European Spa magazine - Winter Issue 82

S P E C I A L

E D I T I O N

Issue 82 | Winter 2021

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE SPA AND The essential resource for spa FOR business andWELLNESS wellnessLEADERS hospitality

Gold List SPECIAL EDITION

WHERE THE HEART IS Behind the transformational retreats at Preidlhof, Italy

WELLNESS TRENDS

The demand and innovation shaping the wellness industry

MENU INNOVATION

Our selection of the latest treatment and product launches

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Welcome I SS U E 82 | W I NT E R 2021

Gold List

I

n this special edition I am delighted to present European Spa’s inaugural Gold List of 23 spas to watch across the UK and Europe (p48). This showcase is our way of celebrating the heartfelt commitment that spa teams show every day to make a difference to people’s lives. Every spa featured has successfully launched or transformed its offering with significant investment over the past 12 months, despite the challenges they have faced. If your spa is not listed, but deserves recognition, we would love to hear from you and also from all innovative suppliers striving to make a difference to the spa world.

Elsewhere in this golden issue, wellness editor Mark Smith highlights four key trends that will shape wellness demand in 2022 (p88); PR expert Tracey Stapleton sets an Olympic-standard for marketing strategies (p32); and spa consultant Kirsty MacCormick explores how KPIs can optimise spa performance (p80).

I am still glowing from time reconnecting with spa and wellness professionals at SpaFest 2021, so please enjoy our full report on p98 and find out how to join us next year. I also had an opportunity to experience the healing excellence of Preidlhof spa resort in the South Tyrol. Find out how this exceptional spa team’s new transformational retreats are set to gain international recognition (p18).

My team and I would like to offer a heartfelt thank-you for all your stories, support.

We wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful festive season and look forward to a golden 2022 full of hope and the opportunity to lead well.

Image: Palazzo Fiuggi in Italy makes the European Spa Gold List, p48

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Sarah Camilleri Founding editor & publisher sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com

www.europeanspamagazine.com

HIGH-END PERSONALIZED BEAUTY CARE For 40 years, the Biologique Recherche Methodology has a reputation of expertise based on a clinical and personalized approach in their beauty treatments. Using pure, concentrated and active ingredients within their products, as well as innovative protocols and specific manual techniques adapted to the different Skin Instants© it offers the best solution to building better skins.

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Meet the team

European Spa is the essential magazine for spa business and wellness hospitality.

Our mission is to support global spa business growth and prosperity

Sarah Camilleri

Mark Smith

Founding editor & publisher

Beauty and wellness editor

A respected magazine editor with 30 years’ experience, Sarah founded European Spa in 2007 to help the spa industry grow and flourish. An influential voice in the global wellness community, she serves on the advisory board of the British Beauty Council and supports the Global Wellness Institute’s Living Well From Within coalition.

A well travelled and influential spa writer, Mark has contributed beauty and wellness news to European Spa for nine years.

He also regularly visits spas to interview experts in their field, and contributes weekly online brand news to europeanspamagazine.com.

Mark recently launched his Kalm Horizons meditation concept.

Lauren Heath-Jones Online news editor A passionate beauty blogger and business journalist, Lauren recently joined European Spa as online news editor for europeanspamagazine.com.

In this issue, she visits the refurbished spa at Hoar Cross Hall in the UK and brings us a host of new and innovative approaches to spa interiors in our Spa Specifier section.

On the cover: The transformative wellness offer at Preidlhof, Italy

Founding editor & publisher Sarah Camilleri sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com Beauty and wellness editor Mark Smith mark.smith@spapublishing.com News editor Lauren Heath-Jones lauren.hj@spapublishing.com Art director Richard Page richard@spapublishing.com Production editor David Fagan david.fagan@spapublishing.com Subscriptions manager Angela Sharpe subscribe@spapublishing.com

David Fagan

Tracey Stapleton

Kirsty MacCormick

Production editor

Expert contributor

Expert contributor

Having been with the magazine for more than eight years, our production and sub-editor David helps keep everyone’s copy on track and word-perfect.

He also ensures that our online daily industry news meets our exacting editorial standards.

This issue he put his editing skills to work to help compile European Spa’s Gold List 2021.

With three decades of PR and marketing experience, Tracey is the managing director of The Spa PR Company, which offers a range of targeted marketing expertise to the hospitality, beauty and wellbeing industries.

In our Spring issue, you can read her expert advice on how to improve your brand’s online reputation.

Founder of The Spa Consultancy, Kirsty is a 30-year veteran of the spa and wellness industry. Her expertise includes development, pre-opening project management and operational set up of a range of spas from commercial hotel and day spas to luxury five-star hotels and wellness destinations.

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Accounts manager Julie Jones accounts@spapublishing.com

Spa Publishing Ltd Registered in England.

Company No. 6293825

www.europeanspamagazine.com

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF TOUCH WWW.NATURABISSE.COM

Contents I SS U E 82 | W I NT E R 2021

48

48

EUROPEAN SPA’S GOLD LIST

elebrating the best in design, innovation C and service delivery, our inaugural Gold List showcases the year’s best new spa openings and refurbishments

76

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

76

32 FIVE GOLD-STANDARD MARKETING

LOOKING OUT ON KALM HORIZONS

Mark Smith, founder of Kalm Horizons, discusses how his new approach to mindfulness-by-the-sea can attract guests to spas regardless of their location

88

WELLNESS TRENDS 2022

We spotlight four of the leading trends that look set to shape the wellness offerings at spas around the world in the coming year

98

88

EVENT REPORT: SPAFEST 2021

An industry meeting with people, planet and health at its heart, this year’s event allowed attendees to get in touch with others and themselves

102 SPA SPECIFIER

IDEAS FOR 2022

Tracey Stapleton of The Spa PR Company reveals how a first-class marketing strategy can help you leverage insight and the latest technology to deliver continued business success

80

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPA KPIs

The Spa Consultancy’s Kirsty MacCormick highlights why Key Performance Indicators are essential for the financial and operational success of spas

108

Take to the skies as we showcase the German-designed ICAROS Pro, a fitness concept that combines VR and gamification elements with exercise to take users on dramatic journeys

108 TRIBUTE: DR DANIEL FRIEDLAND

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We pay our respects to the late pioneer and champion of conscious leadership in the wellness world

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Contents I SS U E 82 | W I NT E R 2021

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ON THE COVER

Preidlhof, Italy

SPA SPOTLIGHT 18 PREIDLHOF, ITALY Spa director Patrizia Bortolin reveals how transformational retreats are attracting new guests to Preidlhof spa resort in South Tyrol, Italy

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C

M

Y

HOAR CROSS HALL, UK

CM

The Staffordshire spa hotel has revealed a host of upgrades following the completion of the property’s most extensive renovation project to date

MY

CY

CMY

82

40

K

SUPPLY & DEMAND 30

SOTHYS: THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Brand president Christian Mas introduces the Sothys Organics range, a collection of certified organic, vegan products informed by its cosmeceutical heritage

34

ON THE MENU

Our round-up of the latest product and treatment launches opens with a look at the growing bath and bodycare market and offers expert advice on how it can help to maximise retail sales in your spa

40 111SKIN: FIVE-STAR SKIN The premium skincare brand’s founder Dr Yannis Alexandrides explains why 111SPA/CLINIC offers spas a unique point of difference

46

ELEMIS: GET THE GLOW

Global president and co-founder Noella Gabriel discusses the newly launched BIOTEC 2.0 technology and its Pro-Glow facial menu delivering next-level skin regeneration

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 publishing, 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 the Publisher or 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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www.europeanspamagazine.com

Courtesy of Faena Hotel, Miami Beach. Photographer Nik Koenig, USA

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Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

Where the heart is International wellness alchemist and spa director Patrizia Bortolin reveals how transformational retreats are attracting new guests to Preidlhof spa resort in South Tyrol, Italy REPORT BY SARAH CAMILLERI Image: Nicola Cipriani

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www.europeanspamagazine.com

Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

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lready an established and award-winning spa destination in Europe, Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort has created an ambitious pathway to build its international reputation for wellness retreats. The jewel of The DolceVita Group, this adults-only wellness resort is lovingly run by three generations of the Ladurner family, offering 71 contemporary rooms and suites as well as an extraordinary 5,000sqm of dedicated indoor and outdoor wellness space for guests to explore and enjoy.

Located in the picturesque Alpine village of Naturno, Preidlhof is just ten miles from the famous historic spa town of Merano in the South Tyrol and enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Basked in 315 days of sunshine each year, an unusually soft micro-climate for the Tyrol makes Naturno a mecca for hiking, skiing, nature lovers and wellness seekers. Protected by snow-capped mountains, the valley is also famous for its apples, supplying most of Italy and many international markets, as well as an abundance of olive and lemon trees and Mediterranean herbs and flowers.

Future vision Preidlhof’s owner, hotelier Klaus Ladurner, is passionate and progressive about delivering integrated wellness and luxury hospitality with a South Tyrolean twist. After leading the Preidlhof team for 20 years, together with his wife Monika and extended family, he decided to evolve the resort’s classical medi-spa offering, looking to supercharge its international appeal.

“We wanted to create a lifestyle offer that would blend hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing,” he explains.

“As a family, we totally embrace the Preidlhof Way and it is so important to us that we create real benefits for our guests that they will experience even when they have returned home.

“We used lockdown to invest in the property, undertaking renovations to our spa, as well as creating a new outdoor Mediterranean pool experience and a Wellness VIP lounge. We also introduced our Transformational Wellness Retreats, a number of new signature rituals and treatments, a food philosophy, an updated fitness concept and our newly formulated Preidlhof cosmetic line.”

Looking for the right leadership to realise this vision, Ladurner appointed spa director and wellness consultant Patrizia Bortolin back in 2019. Respected throughout the spa community for her outstanding

From top: A Preidlhof guest looks out over the Italian Alps; Patrizia Bortolin (right) at work with a client

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www.europeanspamagazine.com

Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

A place like no other Welcoming solo guests as well as couples and friends, the team at Preidlhof strive to deliver wellness at its best. Retreat guests booked onto its new Transformational Retreats can expect many luxurious touches, such as the care of a dedicated wellness concierge throughout their stay, a carefully curated programme of activities, access to the new dedicated Wellness VIP dining space and crafted wellness menus, as well as plenty of time to retreat and explore the resort and mountains.

Klaus Ladurner Owner, Preidlhof

At the heart of the resort lie ten swimming and hydrotherapy pools as well as a six-storey Sauna Tower complete with 16 different hydrothermal and relaxation experiences. Immunity-boosting daily aufguss sauna ceremonies have also been created by a collection of sauna champions and masters. Each 20-minute ceremony is accompanied by music and dance to show off the team’s mastery of combining heat and essential oils.

Another highlight is the Deep Sea Relaxation Room (see p103) designed exclusively for Preidlhof.

This unique, three-dimensional sensory experience, created by audiologist Daniel Lathan, combines light and specially composed ambient sounds to create an

Image: wisthaler.com

Below: Calming outdoor hydrothermal and relaxation spaces at Preidlhof

“As a family, we totally embrace the Preidlhof Way and it is so important to us that we create real benefits for our guests that they will experience even when they have returned home.”

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Image: wisthaler.com

contributions to leading wellness destinations, including Borgo Egnazia in Italy and the celebrated Euphoria Retreat in Greece, Bortolin returned to her home region to get creative.

