www.xeniosworld.com E-magazine & Guide for the MICE & Tourism Professionals
SPA Destinations-February 2010
the Spa experience
The Spa Experience A business traveler wants to minimize jet lag. A group of friends plans a birthday celebration. A man with back pain seeks relief. A weekend warrior is sore from overexertion. A man decides to stop smoking. A busy executive wants to rediscover spirituality. An obese man needs help controlling his weight. A couple wants to reconnect. Where can all these people go for help? A spa. Today's spa is a center for healing and nourishing mind, body, and spirit. People go to spas for fitness, stress management, peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and health and wellness. Spas offer a wide variety of techniques and services traditional and modern, from the East and from the West - to meet the diverse needs of their clients: Swedish, Japanese Shiatsu, and Thai massage, European facials, acupuncture, Dead Sea salt scrubs, Moor mud wraps, thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, microdermabrasion, endermologie, reiki, aura imaging, watsu, rasul, hypnotherapy, classes in nutrition, meditation, journaling, yoga and Tai Chi, state-ofthe-art fitness centers with personal trainers, and much more. To understand and organize this overwhelming variety of spa offerings, the International Spa Association (ISPA) has defined the "ten domains of SPA" or segments of the industry as: 1. "The Waters" 2. Food, Nourishment, Diet and Nutrition 3. Movement, Exercise and Fitness 4. Touch, Massage, and Bodywork 5. Mind/Body/Spirit 6. Aesthetics, Skin Care, Natural Beauty Agents 7. Physical Space, Climatology, Global Ecology 8. Social/Cultural Arts and Values, Spa Culture 9. Management, Marketing, and Operations 10. Time, Rhythm, and Cycles Not every spa includes every domain. Spas come in many shapes, sizes, and focuses - from day spas where you can get a single treatment to destination spas where you can stay for a week or more to medical spas that treat cosmetic and chronic health problems. Although spas seem to have sprung up overnight, that's not the case. "The Waters" can be traced back to early civilizations. Like water, spa popularity has come in waves throughout history. Spas has accompanied cultures with leisure time. Social bathing was an important cultural process practiced by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Minoans, Greeks, and Romans whenever they sought health and relief from their pain and diseases.
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Homer and other Greek writers tell us the Greeks favored a variety of baths as early as 500 BC, from hot water tubs to hot-air baths, or laconica. From the small Greek laconica grew the Roman balneum and finally the extravagant Roman thermae (Greek word for "heat"). Before Emperor Agrippa designed and created the first thermae in 25 BC, the smaller, more numerous balneum had been enjoyed by Roman citizens for more than 200 years. Each subsequent emperor created thermae more spacious and splendid than his predecessor. The Diocletian bath could hold 6,000 bathers. They were built all over the Roman Empire from Africa to England. The thermae later became a central entertainment complex offering sports, restaurants, and various types of baths. A typical routine might begin with a workout in the palestra, followed by a visit to three progressively warmer rooms starting in the tepidarium, the largest and most luxurious room in the thermae. Here the bather would stay for an hour or so while being anointed with oils. This would be followed by a visit to the caldarium with small private bathing stalls offering a choice of hot or cold water. A visit to the hottest chamber, the laconicum, would follow. Here the body was vigorously massaged and the dead skin scraped off with a curved metal tool called a strigil. The bathing ritual would end with a cool dip in the pool of the frigidarium. Refreshed and clean, the bather then retired to the outer areas of the thermae to relax in the library or assembly room. As the Roman Empire fell, the Roman thermae fell into disrepair and disuse. The bath gained and lost popularity in different parts of the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America - through the present day. Baths were often built near natural hot or mineral springs. In the Renaissance era, Paracelsus' mountain mineral springs at Paeffers, Switzerland, and towns like Spa, Belgium, BadenBaden, Germany, and Bath, England, grew up around natural thermal waters considered to have healing properties. The use of saunas and steam baths also emerged. As these springs and spas were discovered, forgotten, and rediscovered, the healing power of the water was often enhanced and formalized. In 1522, the first scientific book on the Czech Karlovy Vary treatment for disease was published in which a regimen of baths and drinking the waters of the springs was recommended. In the 1890s, Father Sebastian Kneipp developed holistic herbal and water therapy in the German spa village of Bad Worishofen. With the medical discoveries of the early 20th century, scientific clinics and public hospitals replaced the spa. Existing spas responded by offering luxury accommodations, and many eventually turned into vacation locations or clinics that concentrated on weight loss, catering to the wealthy, with the spa origins obscured. In recent years, the value of prevention, healthy lifestyles, and relaxation has been rediscovered and the spa is again finding its place in modern society as a place uniquely qualified to address these needs. The wealthy no longer have exclusive use of spas. Spas now appeal to and are accessible to a much broader population.
