment to aid guests to detox and boost their metabolic health. “Chiva-Som has secured its reputation as a pioneer
“Each new service represents a key element in achieving optimal health and sustainable wellbeing.” Dr Jason Culp Senior
naturopathic physician and head specialist
in the wellness industry by adding to its core healing modalities with the latest innovative health-promoting services,’ said Dr Jason Culp, senior naturopathic physician and head specialist in Chiva-Som’s Research team. “Each new service represents a key element in achieving optimal health and sustainable wellbeing, through enhancing mobility and physical activity, optimising nutrition plans and menu offerings, and ultimately providing an essential space for healing.” Chiva-Som’s general manager, Vaipanya Kongkwanyuen, added: “With enhanced facilities and newly designed treatments, technologies and services we are pleased to introduce an exciting era of wellness to new and returning guests. These developments heighten the wellness experience and enhance our proven ability to support guests on their journey of wellbeing.” The fourth and final stage of refurbishment will take place between May and November 2019. www.chivasom.com
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Wellness Global trends & developments
Introducing spiritual concierges UK: In what is thought to be a world first, The Mandrake hotel in London has introduced a new spiritual concierge service, offering a wide spectrum of spiritual healing. A range of ‘bespoke conscious experiences’ will be available from reiki, sound healing and shamanic ceremonies to crystal healing and gong baths. In addition, there will also be Mandrake Monthlies, where guides will be invited to set up a spiritual base in London, including goddess circles, conscious breathwork, fire ceremonies and lucid dreaming sleepovers. “We are passionate about offering experiences on a soul level and we have built a programme of spiritual wellbeing that is totally unique to London, if not the world,” said Joanna King, head of spiritual wellbeing programming. “We want the next year to be even more eclectic, to continue to inspire both guests and city residents to try new experiences with us as we develop The Mandrake into a true sanctuary for the soul.” www.themandrake.com
Hard Rock Hotels encourages guests to Rock Om with yoga
£300,000 invesment at Sequoia Spa UK: Luxury Hertfordshire hotel The Grove has unveiled the results of a £300,000 (E338,000) investment at its Sequoia Spa. As well as renovating its fitness facilities and introducing a range of new wellness offerings, the spa has recruited a nutritionist and a physiotherapist, and equipped new cardio, weights and functional fitness zones with Technogym products. An enhanced Sequoia Wellness Membership now includes access to quarterly fitness assessments, personal training sessions, nutrition and physiotherapy consultations, sports massages and unlimited access to all the facilities. Jamie Pagan New ESPA and Natura Bissé treatments added to the spa menu include The Mindful Touch Massage, which uses virtual reality, and the High Definition Face Lift, described as ‘an effective alternative to micro-injections’. “The Grove’s Sequoia Spa is already a remarkable space and now it has one of the most advanced hotel gyms available,” said spa director Jamie Pagan. “Our spa is a holistic wellbeing destination and we are delighted to be expanding and enhancing our offering for guests and members even further. It’s an extremely exciting time for us and we look forward to seeing it all come together.” www.thegrove.co.uk
Global: Hard Rock Hotels has launched a new complimentary in-room yoga experience that is intended to energise guests through the power of music. Entitled ‘Rock Om’, it consists of three in-room yoga videos that will play on Hard Rock’s television systems across the brand’s portfolio. There is also a Rock Om landing page that guests and non-guests can follow. Hard Rock has partnered with leading yoga equipment and apparel brand Manduka to provide guests with yoga equipment to use during their stay. With music at the heart of its hotels, the launch of Rock Om is intended to further underline Hard Rock’s emphasis on marrying music with wellness and provide a fresh take on the timeless tradition of yoga. www.hardrockhotels.com/experience
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Wellness Global trends & developments
Bamford extends portfolio at Brompton Cross UK: Organic spa brand Bamford has extended its portfolio with a new holistic wellness space in London’s Brompton Cross. Bamford Haybarn Brompton Cross, near South Kensington, is said to be the ‘truest expression of Bamford’ outside of its home at Daylesford Farm in the Cotswolds. Encompassing the brand’s three-tier wellbeing philosophy of ‘Move, Breath, Heal’, the centre covers three floors and a skylit studio will offer a yoga, sound healing and meditation classes developed by Bamford’s team of practitioners. A rota of visiting experts will provide a combination of movement and healing therapies. Two treatment suites will deliver organic facials and holistic body treatments utilising the
A ‘Reason To’ stay at Four Seasons Koh Samui
Thailand: Four Seasons Koh Samui has launched four new wellness programmes in response to demand for dedicated wellbeing experiences. Combining spa treatments, nutrition, fitness and wellness, the four full-day ‘Reason To’ programmes – Reason to Sleep, Reason to Nourish, Reason to Pamper and Reason to Play – are tailored to each guest’s individual wellness preferences. The ‘Sleep’ package includes flow yoga and meditation, while ‘Nourish’ is aimed at replenishing lost reserves of health and energy via handpicked spa treatments and private yoga sessions. ‘Pamper’ includes a three-hour Earth to Sky Ritual in The Secret Garden Spa, while ‘Play’ features activities that inspire and refresh, including guided exercises on the beach and an afternoon spent learning Muay Thai, the ancient Thai art of kickboxing (pictured).
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Stephanie Arveux, director of spa, The Secret Garden Spa said: “Our programme has been inspired by the core foundations of a healthy body and mind – a good night’s sleep, an active day, nourishment and, of course, pampering. Each of our day-long experiences have their own personality, so guests can choose the programme that best fulfils their ‘Reason To’ take part.” Sean Mosher, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, added: “The setting, ambience and experiences at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui naturally inspire holistic wellbeing. With the launch of these new experiences, we hope to create an environment for positive harmony and give guests ‘Reason to’ invest in their wellbeing.” www.fourseasons.com/thailand
best techniques and traditions from around the world – from shiatsu to hot and cold jade stones, reflexology and acupressure. A retail space will be stocked with ethical clothing, homeware and skincare arranged around a hand-carved marble bar serving organic infusions, each blended to target a specific area of wellbeing. Bamford founder Carole Bamford said: “Our original Haybarn Spa is set within the tranquil greenery of Daylesford’s organic farm and, for me, that setting is what makes it so unique. I have always wanted to be able to transport the essence of those natural surroundings to an urban setting, so I’m delighted to finally bring that vision to life.” www.bamford.com
Care following hair loss
UK: A new campaign called ‘Hair Loss Friendly’ aims to advise and support those suffering from hair loss to ensure they feel comfortable on their spa journeys. Created by Jasmin Julia Gupta (above left), founder of Cancer Hair Care, the initiative will see wig stands and head scarves discreetly supplied, and expert advice offered to guests and staff alike. A pilot phase will begin in January 2019 at Champneys spas, as owner and founder Dorothy Purdew explained: “When I discovered this fantastic charity and realised how important it was to support women during hair loss due to cancer treatments, I was immediately inspired to support the pilot scheme.” Gupta added: “When a woman loses her hair and regular ritual of daily hairstyling, a spa treatment can boost her self-confidence. Our campaign aims to help caring spas of all sizes to reach out and offer the little touches that help women with hair loss feel welcome. ” www.cancerhaircare.co.uk
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Wellness Global trends & developments
Find your own path at Banyan Tree Phuket Thailand: International hotel brand Banyan Tree has introduced a new wellbeing programme at its Phuket property to help guests gain a greater awareness of their body and balance their lifestyle. Exclusively to Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket, the new Sanctuary Wellbeing programme comprises a weekly calendar of more than 50 enriching activities designed to achieve improvement in multiple aspects of guests’ lives, as well as luxury spa treatments for sensorial rejuvenation and ‘cultural immersions’ that explore elements of Thai wellness practices and offer a unique insight to the local culture. Guests have the flexibility to participate in unlimited wellbeing activities depending on their preferences and goals. The interactive activities aim to teach ‘simple changes for maximum impact’ and broadly focus on raising body awareness; improving fitness; encouraging mindful practice; and supporting lifestyle enrichment. Ho Ren Yung, vice-president, brand HQ, said: “We have consciously steered away from the moulds of traditional wellbeing retreats that offer prescribed itineraries and top-down, expert-driven diagnoses. “Sanctuary Wellbeing provides guests with the time and space to discover their needs at their own pace, focusing on simple, impactful changes while inspiring guests to continue their wellbeing journey when they return home.” www.banyantree.com
Le Monastère’s Holistic Health Innovation Hub for collaboration Canada: Urban healing hotel Le Monastère des Augustines in Québec is developing a Holistic Health Innovation Hub that will offer intervention and research projects to both individuals and organisations. A member of Healing Hotels of the World and located in a working Augustine monastery, the Holistic Health Innovation Hub is said to be both a physical and a virtual collaborative space. The Hub is intended to be a ‘living laboratory’ open to targeted clientele, who will participate in different initiatives aimed at promoting collective and individually sustainable health. It will also offer a virtual platform to aggregate credible information and ensure that knowledge surrounding preventative health – particularly that with a holistic
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approach – is shared on a wider basis. Isabelle Duchesneau, executive director of Le Monastère said: “The Hub is a space where organisations and individuals interested in social innovation in the health field will collaborate through experimentations and research. “We also want to contribute to the unification of conventional and holistic approaches. The vision of this Hub is to create an ecosystem that will help people contribute to individual and collective changes in behaviour for a sustainable, healthier society. “By supporting the transformation of individuals, we aspire to create a true social movement towards individual and collective healing.” www.monastere.ca
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Wellness Dr. Katharina Sandtner, Lanserhof Lans
A director of diverse disciplines European Spa talks to Dr. Katharina Sandtner, who grew up a stone’s throw from Austria’s Lanserhof Lans resort and is set to become its new medical director in January 2019
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enowned since 1974 as a pioneering resort with a holistic approach to health, Lanserhof Lans, part of the Lanserhof Group, is to welcome a new medical director in January 2019. Having grown up in Lans, just south of Innsbruck, Dr. Katharina Sandtner (above left) has enjoyed a long history with the retreat, as she and her childhood friends were allowed to explore the property and use its swimming pool. While later studying for her doctorate in human medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Sandtner worked at Lanserhof Lans on the medical night service, treating guests in the therapy department and working on reception. After graduating in 2008, Sandtner completed an apprenticeship in the practice of Dr Andreas Pfretschner in Innsbruck, who introduced her to the field of holistic medicine, including the FX Mayr method. She returned to Lanserhof Lans in 2012 as a general practitioner, becoming deputy medical director three years later. As medical director, Sandtner will focus on further advancing the LANS Med Concept, building on decades of research that has created a unique health approach designed to support the natural healing process and promote physical wellbeing and inner balance. We spoke to Dr. Sandtner about her job and what makes Lanserhof Lans a special place.
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What is the concept behind Lanserhof? We combine state-of-the-art medicine with naturopathic and holistic methods including TCM, acupuncture, mesotherapy, neural therapy and homeopathy. Our detox programme is based on the LANS Med Concept, which primarily leads to regeneration of the gastrointestinal tract. In healing, it is important to bring soul, psyche and body into harmony, so energetic treatments and mental coaching contribute significantly to the recovery process. In addition, we offer a professional, preventive programme with specialist doctors as well as diagnostics and tests.
How do you tailor to each guest’s needs? Ideally, we receive a health questionnaire from our patients a few weeks before their stay, so we can plan special therapies in addition to the basic programme. All applications and examinations, as well as the diet level are then individually determined between doctor and patient during the admission process.
What are the best moments of your role? One of the perks of working as a doctor at Lanserhof is being able to think outside the box. I know of no other place where conventional medicine and complementary medicine can coexist in such a way, and the patient benefits greatly from a network of different disciplines.
Our guests come from all over the world to this special place to heal, and to be allowed to accompany this process is very satisfying.
How do you care for your team’s wellbeing? The intensive exchange between doctor and therapist is essential. Our team is strengthened by staff discussions, further training and spending time together, but each employee must also be individually encouraged and valued.
Why are more men visiting Lanserhof? The modern man is self-confident and health-conscious, but cannot implement our programme in every day life. Many come with their wives or friends and complete the whole programme, but while special male focuses are certainly appealing, in the end our guests appreciate the individuality of our concept.
What are the most popular treatments? Our doctors and therapists all have unique personalities paired with great training and deep empathy, so treatments such as craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, Nuad Thai, Aqua Relax, cryotherapy and lymphatic drainage become a special experience. Ultimately, it’s not any particular treatment, but the therapist who is the enduring highlight for our guests. www.lanserhof.com
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Business Report: Spa Life International, UK, 2018 2
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Building on strong foundations We report from the ninth annual Spa Life International UK, with its unique combination of industry insight, new product innovations and networking opportunities R EP OR T BY S A R A H TOD D
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illed as Europe’s largest spa-dedicated event, Spa Life International returned to Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole Hotel to deliver a comprehensive two-day programme of networking, product and brand launches and educational opportunities. Enabling hundreds of premium spa owners, operators and suppliers to network, share expertise and grow their businesses in a professional but friendly environment, delegates discussed the key issues and challenges facing their businesses. The forum’s opening day comprised the traditional round of one-to-one buyer and supplier ‘speed-dating’ meetings, interspersed with breakout sessions that allowed delegates
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to visit the supplier expo. The proceedings concluded with a glamorous gala dinner that included the Good Spa Guide Awards (see p66 for full list of winners).
Diverse programme A multi-track conference programme on the second day commenced with the return of the CEO Summit, moderated by Michelle Hammond from Spa Business School. This invitation-only gathering saw some 30 business leaders strive to address what she described as “some of the most chronic issues facing our industry to date”, including the ongoing staffing crisis. This was followed by a series of short supplier showcases.