“I saw the full potential of Preidlhof from the outset and guided the resort to reach this at the right pace,” says Bortolin, taking up the story. “It was important to focus on a number of key areas: alchemic recruitment, expanding the talents of the team, enhancing the treatments on offer and, most importantly, attuning the wellness offer into the extraordinary healing power of this location – really feeling into Preidlhof’s true potential.”

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Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

Above: Preidlhof’s dedicated team are all experts in their field to deliver transformational results for guests

extraordinarily relaxing experience for body and mind.

The Preidl Med Spa itself is serenely quiet, beginning at a white reception area where guests can drink tea and meet their therapists. Beyond are nine treatment rooms as well as sound-healing and post-treatment relaxation rooms. Next door, the well-equipped functional fitness suite is available for personal training sessions. Therapists also often use the private outdoor massage area in the gardens, as well as a Yoga Pavilion for one-on-one and group classes.

Next-level wellness Patrizia Bortolin’s ‘next-level’ approach to wellness is apparent in every interaction within the spa. Her team is experienced and committed to delivering every treatment in the best way they can for every guest.

“I’ve tried to create a pioneering wellness concept for Preidlhof that delivers consistent results, while keeping all human interactions between guests and our wellness team spontaneous and authentic,” she explains. “Our 22

transformational Retreats are really the jewels of the Preidlhof offering, providing our guests with the opportunity to experience outstanding therapists.

“There’s also what I call a ‘high vibe’ here, which can be felt by both guests and my team. This feeling really creates a sense of community, to allow exceptional wellness experiences to unfold and a special synergy to be achieved between wellness practitioners and the guests.”

Central to all its wellness programming is the resort’s core philosophy, ‘the Preidlhof Way’.

“Our philosophy draws inspiration from the latest neuroscience research and the complete definition of happiness, described as a balance of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing,” explains Bortolin. “We are always aiming to establish the correct balance between ‘pleasure and enjoyment’ and ‘healing and value’. In fact, every aspect of our offer is designed to bring this natural flow that allows our guests to blossom. We want to help them discover a more mindful, meaningful and authentic way of living, to find more compassion for themselves, others and the environment,” she concludes.

At night guests are encouraged to try sleeping www.europeanspamagazine.com

Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

Patrizia Bortolin Spa director, Preidlhof

under the stars and every suite offers a private balcony with comfortable day beds that can be made up by housekeeping. WiFi is switched off between midnight to 7am to reduce EMF radiation and Preidlhof also offers medically supervised Sleep Retreats in its specially adapted Sleep Suite to help resolve even chronic sleep problems.

and the opportunity to participate in energy-balancing modalities, such as laughter and yoga nidra provide healing and relaxation.

The collective therapeutic experience of the Preidlhof team is quite outstanding. “Now especially, we need to let the senior therapists and experts lead the way in spa, as guests have more complex emotional and mental health needs,” says Bortolin. “Our healers at Preidlhof, supported by my team of creative holistic spa therapists, are trained to deliver signature experiential classes which really reinforce our holistic approach.”

Preidlhof’s circle of healers includes internationally renowned master therapist Stefano Battaglia, also known as ‘the shaman’, who specialises in trauma touch skills and mindfulness; Martin Kirchler, specialises in ancient healing methods including TCM, Ayurveda and Hawaiian massage; and Dr. Med. Alexander Angerer, who specialises in complementary medicine and oversees and integrates all experiences.

They are joined by Shiatsu expert Andrea Martinelli, who focuses on energy work; resident psychologist Norma Jean Botticelli, who leads sensory food experiences and yoga nidra; and yoga teacher and fitness instructor Martina Huber, who teaches guests to tap

Image: arminhuber

Transformational experiences with healing masters Typically run across four to seven nights, the new Transformational Retreats offer a personalised schedule of daily wellness activities, designed to stimulate physical, energetic, spiritual, psychological, social and emotional balance. Sensory eating rituals, storytelling, sound healing, meditation, breathwork

Below from left: Nature guide Irmgard Moosmair hosts a forest-bathing hike; an outdoor pool in the South Tyrolean countryside

Image: Laura La Monaca

“The senior healers on our team have the highest concentration of wisdom, experience, vision, intuition, love and authenticity I’ve ever encountered...

I think serious wellness should be for people with a calling.”

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www.europeanspamagazine.com

Image: wisthaler.com

Image: arminhuber

Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

into their own intuition and inner wisdom through dance, yoga fitness and sound healing.

Connecting guests to nature, Preidlhof’s charismatic nature guide Irmgard Moosmair hosts memorable forest-bathing hikes, full moon walks, and cleansing incense rituals to teach guests about the power of plants and how to reconnect with what matters most.

“The senior healers on our team have the highest concentration of wisdom, experience, vision, intuition, love and authenticity I’ve ever encountered,” says Bortolin. “I think serious wellness should be for people with a calling, those open to study, and those who really embody the wellness lifestyle or at least seek a healthier life through working in wellness. I also find it very beneficial to create multi-generational teams.”

A beacon for wellness travellers Since international travel routes reopened, Preidlhof has already started to draw the attention of a new generation of wellness guests, looking to experience 26

Clockwise from top left: Guests are invited to reconnect with their senses; the stunning location of Preidlhof; the Med Spa team is led by Dr. Alexander Angerer

immersive retreats and the beauty of the South Tyrol.

“We are finally realising our goal to attract more international guests. Before, our guests were mainly German-speaking, but now we are welcoming wellness seekers from many key markets including the UK, the US, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland – all seeking transformational retreats,” says Bortolin.

“I believe there is a real need for these kinds of retreats today. More and more people need trauma healing sessions, as they are looking for a new perspective on life. Some are directly asking for this service while others only come to realise it when booking. All are surprised by the results that they can achieve with us,” she adds.

Looking to the future, the commitment to deliver the very best wellness services is set to continue at www.europeanspamagazine.com

Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy

Glow with the flow…

Master therapist Stefano Battaglia, known as ‘the shaman’ tells us about his work at Preidlhof to deliver mindfulness, trauma healing and new pathways Ever since I was a child, I have felt a strong empathy for people’s suffering and I have wondered how I could help them recover from their physical issues.

“As soon as I started experiencing big emotional pains in my own life, then it became clearer and clearer to me the need to fathom the reasons… how suffering at every level is actually the key to unfolding our deeper understanding about ourselves and life as an interconnected whole.

“My intention as an experienced therapist is to awaken your inner therapist or inner guide, since we all have an inbuilt self-balancing principle and/or guiding light.

“Firstly we make sure that every person feels welcomed: that they are seen and felt as he or she is, without any hint of judgement. We all share the same stage, we’re in the same boat, there is no separation whatsoever. The biggest healing element to our sessions is that whatever emerges will be accepted, taken care of, and dealt with, with love and utter respect.”

Teamwork for the soul “We are all highly attuned to one another here and that makes all the difference. When I was working in a holistic clinic in Rome, all the therapists and doctors used to gather once every two weeks and share our experiences and different therapeutical perspectives. There were oncologists, gynaecologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, physiotherapists and so on. It was a very enriching, motivating, and inspiring part of my professional growth and it made me even more aware of just how powerful and extremely beneficial a well harmonised and well-coordinated team is for ensuring the best results.

“What I’ve been noticing in the past two years is that I’m dealing with people overpowered by fear, loneliness and lack of human contact. They are lacking true or sincere emphatic connections and human touch… there’s that vivid sense of being or feeling ‘lost’.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

“At the opposite end, in many cases I’ve also noticed that more and more people are starting to really question themselves and their true priorities in life. They are considering their well-being not only as individuals, but also developing a higher non-reactive awareness of being an active part of a beautiful living and ever-changing design.

“I’d like to see more and more human beings freed from toxic conditioning, for them to be more intimately attuned with their natural, spontaneous, free, and beautiful being.”

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Spa Spotlight Preidlhof, Italy From top: A panoramic sauna at Preidlhof; guests enjoy mindful eating on the Preidlhof Apple Journey; gong baths and water bed relaxation are part of the resort’s unique treament experiences

Preidlhof. “Our retreats will all be upgraded and updated as we test them, also some new therapists will be joining our team too,” says Bortolin. “I’m working on developing our retail cosmetic line that promises to be a jewel of ‘Made in Italy’ clean beauty. Also, we will continue to improve the Wellness Healing Gourmet Menu and our eating philosophy for the year ahead.”

Resort development also continues at pace to ensure that Preidlhof guests have the very best. “In the past two months, we have excavated one of our indoor pools to facilitate thermal water, as we are about to be certified to offer medical thermal baths.

Importantly, we will continue to invest in training our wellness team – this is always a priority for us,” concludes Klaus Ladurner.

SPA STATISTICS Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort www.preidlhof.it

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Image: wisthaler.com

Owner: Klaus Ladurner Architect: Ghetta Spa director: Patrizia Bortolin Medical team leader: Dr. Alexander Angerer Spa investment: €8 million (£6.6 million) Spa size: 5,000sqm Treatment rooms: 9 Hydrothermal experiences: Panoramic event sauna, olive sauna, wine sauna, steam bath, five element sauna, Schwarzbrenner sauna, salt lounge, deep-sea room, vitamin lounge, outdoor Jacuzzis Pools: Panoramic sky-infinity sports pool, infinity solepool, two outdoor pools, ‘The Fifties’ pool Fitness facilities: Gym supplied by Technogym, aerobic and yoga studio, Suppliers: Köck+Bachler (furnishings), Pooltech (hydrothermal experiences and pool) Product partners: Su-man Skincare, Terme di Comano, Ariadne Athens, Geomedical Health

www.europeanspamagazine.com

BOOK NOW FOR SpaFest 2022

SpaFest 2022 – CORNWALL, SEPTEMBER 26-28 To be held at Landal Gwel an Mor resort, Portreath, Cornwall FIVE REASONS WHY THIS IS A ‘MUST-ATTEND’ EVENT l

Keynote speakers addressing people, planet and health

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Immersive wellness workshops to nurture the spirit

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Meaningful conversations with no sales agenda

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Education, inspiration and personal development

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Rebuild and re-energise your personal and professional potential

DON’T MISS OUT IN 2022!

We welcome all spa and wellness professionals to join our growing SpaFest community, focused on people, planet, health. For news updates and priority places for 2022 events, please email: info@spa-fest.com

Supply & Demand Sothys promotion

The beauty of nature Brand president Christian Mas introduces the Sothys Organics range, a collection of certified organic, vegan products informed by its cosmeceutical heritage

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fficially launching in January 2022, the Sothys Organics collection will add to the French brand’s current portfolio of more than 300 professional and retail products, available in over 1,500 spas and salons in 120 countries.

Certified by Ecocert to international COSMOS organic standards, the vegan-friendly products, inspired by Les Jardins Sothys, the brand’s botanical gardens in Auriac in south-west France, have a unique sensorial feel and contain locally sourced ingredients.

Four retail products have been developed – Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes, 30

Skin Radiance Exfoliant, Radiance Mask and Revitalizing Hydrating Emulsion – as well as the professional Organic-Certified Radiance Treatment, an instant-results facial that combines the new active ingredients.

We spoke to Sothys’ president, Christian Mas, about the new collection.

Why was Sothys Organics created?

