LUXE Travel Magazine - Step into Serenity

LUXE TRAVEL

MAGAZINE

FAIRMONT SPA AT

Nestled in the lush embrace of a tropical jungle and surrounded by serene natural lagoons, the Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba offers a sublime escape into the heart of Mayan mystique. This luxurious retreat invites you to immerse yourself in an unforgettable spa experience, where the rich textures, vibrant colours, and enchanting scents of ancient Mayan culture come to life.

Guests can indulge in their signature full body massage, expertly crafted to awaken inner energy, or savour precious moments with a significant other through the exquisite couples’ experiences. Conclude your journey with a rejuvenating open-air soak in the therapeutic vitality pool or the invigorating sea-mineral pool, leaving you refreshed and revitalized.

Provided by Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba

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SERENITY - THE ART OF WELL BEING PORTUGAL

The 1,000-square-meter spa at Hyatt Regency Lisbon is managed by Serenity – The Art of Well Being, one of Europe’s premier wellness and luxury brands.

This sanctuary offers a range of treatments and wellness programs tailored to each guest’s needs. The indoor swimming pool is part of the Thermal Oasis of Serenity Spa, inviting guests to immerse themselves in relaxation.

By reserving exclusive treatments, guests receive complimentary access to the entire wet facilities for the day.

At Serenity, luxury meets wellness, transforming every moment into an invitation to indulge in blissful rejuvenation. The spa is dedicated to providing transformative experiences that nurture the mind, body, and soul, creating a harmonious symphony of well-being.

Guests are invited to experience this peaceful hideaway and embark on a journey that celebrates the art of living well.

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FAIRMONT SPA AT FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA

JESSICA LONGGI

Spa Manager

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Jessica Longgi, the Spa Manager at Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba. Jessica’s journey into the world of spa management began during her college years, and since then, she has passionately pursued her goal of directing a spa.

Under her leadership, Fairmont Mayakoba has flourished, offering unique wellness experiences that blend modern techniques with ancient Mayan traditions. Join us as Jessica shares her insights into the evolving spa industry, her personal wellness routine, and the innovative sustainability measures that set Fairmont Spa apart.

What initially drew you to the world of spa management, and what has kept you passionate about it over the years?

My passion for the world of spas began while I was studying in college. I did my thesis on an improvement quality program applied to a spa in Mexico City. Since then, my goal has always been to direct a spa, and Fairmont Mayakoba gave me the opportunity to do so, starting in late 2019. Witnessing the evolution of the spa industry over these years has been fascinating. Integrating new techniques and incorporating the ancient wisdom of Mexico into spa services is always thrilling. Moreover, observing the growth of the wellness culture not only within spas but now across all areas of hotels and people’s lives has been remarkable.

As a spa manager, what do you find most rewarding about your role, and what challenges have you encountered along the way?

Being able to bring a vision of wellness not only to guests but also to hotel colleagues is a priority. We’ve developed a wellness program for them, offering weekly free classes ranging from art classes, sunrise yoga, paddleboard sessions, to specialist talks and special courses.

For our guests, we aim to provide a menu of services that reflects our commitment to freedom and confidence in their choices. This menu offers a range of services, from locally inspired experiences rooted in Mayan culture to holistic experiences and specialized massages.

Working with my team to develop all of this has been one of the most rewarding experiences. However, one of the challenges is finding time to organize daily operations, seasonal programs, and new projects while also enjoying a few minutes to chat with team members and listen to their concerns.

Can you describe your personal wellness routine and any self-care practices that you find essential to your well-being?

I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 18, and it’s something I love dearly. It helps calm my mind and keep me centered. Beyond just my mat, it’s about living out the teachings of yoga every day. I’m also passionate about skincare, so my morning and evening routines are essential. I believe that starting with learning to breathe correctly is the key to everything. Now, I rely on my Komuso necklace to help me during moments of stress or anxiety. Finding a balance between social moments and my alone time for meditation is crucial to keeping me centered.

What inspired the concept and design of Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba, and how does it reflect the surrounding environment and Mayan culture?

The inspiration behind our spa was to honor our Mayan and Mexican roots in an elegant manner consistent with Fairmont Spa’s vision of showcasing the cultures they are immersed in. We are fortunate to have expansive windows throughout the spa,

allowing guests to connect with the lush jungle surroundings. Incorporating modern healing techniques, we offer our guests a variety of different experiences to choose from. Mayan culture is vast, so to capture it in our experience menu, we focused on a small aspect: cosmogony—the connection between humans, celestial bodies, plants, animals, and everything around us. We developed flagship services based on lunar phases, each connected to a natural element.