The opening keynote was delivered by Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. He gave a fast-paced and dynamic talk on the ‘six pillars of health’ – glycation, methylation, oxidation, hydration, digestion and lipidation, emphasising how they work together to improve cognitive function and boost mental wellbeing and general physical health. The following breakout sessions provided diverse discussion topics.‘The Retail Conundrum’, saw Michael Sheridan, from global retail design agency Sheridan & Co, and retail strategist Jaclyn Hughes share their expertise. With clients including Fenty Beauty, Morphe, and Diptique, Sheridan described how brands can amplify their message and retail efforts in
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Business Report: Spa Life International, UK, 2018 1. Gharieni Group’s Andreas Blum and Tara Moore of Galgorm Resort 2. Buyers and suppliers meet on the first day of the event 3. Jasmin Julia Gupta of the Hair Loss Friendly spa campaign 4. The full Spa Life International team (UK, Ireland and Germany) at the Good Spa Guide Awards 5. Spa Life co-founder Andrew Hammond 6. Gharieni was one of seven international event partners 7. From left: Christina Salcedas, Shelley Hepburn, Nigel Franklyn and moderator Michelle Hammond 8. Closing keynote speaker Jules Mitchell 9. Hundreds of spa professionals attended the UK edition of Spa Life International 10. Opening keynote speaker and nutrition expert Patrick Holford
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a physical space as well as online. “Consumers want innovation and newness with flexible retail spaces that can either be products-focused or graphics-focused, that take them on an experience-led, immersive journey,” he said. Explaining how social media can be “an amazing driver into retail”, Sheridan highlighted a recent case study regarding global superstar and social media influencer Rihanna, her Fenty Beauty brand, and its positioning in Harvey Nichols stores across the UK. Sheridan worked with brand owner Kendo to design and deliver Fenty’s retail identity, citing Rihanna as making “an incredible impact on the market due to its celebration of diversity”, resulting in “mile-long” queues on launch day at Harvey Nichols in London’s Knightsbridge. Sheridan’s consequent retail concept honed-in on messages of inclusivity and empowerment to be fresh, edgy and urban but with an air of femininity.
Maximising revenues Jaclyn Hughes, founder of Ultimate Training Solutions, then examined the processes,
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communication, training and standards surrounding the consumer experience. She explored how spas can achieve better sales-to-service percentages, in terms of comparing the number of treatments sold versus the number of products sold, and how they can rectify missed opportunities. “Spas can maximise their revenues by removing the many barriers to their guests making retail purchases,” she explained, asking delegates to focus more on the behaviour of their spa teams to ensure they understand that retail is an essential part of their role. A session from Spa Life International co-founder Andrew Hammond and The Good Spa Guide’s Anna Ramsay focused on data analysis, and how it guides the strategic development of a range of industries. Hammond said: “Improved data analysis will enable the spa industry to become both better organised and drive even greater business growth.” A second breakout track saw Davinia Swanston, a senior consultant at JDS Consulting, discuss how delegates can create extraordinary leadership from ordinary
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people. The session demystified the leadership challenges spas can face and gave delegates a series of positive actions they could use to drive future business growth. Neil Davidson of mwpdigitalmedia.com then focused on how video can be used in a creative and highly efficient way to create rapport and differentiate spa businesses from their competitors.
Team building and bonding In the afternoon, international spa consultant Nigel Franklyn was joined by Christina Salcedas, global director of education for Aromatherapy Associates, and Shelley Hepburn, head of spa at Harper Grace International, to share ideas on how the concept of workplace wellness could benefit spa owners and operators. Key points included Franklyn’s suggestion that spa owners create an environment where therapists can succeed and excel. He said they should celebrate individuality and “put the passions of their therapists on the menu”. Salcedas added that creating a high-performing team starts with listening to
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their opinions, and always keeping channels of communication open. She suggested creating a sense of shared ownership by creating a “grand plan” for your spa. The team would then support the managers in creating a fantastic experience for guests. Hepburn said she builds a team by first considering every person in it as an individual and looking at how they can work in harmony. Underlining her positive management style, she said: “I always focus on a team’s strengths, rather than its weaknesses.” She proposed the organisation of fun staff get togethers where personnel could talk honestly about work. The following session from digital marketing expert Nadya Birca, co-founder of STEPP Digital, provided a range of examples that showed how a strong marketing message can impact on a qualified audience. “Accurately defining a spa’s target guest is fundamentally
important to matching its brand message to its customer profile,” she claimed.
Inspiring our selves Closing the conference, a high-energy educational-experiential keynote was delivered by Jules Mitchell, who encouraged all attendees to participate in her ‘joy shots’ that included diaphragmatic breathing and ‘power poses’. Explaining her theory of the ‘big self’, she concluded by saying it is possible to “rewire ourselves to thrive” by combining our physical, emotional, spiritual and mental selves to access more energy, enjoy sustainable success and find deeper meaning and greater happiness in all aspects of our lives. Reflecting on the event, Hammond said: “Each year we see our UK event grow, and 2018 has been no exception. We work incredibly hard to create an experience that motivates and
1. The invitation-only CEO Summit returned to the 2018 event 2. Delegates taking Spa Life’s founding ethos to ‘Get Connected and Be Inspired’ quite literally 3. Retail strategist Jaclyn Hughes
inspires in equal measure. “Building on our foundations of providing a comprehensive educational programme and a unique, friendly networking environment where enduring and successful business connections are both made and maintained, we will keep innovating to meet the high expectations of our delegates in 2019 and beyond.” www.spa-life.international
Spa Life International will host three events in 2019 at: Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa, Co. Meath, Ireland, May 13-14; Gesundheitsresort Freiburg, Germany, June 3-5; and Hilton Coventry, UK, November 11-12.
Good Spa Guide Awards 2018: Winners Recognising excellence in the UK spa industry, the annual Good Spa Guide Awards debuted in 2010 and are voted for by more than 100,000 spa-goers. Divided into national and regional categories, the 2018 awards were given to the following spas.
Readers’ Choice National Awards
Regional Awards
Best Spa for Customer Service: Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall Best Boutique Spa: The Garage Spa Best Destination Spa: Stobo Castle Health Spa Best Country Retreat Spa: The Coniston Spa Best Urban Spa: The Spa at The Midland Best Day Spa: The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village Best Health Club Spa: The Mere Golf Resort & Spa Best for Wellness: Spa at Ramside Best Newcomer: Elements Boutique Spa
Best Spa in London: The Lanesborough Club & Spa Best Spa in the East Midlands and East: Aqua Sana, Center Parcs Sherwood Forest Best Spa in the North East: Rudding Park Spa Best Spa in the North West and North Wales: The Woodland Spa Best Spa in the West Midlands and South Wales: Dormy House Hotel & Spa Best Spa in Scotland: The Spa at Gleneagles Best Spa in the South East: Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel & Spa Best Spa in the South West: ESPA at Lucknam Park Best Spa in the Channel Islands: St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
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Menu Kerstin Florian
A celebration of life Kerstin Florian, CEO and founder of Kerstin Florian International, talks exclusively to European Spa about the development of ANDA, an organic collection of sustainable and nurturing vegan skincare I NT E RV I E W BY M A R K S M I T H
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alancing organic ingredients with cutting-edge actives, Kerstin Florian’s ANDA promises to deliver targeted, age-defying results thanks to a selection of powerful ingredients from the land and sea. With its name taken from the Swedish word for breath, the organic skincare collection is dedicated to the memory of Kerstin’s daughter, the company’s former chief creative officer Charlene Florian, who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2016. At its core is a promotion of self-care; developed using cruelty-free, sustainable vegan formulas and processes, it provides luxurious textures and sensorial experiences that work on the skin and soul. The three debut products in the line, to be followed by new launches in 2019, include: Coherence Elixir, with structured water, mondo grass and prickly pear extract to slow cellular degeneration and boost hydration; Vitalessence Serum-Oil, featuring organic fruit oils and snow lotus plant cells to balance moisture and protect against environmental aggression; and Super Nutrient Balm to moisturise, protect and restore with buriti fruit, kelp extract and kokum butter. We spoke exclusively to Kerstin Florian about her personal and professional pride in the range.
Why did you develop this range? ANDA began as the brainchild of my daughter, Charlene, whose knowledge and passion for organic ingredients and natural formulations was extensive. She wanted to build a brand around them as the next generation for Kerstin Florian. She knew skincare was more than just products or routines and was vital to self-care. Time spent nurturing skin is a time to embrace self-love, gratitude and positivity. She developed ANDA to share this with people everywhere. When she passed away before it could come to fruition, I paused to take a breath, and then I pushed on. I am thrilled and humbled to be able to present ANDA as a tribute to her.
How does ANDA celebrate Charlene? Charlene was a force of positive energy who lived and breathed the spa and wellness lifestyle.
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combinations that fit each of us individually, and the results show, both in skin and spirit.
What are some of the hero ingredients?
“I am thrilled and humbled to be able to present ANDA as a tribute to my daughter, Charlene.” Kerstin Florian, CEO, Kerstin Florian International
During her two decades at the company, she became an inspirational and vibrant team leader who worked passionately alongside me to build and grow the brand, and share our philosophy. Her personal pursuits in yoga, meditation, creative visualisation and nutrition fed into her work life as well, culminating in the development of ANDA, which is truly the embodiment of the positivity, self-love and dedication to healthy living that she wanted to share with the world.
How would you say ANDA is unique? Everything about ANDA is specially selected; the combinations of performance ingredients in each product; the essential oils and natural extracts in its bespoke essence; the sustainable packaging and production processes it is made with; the holistic wellness and sense of self-love it conveys. ANDA products are not only clean, natural, organic, cruelty-free and vegan, they are able to be customised into beautifully efficacious
Each ANDA product contains what we call ‘vital nutrients’, ingredients that have notable levels of antioxidants, minerals or essential fatty acids that support the functioning and wellness of the skin. For example, the prickly pear plant can sustain itself in the harshest desert conditions, holding hydration and resisting environmental stress to thrive despite its habitat. That resilience is what its extract gives to the skin. Similarly, the extract of the first snow lotus, which is able to bloom in severe cold and high altitudes, transfers a proven ability to balance the skin’s four main cell processes – renewal, respiration, oxidation and pigmentation. Perhaps most intriguing is the structured water found in our Elixir; magnetically realigned to its most energetic, hydrating and absorbable form, it leaves skin – and even other products it is combined with – functioning at its best.
What benefits does ANDA offer to spas? Not only does this line bring a new level of effective organic luxury to spa, but ANDA was also created to be intuitive and minimalistic, with multi-function products that work on their own and can be blended together. This gives therapists the ability and creativity to tailor different combinations, textures and results for virtually any skin type, and leaves clients feeling they have been treated to a personalised experience that will linger long after they leave the spa.
What ANDA launches do you have planned? In 2019, we will be adding Hybrid Cleanser, Enzyme Serum-Masque, Vital Eye Crème and Super Crème to the ANDA line. The ANDA Vital Facial will also debut in 2019, incorporating the entire range and featuring signature meditations we have created to infuse the entire experience with the sense of self-love that is so central to the line. We cannot wait to release all of the details soon. www.kerstinflorian.com
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Menu Kerstin Florian
Containing ‘vital nutrients’ that contain high levels of antioxidants, minerals or essential fatty acids, including snow lotus (above) and prickly pear (below), the ANDA range has the promotion of self-care and holistic wellness at its core
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ULTIMATE SKIN NUTRITION We are delighted to announce the introduction of the new Skin Resurfacing Multi-Acid Facial Pads into our extensive and beautifully crafted spa menu. Packed with results driven Alpha Hydroxy Acids and peptides, these treatment pads brighten and exfoliate to promote a radiant and youthful complexion. As a Spa partner Elemental Herbology provides you with care, consistency and love, to deliver a truly unfortgettable experience to you and your guests. We use our highly adaptable approach to manage your business and provide you with an unparalleled level of training and service. Contact us to find out more on how Call +44 (0)20 896 4477 or e-mail sales@elementalherbology.com for more information and gifting opportunities.