We saw the need for a vegan, organically certified and environmentally conscious product line with a cosmeceutical touch while maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the formula. Sothys Organics provides a simple offer to a

wide range of clients, both male and female, including all skin types and even children. It will appeal to eco-conscious clients who want a straight-forward skincare routine that maintains high values of ecological sustainability.

What inspired the collection?

Our clients’ needs and expectations have changed in recent years and we must all play our part in the movement to protect our planet. The Organics line offers an eco-sustainable solution, simplifying the offer while maintaining the Sothys principles of sensoriality, nature, innovation and efficiency. www.europeanspamagazine.com

Supply & Demand Sothys promotion

Tell us about its organic certification.

The line is certified organic by Ecocert, and to obtain the internationally recognised COSMOS Organic label, the formula, processing and packaging are all assessed and approved to its high standards. Ecocert is number-one worldwide for certification in organic agriculture and cosmetics. Obtaining this stringent certification gives assurance to our spa partners and their clients of the commitment of the Sothys brand to the eco-sustainability of the range.

How are the products sustainable?

The materials used in our eco-designed packaging line are recycled and/or recyclable and the packaging is manufactured locally. The cardboard boxes come from sustainably managed forests and are no longer wrapped in cellophane. They are printed on both sides so that a printed insert is no longer necessary. The bottles and tubes www.europeanspamagazine.com

are made from a mix of recycled and recyclable plastic.

We also partner with Plastic Bank, an initiative to fight plastic pollution and protect our oceans. Operating in developing countries, it creates a sustainable, inclusive and circular plastic economy, which helps us to offset every kilo of plastic we use to produce packaging by collecting the equivalent weight in used plastic.

Sothys also invests one per cent of its revenue into protecting nature through Les Jardins Sothys and by sustainably managing its four-hectare site within a 26-hectare protected forest reserve.

What are the key active ingredients?

Inspired by Les Jardins Sothys and developed by the Sothys Advanced Research group, the primary active ingredient is birch sap, which is locally sourced and hand-harvested. In skincare, birch sap is renowned for its moisturing

Above from left: Sothys focuses on sustainability in its products; Sothys Organics are Ecocert approved; the brand’s president, Christian Mas

and skin-revitalising properties. The products also contain regenerative oleo-extract of honeysuckle, soothing and toning hawthorn floral water, and alfalfa, renowned for its retinol-like activity, to stimulate collagen production.

Is there a new treatment protocol?

Our new professional Organic-Certified Radiance Treatment features a fresh scent of citrus, aromatic anise and woody base notes to awaken the skin and give it instant radiance. It provides an opportunity to dive into the heart of nature, accompanied by unique relaxing music featuring the sounds of nature so guests can enjoy a moment of pure calm thanks to a deeply relaxing face and scalp cocooning massage. www.sothys.com

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Thought Leadership Tracey Stapleton, The Spa PR Company

Five gold-standard marketing ideas for 2022

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Tracey Stapleton EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

After a decade and a half in consumer public relations, 16 years ago Tracey Stapleton began to specialise in spa and wellbeing. Now managing director of The Spa PR Company, she offers a targeted range of PR and marketing services to spa and hotel operators as well as beauty and wellbeing product brands and services. www.thespaprcompany.com

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his issue in our Gold List of Spas we’re celebrating the best of the best when it comes to new developments. Just like gold medal-winning Olympians, the best spas owe their high levels of success to three things.

First is the pursuit of excellence: spas doing the absolute best they can and always striving for improvement through new innovations and developments. The best athletes and the ones who tend to win medals are those who continue to build on their strengths, making small changes to move forward.

The second trait can be summed up as ‘friendship’: developing an understanding and fine-tuning communications with people, whether they be employees, suppliers or customers. And thirdly comes respect: consideration for others and the wider environment and taking genuine action to prove this.

A gold-standard marketing campaign takes into consideration these core traits, leveraging insights and the latest technology to deliver continued business success. Here we look at five ways this could be achieved in 2022.

Align your brand with your audience’s values

In 2022, while price and quality still remain top-of-mind considerations, a research paper by Deloitte reveals that high-growth brands are putting an emphasis on employees and society as 42% of consumers are more loyal to brands that commit to addressing social inequities. This means it is more important to align your brand with

what’s important to your customers.

Consumers, particularly Gen Z, now expect brands to take genuine stances on certain social issues, whether that is sustainability, advocacy or diversity, equality and inclusion. Review your audience data and see how their shopping habits or engagement has changed over the past few months so you can regularly adapt your marketing strategy to meet their needs.

Prioritise your own channels and data

Social media audiences are extremely valuable but when Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp went down for several hours earlier this year, we were reminded just how fragile they can be. We don’t own our audiences on these channels and are dependent on algorithms that can, at important times, make us invisible to them.

Therefore it’s important to continually build and nurture your own data and channels, where you will have more control and higher customer loyalty.

Incorporating spa software that is fully cloud-based and connects all your main APIs (application programming interfaces) will enable you to do this automatically and seamlessly.

Produce people-first data experiences

Google has announced that it will be removing third-party cookies for 2023 so it’s important to look at alternatives.

You could start by increasing your efforts to gather and fully exploit your first-party data. The success of your CRM system relies on data that helps to drive your personalisation of the www.europeanspamagazine.com

Thought Leadership Tracey Stapleton, The Spa PR Company Left: Regularly adapting your marketing strategy can unlock the potential of your spa to attract and make an impression on guests

Create quality content

Gone is the day of content produced solely for SEO. Instead, invest in quality content that offers value to your customers, speaks in your brand voice and satisfies their search intent.

Did you know that Google has human quality raters who assess the standard of search results? Their guidelines are based on E-A-T (expertise, authority and trustworthiness). They matter because they form the backbone of what Google algorithms are trying to achieve and can influence how your business is found and seen.

Short-form video content currently makes up 82% of all internet traffic and will continue to dominate. Interestingly, even if you just include the word ‘video’ in the subject line of your email, you can increase your open rate by up to 19%!

Social media shopping

customer experience. These systems are evolving to enable you to capture information from all your customer data touchpoints, thereby providing you with a 360-degree view of your audience. This allows you to provide a more bespoke service, valuable content and improved customer support.

You should also look to strengthen www.europeanspamagazine.com

your relationship with partners such as media publishers and tech giants to gain access to their data insights.

Without third-party cookies, it’s also time to look at cohorts such as Google’s Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), which enables you to target your ads to groups without needing details on individual users.

E-commerce has become a vital revenue stream for apps such as Instagram during the pandemic and searches for ‘Instagram shopping’ have increased 78% over the past five years. Now watch out for the advent of live-stream shopping – a trend that’s taken off in China and is expected to grow worldwide. Similar to QVC but likely to be hosted by influencers, this is a good way to increase your influencer marketing strategy and see direct returns as well as to improve awareness of your brand.

Customer service is also seeing more activity on social media platforms with about a third of consumers preferring to interact this way. However, make sure your response time is prompt as users expect an answer within an hour! www.thespaprcompany.com

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On the Menu

O U R P I C K O F T H E L AT E S T P R O D U C T L A U N C H E S A N D T R E AT M E N T I N N O VAT I O N S E d i te d by M a r k S m i t h

Bath and bodycare resurgence European Spa looks at the growing bath and bodycare market and asks the experts how it can help to maximise spa retail sales

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ales of prestige bodycare increased six per cent in the UK from January to the end of September compared to the same period in 2020. Traditionally bodycare sales have been a challenging area for spas, but these new statistics present opportunities to maximise retail sales.

Linking massage and body treatments to retail sales is a must. “At the end of massage treatments, therapists can provide at-home wellbeing tips, such as evening breathwork or bathing rituals, alongside advising on products best suited to clients’ needs so they can continue the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of the spa experience at home,” says Daniel Golby, general manager at ESPA. Spa and wellness brands are increasingly turning their attention to the development of new bath and bodycare products. Kerstin Florian has introduced a Chamomile Body Lotion and Intensive Slimming Serum to its collection.

Thalgo has launched Mers des Indes, an Ayurveda-inspired Marma therapy treatment with yogic stretching and meditative music, supported by four retail body products.

“Bath and body products are also perfect for gifting to bring a touch of spa into the home,” says Marian Harvey, managing director, Thalgo UK. Body oil sales boost Market researchers at NPD Group also note that sales of body oil and exfoliators reported double-digit growth, with body spray increasing by 49%.

Product launches reflecting this trend include Olverum’s Body Polish and Elemental Herbology’s capsule Fire Zest collection. Updating its Scentsations collection, CND has introduced a limited-edition body lotion and a new range of hand washes.

To connect with your clients, Carolyne Beck, general manager of Elemental Herbology, advises: “When retailing bath and bodycare in a spa environment explain and demonstrate the use of the

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products for clients to smell and feel. Always remember to hand the products to the guest to hold as this offers ownership and will encourage a sale.”

Bathing is back Linking into bodycare, the selfcare trend that blossomed in 2020 continues with bathing becoming an important part of the spa-at-home ritual. The #bathtime has been shared over 7.4 million times on Instagram and this year has seen an increase in the popularity of bath salts with ishga, ESPA and Made for Life Organics all unveiling new products. ishga’s Invigorating Bath salts feature its signature blend of lemongrass, lavender, rose geranium and juniper berry essential oils. Made for Life Organics promotes relaxation with its Dead Sea salts featuring neroli, sweet orange and rose geranium, while ESPA’s Fitness Bath Salts combine arnica and comfrey, eucalyptus, clove bud and soothing lavender. www.elementalherbology.com | www.kerstinflorian.com www.thalgo.co.uk | www.olverum.com www.madeforlifeorganics.com www.espaskincare.com | www.ishga.com www.thenpdgroup.com | www.sweetsquared.com

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Supply & Demand On the Menu

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Elemis offers BIOTEC 2.0 next-level facials and Pro-Glow Genius Facial + treatment Elemis has launched its BIOTEC 2.0 machine and Pro-Glow Facial Menu (see p46), which combine a range of technologically advanced skin concepts into one system. Harnessing the power of advanced cold therapy with new CryO2 sub-zero therapy, Advanced Light Therapy, Microcurrent, an Ultrasonic Peel and Galvanic Infusions, the new machine offers cutting-edge treatments that deliver clinically proven results.

Eleven uniquely customisable facials for every skin type offer therapists the opportunity to tailor treatments to their clients’ specific needs.

Benefits include lifting and firming, resurfacing, brightening, blemish reduction, skin soothing, hydration and nourishment.

A hero Pro-Glow Genius Facial + combines all six of the BIOTEC 2.0 technologies in one treatment. These protocols are combined with adaptogenic active ingredients to deeply hydrate and fight lines and deep wrinkles, offering visible anti-ageing results. The skin is said to be left looking visibly smoother, more sculpted and firmer. www.elemis.com

OPI goes magnetic OPI has taken inspiration from Asia for its latest GelColor collection, which features new magnetic effects technology.

Velvet Vision includes six magnetic-effect shades that shine with brilliant movement, depth and dimension. The products have been formulated with white magnetic shimmer and translucent pigments to create an ethereal effect.

The collection includes Mauvnetic Poles, mauve with a glittering touch of gold; Platinum Eclipse, an iridescent silver; Mystic Magenta, a bold shimmering pink/purple; Psychic Plum, a velvety plum hue; Teal Trance, an illuminated sea blue; and Emerald Illusion, a brilliant green with sparkling shimmer.