I’m fortunate to work with team members who have direct Mayan ancestry. Together with my treatments supervisor, Eulalia Pool, we crafted these services. Our locally inspired services, which have been the most successful since the spa’s opening, were modernized and enhanced with various natural ingredients and touches to more accurately reflect the spa’s vision.

What measures does Fairmont Spa take to ensure sustainability and minimize its environmental footprint?

Instead of printed spa treatment menus, we utilize iPads to minimize paper usage. We have also eliminated single-use plastics for both guests and spa staff. In our gym, all our Technogym cardio machines and Peloton bikes are energy-efficient.

Furthermore, we partner with sustainable product lines such as Comfort Zone, Osea, Barker Wellness, and Davines. The spa staff uniforms are the first sustainable ones at Fairmont Mayakoba, as we’ve partnered with Amor&Rosas, a company that works with artisans in Puebla to handcraft uniforms made from 70% recyclable fabric.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to our spa garden, where we cultivate herbal and flower gardens. We also support the conservation of melipona bees, native to the Yucatán Peninsula, which are sacred to ancient and present-day Maya culture. We collaborate with communities in Yucatán to conserve these bee sanctuaries.

What are some unique amenities or features of Fairmont Spa that guests might not find elsewhere?

We offer special amenities designed for posttreatment relaxation, infused with local touches. Additionally, our chefs have crafted a wellness menu where all dishes are balanced and free of added sugars. On the spa’s second floor, we have a juice bar offering smoothies made with locally sourced ingredients.

How does Fairmont Spa blend modern luxury with ancient healing traditions to create a truly holistic wellness experience?

We offer holistic experiences ranging from pendulum alignments, Reiki, Access Bars therapy to our new Temazcal, built in the spa garden where guests can connect with emotional and cultural well-being. Our locally inspired services are rooted in Mexican ingredients such as cacao, corn, or copal mud, as well as specially designed experiences in collaboration with Barker Wellness x Hyperice.

What advice would you give to aspiring spa managers who are looking to make a mark in the industry?

Surround yourself with a team that is entirely different from you, and together, complement each other to achieve success. Never stop learning from everyone around you and firmly believe in their vision to convey it to others. There are no ideas too wild; try everything and remain open to listening to your customers and colleagues.

GOCO HOSPITALITY

THAILAND

GOCO Hospitality, Thailand, is a pioneering consultancy, development, and management company renowned for creating, designing, and operating some of the world’s most innovative spa and wellness hospitality concepts. Collaborating closely with prestigious hospitality brands, development groups, visionary property owners, and global investment funds, GOCO Hospitality’s thorough and customized approach spans from initial market research to concept, design, and management, resulting in groundbreaking wellness destinations. These destinations include hotels, communities, urban mixed-use developments, and giga cities, epitomizing luxury and innovation.

Enduring clients include esteemed names such as Four Seasons, Viceroy, Capella, The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott, InterContinental, Address, and Steigenberger, among others.

GOCO Hospitality also owns Horwath Health & Wellness, a division of the oldest hospitality consulting company, providing feasibility, development, lease, and strategy services. It works alongside sovereign funds in Singapore, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, GOCO Hospitality is the co-founder of Space Cycle and operates the multi-award-winning Kēpos by GOCO at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas in Crete, Greece. The company also owns and manages Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Southern California, America’s oldest and largest hot spring resort. Additionally, GOCO Hospitality will soon announce the acquisition of another wellness resort in Thailand.

YHI SPA BY MELIÁ HO TRAM BEACH RESORT

VIETNAM

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort invites guests to experience the essence of Mediterranean luxury in one of the most beautiful beach areas in Vietnam. Located in the charming coastal town of Ho Tram, this 5-star resort offers first-class facilities, exceptional hospitality, and exclusive services designed to surprise and delight.

Guests can unwind and rejuvenate at the resort’s exquisite YHI Spa, which features 20 treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam bath, and a nail and hair salon. The innovative treatments are crafted to maximize benefits and enhance well-being.

YHI Spa provides a perfect balance of the five senses, offering various wellness retreat options. Guests can elevate their stay with 4-step and 7-step wellness packages, in-villa wellness experiences, and wellness pathways.

4-step wellness package: Includes a 60-minute body relaxation session, a beauty treatment, a turndown wellness ritual, and a selected range of wellness activities.