www.elementalherbology.com
BEAUTY
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EDITED BY MARK SMITH
Editor’s choice
Detox and Glow in the city Urbanites with dull, stressed skin will welcome the launch of Skin Regimen’s Urban Detox and Urban Glow 15.0 facials Building on the success of its Skin Regimen launch, has introduced two targeted facials – Urban Detox and Urban Glow 15.0 – to counter the effects of fatigue and environmental pollution for city dwellers. “We have to cope with a fast and intense pace and aspire to stay young and vital,” explains the brand’s communication and education director, Barbara Gavazzoli. “Skin Regimen Urban Detox is the perfect solution for spas to innovate their menu and offer a modern facial that includes a deep, clinically tested detox from pollution as well as a holistic, functional de-stressing and recharging action on skin and mind.” The customisable facial works to correct the visible effects of stress and pollution on the skin. It includes exclusive massage techniques and the unique Skin Regimen Macro Waves Sound, which helps guests to disconnect and achieve a total mind-body experience. “The genderless, functional natural aroma and textures make this facial ideal for all skin conditions in both women and men,” adds Gavazzoli. “The Urban Detox facial contains our anti-inflammatory Longevity Complex and a customised selection of potent concentrated formulas. Specific massage techniques inspired by Qi Gong induce muscle tension relief, and a Rolling Roulage stimulates collagen production. An express version of this Skin Regimen therapy, Urban Glow 15.0, has also been launched. “Created for time-pressed urbanites with dull, stressed skin, Urban Glow 15.0 is an intensive 15-minute facial that provides an immediate glow and anti-fatigue results thanks to a combination of vitamin C and Rolling Roulage massage,” she explains. www.skinregimen.com
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Menu New products & therapies
Treatment focus
Ready to revive
Thalgo Joyaux Atlantique Thalgo’s Joyaux Atlantique is a new spa ritual that combines the benefits of algae with marine lithotherapy, harnessing the invigorating powers of precious and semi-precious stones to rebalance the body’s energy, and African massage techniques that work to recharge the body and mind with positive energy. The two-hour spa treatment includes an application of precious stone balm of olivine and algae; a warm soothing bath; and a full body scrub with pink sand, white quartz crystals and coral. The second phase features African-inspired rolling, stimulating and sweeping movements designed to energise the body. The techniques also include revitalising percussion elements to renew the flow of energy through the body. Rock crystals are used in the massage to help to draw out the negative and amplify positive energy in the body, before the treatment concludes with gentle rocking and stretching. Three retail products have been launched to support Joyaux Atlantique: Pink Sand Shower Scrub, Dry Oil and Body Mist. www.thalgo.co.uk
Aromatherapy Associates aims to awaken the mind and body each morning with Revive & Reset Edit, a curated collection of best-selling products as a gift or travel kit that can be used to enhance the mood and lift the spirits. Infused with invigorating, naturally reviving essential oils, including grapefruit, rosemary, juniper, mandarin, orange and eucalyptus, the elegant blends revitalise, restore and renew. Revive & Reset Edit contains: Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil, Revive Body Wash, Revive Morning Roller Ball, Revive Body Gel and Hydrating Revitalizing Face Oil. www.aromatherapyassociates.com
Cell-shocked Swissline by Dermalab has introduced an innovative anti-ageing concept to its Cell Shock Age Intelligence line, which features a potent serum with four targeted companion boosters. Designed for daily use, Age Intelligence Recovery Serum is formulated with madecassoside, which rebalances and reduces skin stress while hydrating and improving suppleness. RonaCare improves skin structure and Ectoin protects against environmental stress. The boosters include: Source, to plump, hydrate and energise; Perfection, to improve imperfections, resurface the skin and refine pores; Evenness, to reduce the appearance of pigmentation, spots and puffiness; and Radiance to improve tone and tackle photo-ageing. www.swissline-cosmetics.com
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Menu New products & therapiesoducts & therapies
Urban protection Thai skincare brand Ytsara, now providing facial treatments at the recently launched Garden Secret Spa at Ringwood Hall in Derbyshire (above), has launched Urban Shield Serum. Formulated with moringa peptides and sacred lotus which help to neutralise pollution and detox the skin, it also includes marine plankton extract to restore the skin’s barrier, while hyaluronic acid enhances moisture levels promising 24-hour hydration. The combination of Elixir Originel, which protects and boosts skin cells, with Living Water, a signature process that restores water to its pure form at molecular level, increases absorption of the actives into the skin’s cells. www.satyalife.co.uk
Elemis adds to Pro-Collagen collection Following the success of its limited-edition Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm, which was released in support of Breast Cancer Care, Elemis has launched this popular product as a permanent addition to its range. Formulated with rose extracts from around the world, this deep-cleansing balm dissolves makeup, daily grime and pollutants in an instant. Hand-harvested English roses grown in the British countryside are carefully selected from over 17 varieties renowned for their complex fragrance and classic scent. The extracts are steeped in omega-rich safflower oil, helping to soothe and nourish dry skin, while rose and mimosa waxes are infused with elderberry, starflower, Optimega oils and padina pavonica. The result is nourished skin with a radiant glow. www.elemis.com
Lift and firm Promising an immediate lifting effect, a more defined contour and smoother appearance, Germaine de Capuccini has launched Timexpert Lift Re-Contouring Chin Firmness & Definition Tissue Mask. The re-contouring V-shape tissue mask is formulated with firming ingredients that produce a lifting effect on the facial oval, especially on the chin and double-chin. In just 15 minutes this product tightens, hydrates, rejuvenates and recovers the contours of the face with active ingredients including edelweiss flower extract and leontopodic acid, which have an anti-oxidising effect to neutralise oxidative stress caused by environmental aggressions. Purified oligosaccharides stimulate the synthesis of specific fibres of the papillary dermis to restore the skin’s suppleness, while two natural biopolymers create a dense, tight mesh that works like a second skin and has an immediate tautening effect. www.germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk
Body reawakening: Decleor launches Aroma Blend
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Menu New products & therapies
Blue-light protection Fighting the effects of blue-light damage on the skin, Payot has launched Blue Techni Liss, formulated with chaste tree and horehound extracts to counter related disturbances in the skin’s metabolism. The combination of two hyaluronic acids works to smooth the skin’s surface and plump it from within. The collection includes: Concentrate, with three boosting sources of hyaluronic acid to result in visibly smoothed, plumped skin; Jour, a day cream to fight and protect; Regard, to protect the delicate eye area; Nuit, to regenerate skin overnight; and Week-end, a peeling mask. www.payot.com
Treatment focus
Clarins Wellness Treatments
Jet-set skincare VOYA has curated its best-selling products into two travel-friendly starter kits for on-the-go spa devotees. Combining the best of its certified-organic seaweed skincare, the sets feature a smart washbag, refreshing Ritzy Spritz toner spray, a soothing Cleanse and Mend milk, and two targeted skincare moisturisers and serums for different skincare types. The Dry or Dehydrated Facial Skincare Kit also includes My Little Hero and Pearlesque, which work to nourish and hydrate the skin while boosting radiance. The Normal or Sensitive Skin Facial Skincare Kit includes Me Time and Palmarosa Balm to soothe, comfort and calm the skin. www.voya.ie
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Clarins has introduced two wellness treatments to re-energise, release stress and tension, and improve clients’ sense of wellbeing. Offering unique sensorial experiences, tension-relieving massage movements and plant-powered products aim to boost the mind, body, spirit and skin. Beauty Sleep is a calming journey that promotes a state of total relaxation, reducing stress and encouraging restful sleep. Rise & Shine is a revitalising treatment that includes stimulating body massage and a reviving facial to leave the skin radiant. Both treatments are applied using Lemniskate, a spiral, figure-of-eight movement carried out in a continuous manner on the face and body. This helps to regulate vital energy and facilitates deep relaxation. For each Wellness Treatment the Lemniskate follows a different rhythm and applies specific levels of pressure. www.clarins.com
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Menu New products & therapies
Treatment focus Skincare exclusive for Bulgari Spa, London Spa/Clinic by 111SKIN has entered an exclusive partnership with Bulgari Spa, London to offer luxurious spa experiences for the face and body. Created by renowned Harley Street cosmetic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides, 111SKIN is an advanced anti-ageing product range, originally developed to help patients’ skin heal after medical surgery. Spa/Clinic by 111SKIN extends the concept, combining advanced aesthetic knowledge with a luxury spa journey. The treatments employ the best of clinically engineered, aesthetician-grade skincare, utilising in-clinic technology and cryotherapy to deliver immediate results. Ranging from restorative and regenerative to energising and clarifying, 12 multi-sensory treatments have been developed, including two that are tailored for the unique structure of men’s skin. www.111skin.com | www.bulgarihotels.com
Soothing skin stress To tackle the visible signs of stress on the skin, Murad has launched Revitalixir Recovery Serum. This reviving and renewing product addresses the dryness caused by excess cortisol, smoothes wrinkles and revitalises dull skin while reducing puffy eyes and dark spots. The formula features a combination of oil-based spheres and a water-based gel that deliver potent active ingredients to the skin. Hemp seed oil nourishes the skin, boosting hydration; paracress extract improves firmness; wild indigo calms and soothes; neuropeptide smoothes wrinkles; and caffeine fights fatigue and under-eye puffiness. www.murad.co.uk
Lightening and brightening
Bathing beauties Natural Spa Factory has launched a capsule collection of 100% natural bath and shower oils in professional and retail sizes. The blends feature gotu-kola, a herb that is scientifically proven to help treat brain fogginess and ease stress. Re:Fresh Bath & Shower Oil promises to relieve anxiety, lift the spirts and restore lacklustre skin with its blend of citrus oils, including lemon peel, black pine, key lime and rosemary. De:Stress Bath & Shower Oil works to boost clarity and relieve anxiety with mint, organic fennel and lavender, ideal for an evening bath to relieve tension for a peaceful night’s sleep. www.naturalspafactory.com
Body reawakening: Decleor launches Aroma Blend
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Inspired by the ancient beauty rituals of Korea, Cinq Mondes has introduced Sublime Brightening Cream. Designed to boost the skin’s own protection mechanisms, the cream works to prevent dark spots and pigmentation while protecting against UV damage and brightening the complexion. The formula includes Magnolia Kobus stem, containing magnolol and honokiol, which combine for an antioxidant power believed to be 1,000 times stronger than that of vitamin E. Additionally, liquorice root tackles dark spots and glabridin, one of the most powerful natural anti-pigmentation molecules, helps to brighten and refine the complexion. The fresh and melting gel-cream texture rejuvenates the skin and provides a silky matt finish. www.cinqmondes.com
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Menu New products & therapies
Supercharged skin mist Boosting the skin with its hydrating ingredients, Mii Cosmetics’ Supercharged Setting Mist offers a unique dispensing system that releases an extremely fine spray of micro-droplets, giving users the sensation of walking through a gently, perfumed mist. Infused with hydrating coconut water, energising matcha green tea, vitamin-rich peach and grape seed extract, the mist fixes the finish of makeup to provide a longer lasting, shine-free look while keeping skin feeling fresh and energised. www.gerrardinternational.com
The beauty of the night CND has introduced Night Moves, a capsule winter collection of four silky nail colours to suit every complexion. Perfect for completing a festive party manicure or pedicure, the shimmering, sparkly set of ontrend shades includes: the glistening red of Kiss of Fire; a fizz-inspired gold Bellini; the twinkling silver of After Hours; and the shiny pink-greige of Soiree Strut. The shades are available in both the renowned high-shine finish and 14-day nail colour of Shellac, and the seven-day wear, chip-resistant and fastdrying colour of Vinylux. www.sweetsquared.com
Aman skincare celebration Luxury hotel and spa operator Aman has produced a 30-piece skincare collection to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The two-year project, initiated by chairman Vladislav Doronin, gathers the insight, knowledge and locally sourced ingredients of Aman’s global properties. The three resulting collections, Grounding, Purifying and Nourishing, Yuki Kiyono include luxurious face creams and serums, face masks, body oils, milk baths and pulse-point remedies. The new skincare range harnesses an exotic range of natural, rare and precious ingredients wild-harvested from a number of the most iconic Aman destinations, including: sea buckthorn oil from Bhutan; Argan oil from Morocco; rose and sandalwood from India; vetiver from Bali; and geranium from Greece. In addition to the skincare line, at each of Aman’s resorts a new menu of spa treatments has been curated to utilise Aman Skincare products. “From the very beginning, we sought to formulate a range that delivered measurable results – as opposed to being a cosmetic range,” explains Yuki Kiyono, Aman group director of spa. “We deliberately chose to work with ingredients that are known to provide palpable results. The Aman Spa Signature Menu, available at every Aman property, will now reflect the Grounding, Purifying and Nourishing pathways.”
Uplifting and refreshing ishga’s delicate new Uplifting Body Spray can be used in the morning to awaken and refresh the spirit or in the evening as a sleep aid. Featuring the brand’s signature scent, the formula is inspired by the Hebridean landscape and contains essential oils of lemongrass, rose geranium, mandarin, bergamot and sandalwood. For night-time benefits, the spray can be lightly spritzed onto a pillow or the body’s pulse points to aid relaxation and deliver a peaceful night’s sleep. Approved by COSMOS, the product has been produced to the highest standards for organic and natural cosmetics. www.ishga.co.uk
www.aman.com
In every issue, European Spa showcases the best new product and treatment launches. Contact Mark Smith on +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email mark.smith@spapublishing.com
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* Usage test on 47 caucasian healthy women aged 35 to 65 with all skin types, existing users of anti-ageing products and displaying signs of ageing skin (dull complexion, lack of ďŹ rmess and slackened cheekbones)
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Business Sothys
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Business Sothys
The secret of Sothys Christian Mas, president of the Sothys Group, explains how the brand renowned for its sensorial skincare and unique protocols is focused on the changing needs of the spa market I NT E RV I E W BY M A R K S M I T H
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othys is a pioneer in professional beauty with a long history of serving the spa market. Established in 1946 by Dr. Hotz, it paved the way for a new breed of French cosmetology brands, and was the first company to launch a biological serum ampoule. Acquired by the Mas Family in 1966, the Sothys Group now boasts a €60 million (£52.3 million) annual turnover and also owns the Bernard Cassière and Beauty Garden brands. Sothys products are distributed in 120 countries and over 15,000 spas and salons, with over 570 people employed worldwide. As well as headquarters and state-of-the-art production facilities near Brive, in France, the company has a factory and logistics centre in the USA and a logistics site in Singapore. An inhouse R&D department combines the latest scientific research with the best natural ingredients, many inspired by the Sothys Gardens in Auriac, France, to produce a range of results-driven professional products and treatments that offer a distinct sensorial experience for spa guests. “The uniqueness of Sothys is the experience of the treatment,” says the brand’s president, Christian Mas. “We have over 70 years’ experience and every time we develop a new line we start with the treatment, then we create the retail products. Very few professional brands operate like this anymore.” Sothys’ unique and effective rituals incorporate Digi-Esthétique movements that stimulate the muscles and improve the penetration of active ingredients. “Digi-Esthétique is not just a massage, each single move will result in a visible result on the skin,” says Mas. “That’s the uniqueness of it.” Facing the future One cornerstone of Sothys’ professional business is face care, which has seen a revitalised Opposite page: Benefitting from more than 30 years of insight from the flagship L’Institut Sothys in Paris (centre left), the French brand’s treatment-led product development and commitment to training makes it a leading global spa partner
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2018 included watermelon and lime while the new autumn/winter facial for 2018 presents the heady delights of vanilla and passionfruit. “The seasonal facial concept was developed by my father, Bernard,” says Mas. “The spring facial is energising, and winter is moisturising and nourishing. It’s been super successful; it delivers good results and is popular both with spas and clients. Therapists are trained once in the protocol and the ingredients change every six months.” Sothys has now added seasonal retail products to enhance the benefits at home and each year one new seasonal body treatment is added.