Velvet Vision colours do not require an additional base shade and they can be used alone or layered with other colours as desired. To apply, simply brush on the magnetic gel and create effects with a magnet before curing. The formula’s viscosity allows easy application for long-lasting colour and vibrancy. www.opiuk.com

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Supply & Demand On the Menu

Behind the mask Sensory Retreats’ Divine Glow Self-Heating Face Masks are gold-foiled cloth masks that gently heat up using specialist thermotherapy technology when placed onto the facial contour.

The masks have been designed to help to encourage increased blood flow and circulation, and can help to promote a healthier, natural glow. Facial muscles are relaxed, and senses soothed for a calm and comfortable at-home spa experience.

To activate, gently place the cloth mask over a thoroughly cleansed face and position over the nose and eyes with the loops comfortably fitted around the ears. Place the black side of the mask directly against the skin. Recline, rest and relax for 15 minutes to gain the maximum benefits.

Fragrance-free, the mask can be used with Sensory Retreats Divine Glow Facial Oil or an existing face cream or facial oil to increase the benefits of the ingredients. Sensory Retreats Divine Glow Self-Heating Face Masks are presented in a box of three individually foil-wrapped, single-use self-heating masks. www.sensoryretreats.com

Organic Series launched in the UK DermaOrganic has introduced its Organic Series professional and retail range into the UK spa market.

Formulated with high-strength botanical ingredients and 98% organic ingredients, the Polish brand’s 76 skin, body and hair care products have a reputation for excellence in Germany, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Sweden, Canada and the USA. The brand’s professional treatments utilise a Nobel prize-winning micro-current technology called transdermalporation in partnership with the Organic Series products for all facial, body and hair growth treatments.

Among its hero products is Forte Creams, which feature a unique biomimetic structure that mimics the structure of the skin. The innovative formula of hydrolysed glycosaminoglycans ensures intense penetration of the active ingredients within the Forte Creams. This results in a light, easily absorbed cream that effectively nourishes the skin. www.organicseries.co.uk

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Supply & Demand On the Menu

Beneath the sheets 111SKIN has created six liquid face masks that promise radiance, hydration and replenishment to combat frown lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.

The NAC Y2 Recovery Mask works to help reduce oxidative stress, irritation and redness while strengthening the skin against all external aggressors; a Contour Firming Mask works to seal the skin in a protective matrix and reduce visible signs of premature ageing overnight; the Microbiome Blemish Mask is a gentle exfoliator with pre- and post-biotic ingredients to regulate bacteria within the skin’s microbiome.

A Rose Quartz Exfoliating Mask utilises chemical and physical exfoliation to improve the look of pores and pigmentation; the Oxygen Express Mask is a refining and stimulating treatment that works to tone, tighten and refine the appearance of the skin; and the Molecular Hydration Mask restores dry, dehydrated and compromised complexions. www.111SKIN.co.uk

Swissline launches Cell Shock Luxe-Lift To celebrate 30 years since the launch of its successful Cell Shock range, Swissline has released a limited-edition Cell Shock Luxe-Lift Rich Cream.

Presented in new packaging, the product’s design features vibrant colours, ruby red, sapphire blue and opal white with touches of gold and black in a goldfish motif.

Goldfish have been included as they represent a symbol of luck, prosperity and longevity in many cultures.

The award-winning collagen cream lifts, revitalises and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles as it deeply hydrates. Biomimetic growth factors intensely activate dermal synthesis and boost collagen production, thereby improving the density and firmness of the skin. Cell Shock’s signature ingredient, Cellactel 2 Complex, helps repair essential functions, increase the cells’ access to vital oxygen, regenerate and lift the skin.

Marine collagen, fibroin and amino acids act as building blocks for the resilient collagen fibres found in skin which helps to increase moisture and line-filling benefits. www.swissline-cosmetics.com

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SothyS organicS™.

HARVESTING NATURE’S DYNAMICS.

SENSORIALITY NATURE “EFFISCIENCE”

photos : JF VERGANtI · MARIUs DZIERZAWsKI · IstoCKs · 08/2021 sothYs pARIs, sAsU AU CApItAl DE 2 500 000 EURos, sIÈGE soCIAl, 128 RUE DU FAUBoURG sAINt hoNoRÉ, F 75008 pARIs - sIREN 451 170 807 RCs pARIs NoN CoNtRACtUAl pICtUREs · MoDEl photo REtoUChED.

CERTIFICATION

In the heart of the Corrèze, through our Advanced Research Laboratory, Sothys has created the Sothys Organics™ line, the perfect combination of organic skin care and advanced efficiency.

Sothys is partnering with Plastic Bank and has made its Sothys Organics™ range plastic neutral. www.sothys.com

exclusively in beauty institutes & spas

Supply & Demand 111SPA/CLINIC

Five-star skin

As the premium skincare brand celebrates its 10-year anniversary, 111SKIN founder Dr Yannis Alexandrides explains why 111SPA/CLINIC offers spas a unique point of difference

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s the world enters a new era of wellness, premium skincare brand 111SKIN is aiming to help spas boost their clients’ skin confidence through its 111SPA/CLINIC concept.

Co-founded by renowned plastic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, the 111SKIN range takes its name from his surgery’s iconic medical-destination address at 111 Harley Street.

Designed to bridge the two ventures, 111SPA/CLINIC provides a range of beauty treatments, healing serums and luxury formulations that includes facial and body aesthetics, aromatics and cryo-physio programmes customised to each client’s concerns.

“Our revolutionary spa concept offers aesthetic-performance face and body treatments for the ultimate luxury experience, elevated with medically-inspired innovation and 111SKIN products,” says Dr Alexandrides.

A leading portfolio of partners Having launched in luxury spas at globally renowned five-star hotels such as the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong and Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, 111SPA/CLINIC has tripled its business in the last year and among more than 40 prominent partners are respected medi-spas, famous facialists and prestigious hotels around the world.

Among the recent additions to its international portfolio are Adare Manor, Ireland; Four Seasons Madrid, Spain; Silversands, Grenada; Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, California, USA; the Karl Lagerfeld at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau; and Santa Marina, Mykonos.

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111SPA/CLINIC has tripled its business in the last 12 months

“Our revolutionary spa concept offers aesthetic performance face and body treatments for the ultimate luxury experience.”

Dr Yannis Alexandrides Founder, 111SPA/CLINIC

Endorsements and results 111SKIN has organically attracted celebrity endorsements from Victoria Beckham to beauty therapist to the stars Joanna Czech. However, the brand is not resting and 111SPA/ CLINIC’s global head, Tom Macpherson Le Maire, identifies some changes in demand that spas must heed.

“Since the pandemic we have seen a new importance placed on clinical and scientific-based wellness. More than ever, consumers are looking for results-based solutions from their skincare products and professional treatments,” he says. “As well as being ritualistic and experiential, spa treatment menus must now also deliver a visible and instant difference, and 111SKIN offers discerning spa guests everything.”

To find out how to boost your business with a 111SKIN spa partnership, visit 111skin.co.uk

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Since 1989, proud partner of the Best Spas in the world

WATER

QUARTZ

Supply & Demand On the Menu

Mii Manicure + Pedicure expands European distribution The prescriptive treatments in Mii’s Manicure + Pedicure offering work to nurture healthy natural nails and cuticles, and offer a preparation and colour for every occasion.

The manicure products feature a calming signature fragrance of bergamot, Earl Grey and cucumber, and restorative pedicure products boast an uplifting signature fragrance of lemon and green tea to create a sensorial journey. The vegan formulas are expertly blended with a multitude of high-quality active, sustainable ingredients, as well as being ethically sourced.

“The entire Mii team have loved every moment of developing Mii’s Manicure + Pedicure range,” says Danielle Gerrard, international sales director at Gerrard International. “The response to it, in two short months, has been astounding.

We already have passionate distributor partners in Benelux, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.” www.miicosmetics.com

High-tech skin rejuvenation Germaine de Capuccini has launched Expert Lab, a series of chemical peels for professional use. The range features high-tech formulations to offer safe and effective protocols for a range of dermatological treatments targeting photo-ageing, hyperpigmentation and acne.

The Expert Lab collection includes M-40 Clarifying Hyperpigmentation, P-40 Rejuvenating Anti-ageing, S-25 Purifying Anti-acne and Peel Neutralising. Boasting salicylic, mandelic, pyruvic and lactic acids, the rejuvenating skin formulas are designed as standalone treatments and to enhance the benefits of other treatment protocols.

Developed for all skin types and promising minimal irritation, clients can expect immediate and progressive improvement of the skin’s conditions in a safe and controlled way.

To complement the facial treatments, Dermo Protective Hydrating Gel works as a hydrating protective barrier, assisting the natural regeneration of the skin, creating the optimal environment for rapid skin recovery post-peel. www.germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk

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Supply & Demand On the Menu

Changing the face of beauty International expert on massage, healing and wellbeing, Beata Aleksandrowicz has launched her debut brand, Beata: Love Life Beauty, with a lifting and restoring rose face oil and Beata’s Face Massage Cards.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the delivery of healing modalities, Aleksandrowicz has a deep understanding of the face and facial massage. Her debut collection will feature healing meditations, products and online classes to support happiness, wellbeing and good health.

To launch her eponymous range, Aleksandrowicz has created Beata Home Coming Facial Oil, an aromatic blend of organic Jojoba Oil and pure organic Bulgarian Rose Otto essential oil which, in combination with face massage, boosts collagen and elastin production to lift and restore the face. www.beata.website

Gift with integrity This Christmas, we are proud to be supporting Hestia by donating 10% of proceeds from our Christmas collection to support adults and children in times of crisis throughout the UK.

DISCOVER YOUR ELEMENT AT

elementalherbology.com

Supply & Demand On the Menu

TREATMENT FOCUS

ESPA develops exclusive treatments for One&Only Resorts Developed exclusively for One&Only Resorts, Nature’s Resonance by ESPA is designed to reconnect the mind, body and senses to the surrounding environment through the use of binaural beats, soundscapes and massage.

The new treatments have been tailored to individual locations to create a holistic spa guest experience. They feature a curated pre-treatment welcome and grounding ritual; an ESPA Signature Blend for each location; natural affirmation crystal linking to individual chakras; music inspired by the elements of nature surrounding each property; and a series of post-treatment activities available at each resort, including sunrise meditation, forest bathing and Bedouin star-gazing.

The three signature blends are available at Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico (Positivity); Cape Town, South Africa (Energising); Royal Mirage, Dubai (Restorative).

Three treatment options are available: a 30-minute sound experience, a 60-minute body experience and a 90-minute face and body experience. Each incorporates three key moments of listening, absorbing and transforming, and a series of choreographed massage movements in tune with the soundtrack.

Binaural beats, a form of auditory therapy that plays different tonal frequencies in each ear, influences the vibrational energy of each guest. www.espaskincare.com | www.oneandonlyresorts.com

European Spa selects the best professional product launches for spas. Contact mark.smith@spapublishing.com

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“I like that the training course fits around my busy schedule as it doesn’t need to be completed all at once.”