7-step wellness package: Features welcome wellness amenities, a 60-minute body relaxation session, a beauty treatment, a detox set menu dinner, a turndown wellness ritual, and a selected range of wellness activities.

Wellness in The Level villas: Offers a private meditation space equipped with a meditation cushion, Tibetan bowl, Shungite

stones, oil diffuser with sticks, and essential scent oil. This exclusive offer is chargeable and available only for The Level guests.

Wellness Pathway: Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing), this pathway includes eight stops such as Reading, Hug Tree, Meditation, and Grounding, each designed to foster a specific aspect of self-nourishment.

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort’s YHI Spa & Wellness Retreats provide a transformative experience, ensuring guests leave feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Provided by YHI SPA by Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort

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Kioicho is a town full of luscious greenery and rich history, where Japanese traditions and Western culture intertwine, offering a gracious and elegant neighborhood in the heart of Tokyo. The Swiss Perfection Spa embodies this spirit of hospitality, providing a variety of treatments using the renowned Swiss Perfection products favored by celebrities worldwide.

Guests can indulge in a range of luxurious treatments, enjoy a lap pool, and relax in couple suites with dramatic views of Tokyo. Located on the 30th floor, the spa offers a serene and luxurious space where every guest is welcomed with warmth and impeccable service, ensuring an unforgettable experience in Tokyo’s most gracious neighborhood.

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SPA TRENDS OF 2024:

WHAT’S NEW IN LUXURY WELLNESS

The luxury spa industry is constantly evolving, driven by a blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge innovations. In 2024, the landscape of luxury wellness is more dynamic than ever, reflecting broader societal shifts towards holistic health, sustainability, and technological integration. Here’s a look at the top trends redefining the luxury spa experience this year.

Personalized Wellness Journeys

Customization is the cornerstone of modern luxury. In 2024, spas are taking personalization to new heights, offering bespoke wellness journeys tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each guest. Advanced diagnostic tools are used to create individualized treatment plans. These personalized programs encompass everything from nutrition and fitness to skincare and mental wellness.

Sustainability and Eco-Luxury

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a core value for many luxury spas. As environmental

awareness grows, spas are adopting eco-friendly practices and striving for zero-waste operations. This includes using organic and locally sourced ingredients, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and designing eco-conscious facilities.

Digital Detox and Mindfulness

In our hyper-connected world, the demand for digital detox retreats has surged. Luxury spas are creating spaces where guests can disconnect from technology and reconnect with themselves. These retreats often include mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, and breathwork, aimed at reducing stress and enhancing mental clarity.

High-Tech Wellness

Technology continues to revolutionize the spa industry, offering innovative treatments that enhance the traditional spa experience. In 2024, we see the rise of high-tech wellness, where advanced technologies are integrated into spa treatments to provide more effective and personalized care. Cryotherapy, infrared saunas, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are becoming standard offerings at luxury spas.

Culinary Wellness

Nutrition is an integral part of the wellness equation, and luxury spas are elevating their culinary offerings to reflect this. In 2024, we see a growing emphasis on culinary wellness, where food is viewed as both nourishment and medicine. Spas are offering gourmet, health-focused menus that cater to various dietary needs and preferences.

Family Wellness

Wellness is becoming a family affair, with luxury spas offering programs designed for all ages. Family wellness programs include activities and treatments that promote health and well-being for parents and children alike. These offerings provide opportunities for families to bond while prioritizing their health. Parents can enjoy spa treatments while children participate in wellness activities, ensuring a holistic experience for the entire family.

Transformative Travel

Finally, the concept of transformative travel is gaining traction in the luxury spa industry. Transformative travel goes beyond relaxation and rejuvenation to offer experiences that lead to personal growth and transformation. This often involves immersive, life-changing journeys that challenge guests to step out of their comfort zones and explore new aspects of themselves.

The luxury spa industry in 2024 is marked by a deepening commitment to holistic wellness, sustainability, and innovation. As spas continue to evolve, they offer ever more personalized, integrative, and transformative experiences. Whether seeking physical rejuvenation, mental clarity, or a deeper connection to oneself and the environment, guests are sure to find a luxury spa that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

IN THE NEXT EDITION...

DINING IN STYLE

Discover culinary excellence in the July issue of the LUXE Travel Magazine, where we explore the world’s most luxurious restaurants. Indulge in exquisite cuisine, and embark on a global culinary journey like no other.

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