“Loyalty and consistency is very important, combined with research excellence, treatments and training” Christian Mas President, Sothys Group
approach in the last five years, responding to a competitive market and the increased demands of consumers. Premium skincare line Secrets de Sothys is the perfect example of how luxurious textures are combined with science, technology and impressive results. “The core of Sothys’ products and treatments is the same, but the way we tell the story is different,” Mas explains. “We introduced single, measured doses of ingredients and products for the professional, with kits of 20 treatments, and spas really liked it. “We have a much more cosmeceutical attitude than we did before and it is working. I believe we have enhanced our credibility with face care because skincare has changed. Now everyone is focused on ingredients and results.” Always innovating, Sothys was one of the first brands to create a seasonal facial. Twice a year the brand introduces a new innovation that utilises seasonal ingredients to keep the spa offering fresh and exciting. Spring/summer
Understanding spa Sothys’ flagship L’Institut Sothys, on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the heart of Paris, opened in 1985 and continues to provide the brand with valuable insight into the needs and operational challenges of the professional market. This has since been joined by institutes in Tokyo, New York and Kuala Lumpur. The brand also owns and operates two spas in central Paris at Marriott Renaissance République and the Pullman Paris Centre-Bercy, while its international network of spa partners includes: Thermes de Spa, Belgium; Four Seasons Buenos Aires and Chicago; Sofitel Resort and Spa, Fiji; St Regis Osaka, Japan; Sofitel Auckland, New Zealand and Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam. Each spa partnership is tailored to the needs of its location and Sothys provides sales, training and marketing tools as well as in-room amenities to support brand communication. Furthermore, the brand’s training includes the whole hotel team, including front-of-house reception, restaurant and domestic staff. “With Sothys it’s a real, singular partnership,” concludes Mas. “Loyalty and consistency is very important to us, combined with research excellence, treatments and training. We also offer regular marketing promotions and launches that enable the spa to give new offers to local customers.” www.sothys.com
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Spas Cloud Twelve, UK
The sky’s the limit We visit Cloud Twelve to find out how its founder’s vision to create a ‘wellness lifestyle’ hub has been realised in the heart of London R E P OR T BY S A R A H TOD D
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pened in October 2018, new wellness centre Cloud Twelve aspires to offer its members and guests a ‘third space’ between work and home, where they can take sanctuary from city life. Set out over 930sqm in London’s vibrant Notting Hill, its innovative lifestyle experiences, available across five main areas, include a spa, a hair salon, a nutritionally-focused brasserie, a holistic wellness centre and an interactive play and learning zone for families. Herbalist, naturopath and former asset manager Jenya Emets founded Cloud Twelve with a vision to create a hub where visitors of all ages could regain their physical, mental and emotional balance, and disconnect from an increasingly ‘switched-on’ world. “We’ve created something I thought was lacking in London – a wellness lifestyle centre with a strong focus on nature, as this gives us all the clues we need to follow a healthy path,” says Emets. “For me, wellness means striking a balance between the mental, physical and emotional – being happy is critical for good health” An orchestrated journey The guest is taken on a journey through soaring spaces and enclosed havens over Cloud Twelve’s three floors. Created with a woodland nature theme, the ground floor features a striking wall illustration by Daniela Terrazzini and is home to the children’s play area, two classrooms and a crèche. Asif Iqbal of Cloud Twelve’s designers Melt Design Hub recalls that this area provided an early indication of the scale of transformation required to create the interiors. “On our first visit to the site, we stood on the ground floor of the building, peering into the near darkness, and our client said, Opposite page, clockwise from top left : A chandelier by Serip adorns the female changing area; guests can relax on modern loungers during their heat experience; warm hues in the Dröm-supplied thermal suite; Klaylife lighting and natural materials in the brasserie; Cloud Twelve’s entrance in bustling Notting Hill; one of the spa’s six treatment rooms; the nature-inspired décor continues throughout the ‘holistic hub’
“We’ve created a ‘home away from home’ where like-minded individuals can share ideas and experiences, relax, have fun and build a connected community.” Jenya Emets Founder, Cloud Twelve
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‘We think this should be the children’s play space’,” he states. “I remember thinking that this project would be challenging.” Moving upwards, the central area on the first floor houses the spa, overseen by spa manager Sue Morrissey, which comprises six treatment rooms, using Organic Pharmacy, [comfort zone] and Tri-Dosha products, as well as a thermal suite and male and female changing areas. Intended to offer a deeply cocooning environment, the spa’s couples treatment rooms offer custom-made treatment beds by Lemi that contain quartz from the Italian Dolomites, and the thermal suite, supplied by Dröm, features a Himalayan salt wall. “Within the spa, I’m most proud of the Asian soul we’ve created,” says spa consultant Lisa Barden of Barden Spa, who guided the project to fruition. “The team were open to me teaching them the principles of Ayurveda and its approach to caring for guests, and they have embraced both western and Asian philosophies of wellness across all five spaces.” At the front of the first floor are the clinic’s reception and the brasserie, which offers views of Colville Mews and has extensive roof windows that allow natural light to flood the space. The food has a strong focus on wellness that includes special health-giving medicinal teas. The hair salon has nine seats and offers colour and cutting services using premium organic and vegan brands Aveda and American English, with Takara Belmont washing stations. For finishing touches, the far end of the salon also has three deluxe nails seats and offers manicures and pedicures using vegan brands Nailberry and Evo by Bio Sculpture. The second floor is dedicated to wellbeing and the light and airy Wellness Clinic rooms, each of which is named after a core element, are located at either side of a central corridor. The hand-picked expert team and residents include nutritionist Eve Kalinik, acupuncturist Ross J Barr and colonic hydrotherapist Kara Mia Vernon. Combining the power of plants and modern science, diagnostic consultations are available and the treatment menu also includes vitamin infusion, colonic hydrotherapy and cryotherapy. Asian aesthetics Shaped by Melt Design Hub, the building features strong spaces and forms layered with finishes, lighting and furniture that provide a constantly evolving yet cohesive experience as guests move between the five separate environments. The décor was a collaborative process involving interior decorator Andrew Fleming, Jenya
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Spas Cloud Twelve, UK
Emets and general manager Zhenya Rudman. Cloud Twelve’s overall design incorporates Japanese and South-East Asian elements but each of the five spaces has a distinct aesthetic. For example, the first-floor central area, composed of four interlocking curved drums clad in textured plaster and fretworked cut-metal screens, contrasts with the double-height hair salon areas, which have been wrapped in back-lit, bespoke Sakura (cherry blossom) patterned fabric. Butterflies are a recurring motif throughout the property, while unique aesthetic centrepieces include the simple but beautiful Klaylife chandelier in the brasserie and Serip’s striking chandelier in the female changing rooms. In the treatment rooms, the Sakura design has been printed onto semi-transparent fabric and secured to backlit screens, which then wrap up the walls onto the sloping ceiling to diffuse the light from the roof windows, creating the sensation of being under a Sakura panoply. This motif is echoed in the ground floor reception desk, hair salon and changing rooms, where highly intricate, hand-carved Balinese locker fronts provide a stunning design flourish.
Twelve places a strong focus on the idea of conscious living. This is reflected in a deep commitment to minimising its impact on the environment, with sustainable textiles from Scrummi found in the spa, and the nine-step, reverse-osmosis purification system from Osmio Water providing guests with what is reportedly the purest refreshment available. “We thought a great deal about sustainability” confirms Barden. “We are paper-free, including hand towels and spa linen in 95% of treatments; we use electronic point-of-sale equipment; and our brasserie offers plant-based, fresh, organic menus.” With a philosophy that encompasses physical, emotional and mental balance with a dose of fun, Cloud Twelve is a new but evolving brand that is focused on the most fundamental emotion of all. As Jenya Emets concludes: “The final part of our philosophy at Cloud Twelve is love – for ourselves, our colleagues, our family and the planet. Love is at our core and drives everything we do.” Cloud Twelve +44 (0) 20 3301 1012 | www.cloudtwelve.co.uk
Conscious design The entire space was designed using Feng Shui principles to ensure the free flow of energy throughout and Cloud Clockwise from right: Hand-carved Balinese lockers in the female changing rooms; Lemi treatment beds contain quartz from the Italian Dolomites; the beautiful brasserie serves a plant-based, fresh, organic menu; the thermal suite’s striking Himalayan salt wall
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Owner: Jenya Emets Size: 930sqm Spa consultant: Lisa Barden, Barden Spa Design: Melt Design Hub Spa manager Sue Morrissey Spa team: Five (at launch, soon to increase) Treatment rooms: Six Product partners: Organic Pharmacy, Aveda, [comfort zone], American English, Nailberry, Evo by Bio Sculpture, Tri-Dosha Other suppliers: Scrummi; Osmio Water; thermal suite by Dröm; treatment couches by Lemi; salon wash units by Takara Belmont; salon chairs by Pietranera (wash units and salon chairs sourced through LSE Hair); chandeliers by Klaylife and Serip; lighting by Curiousa & Curiousa
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Spas Cloud Twelve, UK
An intricate design Asif Iqbal, director at Melt Design Hub, on creating Cloud Twelve’s interiors: “The design concept of Cloud Twelve was influenced by a rich mix of factors, many of which evolved as we moved through the design process. Asif Iqbal “We wanted to make the most of the existing qualities of the building using a modern and fresh interpretation of nature as decoration. “The existing construction had very limited natural light, being effectively surrounded by buildings and with low ceiling heights throughout. These are very challenging constraints for any highly-serviced, hospitality project, where creating a quality guest experience is paramount to the project’s success, both experientially and commercially. “Our approach was to embrace these constraints and make them virtues. We employed several design
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devices, such as emphasising height where possible, and including top lighting, then making the interior spaces darker to give a sense of contrast and variety. “We also used backlit panels to give the impression of the space being more expansive than it was in reality, and highly reflective surfaces and mirrors further enhance the feeling of space and light. All of these devices create a deliberate ambiguity about where the spaces start and stop. “Our solution to the intricacy of the design brief was to see it as a Swiss watch. Inside, multiple functions needed to operate simultaneously, so guests, staff and equipment could co-exist in complete harmony. “Through this, we feel we have managed to bring together five quite contrasting environments, with their differing operational and design requirements, harmoniously under one roof to create a seamless holistic experience that visitors will always remember.”
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FURNISHINGS
Style EQUIPMENT
FINISHES
TECHNOLOGY
FITNESS
E D I T ED BY S A R A H TOD D
Design focus
South Tyrolean design masterpiece focuses on ‘nature and silence’
15 years on from its inception, Matteo Thun’s pioneering architecture at the Vigilius Mountain Resort still defines luxury and simplicity Italy: With stunning views of the Etschtal Alpine valley below and the Dolomites in the distance, the Vigilius Mountain Resort has celebrated its 15th anniversary. Located 1,500m above sea level on the Vigiljoch mountain, the resort and spa exemplify a symbiosis between nature and architecture, designer Matteo Matteo Thun Thun having merged the interior and exterior to create a haven of modern luxury. “My design focuses on purity, subtly emphasising the simplicity of natural elements, such as clean air, lush greenery, the calmness of trees and the freshness of the Vigiljoch’s mineral water,” says Thun. “We wanted to bring the fantastic nature
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inside, and the entire resort and spa are synergistic with healthy living in its purest form.” Spread across the landscape like a fallen tree, the building blends into the mountain ridge courtesy of its stark, horizontal wooden slats, and the flat roof is grass-covered to further soften its presence. Thun’s design concept followed a principle of ‘eco, not ego’ with energy-saving triple-glazed glass throughout and natural materials dominating the construction, including raw, rammed clay walls in the bedrooms and suites, providing a unique aesthetic. The region’s rich mineral spring water flows through all the pipes at the resort – from the bathroom taps to the infinity pool – and the spa combines unique elements of the South Tyrolean location with traditional and Far Eastern healing. The 1,200sqm spa is located in the southern part
of the resort with the majority of its 11 treatment rooms located on the ground floor. All of the wooden benches, sun-beds and loungers in the spa and on its terrace, as well as the tables and benches, were also designed by Thun. Other standout offerings include a brine mineral water pool, a sauna with panoramic windows, and an adjoining indoor whirlpool and outdoor infinity pool that extend into a charming cluster of larch trees.
www.vigilius.it | www.matteothun.com STYLE FACTS
Architect/Interior and spa designer: Matteo Thun Owner: Ulrich Ladurner Spa size: 1,200sqm Treatment rooms: 11 Heat experiences: Hofer Group Lighting: Zumtobel Product partners: Sodashi, Salin die Biosel, Ytsara
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Style Design, form & function
KLAFS
Aurora Sauna The stylish Aurora sauna from KLAFS celebrates elegant simplicity with its floating bench arrangements and frameless glass front panels. Its sophisticated transparent appearance aims to encourage the use of saunas as part of ambitious interior design, and Aurora features the handcrafted Euklid light dome, which immerses the sauna in a calming atmosphere. The Aurora’s wooden ceiling, cabin and seats are made from walnut and it can be customised to fit a spa’s individual requirements. The sauna is complemented by KLAFS’ Mollis, a set of specifically-developed sauna pillows, mats and rollers made from OekoTex 100-certified Tencel fibre, which as well as being safe for use in high temperatures is more environmentally friendly to produce than conventional viscose.
www.klafs.com Ciclotte q
Ciclotte Teckell Incorporating the latest ‘smart’ technology, the Ciclotte Teckell is the product of extensive ergonomic research and represents a static bike that is unique both in looks and riding experience. Claimed to be the first exercise bike to be shaped from transparent crystal, the material blends harmoniously with the bike’s sophisticated mechanisms and structural elements, which are made of materials including steel and glass. Aesthetically pleasing, the minimalist bike was borne of a collaboration between Italian brands Teckell and Ciclotte, and sports a transmission capable of simulating a road feel to allow for a more intense training experience. Bluetooth capability means workout data can be uploaded directly to the user’s smartphone or tablet to enable a fully immersive training session.
www.ciclotte.com
Gharieni p
MO1 enhancements The MO1 treatment table from global spa equipment manufacturer Gharieni has been enhanced by a range of new innovative features. Already featuring an extremely low entry height as well as a heatable lying surface and sound system, the MO1 now offers electrically operated armrests that can be lowered and also swivelled sideways. Believed to be the first spa table to offer this function, it is said to allow therapists to work in a more ergonomic, fluid way. Another new addition is the integration of a breast contouring system to provide greater comfort for female guests when in the prone position. An optional scent generator can also be paired with the LED installation at its base, which provides atmospheric chromotherapy lighting in the treatment room.
www.gharieni.com
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Style Design, form & function
Starpool p
London Basin Company
Zerobody and Nuvola Experience With more than 40 years’ spa experience, Italy’s Starpool has unveiled two dry floating treatment beds that synergise science, technology and wellbeing. Created as a gateway to the ultimate dry floating treatment, Zerobody is intended to evoke the sensation of being in a flotation tank, but in a more flexible form. It can be used in any environment, at any time, as there is no need to be in contact with water or to get undressed. Guests lie on Zerobody and the rigid panel lowers to embrace their body in 400 litres of warmed water contained in an innovative membrane at basal temperature. A selection of colours can be used to enhance the experience and an optional lumbar massage is available. Meditative paths are also offered courtesy of an audio guide developed by Nu Relax. In addition, Starpool’s Nuvola Experience floating beds add to spa treatments all the benefits of dry flotation in zero gravity, with no direct contact with water. Suitable for every type of body wrap, the Nuvola can also be used for scrubs and mini massages.