Georgina Fitton, Owner of Georgina Emily Beauty

Book online at ellisons.co.uk/academy or contact our Spa Partner team on T+44 (0)24 7636 9114 spapartner@ellisons.co.uk

Facial courses include Gycolic peel (Visopeel), eyelash enhancements and Phd™ Safewax Body treatment courses include Bamboo massage and Thai compress Tanning techniques by St.Tropez New courses added throughout the year

Supply & Demand Elemis promotion

Get the glow Elemis global president and co-founder Noella Gabriel discusses the newly launched BIOTEC 2.0 technology and its Pro-Glow facial menu delivering next-level skin regeneration

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riven by science and nature, premium skin wellness brand Elemis’s popular BIOTEC system has a global reputation for its capacity to give therapists the technology, tools and protocols to deliver the very best in facial rejuvenation. Its high-end facial offer can be sold as a premium spa service or as individual treatments or courses.

We talk exclusively to Elemis global president and co-founder Noella Gabriel about the brand’s newly launched BIOTEC 2.0 machine and how its new Pro-Glow facial menu promises the ultimate results.

Demand for facials is changing, what makes BIOTEC 2.0 unique?

BIOTEC 2.0 packs even more of a punch than before, with six clinically proven technologies in one machine.

This innovative equipment now includes our new CryO2 sub-zero cold therapy for an amazing skin-sculpting experience; our 7-in-1 LED light mask, which also features infrared and is known for its skin health and wellbeing benefits; and our new, supercharged ultrasonic for amazing skin resurfacing.

Together, these technologies ensure skin will be visibly smoother, more sculpted and firmer with a spotlight on deep-set wrinkles for maximum, multi-faceted facial rejuvenation and skin hydration after just one treatment.

How does BIOTEC technology give spas a competitive advantage?

Our enhanced BIOTEC 2.0 technology is right at the heart of our new Pro-Glow facial menu. We know 46

“After listening to our spa partners, we wanted to create a more streamlined menu that delivers greater results in a shorter period of time. We did this by focusing on the benefits of each treatment and offering a curated, targeted menu.”

Noella Gabriel Global president and co-founder, Elemis already from BIOTEC 1.0 that our spas have the opportunity to command a higher treatment price, deliver a much higher ATV post-treatment and increase retention.

The addition of CryO2 and the 7-in-1 LED mask, provides a further competitive edge in spas for those guests looking for more of an aesthetic

treatment that delivers immediate results without the inconvenience of any downtime.

What revenue potential does BIOTEC 2.0 bring to spas?

Over one year, businesses can generate incremental revenue of more than four times their investment from a single machine. We have also built a 360-degree B2C campaign focusing on treatments, which will launch in the New Year.

This investment in online and social www.europeanspamagazine.com

Supply & Demand Elemis promotion

media adds a competitive edge that will drive footfall into spas and increase awareness and conversion to facial bookings.

In this ‘digital-first’ age, we also chose our facial names very carefully to ensure they were SEO-friendly, helping our spas increase reach and attract a new client base.

Tell us more about how you have reimagined the Pro-Glow Facial Menu?

Every Pro-Glow facial features three key steps: our Pro-cleansing treatment, followed by bespoke skin resurfacing and skin wellness touch. Combined, they deliver powerful deep-cleansing, resurfacing and hydration-boosting results for optimal skin wellness.

Advanced technology, extraordinary results Developed to work in perfect synergy with the skin’s natural bio-electric field, Elemis BIOTEC 2.0 delivers uniquely customisable, clinically proven facials for every skin type, powered by mutiple treatment technologies.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Guests then have the option to select from five targeted facials designed to suit the needs of their skin. There truly is something for everyone.

Listening to our spa partners, we wanted to create a more streamlined menu that delivers greater results in a shorter period of time, so we focused on the benefits of each treatment to offer a curated, targeted menu with not too many choices.

How much training will spa teams need to deliver BIOTEC 2.0 treatments?

As an operator we understand the cost of time out of the business for training, so we wanted to keep it to a minimum.

Any account already delivering our 1.0 facials just needs a four-hour virtual workshop, making it more accessible and cost-effective.

What treatment menu advice would you give spas to stay ahead?

Introducing bespoke treatments based on your customers’ needs will increase both loyalty and trust in the expertise of your therapists, and in turn increase frequency of visit and spend.

Customers are looking to feel special and have their concerns heard, so a bespoke menu allows them to do just that. www.elemis.com 47

Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Recognising excellence in the world of spa In a year of uncertainty and change we celebrate 23 leading properties that have boldly invested to deliver the very best new spa experiences

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elebrating the best in design, innovation and service delivery, European Spa’s inaugural Gold List of spas showcases the best new openings and refurbishments of 2021. Our selection of the most visionary projects illustrates the growing importance of spa and wellness in the hotel, hospitality and tourism industries.

Eco-friendly design, sustainability and innovative products and treatments are a top priority and will remain so in 2022. From concept to soft opening it’s the fine details that matter, whether that’s using earth-friendly materials or installing smart lighting systems.

Architects and designers are now placing great

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emphasis on interior landscaping, soundscapes, and more recently ensuring exceptional air quality.

Spa gardens continue to be at the top of every investor’s wish list as spas respond to growing demand for space, privacy and access to nature.

Beyond the building projects, we also consider spa facilities, treatment concepts and the guest journey. Nature, spirituality and mental wellbeing are key factors driving the trends in spa openings this year. At the other end of the spectrum, science-led medical wellness facilities have amplified their offering with uber-luxurious spas that ensure comfort, privacy and clinical care.

Enjoy our Gold List featuring 23 of the year’s most outstanding spa openings and investments.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

BRINGING LONGEVIT Y TO LIFE

Six Senses Ibiza, Spain

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ix Senses Ibiza resort is a 116-room property on the northern coast of the Spanish island overlooking Xarraca Bay. Conceived by architect and developer Jonathan Leitersdorf as a loving tribute to Ibiza and its values of community, spirituality and celebration, the resort’s 1,200sqm spa has five treatment rooms with another nine set to open in April 2022.

The resort offers four ‘biohack’ and IV stations as well as a thermal suite with a steam room, an infrared sauna, a hammam and a caldarium hot bath. Hair and nail services are offered and extensive fitness facilities include an outdoor boxing ring, a rooftop yoga deck and a functional training studio.

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

By channelling the destination’s unique attributes we have created a truly transformative environment where guests are invited to meaningfully connect with nature, each other and themselves while discovering the elements that make Ibiza unlike anywhere else in the world.

Jonathan Leitersdorf Owner, Six Senses Ibiza

SPA STATISTICS Six Senses Ibiza www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/ibiza Spa size: 1,200sqm Spa facilities: Five treatment rooms including three couple’s suites; The Rose Bar longevity clinic; beauty space for nail and hair services, extensive hydrothermal suite; yoga and functional training studios; outdoor swimming pool, rooftop pool Suppliers: Lemi, Technogym, Fashionizer Spa Product partners: Nóttnuit, Biologique Recherche, Morjana

The resort’s Rose Bar longevity clinic, developed in partnership with owner Jonathan Leitersdorf and advanced genetics company Orgenesis, offers personalised programmes backed by state-of-the-art diagnostics and modern healing techniques. Overseen

by Dr Tamsin Lewis and set to be expanded by an extra 410sqm, it provides clinician-led advanced diagnostics to determine guests’ ‘true’ age and pace of ageing, with genetic and epigenetic testing to show how genes, lifestyle and biomarkers can impact their longevity.

An extensive mix of expert-led retreats aims to lead guests to greater consciousness, passion, reconnection and a renewed sense of self, including: ‘Grow a New Body’ with Dr Alberto Villoldo and Dr Mark Hyman; ‘Journey to Profound Transformation’ with Marisa Peer; ‘Yogaflow’ with James de Maria; and ‘Bodyflow’ with Shlomo Dharma.

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

A N AT U R E- I N S P I R E D U R B AN R E TR E AT

Wellness Floor, Pan Pacific London, UK

SPA STATISTICS Wellness Floor, Pan Pacific London, UK www.panpacific.com/en Spa size: 1,083sqm Facilities: Two treatment rooms, 18.5m infinity pool, high-performance training zone, in-room wellbeing experiences Product partners: PANPURI, VENN Skincare, Naturalia Sintesi, ChiliSleep Other suppliers: TecnoBody

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To offer one of the most innovative health and wellbeing spaces in London, Pan Pacific Hotel Group set aside an entire floor of its first property in Europe for the pursuit of integrative fitness, nutrition, treatments and mindfulness.

Located in a mixed-use development at One Bishopsgate Plaza, Pan Pacific London offers 237 bedrooms and suites as well as the 1,083sqm wellness space designed by hotel interior architects Yabu Pushelberg.

Realised with support from The Vigour Group, the Wellbeing Floor is a nature-inspired haven of wood, greenery and water that offers an 18.5m infinity pool and two treatment rooms, with furniture custom-made in Italy and treatment beds sourced from India. TecnoBody has provided a high-performance training zone that includes a D-wall system with body recognition and virtual functionality in a stand-alone performance zone.

Spa treatments are performed using PANPURI Organic Spa, VENN Skincare and Naturalia Sintesi products, combining western science with a South-East Asian ‘clean beauty’ concept.

The space offers mindfulness workshops and advice on sustainable nutrition, and hotel guests can also enjoy in-room wellbeing experiences including digital content and a temperature-regulated sleep system custom-designed in collaboration with ChiliSleep.

Discussing the launch of the eye-catching urban wellbeing sanctuary, Robbie Leung, Wellbeing Floor consultant at Pan Pacific London, said: “We’ve built our wellbeing strategy on three pillars – high performance, education and accessibility. Our mission is to make wellbeing accessible everywhere and every day.”

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy

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ollowing a year-long programme of restoration, Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat reopened in central Italy on the site of the former 102-room Grand Hotel Palazzo della Fonte, now owned by Sardinian wellness resort operator Forte Village.

Located in the ancient town of Fiuggi, renowned for its mineral-rich water, Palazzo Fiuggi provides a 360-degree approach to wellness through the combination of advanced western medicine, holistic traditions and nutrition.

The retreat boasts a 6,000sqm spa and wellness centre with 21 multi-functional treatment rooms, eight beauty spaces, six medical rooms and a private spa suite. Hydrothermal experiences include a 700sqm Roman bath, two thalassotherapy pools filled with Fiuggi mineral water, and two hammams. A 400sqm Workout Movement Lab, fitted with Technogym, Reaxing and ICAROS equipment, completes the spa and fitness facilities.

Guests can choose from five bespoke packages: Immuno Boost, Mindful Movement, Deep Detox, Optimal Weight and Complete Life Rewind, each

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Palazzo Fiuggi was created by a team of international experts who have developed scientifically backed and innovative protocols to aid a full recovery of health and wellbeing.

Lorenzo Giannuzzi CEO, Forte Village

SPA STATISTICS Palazzo Fiuggi Wellness Medical Retreat, Italy www.palazzofiuggi.com

developed by medical and scientific director Dr David della Morte Canosci.

Upon its opening, Palazzo Fiuggi became the first spa to offer Gharieni’s Spa Wave, Cellis, and FIR iDome treatment concepts all under the same roof, in order to help improve its guests’ sleep, ability to relax and encourage weight loss.

Consultant and pre-opening spa director Thorsten Lipfert told European Spa: “The heart of the spa is the thalasso area, which has two connected pools filled with healing spring water from the Fiuggi source, one enriched with sea salt and the other with magnesium.

“Purification, nourishment, energising and connection are the key pillars of the Palazzo Fiuggi guest experience and these principles run throughout our guest journeys.”