The Atlantis-Dubai
Set ov ov er two magnificent floors wthin the Ro Ro y al Tower Tower of Atlantis, Atlantis, the Spa provides provides a sublime range range of treatments, bathing options, traditional traditional and water water therapies. therapies. Exclusiv e to Dubai, the six Laconium thrones in his quarters will stimulate circulation Exclusive and the body's defense system. + 971 4 426 1000 www.atlantisthepalm.com
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Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Zales the Spa experience
Spa and Welness Center
The up-scale Zalez Spa & Wellness center represents unique space for anybody who revels in luxury, relaxation and harmony at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains. The center is divided into three areas for a complete beauty, well-being and revitalizing satisfaction. In the common area guests enjoy two indoor and two outdoor swimming pools, heated throughout the year, and an outdoor Jacuzzi. Large windows overlook the mountains and open a stunning view, which inspires admiration of the natural beauty. In the Wellness area one feels like the most important person in the world and all senses are soothed. Here every detail is designed to give complete relaxation and luxury. The treatment area is where miracles happen - isolated from main zone, guests are greeted at a separated reception and offered best body, beauty and health care. Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena, Bansko 96, Pirin Str., 2770 Bansko BULGARIA Tel: +359 (0)749 88888 Fax: +359 (0)749 88560
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Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa Escape to a gentler pace at The Fairplay Spa, part of The Leading spas of the World where the constant presence of the sierra inspires renewal. All 13 treatment rooms within this totally relaxing Andalucian spa are bathed in soft hues of aqua and beige and tranquil water features, adding to the overall sensory experience. Indulge in a variety of state-of -art beauty treatments such as the ¨M6 Anti Cellulite Slimming treatment / and the ¨Lift Defense Anti Age facial¨, showcased in light and airy spa rooms. Also , we offer special treatments for golfers who are now realising how it will benefit their fitness levels and mental alertness for the next game. All therapies are authentically designed to nurture body and mind, enliven the spirit, and uncover nature's beauty - providing a blissful return to balance. High-style locker rooms, public spaces, and saunas ensure a soothing aura throughout this luxury spa in Benalup, Andalucia - set to the ever-present rhythm of the nature. Calle La Torre S/N, 11190 Benalup-Casas Viejas, Espana info@fairplaygolfhotel.com Tel: (+34-956) 42 91 00 Fax: (+34-956) 42 91 19
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the Spa experience La Reserve, Geneva Hotel Each day, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., in more than 2000 sqm, the Spa of La Reserve will offer you a personalised service. With 17 treatment rooms, all dedicated to massage, personalised treatments and facials, the time has come at last for you unwind and to reinvigorate in beautifull surroundings. Here, everything has been planned for your absolute wellbeing: state of art gym, indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, hammam, sun bed, hair salon... A heavenly retreat to relax and forget your daily woes. 301, route de Lausanne 1293 Bellevue, Geneve, Suisse tel. + 41 22 9595959 info@lareserve.ch
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The new ADLON SPA-Berlin Relax and indulge yourself in an ambience of peace and tranquility – the new ADLON SPA provides a unique atmosphere of well-being and promotes the renewal of body, mind and soul. Immerse yourself in the world of the ADLON SPA and escape from the hectic pace of daily life for a few moments of total bliss. Enjoy the SPA’s breathtaking architectural design extending over 900 sqm and experience how first-rate service and traditional beauty treatment philosophies in conjunction with the
Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa, Jordan Lying 264-meters below sea level, Ma’In Hot Springs is the inspired site for the well appointed Evason Ma’In Hot Springs.
latest of treatment techniques establish a harmonious overall concept. Enjoy your stay at the ADLON SPA with all your senses and immerse yourself in an absolutely fabulous spa environment featuring pool, yacuzzi, saunas, steam baths as well as cuddly soft bathrobes, extensive beauty and massage treatments and last but not least impeccable service. tel. +49 (0)30 2261 1220. www.hotel-adlon.de
Set like an oasis in the dramatic terrain, the location is easily accessible and defines the resort and spa experience in the Middle East - making it a destination of choice for those seeking the perfect retreat to relax and be pampered whilst enjoying the therapeutic benefits of Ma’In hot spring waterfalls. Tel: +962 5 324 5500
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