Layla Basin The highly decorative, hand-painted Layla porcelain basin is designed to add a striking finishing touch to a spa suite or bathing area. Generously sized at 14.5cm high and 42cm in diameter, the bowl is inspired by traditional Chinoiserie and features an elegant floral design depicted in lemon yellows and soft pinks, interwined with exotic birds and butterflies against a lime green background. Founded by interior designer Anna Callis, London Basin Company specialises in richly decorated basins with modern interpretations of traditional Oriental and Middle Eastern patterns.
www.londonbasincompany.com
www.starpool.com
Technogym
Heritage Gold Brown Kinesis Technogym has reinterpreted its Kinesis equipment and introduced a new Heritage Gold Brown version. Inspired by science and nature, Kinesis enables users to perform more than 200 different exercises in a little more than two square metres of floor space. Its patented FullGravity technology provides tri-dimensional movement that activates all the kinetic chains of the body courtesy of an innovative 360° sliding cable system that provides resistance to movement in any direction. Kinesis is complemented by a wooden headboard with oak bars and arms that support the polished aluminium alloy cables. The surface of the new Heritage Gold Brown version is made out of full-grain leather that has been carefully selected and hand-applied by expert craftsmen.
www.technogym.com
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Style Design, form & function
Style focus
In conversation with
ANDREAS DORNBRACHT Designed to provide a new, highly individual showering experience, Aquamoon embodies the next level in Dornbracht’s LifeSpa collection. The company’s managing director, Andreas Dornbracht, reveals more:
Tell us about your company’s design philosophy. Dornbracht’s products are unique because of our interest in the holistic benefits of spa treatments. We aim to incorporate these into our products and provide tailored solutions with the highest quality of manufacture, production and design. How do technological advancements play a role in your product development? We have more than six decades of experience and continually create highly innovative product ranges. It’s always exciting to see how the incorporation of new technologies can add to the spa experience. Spa and wellness technology has become much more sophisticated and we believe that will continue to accelerate to meet consumer demand. What was the aim in creating Aquamoon? With Aquamoon, the challenge was to design a product that provided a deeply engaging shower experience. Its minimalist design keeps the focus on the unique water experience, a dome in the ceiling offers a particularly deep-view effect, while a concealed strip means Aquamoon can deliver the perfect mood lighting. Michael Neumayr’s creation offers a unique interior design solution as well as three newly developed flow modes and fascinating lighting, which are combined to form a truly emotive water experience. How do Dornbracht’s partnerships shape its business successes and progression? What makes our brand so special is that we really utilise the relationships that we’ve developed with our partners, suppliers and designers; like Sieger Design, with whom we realised their Small Size Premium Spa concept. What does your brand offer spas in their efforts to provide a luxury wellness experience for guests? Many years before the wellness trend emerged, we were discussing the idea of ‘healthness’ and exploring the positive impacts water has on mental and physical wellbeing. Our skill is transforming these ideas into reliable and stylish products. www.dornbracht.com
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Style Design, form & function
Noken Porcelanosa Bathrooms
Wellness Sensations Porcelanosa’s Wellness Sensations equipment for whirlpool baths features six programmes to enhance the bathing experience. Each option can be selected according to individual requirements and encompasses hydrotherapy, chromotherapy and music therapy. Functions include Evolution and Music, both of which use an 800w pump and jets in the sides of the bathtub to provide relaxing water massages. Rather than focusing on water movement, the Air option creates a whirlpool effect. Up to 30 different fixed or transitional colours are available for chromotherapy, offering a unique combination of light and shadow. The Music function uses a Bluetooth connection for music therapy treatments. As well as hearing the music, clients can also feel the changing intesity of the soundwaves inside the bath. Each option can be operated through an extra-flat, anti-moisture glass keypad with LED signalling. Commenting on the evolution of its electronic equipment, Miguel Ángel Goterris, product manager of Noken Porcelanosa Bathrooms said: “With our new electronic equipment for whirlpool baths, we are taking a further step towards creating a bathroom in which wellness sensations prevail.”
www.porcelanosa.com
BC Softwear u
Hamptons Robe and Supremesoft Towels Leading textiles manufacturer BC Softwear has unveiled the Hamptons (right), a dual-textured bathrobe for spa and hotel use, which features an absorbent towelling lining. Its lightweight feel enhances a fabric that drapes well and is available in silver grey, and in sizes medium to XL. Another new launch from the company is the Supremesoft towel. Created as an alternative to traditional terry towelling, for spas that prefer a fleece feel to a towelling product, the premium range includes header towels with a built-in face hole and a generous width to protect spa treatment couches. Also available are Supremesoft jumbo sheets, couch covers and fitted couch covers.
www.bcsoftwear.co.uk
Kenneth Cobonpue p
Noodle Chair and Dragon’s Tail Lamp New from Philippine brand Kenneth Cobonpue are the handcrafted Noodle armchair and Dragon’s Tail lamp. Intended to be spontaneous and playful, the former features loops of rattan or polyethylene and nylon in apparently random shapes. Suitable for exterior and interior use, the armchair is available in a wide range of colours including moss green, yellow and aqua blue. Designed by Luisa Robinson, the Dragon’s Tail lamp was inspired by childhood tales and uses the Japanese art of Origami with hand-folded paper sections that are attached to each other to create a tail-like form.
www.kennethcobonpue.com
Every issue of European Spa showcases the best in spa equipment design, textiles and furnishings. Contact Sarah Todd on +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email sarah.todd@spapublishing.com
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Expert Guide Management software
EUROPEAN SPA’S GUIDE TO
MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE REPORT BY SARAH TODD
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here is no question that the digital revolution is changing the way customers connect with every business. Spa guests today expect to be able to book their chosen experience at any time, anywhere, which makes selecting the right management software vitally important. Revolutionising your operations, a comprehensive software system can make the difference between your guests having an exceptional experience – and the priceless word-of-mouth recommendations that follow – or missing a crucial opportunity for growth. With the beginning of the guest journey heavily focused on both your staff and the booking process, having a complete and intuitive system means you can free up valuable staff time, as well as enable guests to enjoy paperless check-in and check-out processes. The right functionality will also mean your business objectives can be greatly enhanced. Most of the leading spa software systems are modular, which means that you can take full advantage of the tools that best fit your needs. For example, not only does an online booking system enable your spa to remain open 24/7, but it also helps during slower periods to fill ‘white space’ and boosts efficiency by bypassing the manual input of bookings. With the development of targeted e-marketing and mobile apps, you can further increase your revenue, while combining mobile and online bookings creates another marketing opportunity, allowing you to engage with different generations, such as Millennials, in a highly effective way. Further revenue management techniques can be built into your software suite and it can help with yield management, so you can better understand and anticipate the behaviour and needs of your guests. Identifying the right software package for your business is key to spa success, so enjoy our Expert Guide, which has been put together to help you ask the right questions and maximise your investment. European Spa would like to thank the following companies for their contribution to this guide:
• BOOK4TIME • PREMIER SOFTWARE • RESORTSUITE • TAC | THE ASSISTANT COMPANY
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360° VISIBILITY
DEEP BUT EASY TO USE
A detailed reporting system can be vital as it gives you a deeper insight into your spa’s performance. From tracking revenue and yield management to staff performance, it will enable you to make more strategic management decisions. Spa software also needs to be intuitive and every function must have a purpose, so all features should seamlessly interlink. If you have a multi-location spa brand, you should expect to be able to run it on one central platform and key considerations for software should include integration with existing programmes as well as turn-away tracking and retention features. In terms of staff management, allowing your therapists to access their schedules online can lead to fewer calls from them into the spa about appointment times. It can also give your team a sense of ownership over their work and their successes by providing the tools to both monitor and reward them.
When investing in a new software system you should choose one that is easy to use but provides a depth of functionality that will grow with your business. The modular structure of the majority of spa-related software means you have the ability to precisely choose the functions that you need. A further way of fostering guest loyalty is by introducing a members portal via a branded mobile app, which allows guests to book a range of services at the touch of a button. Above all, the software you choose should deliver a seamless service for guests while providing you with the key, business-specific insights that you need to improve your bottom line. Selecting a single platform for all activities and resources enables smooth integration into a spa’s existing IT infrastructure, while customer service support is essential and should be available 24/7 via phone, email or Skype.
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Expert Guide Management software
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POWERFUL MARKETING
24/7 AVAILABILITY
Clear marketing campaigns are an essential tool for retaining and attracting new clients, and many of the leading software providers offer built-in options that enable you to create targeted lists for specific promotions. Spas can plan future campaigns to be sent automatically, which frees up valuable staff time. Using built-in revenue management techniques, such as dynamic availability, can also help you to maximise your spa’s profitability as well as building in yield management and simple group booking functionality. Software-based marketing can also help streamline each individual guest’s booking, so your staff are free to focus on the finer points of providing an exceptional spa experience in person. Whichever software you choose, it also needs to have a tablet app that can be used for electronic waivers and any health questionnaires.
Online booking enables your spa to stay open 24/7 and will help you to fill the ‘white space’ during slower periods. Spa guests now expect to be able to book any time, anywhere, so enabling both online and mobile booking for your spa can enable you to gain a deeper understanding of your business. A comprehensive software system can help you track revenue via integrated tools such as yield management capabilities and targeted e-marketing. Above all, your guests should be able to book their spa time online easily and comprehensively, so their registration can include not just their treatments but other aspects of your spa’s offering, such as food and beverage options. Systems that enable this also allow for paperless check-in and another bonus is that guests paying with an on-file credit card have often been shown to spend more during their stay.
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Expert Guide Promotion
BOOK4TIME Book4Time is a cloud-based all-in-one management software for spa and wellness businesses used in over 70 countries. Founded in 2004, this Canadian company is the preferred solution for many of the world’s top spa brands.
Roger Sholanki Director of sales
Tell us about Book4Time? Book4Time is the world’s most innovative and comprehensive cloud-based spa management software. Operating in over 70 countries and with 30,000 users, our commitment to innovation and client satisfaction has been a key driver in our success as the platform of choice for top spa brands around the world.
What are the key considerations for spa software? You should be able to expect several features from your spa software, including: seamless integration with existing platforms; a secure and compliant software; top-notch customer service; online booking; marketing and retention features; turn-away tracking and yield management; increased revenue; inventory and staff management; comprehensive reporting and customer notes. Finally, you should be able to operate a multi-location business on one central platform. How is your software leading the way? We’re constantly innovating at Book4Time. Our cloud-based infrastructure allows our customers to experience product releases and enhancements every 8-12 weeks and enjoy a 99.99% uptime. Our system supports 11 languages and we offer deep functionality to meet the complex operational, administrative, reporting and inventory management needs of multi-location spa and wellness businesses. We also offer live 24/7 phone and email support. How can software improve spa operations? Software improves your spa’s productivity and profitability. In a nutshell, software frees up your front-desk staff by allowing customers to book online. You also have access to reports that can help with inventory management, marketing and retention, revenue tracking, payroll and real-time business intelligence. Finally, spa software reduces the time spent on administrative work and therefore allows more time for you to focus on the guest experience. What are your latest innovations? We are excited to announce our new tablet app. Designed specifically for tablet devices, you can easily manage bookings, customers, check-ins, and look at real-time statistics without ever needing to be at a computer. We have also launched our own credit card processing solution, PayConnect. Book4time’s Integrated payment processing system helps spas run their entire business with a single source solution. How do technology trends inform and enhance your business? Continuous innovation is the hallmark of our market success, our mission is to help our customers become more efficient by streamlining their operations to help them stay ahead of competition and ultimately improve their guests’ experiences.
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What the experts say... Intelligent marketing: Increase customer retention and provide exceptional guest experience through intelligent spa marketing software tools. The guest experience: Software enables you to greatly reduce the time spent on administrative work by your staff, so you can focus on the guest experience. Online availability: Allowing guests to book spa treatments, specific therapists, activities and classes online can greatly increase the bottom line for your business.
SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Clarins Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa Edinburgh, Scotland W Amsterdam, Netherlands Shangri-la Paris, France Four Seasons Florence, Italy Jumeirah Frankfurt, Germany BOOK4TIME Tel: +1 905 752 2588 www.book4time.com
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Expert Guide Promotion
PREMIER SOFTWARE Premier Software has spent 24 years developing world-class business management software, used by world-class clients in the spa, wellness and leisure industries. Its flagship solution, Core by Premier Software, was launched in 2016.
Image: The Landmark, London
Leonie Wileman Chief operating officer
Tell us about Core by Premier Software. Core is the leading single and multi-site software in its target market. A multi-layered solution that integrates with existing PMS systems, its depth of functionality is unrivalled within the industry and can be adapted to meet the needs of a growing business. Core is also PCI-DSS-certified, GDPR-compliant and SEPA-accredited.
How is your software market-leading? Premier listens to client requests and responds to industry trends, ensuring its software is always one step ahead. Core is designed to take the stress out of managing a spa. It provides a complete business overview at the touch of a button, while providing staff with the tools they need to plan future growth and maximise profits. How can software improve spa operations? Software helps to streamline the customer journey so that staff can concentrate on providing a world-class experience. Core has a multitude of functions that contribute to the overall spa visit, from recording individuals’ preferences on their client card through to helping spa staff create the most personalised experience. What are the key considerations for spa software? When a spa is looking to invest in a new software solution, it should consider a system that is easy-to-use, yet provides a depth of functionality that will grow as they do. It should be able to deliver a seamless service for guests while providing spa owners with the business insight they need to grow and improve profitability. What are your latest innovations? Premier releases regular updates to improve the functionality of Core based on client feedback. It also recognises the importance of partnering with the right organisations to help enhance the client experience. Core clients can now benefit from Premier’s partnership with Spabreaks.com, which offers a booking integration to help save staff time while increasing revenue. Premier’s most recent collaboration with Journey also provides a booking integration with the RevSpa online booking facility, making it easy for clients to book treatments and spa days online. How do technology trends inform your business? Premier understands the importance of keeping up with technology trends to provide the most up-to-date solutions for its customers. As a result, Core can be configured to meet a spa’s exact requirements. Premier also enables spas to take their business online with its web-suite, Online by Premier Software, which is free for those with a support contract. A spa’s success depends on its adaptability to emerging trends and Core’s versatility ensures it stays one step ahead, flexing to meet the spa’s changing needs.
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What the experts say... Revenue management: Get a deeper insight into how your business is performing with any one of Core’s 400+ reports. Automated marketing: Retain and attract new clients with clear marketing that enables you to plan future campaigns to be sent automatically, freeing up staff time. Payment gateway: Stay open 24/7 with online booking. Take payment instantly with Premier’s payment gateway, which helps to keep your costs down.
SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: The Landmark, London, UK The Lanesborough, London, UK Marbella Club, Spain Myoka Spas, Malta Villa La Coste, France PREMIER SOFTWARE +44 (0)1543 466580 www.premier-core.com
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Expert Guide Promotion
RESORTSUITE ResortSuite offers integrated software solutions for multi-amenity hotels, resorts, clubs and spas around the world. It also offers a full guest experience booking journey via web and mobile apps. Tell us about ResortSuite. We have been providing integrated solutions to destination spas, luxury resorts and private clubs since 2000. ResortSuite software is made up of various modules to manage all areas of operation of a property. It can be used as a full property solution or as a modular solution for one or more areas Frank Pitsikalis of operation. Unique in its complete Founder & CEO integration, ResortSuite also has the ability to complement other leading systems. What are the key considerations for spa software? Spa operators need to ask themselves whether their spa software allows guests to book their experience online in an easy and comprehensive way. Also, they need to consider whether their software helps to increase their bottom line by providing them with integrated tools like yield management, targeted e-marketing and mobile apps. How do technology trends inform your business? While we keep up with technology trends and these can impact our development process, we obtain most of our enhancement ideas from our customers themselves. Our team constantly reviews requested new features and enhancements, and implements as many as possible into our next release. Working as partners and understanding product feedback from our customers is the backbone of our innovative culture. How is your software leading the way? ResortSuite SPA is actually an acronym for Services Programs & Activities. The module can therefore manage programmes, classes, lessons and any activity areas a property has to offer. Leading yield management capabilities are built in and include dynamic availability and dynamic pricing. The ability for guests to book services, classes and more in real-time online and through a mobile app allows spas to meet the guest expectations of today. How can software improve spa operations? Having the right software can be the difference between a guest having an incredible experience and becoming a loyal customer, and a lost opportunity. While a spa experience has much to do with your staff, booking and confirming an appointment ahead of time, no line-up at the front desk, paperless check-in and paying with an on-file credit card are all things that can hugely improve the spa experience. What are your latest innovations? ResortSuite Mobile is a branded, customisable mobile app that can be downloaded by guests directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Guests can book spa services, classes, programmes, dining reservations and golf tee times in real-time, as well as view their member statements through the app. A Content Management System is now built in, so the property is in full control of their content.
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What the experts say... Yield management: Yielding spa services using dynamic availability or even dynamic pricing can make a big difference to your bottom line. Online booking: The ability to book services, activities, accommodation and more online in a single session can increase guest revenue spend. Going mobile: Leverage guest loyalty by allowing them to book services, classes, dining reservations and access a member portal through a customisable, branded mobile app.
SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Champneys Spa Resorts, UK Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Scotland Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall, UK Foxhills Club and Resort, Surrey, UK Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa, Mallorca, Spain RESORTSUITE Tel: +1 866 477 8483 www.resortsuite.com
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Expert Guide Promotion
TAC | THE ASSISTANT COMPANY TAC has been on the international market since 2001 and its Reservation Assistant – Spa & Activity Software is primarily focused on the spa industry. TAC’s products are used daily by around 1,200 customers in 54 countries
Günther Pöllabauer Managing director
Tell us about TAC. At TAC, we make a huge effort to hire the best people. With this in mind, we are now represented by a motivated team of 85 employees in four international locations. We believe that efficient spa software facilitates all the procedures necessary for spa management in one overall solution. Finally, we offer our customers 24/7 support services and guarantee fast response times and competent quality services.
What are your latest innovations? Recently, we launched a new product for the international swimming pool industry: Entry Assistant – Access Control Software. This opens a completely new market for TAC. We are proud that some of the most luxurious thermal baths in Europe are already using our new software suite. Our latest feedback has shown that there is a huge demand for an all-in-one solution that covers the whole customer journey. Our system takes into account all digital points of contact as well as automating and accelerating daily processes. What’s important in spa software? Firstly, spa software has to be an integrated solution rather than an isolated application. Good spa software communicates with the existing IT infrastructure, helps with effective resource management and simplifies complex daily processes. Spas should also ensure their software offers a high level of flexibility and scalability. Lastly, spa software has to be able to grow with both its vendor and future needs. How can it improve a spa’s operation? TAC’s spa software provides all the data necessary for spa management on-site, such as business reports and the automisation of daily tasks, and efficiently helps to eliminate booking errors or double-reservations from online and offline bookings. Furthermore, it revolutionises your spa and marketing with innovative tools such as Kiosk and online-lounger booking. An effective CRM module helps to send the right messages to different target groups. How is your software market-leading? With more than 17 years of experience and a highly motivated team, we know precisely what requirements our software has to meet. Our products are built on a modular basis, so they can be tailored to the individual needs of a specific business model. With more than 200 interfaces, our software can also be perfectly integrated into a company’s existing IT infrastructure.
What the experts say... All-in-one solution: Your spa software has to manage different types of resources such as treatment rooms, staff and equipment on one cross-functional platform. Web enabled: Your webshop has to have it all – an intuitive backend and design, the capability of handling different offers and the look and feel of your spa’s branding. Optimum sales: Spa software can greatly boost your sales and marketing by addressing your individual business requirements, as well as attracting new customers and helping to maximise sales revenue.
SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: VAMED Vitality World, Austria Aspria Members Clubs, Europe Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Switzerland Rosewood Hotels, Europe and US Rocco Forte Hotels, Europe TAC Tel: +43 3332 6005 990 www.tac.eu.com
How do technology trends inform and enhance your business? In order to ensure a spa’s economic success and to keep up with the times, a precise analysis of available technologies is essential before using them. Everyone in our team loves innovation and we are always ready to try new technologies and expand established ones. Our appetite for newness and setting high technology standards remains very important to us. We have won multiple awards that further underline the success of our way of approaching spa operations and this motivates us to continue pursuing innovative and creative thinking.
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Main image, bottom left and right: Center Parcs Woburn Bottom centre, Brimstone Spa, Langdale
HOSPITALITY & LEISURE CONCEPTS SEAMLESS DEVELOPMENTS FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
HLC offers expert advice to all those embarking on any exciting and cuttingedge project in the field of hospitality & leisure, including: spa and wellness facilities; hotel and resort accommodation; food and beverage outlets; retail experiences; indoor and outdoor leisure; infrastructure and landscaping designs.
“We take your aspirations and turn them into reality, across the whole spectrum of hospitality, spa, wellness and leisure developments.� Don Camilleri HL Concepts
dc@hlconcepts.co.uk | www.hlconcepts.co.uk
Sommerhuber Promotion
A history of holistic design Sommerhuber’s CEO, Christian Sommerhuber, reveals what’s next for the ceramic specialist
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ased in Steyr, Austria, Sommerhuber is a family-run business that has been in operation since 1491. Its unique Heat Storing Ceramics products are featured in a wide range Christian Sommerhuber of leading spas in many countries around the world. The company’s holistic designs allow thermal radiation to gently warm the body directly rather than by heating the air, which is said to provide the closest beneficial effect possible to that of sunshine. Sommerhuber’s portfolio of beautifully finished ceramic spa equipment includes a comprehensive range of foot basins, hammam tables, wet room benches and heated loungers, including its new Lounger Three Plus.
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We spoke to CEO Christian Sommerhuber to discover the latest developments from his enduring and innovative company.
innovation in Heat Storing Ceramics, we supply our products and equipment to a wide range of leading spa projects across the globe.
Tell us about Sommerhuber’s expertise.
What is special about Sommerhuber?
We have a long heritage as Sommerhuber has been manufacturing and creating ceramics since 1491. Our products have a unique ability to store warmth and to emit it as pure, soft infrared heat. As a family-run business, we have been able to hone and perfect our knowledge over decades. Our expertise is in the production of large-area, ergonomically shaped ceramics for two business areas – tiled fireplaces and spa ceramics for use in heat experiences. For centuries, people in Alpine areas have been enjoying this special type of warmth for their personal comfort and wellbeing. Having built on our enduring reputation for quality and
We manufacture a unique type of ceramic called Heat Storing Ceramics, which has the ability to store warmth and gently emit this energy in the form of long infrared heat. This gentle, radiant warmth has a soothing effect on the human body via the autonomic nervous system. It stimulates the circulation, reduces muscle tension and has a positive effect on the user’s immune system. Because of the multiple health benefits of our infrared technology, we focus the use of our ceramics on body contact areas in spas. Sommerhuber’s products include a range of loungers as well as equipment for hammams, steamrooms and tepidariums.
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Sommerhuber Promotion
Why are thermal experiences vital to spas? Thermal experiences offer guests the chance to enjoy the health benefits of dry heat in a sociable environment. Hydro-thermal experiences, such as steamrooms, are also popular for those who enjoy wet heat, which is more gentle, very beneficial for clearing airways and has a smoothing effect on the skin.
Tell us more about the Lounger Three Plus. With its gentle, radiant warmth, the Lounger Three Plus is ideal for a range of spa activities – from reading to sleeping or simply relaxing. Its ergonomic, almost floating design cocoons the body and its velvety soft surface is available in a choice of 18 different glazed finishes. The heated lounger has a smooth, easy-to-clean surface and only two transverse joints. It is available in two heights – either 22cm or 33cm. The backrest is designed in a more upright way to ensure a comfortable position for reading or relaxing. Finished with Heat Storing Ceramics, which emit a mild and soothing infrared heat, Lounger Three Plus is only 170cm in length, which makes it ideal for smaller spaces such as an indoor pool or spa suite.
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What is most important for spas when creating a hydro-thermal area? A hydro-thermal suite should allow guests to enjoy their stay and relax in an attractively designed space that addresses a combination of design, hygiene and wellbeing elements. From scrub massages in big, traditional hammams to individual treatments, more and more spa guests are enjoying this type of treatment in a separate space. Our oval hammam table is specifically designed for scrub massages in a small room, so it is ideal as the centrepiece to a spa suite. Whatever space is available, operators should consider their spa’s overall design concept and colour scheme to create a unique hydro-thermal guest experience. We have recently seen a ‘cleaner’ design trend towards a minimalistic style that incorporates lighter, softer designs with organic shapes as well as spas using paler colours.