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Spa size: 6,000sqm Facilities: 21 treatment rooms, eight beauty spaces, six medical rooms and a private spa suite; a 700sqm Therme Roman bath, two hammams, a steamroom, a sauna and an experience shower; two thalassotherapy pools, contrast cold plunge pool, panorama pool and outdoor pools including a semi-Olympic pool Product partners: Team Dr Josef, Dr Barbara Sturm, NaturalBio Lifting and Charme d’Orient Other suppliers: Treatment beds, MLX Dome, Cellis and Spa Wave equipment

by Gharieni; Medi-spa wet experiences

by Stenal; Thalassotherapy pools by Unbescheiden; Fitness equipment by Technogym, Reaxing and ICAROS

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Swan Spa at Matild Palace, Hungary

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udapest’s Matild Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel opened this year following a five-year project to convert a neglected UNESCO World Heritage Site into one of Europe’s grandest hotels. The transformation, led by Maria Vafiadis of MKV Design, included work on 111 guest rooms and 19 suites as well as the creation of the boutique Swan Spa. Continuing the city’s ancient reputation for thermal bathing, the 250sqm spa has a white marble hammam, a sauna, a salt and steam room, and separate lounges for men and women.

The spa’s robes and slippers were supplied by FRETTE and two treatment rooms provide luxurious experiences for couples and individuals using ESPA products. Other suppliers include furnishings by GUBI and tapware by Dornbracht.

“The spa journey begins in the light, in an all-white marble reception, before visitors retreat into deep petrol-blue spaces as if descending into the healing waters of the river,” said Maria Vafiadis. www.marriott.com

E L E G A NT T H ER M A L B AT H I N G

Athenaeum Spa at Corinthia Palace, Malta

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he Corinthia Palace Hotel is a former 19th century private villa that was bought by Paul Pisani, the father of Corinthia founder and chairman Alfred. The latter first turned the villa into a restaurant before later transforming it into a 147-bedroom hotel.

Key to the property’s luxury offering is the 2,000sqm Athenaeum Spa, which has been restructured by UK design firm Goddard Littlefair as part of a refurbishment that began in 2018 to celebrate the hotel’s 50th anniversary.

As well as the original indoor swimming pool the spa has seven treatment rooms, a lounge, a Vitality Suite and a nail salon. Guests can enjoy ESPA experiences alongside nail treatments by Jessica and waxing by Ashmira.

The spa renovations were supported by wellness consultant Paula Perkins, who told European Spa: “We sought to capture the unique essence of Malta... every design detail is set out to relax guests while instilling in them a real sense of place. www.corinthia.com

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L A I D - B AC K ME D I T E R RA N E A N LUXU RY

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NEW

ESPA Supplements Natural Beauty, From Within

Coming Soon www.espaskincare.com | @espaskincare

Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

RESTORATIVE RITUALS IN GEOTHERMAL WATERS

Sky Lagoon, Iceland

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gainst a stunning Atlantic Ocean backdrop, the expansive geothermal Sky Lagoon was unveiled by hospitality company Pursuit in Kársnes Harbour, just minutes away from Reykjavik’s city centre.

The lagoon was created to offer guests restorative spa rituals rooted in Icelandic traditions and among its treatment offer is a seven-step journey called The Sky Ritual. This was developed based on Icelandic bathing traditions that combine warm and cold waters, steam, dry heat and fresh air. First guests bathe in the healing, warm geothermal waters of the Lagoon, then they take a plunge into a glacially cold pool before spending time in a sauna. A dose of cold fog-mist precedes a body scrub and a steam bath before the experience concludes with a shower.

Sky Lagoon’s design, inspired by the country’s cinematic landscapes, features an unobstructed 70m infinity edge to showcase its expansive ocean and sky vistas.

Embracing simple and natural elements, its aesthetic echos the style of Icelandic turf houses with a modern and minimal approach delivering layers of grey-blues, deep greens, whites and creams to mirror the surrounding landscape.

Reflecting on the project’s relevance in the current broader spa and wellness landscape, David Barry, president of Pursuit, said: “The restorative nature of wellness experiences such as Sky Lagoon will become much more meaningful as we continue to emerge from what has been an incredibly challenging period. The need to re-energise, relax and restore is integral to both our physical and mental wellbeing, and we are thrilled to introduce guests to the Sky Lagoon experience.” www.skylagoon.com

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SPA STATISTICS Sky Lagoon, Iceland www.skylagoon.com Spa size: 2,000sqm space Facilities: Cold plunge pool, Pure and Sky changing rooms, geothermal pool, dry heat sauna, steam room, experience shower, bar and café.

Suppliers: Vetur, VOR

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Bokeh Spa at Montcalm East, UK

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ontcalm East, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection of independent hotels offers a moment of calm in London’s buzzing creative district of Shoreditch.

The 460sqm Bokeh spa was developed as a hub for members and guests, offering an array of innovative wellness experiences in five treatment rooms that feature Gharieni MLW Square treatment beds.

Other facilities include a sauna, a steam room, a relaxation room, a 14m swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. The thermal suite, which was supplied by Nordic was installed, along with the pool by SGP Contractors.

The gym was equipped by Matrix and the spa has partnered with CBD brand OTO, Temple Spa, SkinCeuticals and OPI to offer a treatment menu that includes body detox experiences and mud treatments. Waxing, manicures and pedicures and reflexology are also on offer. www.marriott.co.uk

C B D T R E AT M E NTS I N T H E C I T Y

Kimben Spa at Borgo Lanciano, Italy

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he rurally located Borgo Lanciano, a luxury resort in Macerata, Italy, reopened following an extensive renovation project helmed by architecture firms Studio Bizzarro & Partners and WiP Architects.

Five ground-floor suites and a new swimming pool have been added along with the Kimben Spa. The 2,000sqm spa features treatment rooms equipped

by Lemi, a relaxation area, a bio-sauna, a steam bath and sensory showers with chromo-aroma therapy. An infinity pool and two heated pools with water massage stations and integrated loungers complete the offering.

The spa offers Kneipp therapy and a treatment menu with a host of thalasso, draining, detoxifying and anti-ageing experiences on offer. Locally inspired treatment rituals are at the core of a menu that includes Vega – a body scrub, wrap and leg lymphatic drainage massage – and Antares combining an iron facial mask, connective tissue facial massage, remodelling mud and body massage. www.borgolanciano.it

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BEST FOR

B E AU TI F U L B O DY TH E R AP I E S

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

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UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE AND EXCELLENCE

Bamford Wellness Spa, UK

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he brainchild of entrepreneur and philanthropist Lady Carole Bamford, OBE, British wellness brand Bamford goes beyond spa to offer a curated collection of ‘conscious living’ products, including natural body and skincare, clothing and homeware. It currently operates four luxury spas, two in the UK and two in the US, as well as five stores around the world. It’s refurbished flagship, the serene Bamford Wellness Spa, located at the famous Daylesford Farm in Gloucestershire – home to one of the UK’s leading organic farming brands, reported a record £43.1m (€50.4m) in sales during lockdown, was refurbished in 2021.

Elegantly refurbished and beautifully understated, Bamford Wellness Spa has been doubled in size, offering guests 1,550sqm of space in which to escape and relax. Housed in the farm’s original agricultural buildings, natural materials are paired with objets d’art to give the spa’s soft, white interiors a serene ambience, accented by the brand’s iconic green palette and its founder’s love of heart motifs.

The spa’s 12 treatment rooms are set across two floors along with several beautiful spaces for wellness classes. A Wellness café, The Orchard Bar, is a social hub and retail area and at the centre of the spa is a bijou wet spa zone, offering a herbal steam room, a crystal sauna and a wellness pool supplied by KLAFS. As well as successfully reopening the flagship spa, behind the scenes the Bamford team broke ground this summer on a stand-alone state-of-the art wellness centre that is set to serve an exclusive membership looking for the very latest preventative health regimes and expertise.

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SPA STATISTICS Bamford Wellness Spa Cotswolds www.bamford.com/uk Spa size: 1,550sqm Facilities: 12 treatment rooms; hydro pool, sauna and steam rooms; yoga and Pilates studios; Bamford Wellness Tipi, Crystal Healing Hut Product partners: Kure Bazaar, Dermalux Other suppliers: KLAFS, Gharieni

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

S U S TA I N A B L E S A NC T UA RY F O R T H E S O U L

Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa, Greece

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et high in the hills overlooking Akra Punta bay on Corfu, Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa opened as Banyan Tree Group’s first European flagship property. The 196-room resort, operated and managed under its luxury Angsana brand, offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding mountains, and features a luxurious 1,400sqm spa.

Billed as a Mediterranean sanctuary for the mind, body and soul, Angsana Spa takes a personalised approach to wellness guided by eight wellbeing touchstones – physical vitality, dietary awareness, sleep and rest, learning and development, bonding and connection, sustainable practices, harmony with nature and mind cultivation – with the aim of increasing guests’ sense of connection to themselves and the world around them.

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The spa features 11 treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pool areas, as well as spa gardens with outdoor massage pavilions and a juice bar. A state-of-the-art gym and yoga pavilions complete the wellness offering.

“Angsana is a true oasis for the body and soul,” Angsana spa manager Sandra Amaral told European Spa. “We offer Asian and Mediterranean-inspired face and body treatments that blend traditional eastern and western healing techniques with locally grown and sustainable Corfiot ingredients.

“Banyan Tree’s ethos is about using local products, not only to enhance the guest experience by giving them a sense of place, but also to support the local economy. Our commitment to nature as one of our healing principles means the products used in our treatments are organic and sustainably sourced.”

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

“Our commitment to nature as one of our healing principles means the products that are used in our treatments are organic and sustainably sourced.

Sandra Amaral Angsana Spa manager

SPA STATISTICS Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa www.angsana.com/en/greece/corfu Spa size: 1,400sqm Facilities: 11 indoor rooms and additional outdoor massage pavilions; seaview Jacuzzi and Rainmist showers; a 25m indoor pool, a second indoor pool and an outdoor infinity pool; state-of-the-art gym Product partners: Sothys, Coola Organic Suncare, Biologique Recherche, Lala Rafiq Dress Suppliers: Gharieni, Libra, KLAFS, Contractus

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

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E XC LU S I V E M E M B E R S - C LU B AT M O S P H E R E

Harrods Hair and Beauty Salon, UK

I SPA STATISTICS Harrods Hair and Beauty Salon www.harrods.com

Beauty and wellness space: 1,577sqm Facilities: Hairdressing Rotunda, Backwash Room, Conditioning Bar, Salon Privée, 12-room treatment zone with waiting lounge, Eye Zone, Suppliers: Yume backwash beds from Takara Belmont

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nternationally reknowned Knightsbridge department store Harrods finalised the transformation of its beauty business with the launch of a new Hair and Beauty Salon. Led by the store’s director of beauty, Annalise Fard, the 1,577sqm space was redesigned by London-based Sparcstudio to offer a rarefied and contemporary beauty and wellness experience with the welcoming and luxurious feel of an exclusive members club.

A dedicated Hairdressing Rotunda brings to life a feeling of old-world glamour, while also offering privacy for guests and their stylists. As well as a hair extension library, there is a luxury Backwash Room inspired by traditional Japanese head spa rituals, where clients can lie back on Yume fully extending backwash beds by Takara Belmont to enjoy a soothing head massage, designed to boost circulation and promote healthy hair growth. The Rotunda also incorporates a bespoke Conditioning Bar dedicated to offering the latest conditioning and scalp treatments.