How do spa and wellness trends inform your business? In terms of design preferences, the formerly straight-edged, blocky design aesthetic, especially in Europe, is being replaced by more
Sommerhuber’s large-area heat-storing ceramics are popular in spas around the globe, their flowing styles providing a hygenic and maintenance-free option for use in all manner of hydro-thermal suites
organic, lighter and softer shapes. Large-area material surfaces, such as our Heat Storing Ceramics, not only match this contemporary design style, but they also ensure that spas can enjoy the highest hygiene standards. They are easy to clean due to having only a few joints and very smooth surfaces, and they are maintenance-free. We’ve also found that our large-area surfaces are increasingly being used to replace mosaic surfaces, as mosaics require a lot of joints that could potentially be weak points in terms of hygiene. They can also chip off which results in additional maintenance. Another trend is for more contemporary spas to include traditional therapies, such as mud treatments, on their menu. Our Healing Clay Spa cabin was developed in response to our clients’ demand for a traditional mud ritual that combined both a spa treatment and a social experience. www.sommerhuber.com
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Business Report: SpaFest 2018 1
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Connecting the dots
Held in Newquay, SpaFest 2018 offered attendees a heartfelt programme focused on people, planet and health. European Spa brings back the highlights R EP OR T BY S A R A H C A M I L L E R I
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aking a refreshing, non-corporate approach, SpaFest 2018 delivered a meaningful gathering, with no selling, no name badges, and certainly no suits. Instead, two relaxed days featured inspiring speakers and valuable discussion about the realities of the spa industry. The 80 delegates who headed to Newquay from September 20-21 enjoyed quality time together, sharing expertise without the pressure to do business. The focus on ‘people, planet and health’ reflected a desire among attendees for less hard selling and greater emphasis on
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personal and professional development. A not-for-profit event, SpaFest was founded by respected British organics and wellbeing entrepreneur Amanda Winwood, who is also founder of the Made for Life Foundation, a registered charity that trains spa teams to deliver specially adapted spa treatments, known as Cancer Touch Therapies, to those experiencing or recovering from cancer. Winwood’s vision is to move the conversation forward from guest experiences, retail targets and profit margins to spa leaders and therapists, to understand how their attitudes to work and
life contribute to achieving a healthy balance of personal wellbeing and commercial integrity. Emma-Jane North, spa director at Wyboston Lakes’ Y Spa, was joined by Fran Hayter of FH Consulting and London School of Beauty & Makeup’s general manager, Jo Harris, to present a panel discussion on the growing spa recruitment and retention crisis. Poor pay, lack of recognition, limited career progression and competition from other higher paying sectors were cited as fundamental issues facing our burgeoning industry. The consensus of the panel was that
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Business Report: SpaFest 2018 3
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more needs to be done to communicate the opportunities at spas, with earlier engagement in schools, colleges and universities to attract a wider pool of talented young people. For those already in the industry, job satisfaction, flexible working and more emphasis on team wellbeing and support were all seen as fundamental for good retention, performance and sustained success.
Plant power, clean oceans and small steps Entrepreneur Tim Westwell, co-founder of Pukka Herbs, shared how a passion to champion the therapeutic benefits of herbs, delivered through teas and supplements, led to building the fastest-growing organic tea brand in the world. He also urged spas to look beyond their treatment menus to provide more preventative approaches to health and lifestyle choices. On an environmental theme, Avril Greenaway of the Cleaner Seas Project presented some disturbing statistics on the volume of single-use
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plastics choking our waterways and seas, which eventually break down into micro-plastics that now endanger the entire food-chain. She shared her success in creating notable social media engagement through powerful artworks using micro-plastics collected from beaches, as well as images of educational beach clean-up work by school children. Returning to the importance of personal wellbeing, specialist Iain Bell, who founded the Executive Fitness Foundation, delivered a dynamic and fun presentation to promote the importance of proactive lifestyle management through adopting daily self-care regimes. Bell insisted people must be in touch with themselves and what they stand for in order to to be able to best serve others. He added: “The potential of the spa industry to turn around lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and depression, is a real and unique opportunity. It could translate into a new core business and make the difference in this global epidemic.�
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1. Hugs go a long way at SpaFest 2018 2. Jamie Edwards with Diane Nettleton, Gaia Skincare 3. Avail Greenaway, Cleaner Seas Project 4. Sian Parry Jones and speaker Victoria Adams 5. Dancing delegates enjoy some dynamic downtime 6. Speaker Iain Bell, Executive Fitness Foundation 7. Amanda Winwood and the Made for Life team 8. Tim Westwell, Pukka Teas 9. Wellbeing treatments delivered by VOYA 10. Delegates enjoy time together to share best practice
Personal empowerment
Retreat and yoga specialist Victoria Adams focused on wellness travellers looking to reset, reboot and reconnect. As manager at the renowned Juicy Oasis Boutique Health Retreat & Spa in Portugal, founded by celebrity juice master Jason Vale, she highlighted the number of guests seeking to destress, detox and participate in yoga. Highlighting the less tangible, tribal connection that is developing among guests, who often form long-term friendships with fellow travellers, she asked the delegation to think about how they can offer a deeper level
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Business Report: SpaFest 2018 1. Ben Winwood shares music for meditation 2. Fran Hayter, Emma-Jane North and Jo Harris deliver an excellent industry panel 3. Re-wilding expert Thom Hunt, 7th Rise 4. Speaker Marc Innes, Made for Life 5. Mandy Cook and Jennifer Main of Gerrard International with Amanda Winwood 6. Speaker Emma Williams, Nuffield Health
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of wellbeing services at their spas to foster these vital connections. Adams also raised the importance of teaching spa teams the value of self-care rituals and the ability to ‘hold space’ for themselves to combat work pressure. On this topic, Jamie Edwards, founder of The Trained Brain, delivered a dynamic presentation on personal empowerment, reminding people of the impact empathetic leadership can have on a spa. “Emotions will keep people connected to a business long-term,” he said. “People do not leave companies, they leave people.” A motivational coach for athletes and business leaders, Edwards discussed bringing the right energy to challenging situations in life and at work. “Personal transformation leads to business transformation,” he emphasised. Edwards also contributed his professional services to the first SpaFest Strut Camp, a successful self-development day held before the main event and appreciated by 25 participating delegates, which raised more vital money for the Made for Life Foundation. Invited back to SpaFest by popular demand, re-wilding pioneer Thom Hunt, founder of 7th Rise, a leading UK wilderness experience business, delved into the need to democratise
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wellness and remove some of its elitist trappings to deliver more authentic services. Hunt shared how recovering from cancer changed his direction in life and how 7th Rise aimed to meet growing demand to discover ‘the lost art of being human’. He said the company’s adventure-style breaks engage people and encourage team building as they disconnect from the daily demands and reconnect with nature and their authentic selves.
Wellness in spas – what’s your strategy? Bringing the focus firmly back to spas, a lively panel session overseen by Brian Hunter, spa director at Rocco Forte’s The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, featured SpaPulse founder Helena Field and Granary Spa owner Clare Singleton. Together, they explored how ‘wellbeing at work’ policies can promote personal and professional success in spa teams. The session addressed the lack of self-care and self-development currently available to spa teams, and the need to promote mental wellbeing and resilience. A lack of flexibility in work hours and the continuing impact of unsustainable daily massage workloads by some short-sighted operators was also highlighted.
The C word and spa Key to the whole mission of SpaFest was a moving presentation by the Made for Life Foundation team about how, collectively, spas can be made more accessible through advanced Cancer Touch Therapy training. Marc Innes, Lisa Moore and Laura Kelly of Made for Life’s Cancer Touch Therapy were joined by Nuffield Health’s head of beauty Emma Williams for a frank discussion about the remarkable work at Made for Life to train therapists across the UK and Ireland in welcoming those previously turned away from spas if they ‘ticked the cancer box’ on arrival. As an operator of 31 hospitals, 101 health clubs and 32 beauty sites, the Nuffield team was having to turn away around three to five people per week from their beauty sites. “We have 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK,” reminded Williams. “Possibly, like most spas and therapists, we only found out a person had cancer after they had arrived and were having a consultation. Then we had to turn them away. It was really bad for business but most importantly we upset that person and reminded them of the illness.” Determined to change the status quo,
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE SPA AT A TIME While medical treatment may be on offer, those with cancer often need emotional and practical support in other ways. Founded in 2008, Made for Life Foundation (registered charity 1138846) enables UK spas and salons to open their doors to people despite their illness. The Foundation’s Cancer Touch Therapy training is available as a fully accredited three-day advanced programme, designed to enable therapists to gain a deeper understanding of what cancer is, the staging and grading of cancer and how treatments for the disease can require the adaptation of spa treatments. Full protocols are offered for both face and body along with supervised practice. The course was developed with advice from trained oncology massage teachers and advisors within the oncology team at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, and also Macmillan. Accredited by the Complementary Medical Association, insurance is available for individual therapists and spas to offer these holistic therapies to those who have been diagnosed with the condition. Some 428 spa managers and therapists across the UK have qualified in Cancer Touch Therapy and there are now 46 spas in the UK and Ireland catering for guests in this way. To date, around 10,000 people have benefited from these treatments. Made for Life recently achieved endorsement for cancer-specific training from CIBTAC (The Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology). If you would like more information about how to enrol your spa or salon for Made for Life Cancer Touch Therapy training, please visit www.madeforlifeorganics.com
Williams had reached out to the Made for Life Foundation for advanced training in cancer touch therapies. “At Nuffield Health we want to stop saying ‘no’ and start saying ‘yes’ to more people,” she added. “Today, The Made for Life Foundation has trained 13 of us to cover 10 sites and we are looking to grow this, so we can give more people access.”
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As well as meaningful conversations, there was time to relax with an evening of fish, chips and Cornish sea shanties, sponsored by BC Softwear. There were also workshops, music from Ben Winwood and the chance to try therapies expertly delivered by the event’s four key sponsors: Made for Life, VOYA, [comfort zone] and Elemental Herbology. “SpaFest was again a joy, full of learning, laughter and empowering those who took part to leave and change lives within the wellness industry,” Amanda Winwood told European Spa. “Our aim was always to educate and open minds to what is really at the heart of wellbeing – on a personal level, within business and also thinking about our impact on the planet. The feedback has been amazing and we raised £8,000 for Made for Life. Thank you to everyone who made it special. I’m hugely grateful.”
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If you would like to attend SpaFest 2019 or discuss sponsorship opportunities, visit www.madeforlifeorganics.com
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Business Focus: Finnish sauna
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Business Focus: Finnish sauna Clockwise from far left: A sauna enthusiast uses stones to massage her feet to improve circulation; Finnish saunas are a place for social interaction as well as thoughful contemplation; a snow sauna under the Northern Lights can be enjoyed at the Arctic SnowHotel and Glass Igloos, Rovaniemi; peat applied to the body before a sauna has positive cosmetic effects
A way of life The sauna has been around for thousands of years, but no country does it quite like Finland. European Spa heads north to discover how the Nordic nation’s therapeutic heritage is spreading around the globe
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R E P OR T BY I A N PA R KES
mong a population of almost 5.5 million people, it is remarkable to think there are 3.1 million saunas in Finland. This is because sauna, pronounced ‘sow-na’ in its native dialect, has long been a national institution and a way of life. While the Finns cannot lay a trademark claim on the practice, given its origins date back around 6,000 years to the Stone Age, their belief in its therapeutic heritage is more deeply rooted than that of other nations who perhaps view it as something of an indulgence. This belief has resulted in a growing awareness of Finnish sauna around the globe, with companies like Harvia, one of the world’s leading sauna manufacturers, experiencing a substantial business boost. In 2017, some 213,000 of Harvia’s heaters were exported to more than 80 countries, helping to generate net sales of €60.1 million (£52 million). The company, based in Muurame, 160 miles north of Helsinki, also offers sauna rooms, infrared and steam rooms, spa modules, digital control units and other accessories related to sauna. “It’s a good time to be in the sauna market,” says CEO Tapio Pajuharju. “It’s not a goldmine, but it’s growing, and we expect it to increase in the region of 5% per annum over the next few years.” Customer differences To better understand the market, in 2018 Harvia conducted a survey of the sauna habits of 1,000
“It’s a good time to be in the sauna market. It’s not a goldmine, but it’s growing, and we expect it to grow in the region of 5% per annum over the next few years.” Tapio Pajuharju CEO, Harvia
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people, aged between 18-74, from each of Finland, Russia, Germany and Sweden. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the results showed that two out of every three Finns takes a sauna every week; in Russia and Germany the same ratio applied to once per month; while only 40% of Swedes take a sauna a few times a year at most. The most striking difference between Finland and the other three countries was that traditional, wood-heated sauna is at the heart of the country’s habit, while in Russia and Sweden, in particular, the preference was towards the luxury and high-tech end of the market. “For a Finn, sauna is part of everyday life,” explains Pajuharju. “You take it when you feel you need to relax or you need to be cleansed. Instead of a shower, sometimes you take a short sauna. Everyone in Finland, basically, has access to a sauna. Away from Finland, it becomes more of a luxury for people. Hence, we have different markets in different cultures, allowing us to serve our customers and consumers.” A platform for wellness To raise awareness of Finnish sauna, in 2010 an association was created, entitled Sauna from Finland. Now a network of over 200 companies, its goal is to not only promote those businesses and their expertise, but to assist hotels and spas in delivering authentic experiences to their guests. As part of its growing emergence, the group staged the second World Sauna Forum in Jyväskylä in September 2018 (see p25). It has also partnered with LivNordic, the spa brand founded by Raison d’Etre, to encourage a higher standard of sauna in the global industry and raise awareness of the benefits of the practice. “We want to spread knowledge about sauna and provide the best sauna experience in the world,” says the association’s co-founder Carita Harju. “It would be wonderful if everyone in
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Business Focus: Finnish sauna
the world could experience an authentic Finnish sauna in a way that best suits them. Hurry, exhaustion and stress have become part of many people’s everyday lives – we are expected to be constantly alert and always going somewhere, but at the same time we are also supposed to be rational, productive and creative. Sauna is a way of providing the whole body a much-needed sense of pleasure. “At its purest, the Finnish sauna experience provides a chance to be present with all your senses. It acts as a foundation for creative thinking, and after the sauna, you feel clean, beautiful and reborn on the inside.” The Finnish way The common misconception about sauna is that it is a wooden box, heated to 90°C, in which a user simply
“It would be wonderful if everyone in the world could experience an authentic Finnish sauna in a way that best suits them. The sauna gives the whole body a much-needed sense of pleasure.” Carita Harju Co-founder, Sauna from Finland
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tolerates or endures the dry heat for as long as possible before needing to leave. However, for Finns, saunas are not places of silent retreat and suffereance, but areas where open, meaningful discussions are to be enjoyed. A true Finnish sauna is a multi-sensory experience. While modern electric stoves are commonplace, tradition employs a wood-burning stove that heats stones encased in a wire basket, and upon which water is thrown to create steam that ultimately produces a comfortable heat and humidity. In combination with the flickering flames of the fire and the hiss of the steam, on occasion herbs, even menthol, are added to provide an aromatherapy experience. If there is the opportunity, then whisking – the gentle beating and stimulation of the skin with a hand-tie of thinly-stemmed birch or rowan leaves – serves to further heighten the effects. Referencing an increased awareness of the typical Finnish sauna experience, Jake Newport, founder and managing director of Finnmark Sauna, a UK-based company that specialises in authentic Finnish sauna installations, says: “The growth of our company at the moment is really exponential. “In part this is because we focus purely on three core concepts – quality, authenticity, and durability. All our materials are sourced from Finnish or Nordic
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Business Focus: Finnish sauna The art of whisking Terve löyly! Terve lammin! These Finnish words translate as ‘Greetings to the steam! Greetings to the warmth!’ As water is poured onto the hot rocks they are spoken, or sung, by Maaria Alén, a folk healer who specialises in traditional sauna healing and is one of only two ‘whisking’ professionals in Finland, perpetuating a part of Finnish sauna folklore that dates back 2,000 years. Maaria Alén “The idea of whisking is a combination of massage, aromatherapy and phytotherapy, and you can use different plants in different parts of the session,” Alén explains. “Primarily you keep the head cool; so a person lays on a whisk and I cover the head with whisks before pouring on cold water. The scents from those whisks are wonderful and help your breathing. “The body is then warmed gently – a rowan or maple whisk is very good for that. Little by little, as with massage, you build up the intensity of the touch. The most intensive is oak, which is hard and dry. “My teacher taught me that 15 minutes of good whisking has the same effect as 45 minutes of massage. It enhances a sauna’s health benefits because it massages the skin and the capillaries underneath. Juniper, for instance, provides stimulation and energy at the end of a session as the needles tingle your skin. “But the physical part of whisking relaxes the muscles, so the happy hormones start to work, and you relax your mind.”