A more secluded Salon Privée provides five hair stations and a backwash area, while an extensive treatment zone boasts 12 rooms offering body, facial, waxing and laser treatments. An Eye Zone suite for brow and lash services completes the offering alongside a large reception area and marble and chalk ash-decorated customer washrooms.

“We wanted to instil a unique sense of place with design details that create a members club feel that is uniquely Harrods,” Sparcstudio’s creative director, Beverley Bayes told European Spa.

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Proud designers of the newly ‘Reimagined, modernised & elevated’

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

PEAK WELLNESS AND REJUVENATION

Talise Spa, Carlton Tower Jumeirah, UK

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he Peak Fitness Club & Spa at the Carlton Tower Jumeirah hotel aimed to raise the bar for spa and wellness in London. During an 18-month refurbishment as part of a major £100 million (€117 million) renovation of the entire hotel, the extensive spa and wellness facilites were completely redesigned by design house 1508 London.

Placing fitness and rejuvenating wellness experiences at the heart of its offering, The Peak is spread across three floors of the 17-storey tower, including a ninth-floor gym that capitalises on an abundance of natural light and stunning views over London.

On the hotel’s second floor, the new Talise Spa offers facilities including a sauna, a pink salt crystal steam room, a Jacuzzi, and a truly iconic 20m swimming pool, flooded with natural daylight, that is said to be one of London’s largest indoor hotel spa pools.

An exclusive retreat dedicated to wellbeing, the

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spa has five treatment rooms and partnered with Aromatherapy Associates as well as 111SPA/Clinic for its treatment experiences. It also offers an extensive facial menu from Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza.

As well as a selection of tailored body and facial treatments, wellness therapies available at the spa include osteopathy, acupuncture, craniosacral and sound baths. For hotel guests, a selection of in-room treatments are also offered from the massage collection.

Accessible only to a limited membership and hotel guests, The Peak Fitness Club team has introduced new concepts with Therabody and offers the latest Technogym equipment, fitness classes and gym facilities with breathtaking panoramic views across the capital. French textiles company RKF Luxury Linen has supplied a custom-made linen collection for the spa, 186 bedrooms and suites, plus a special kid’s range.

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

The focus is to reposition the fitness and spa offering so that The Peak will once again regain its position as London’s most exclusive private members health club.

Ben Evans Director of Fitness & Spa, Carlton Tower Jumeirah

SPA STATISTICS Talise Spa, Carlton Tower Jumeirah www.peakfitnessclubandspa.com Spa Size: 1672sqm Facilities: Five treatment rooms, sauna, pink crystal steam room, Jacuzzi, 20m indoor swimming pool Product partners: Aromatherapy Associates, 111SPA/CLINIC and Omorovicza Other suppliers: RKF Luxury Linen, Lemi, Not a Uniform, Maurel and Dröm

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

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A TA S T E O F T U R K I S H T R A D I TI O N

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Turkey

T SPA STATISTICS The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus www.mandarinoriental.com Spa size: 3,500sqm Facilities: Hammam, relaxation area, spa garden, gym, fitness studio, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, children’s pool Product partners: Refinery, Aromatherapy Associates, Biologique Recherche Other suppliers: Gharieni, Technogym

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he second opening for Mandarin Oriental in Turkey, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus is set in a commanding position on the shoreline overlooking the water on the European side of Istanbul. Said to be the city’s only true destination spa, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul is a stunning, wellness retreat filled with vivid natural daylight. State-of-the-art facilities and treatment rooms pay homage to the hotel’s surrounds with light eucalyptus wood, marble, and mosaic, while an extensive spa menu features both modern and traditional therapies.

Tihany Design conceived the spa including a courtyard and a grand Zen garden. A curved corridor with glass panels inspired by gingko leaves leads the way to 11 Corteccia-marble world-class treatment rooms – many with private changing and shower areas – hammams and indoor pool, all creating a sense of calming guest journey. A private treatment room with its own garden, private Jacuzzi and Gharieni Amphibia treatment beds. The spa also boasts three separate hammams which incorporate layered geometric ceiling coves inspired by the intricate designs of traditional Turkish baths.

Alessia Genova curated comfortable lounge seating and semi-private cabanas to surround the spa’s elegant and tranquil indoor pool, which features a large backlit ceiling cove, its shape and lighting inspired by Turkish landscapes. Guests will also find a large, modern fitness suite, 20 metre lap pool with views of the Bosphorus, and a relaxation area that opens to the Zen spa garden lined with Ottoman-inspired archways to give a true sense of place.

The spa offers science-led facial treatments from Biologique Recherche as well as the Gharieni The MLX i³Dome, which combines Far Infrared technology with Plasma and Light for unique face and body treatments.

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Spa by Valmont at Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, France

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ombining history, heritage and opulent rituals, luxury hospitality group Airelles opened Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle on the outskirts of Paris.

The first hotel to open within the grounds of the historic French landmark and the group’s seventh property, its Spa by Valmont is housed in a building that dates back to 1681. Designed by architect Christophe Tollemer, its hand-painted frescos and Carrara marble checkerboard floor were inspired by the palace’s marble courtyard.

The spa menu features restorative treatments from Swiss skincare expert Valmont alongside Maison Caulieres for the body, Manucurist for nails and Nougatine for children. Gharieni supplied the treatment beds with textiles from RKF Luxury Linen while Idoine Piscines and Spa provided the 15m indoor swimming pool as well as the hammam, sauna and steamroom. Technogym equipped the high-tech fitness space. www.airelles.com

BEST FOR

C L ASS I C F RE N C H C H ÂT E AU S T Y L E

PGA Catalunya Golf & Wellness Resort, Spain

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A N C I E NT A ND AVA NT G A R D E A P P ROAC H E S

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ealing techniques supported by modern therapies are at the heart of the €5m (£4.46m) wellness centre at The PGA Catalunya Resort near Girona in north-west Spain. Designed by Barcelona’s Lagula Arquitectes, treatment rooms at the new 1,000sqm centre offer a range of luxurious experiences with medical-backed modalities including cryotherapy, IV infusions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and photobiomodulation. Traditional treatments use products from Aromatherapy Associates and Biologique Recherche products and protocols.

“Our innovative and integrated approach allows us to combine the most ancient treatments with avant garde therapies with carefully selected partners that share our philosophy and approach to wellbeing,” comments Núria Camins, Wellness Manager.

Located in 540 hectares of Mediterranean forest, PGA Catalunya has its own resident environmental biologist, Oriol Dalmau, who is dedicated to preserving and stimulating the property’s ecological environment. www.pgacatalunya.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Chenot Espace at One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro

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ituated in a sheltered location on the shores of Boka Bay, Chenot Espace at One&Only offers a transformative journey of detoxification to reset the body based on the renowned Chenot Method. With personalised programmes and pioneering treatments scientifically designed to enhance guests’ vitality and optimum health.

The property features state-of-the-art facilities and 28 treatment rooms with architecture by Denniston Architects’ Jean-Michel Gathy complemented by interior design from Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Its targeted expertly developed treatments range from neuro-acoustic deep relaxation, acupuncture and ozone therapy to intravenous nutrient therapy and hydro-colon treatments.

Diagnostics and treatments fall under six different departments – medical, human performance, medical aesthetic, aesthetic, hydrotherapy and sport and fitness – and there is a seamless integration of the guest journey from one department to another, ensuring optimal results at the end of each programme.

Chenot’s advanced diagnostic tests allow guests to understand the effects of ageing on their bodies

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O P TI MI S E D H E A LTH P RO G R A M M E S

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Optimal health is the true, new luxury, and wellness is increasingly becoming integrated into our guests’ lifestyles, both in their day-to-day lives and when they travel.

Sara Idhajoub Spa manager, Chenot Espace, One&Only Portonovi

and offer insight into remedial programmes that can positively improve performance, health and wellbeing.

Following an initial consultation, guests receive personalised nutritional recommendations, specific detox menus, fitness schedules, targeted spa treatments and stress-relieving activities. These are all designed to stimulate the body to eliminate toxins, triggering repairing and regenerative actions to result in increased energy levels and vitality. Chenot’s innovative approach also combines principles from traditional Chinese healing with the latest scientific advances in medicine and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.

Movement is regarded as a vital component of the health programme and spa facilities include a 314sqm gym equipped by Technogym. Guests can also enjoy TRX classes, Nordic walking or mountain biking in the local countryside.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

SPA STATISTICS Chenot Espace at One&Only Portonovi www.oneandonlyresorts.com Size: 4,000sqm Facilities: Sauna, hamman, steam room, swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, cryotherapy, hair salon, men’s grooming salon Product partners: Chenot Other suppliers: Promet, TRX IONTO-COMED, Technogym

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

BEST FOR

TAKING REFUGE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Mountain Spring Spa, Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu, Germany

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ubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu resort added a new 2,000sqm spa as part of a €15m (£12.9m) renovation project after the resort was hit in 2019 by a deviated avalanche that destroyed its entire spa area along with other parts of the complex.

Mountain Spring Spa features striking architecture by Beer Bembé Dellinger Architects and interior design by Christa Traubel and AHA 360Grad. With a total of ten treatment rooms, including two couples’ suites, the spa also offers infrared therapy and silence and micro-salt rooms.

A host of bathing options are available, including a brand new natural bathing pond and a Japanese onsen bath. Several heat experiences, including a Finnish sauna and a steam bath, complete the offering.

Located more than 1,000m above sea level in the heart of the Allgäu Alps in Bavaria, the resort was founded by the Traubel family in the 1950s, aiming to bring tourism to Balderschwang, a German mountain town so remote that at the time it was only accessible from Austria. More than 70 years later, Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu, now helmed by Karl and Christa Traubel with their son Marc, remains very much a family affair.

“The spa has always been the heart of our resort and Mountain Spring Spa reflects our attitude towards body, mind and soul and how all three interact with nature,” general manager Marc Traubel told European Spa. “Our new name sums it all up. We are literally a place of refuge in the Allgäu mountains.”

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SPA STATISTICS Mountain Spring Spa, Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu www.hotel-hubertus.de Spa size: 2,000sqm interior, 2,150sqm exterior Facilities: Eight treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, an infrared, silence and a micro-salt rooms; Finnish sauna, steam bath, herbal sauna and mountain sauna; natural bathing pond, Japanese onsen, infinity pool, natural plunge pool Product partners: ananné, Babor, Team Dr Josef Other suppliers: IONTO-COMED, AHA 360Grad, Dedon, Gharieni, MD Natural Wood & Metal Art, Ikono, Physiotherm, First Class, Cane-Line

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

The Retreat, The Londoner, UK

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he Retreat opened to critical acclaim in the world’s first ‘super boutique hotel’ in London’s Leicester Square.

Billed as a ‘complete ecosystem for wellness’, its facilities are centred around a 25m pool with several poolside cabanas that can be used for treatments.

Two further treatment rooms offer experiences from brands such as Omorovicza, ila, ishga and Gentleman’s Tonic.

Other facilities include a Technogym equipped gym, fitness studios with weekly programming, a blow-dry bar, a barbershop, a nail salon and the Refuel spa bar, which offers a host of nutritious food options, including detoxifying smoothies and beauty juices.