Clockwise from top left: Vice-president of the British Sauna Society Katie Bracher uses a ‘whisk’ to increase blood flow during a sauna; alternating heat with cold plunges helps to stimulate the metabolism; a traditional Finnish sauna built from kelo logs; a light-filled nature-inspired sauna; a wood burning stove heats stones in a wire basket; yoga is a popular form of relaxation during a sauna; the Beach Box sauna on Brighton beach
suppliers, and they are built to last because we want people to enjoy their sauna experience for as long as possible. “Another key for us is education. I hear from a lot of people that they don’t enjoy saunas, that they’re really hot, dry and stuffy. This is often as a result of a sauna not being ventilated properly, or not designed properly, rather than because of the experience itself. When a sauna is built correctly, and it is done right, then it’s a relaxing space; you can feel your muscles relax, you can breathe normally, and on many occasions, you will enjoy a good night’s sleep afterwards.” From huts to horse boxes The sauna space itself has now evolved to take on a variety of innovative forms. While many new-build homes and apartments in Finland now have a sauna adjoining the bathroom, elsewhere their housings range from cottage-style wooden huts through to those on small
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boats, and innovatively, some created in horse boxes. Sauna master Katie Bracher, who is also vice-president of the British Sauna Society, recently opened the Beach Box, a converted horse trailer on Brighton beach, which she hopes will be the first of many around the UK as she looks to grow her fledgling business. “The whole thing has been a massive success,” says Bracher, who is also director of Bath Haus Barking. “But then I knew it would be as I was fortunate to run the Southbank Centre rooftop pop-up sauna in London. While that was open it was booked for months, so I’d seen how successful it could be. “People were very interested in the Finnish cultural experience, and they also liked to be guided. They wanted to be shown how to do it properly, so it was about giving them that confidence to simply enjoy the sauna.
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Business Focus: Finnish sauna The art of Finnish sauna • Allow enough time, haste is not part of the experience. • Hydration is important, so drink one or two glasses of water beforehand. • Take a shower beforehand. • Be aware of house rules. In some saunas, you may bathe naked, in others this may be frowned upon. • Ideally, sit on the top bench and apply water to the hot rocks as necessary. • While sweating, increased
heart rate and a reddening of the skin are normal, but only stay for as long as you feel comfortable. • Breathe evenly and continue to drink water. • Cooling off is an integral part of the experience, so take a cold shower for a while before returning. • Shower again to wash the sweat off your skin. • Continue to relax after the sauna.
All images with thanks to Juha Laitalainen, Marko Junttila, Satu Freyberg, Elina Manninen, Charlotta Bucht, Jarmo Ahonen, Hanna Soderstrom, Hanna Palosaari, Satu Mali, Katie Bracher and Rachelle Moulai
“A lot of people are scared of going into a sauna and they’re not confident when it comes to throwing the water on the rocks. So, I’m providing a little bit of education and developing an immersive experience.” A healthy environment In Finland, saunas have long been regarded as sacred places in which to not only cleanse the body, but also the mind. Up until the Second World War, many women who lived on Finnish farms gave birth in saunas – these were considered safe places as the heat generated ensured it was a clean environment. Conversely, before death, a visit to a sauna is viewed as an opportunity to spiritually cleanse. While sauna does not provide a cure for illness, its health benefits are numerous, particularly if combined with shock therapy in the form of a subsequent immersion
“I feel we’re on the cusp of a breakthrough with sauna, of people recognising that it’s good for them, that it’s enjoyable, and that it could be readily available.” Jake Newport Founder and managing director, Finnmark Sauna
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From top: Natural light and a spacious cabin counters the misconception that saunas are simply wooden boxes of heat to be endured; a refreshing post-sauna dip in ice cold water at the Hawkshill Nature Reserve
in cold water. The repetition of taking the heat, then experiencing a cold sensation, is especially beneficial. Aside from being relaxing, saunas increase the heart rate and stimulate the metabolism, improving red blood cell production and boosting the level of oxygen delivered to muscles. This in turn promotes swifter healing from injury. Saunas also improve breathing capacity and lower blood pressure temporarily, thereby reducing stress. “There have been recently published findings of sauna reducing the risk of dementia and improving arterial toughness and cardiovascular health,” adds Newport. “The research behind that has been conducted on Finns going to sauna, then to a cold plunge afterwards, then back to sauna and relaxing over the course of an hour or so and enjoying the experience. “I feel we’re on the cusp of a breakthrough with sauna, of people recognising that it’s good for them, that it’s enjoyable, and that it could be readily available. As more and more people understand that, it will have a positive impact on people’s health. It’s an upwards spiral,” he concludes.
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Between the covers
We connect you with the best brands serving the spa and wellness sector. This issue of European Spa features the latest expertise, news and developments from: 111Skin 75 7th Rise 104 A&S Property Services 24 Amala 23 Aman Skincare 76 American English 81 Anapos 53 Apex Pool Engineers 53 Aromatherapy Associates 72 AVEDA 82 Bamford 59 Barden Spa 81 Barr + Wray 43 BC Softwear 26, 27, 55, 89, 105 Beauty Düsseldorf 28 Biologique Recherche 19 Blackthorn Design Studio 21 Book4Time 92, 93 Carita 77 Caudalie 2 Cicotte Teckell 86 Cinq Mondes 25, 75 Clarins 8, 74 Cleaner Seas Project 103 CND 10, 76 [comfort zone] 22, 24, 81, 105 Concept2 53 Cornish Sea Salt Company 53 Cosmoprof 20, 28 Curiousa & Curiousa 82 Curveline Design 24 Dalesauna 21 David Lucas 34 Decléor 13 Deep Nature 25 DeMicoli & Associates 23 Design for Leisure 26 Diptique 64 Dornbracht 26, 88 Dröm 81 Effegilab 22
Elan Spa Academy 23 Elemental Herbology 70, 105 Elemis 6, 26, 54, 73 Ellisons 47, 55 Escape 53 ESPA 23, 58 Eteria 22 EviDenS de Beauté 36 Evo by Bio Sculpture 81 Executive Fitness Foundation 103 Fashionizer Spa 28 Fenty Beauty 64 FH Consulting 102 Finnmark Sauna 108 Functionality Group 24 Gaia 14, 103 Germaine de Capuccini 73 Gharieni 37, 38, 55, 86 Global Wellness Summit 40 Harvia 53, 107 Healing Summit 111 HL Concepts 99 ila Spa 22 ilapothecary 22 Institute for Optimum Nutrition 64 International Beauty and Holistic Academy 23 Irene Forte Skincare 22 ishga 54, 76 JDS Consulting 65 Jessica 26 Jouvence 26 Keiser 53 Kendo 65 Kenneth Cobonpue 89 Kerstin Florian 4, 68, 69 KLAFS 26, 86 Klaylife 82 La Barbière de Paris 34 lastminute.com 48 Lemi 28, 81, 84
LifeFitness 21, 23 LivNordic 25, 107 London Basin Company 87 London School of Beauty & Makeup 102 LPG 57 LSE Hair 82 Lux Elements 26 Made for Life Organics 22, 55 Made for Life Foundation 102 Maison Caulières 36 Majestic 61 Matrix 53 Melt Design Hub 81 Mii Cosmetics 17, 76 MoroccanTan 55 Morphe 64 Mr Sauna 112 Murad 75 mwpdigitalmedia.com 65 Nailberry 81 Natura Bissé 30, 31, 54, 58 Natural Spa Factory 54, 75 Nilo 63 Noken Porcelanosa Bathrooms 89 Nougatine 25 Oakworks 115 OPI 55 Orascom Development 24 Organic Pharmacy 81 Osmio Water 82 Payot 74 Phytomer 28 Pietranera 82 Premier Software 49, 94, 95 Pukka Herbs 103 Raison d’Etre 25, 107 REM UK 67 ResortSuite 96, 97 RKF Luxury Linen 28 Salin die Biosel 85 Sally Beauty 29
Satori Living 26 Sauna from Finland 25, 107 Scentered 24 Schletterer 26 Scrummi 82 Sensei 28 Serip 82 Sheridan & Co. 64 Skin Regimen 71 Sodashi 85 Sommerhuber 100 Sothys 23, 78 Spa Business School 64 Spa Life International 64 Spabreak Direct 48 Spabreaks.com 48 SpaFest 102 SpaPulse 104 Sparcstudio 45 SPArticulate 24 Starpool 87 STEPP Digital 66 Swissline 72 Tac | The Assistant Company 98 Takara Belmont 81 Technogym 22, 24, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 53, 58, 87 Temple Spa 21 Thalgo 50, 72 The Trained Brain 104 The Wellness Collective 28, 56 Tri-Dosha 81 Ultimate Training Solutions 65 Unbescheiden 26 VOYA 24, 74, 103, 105, OBC World Spa & Wellness Convention 28 Ytsara 73, 85 Zumtobel 85
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In conversation with
JOHN STEWART John Stewart, co-founder and chairman of wellness destination Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand, discusses the growing need for life-changing retreat “Wellness is a way of life, making positive choices that enhance your body, mind and spirit.” It is about healthy food and exercise, which benefit both you and the world around you. It is about taking time to breathe, to feel your heart beat and to find emotional balance and vitality when modern life entices us to do the opposite. At Kamalaya, which we regard as a holistic wellness retreat, we invite you to take a pause from your busy life, to disconnect from your habitual patterns and reconnect to a deeper part of yourself.
“I learned from very early on that true happiness comes from serving others.” I spent 25 years in the Himalayas, 16 of them as a Yogi monk – a disciple of a great Himalayan master, Babaji – learning to serve and practice ancient traditions and integrate them into grounded, practical reality. I was taught that true happiness and fulfilment come through service, giving to others and practicing this. I learned that whatever we decide to do, we can make a difference and positively influence the world around us. This was the reason my wife, Karina, and I built Kamalaya.
“It was never about business or making money. We were not motivated by money.” We have delivered something the world wants, which helps people to change their own lives. We don’t impose any change, we don’t tell them that it has to happen and we don’t promise them anything, but we know it’s going to happen. This knowledge is based on two things: first, all of my wife’s experience as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a yoga instructor and a cultural anthropologist. It was she who created the healing concept of Kamalaya and who articulated our collective vision. Secondly, our confidence comes courtesy of the idea provided to me by Babaji, that if you take people away from their habits, change happens. That is what opens the door to all these defences that we have.
“We can only deliver a service through the team that enriches Kamalaya.” I come from a really humble background and my mother was a hotel maid, so I know what the service industry is all about. I built Kamalaya as much for the team, which numbers 330 people, as for my guests. Karina and I knew from the beginning that we had to invest our time in working with the team, so they would understand our intentions. They now know, and there’s a harmony. Our place ticks along perfectly, like a Swiss clock.
John Stewart has enjoyed a rich and varied life and his grounded philosophy is based on the time he spent as a Yogi monk in the Himalayas, which ultimately led to him creating Kamalaya alongside his wife, Karina
“Kamalaya makes a positive contribution to everyone who comes into contact with it.” It offers a beneficial ecosystem to our guests, our team, the owners, shareholders, suppliers and associates. Many of our guests are influencers in politics, business, the media, arts and humanities, and many whom I speak to report positive, life-changing experiences and say their lives have become richer and more meaningful. More than 40,000 people have been through our programmes with positive results and 40% return again and again, with many visiting us every year.
“We’re now thinking about and working on the legacy we would like to create.” If we don’t do that then as Karina and I get older it will lose its momentum. We want it to grow, so I’m building a younger team who the market can trust, so that Kamalaya will thrive. I want it to live on, but it has to grow to do that – the market demands these things – so we need to train a younger generation of professionals and prove that other people can deliver such a wonderful service. I’m 100% convinced it can be done. www.kamalaya.com
John Stewart was speaking to Ian Parkes
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