“From blow dries to body wraps, energising workouts to poolside chillouts, edible cures to manicures, The Retreat truly is London’s ultimate one-stop shop for all your health and beauty needs,” spa manager Stefani Stead told European Spa. www.thelondoner.com

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Pharomatiq Spa, Croatia

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he Pharomatiq Spa, part of the Maslina Resort on the island of Hvar, offers a new take on ‘mindful luxury’. Designed by LA.M Studio and Aalto with spa consultancy from Melany Martinez Thomas, the spa covers 854sqm and comprises five treatment rooms and a specialised sound-healing room, with treatment beds supplied by Malea-Massage.

Facial products and services are provided by Bio Mer by Sireia as well as Davines and Facial Entity, while a ‘garden-to-skin’ concept incorporates locally grown herbs and essential oils by skincare specialist L’Aventure En Primitivance. “Natural, healthy ingredients are literally on our doorstep,” said spa manager Tajana Trtanj.

The spa was equipped by LA.M Studio, Ki Life and STARMEDICO and includes a wet area with a Finnish sauna, an essential oil steam room and showers with LED light therapy. A fitness studio was equipped by NOHrd and Matrix, while private outdoor ‘salas’ are also available for open-air sessions of sound healing, yoga and Thai massage. www.maslinaresort.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Nàdarra Spa, The Coniston Hotel, UK

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he Coniston Hotel stands in stunning woodland on a 1,400-acre estate near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales. Originally built in 2015, its multi-million-pound spa has been completely refurbished and re-imagined, reopening this year under the name Nàdarra, which means ‘Natural’ in Gaelic.

Experiences include an indoor swimming pool; a thermal experience with an infrared sauna, Finnish and Himalayan saunas, an aromatherapy steam room, an indoor bubble pool, an experience shower and an ice fountain; and a couple’s suite that provides a double spa bath and a mud rasul.

A 45-minute bespoke outdoor bathing treatment uses either ishga’s pure Scottish seaweed bath or a a therapeutic Suki Tea bath and takes place in the private spa garden, which offers a relaxation pod, loungers, two outdoor baths and warming fire pit.

“Connection with nature and its importance to health and wellbeing has really shaped the concept for our new spa,” director Nick Bannister told European Spa. www.theconistonhotel.com

B R I N G I N G T H E O U TS I D E I N

Guerlain Spa at The Woodward, Switzerland

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he Oetker Collection’s first property in Switzerland, The Woodward is housed in a former bank and hotel building overlooking Lake Geneva and boasts 26 suites as well as the exclusive Club Woodward.

Reserved for hotel guests and just 90 members, Club Woodward features a 1,200sqm Guerlain Spa – Switzerland’s first – as well as a 21m indoor pool and a 24-hour gym outfitted with Technogym equipment. Six wellness rooms include a double suite for couples, equipped with Gharieni treatment beds. Other facilities include two Swedish baths, two hammams, two saunas, a Jacuzzi, an ice-bucket shower, a snow shower and a boutique retail area.

The treatment menu offers a host of Guerlain experiences as well as two developed exclusively for The Woodward.

“The Woodward is more than a five-star hotel. It’s been made to feel like a spectacular lake house with all the familiar comforts of an intimate mansion.

No detail has been overlooked,” said hotel designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. www.oetkercollection.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Gold List 2021

Six Senses Shaharut, Israel BEST FOR

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ocated in the lunar-like Arava Valley in the south of the Negev desert, this year Six Senses Shaharut welcomed its first guests to a selection of 60 eco-conscious suites and villas spread across an expansive desert landscape.

With six treatment rooms and two pools, including a freshwater infinity pool with desert views and a bar serving refreshing juices, the Six Senses Spa provides a variety of wellness programmes and will welcome a range of visiting practitioners specialising in Chinese medicine, osteopathy, energy healing and other modalities.

“Six Senses Shaharut reflects the brand’s ethos of sustainability, local sensitivity and wellness, and our unique desert culture and traditions,” said general manager Thomas Fehlbier. “With a passionate team, we’ll work to create out-of-the-ordinary guest experiences in a setting of Biblical proportions.” www.sixsenses.com

E S C A P E TO T H E D E S E R T

Dior Spa Cheval Blanc, France

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rench hotel operator Cheval Blanc this year opened its first urban hotel in Paris complete with a Dior Spa. Situated inside La Samaritane, a landmark former department store on the banks of the Seine, the hotel was designed by New York-based architect Peter Marino and features 72 guest suites offering spectacular views over the Seine and across Paris.

Described as a ‘Dior cocoon’, the spa boasts six treatment suites designed with different motifs as a tribute to Christian Dior, each equipped with its own private bathroom, made from white onyx, and Gharieni treatment beds. Additional facilities include a 30m swimming pool that has been built at the same level as the Seine and set with hand-crafted blue mosaics by Michael Mayer.

The treatment menu includes the Sapphire Crystal Micro-Abrasion Booster, which features a vibrating facial tool set with sapphire particles to exfoliate and encourage cell regeneration. The spa also has its own exclusive fragrance developed by perfumer François Demachy. www.chevalblanc.com

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Industry Intelligence Kalm Horizons

Looking out on Kalm Horizons European Spa’s Mark Smith discusses his new mindfulness-based wellbeing concept and how the healing power of the ocean can bring tranquility to the mind, body and spirit

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I N T E R V I E W B Y D AV I D F A G A N

he mental health and wellbeing benefits of mindfulness-based practices are well documented, with studies confirming that regular practice can reduce anxiety, boost cognitive function, ease pain and promote natural sleeping patterns.

Aiming to bring the benefits of mindfulness to an ever wider audience, meditation teacher Mark Smith, also European Spa’s beauty and wellness editor, has developed Kalm Horizons, a new type of meditative experience that draws on the immersive and aural 76

therapeutic benefits of the ocean.

Officially launched to the spa industry at SpaFest 2021, the new concept has received extremely positive feedback. Kalm Horizons also presented alongside skincare brand Codage at The Spa at Sofitel St James, London bringing the adaptable meditation experience to a whole new audience.

We asked Mark about the principles behind the Kalm Horizons concept, how it can benefit people, and whether spas need to be beside the sea to share its powerful results. www.europeanspamagazine.com

Industry Intelligence Kalm Horizons

Tell us about your journey into mindfulness

Back in 2011 I was in a stressful job and suffering recurring bouts of anxiety, so I was referred to a counsellor for help. I hadn’t meditated before but was taught the basic skills of mindfulness and have practiced regularly ever since.

Then during the pandemic I suffered a head injury and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. My symptoms included daily headaches, confusion, loss of memory, speech issues and trouble processing basic information.

While western medicine helped with some of the neurological issues, I turned to mindfulness in a much deeper way and decided to train as a meditation teacher with Mindfulness UK. As soon as I started the course – Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion in Professional Practice – I knew it was the perfect fit. I wanted something more than a meditation practice, and this brought in kindness and compassion and really elevated the teaching. www.europeanspamagazine.com

Above: Mark Smith (left) leads a client through a Kalm Horizons ocean-wave meditation session

How did the Kalm Horizons concept come about?

At the beginning of 2021 I decided to move from London to live by the sea in Worthing, West Sussex.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, this natural progression led to further discoveries and realisations.

Taking up cold-water swimming, I noticed the health benefits immediately, feeling more focused and clear-headed. There is something about the sea, it has a healing quality and the therapeutic benefits of being in, on and by the sea are now being studied in depth. I joined Mental Health Swims, a national charity encouraging people to swim in the sea to support their mental wellbeing, training to be a host for my local group.

The idea for Kalm Horizons came while I was meditating on the beach. I finished a meditation

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Industry Intelligence Kalm Horizons “Transferring the programme indoors can enable inner-city spas to connect guests with the healing power of the sea.

It can also help teams as part of corporate wellness events.”

Mark Smith Kalm Horizons

session and was looking out to the horizon. It was crisp and clear, and I felt at peace. I knew then that I could bring mindfulness to the beach and teach people how to meditate to the sound of the waves.

Tell us how the sessions work

The Kalm Horizons Wave Meditation session is an hour long and can be offered one-to-one or in a group setting. Designed to help people connect with nature and reconnect with themselves, it can help to calm and quieten the mind, reduce stress, ease anxiety and help people to sleep more naturally.

The sessions begin with some simple breathwork and aromatherapy inhalation to calm the parasympathetic nervous system before the meditation begins. A small amount of oil, a blend of petitgrain, frankincense, rosemary and chamomile, Clockwise from right: Mark Smith’s personal journey into mindfulness led to the creation of Kalm Horizons; a Full Moon Tibetan singing bowl adds calming vibrations to the sessions

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Industry Intelligence Kalm Horizons

is placed onto the back of each client’s hands, which they inhale deeply. Following some grounding techniques, clients are invited to bring awareness to the breath and use that as an ‘anchor’ for the meditation. Focusing on different elements of the breath and how it affects various parts of the body, a short kindness and compassion practice is included to promote feelings of joy, happiness and connectedness.

How do the waves play into the experience?

The attention is then taken to the sound of the water and people can quietly meditate to the sounds of the sea rolling along the beach, tapping into the variations in each wave and the differences as it travels along the shore. The waves can be mesmerising and I invite people to really listen to them, like it’s the first time they have ever heard waves, really tuning into the fine differences. The feedback I get is phenomenal.

Are there any other elements involved?

I use a Full Moon Tibetan singing bowl to bring an extra sonic factor into the equation. Moving around the group I gently tap the bowl and use its vibrational sounds to help continue the calming, relaxing session.

Finally I instigate a gentle discussion about how www.europeanspamagazine.com

Above: Kalm Horizons classes can be held indoors as well as at outdoor beach locations

the session was, including what emotions, feeling and sensations were felt in the body.

Then participants are offered a small amount of muscle-ease gel containing rosemary, ginger, black pepper and lavender, and I give a simple demonstration of self-massage techniques.

How can spas offer the sessions if they aren’t near the sea?

The programme can easily be transferred indoors with the help of oceanic recordings. This can enable inner-city spas to connect guests with the healing power of the sea. The concept can also be used to help teams as part of a corporate wellness event programme in any location.

During winter, the meditation concept can be offered in local wellness studios before returning to the outdoors in spring.

What’s on the horizon for Kalm Horizons?

Next year will be exciting, I plan to take the concept on tour to several iconic beaches in the UK, partnering with local artists and beach saunas for a truly immersive wellbeing experience. www.kalmhorizons.com 79

Thought Leadership Kirsty MacCormick, The Spa Consultancy

The importance of spa KPIs Kirsty MacCormick highlights how Key Performance Indicators are essential for the financial and operational success of spas

K Kirsty MacCormick EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

With over 30 years’ experience in the spa and wellness industry, Kirsty MacCormick is the founder of The Spa Consultancy. Her expertise includes development, pre-opening project management and operational set up of a range of spas from commercial hotel and day spas to luxury five-star hotels and wellness destinations. www.thespaconsultancy.com

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ey performance indicators (KPIs) are one of the most important management tools a spa director or manager can have in their tool kit. Understanding what they are and how they affect the profitability and success of a spa operation is absolutely crucial.

It was more than 25 years ago that I was first introduced to using KPIs as a tool to monitor and drive performance. As a spa manager new to working with a larger team this was a light-bulb moment for me. It was my first management role within a spa operation, and I was still in the treatment room 50% of the time, our figures weren’t where we needed them to be, and it was challenging to see where the main issues were.

Since then, I have used KPIs for every business I have worked with. For a larger, more complicated operation, I will use indicators that measure the main revenue drivers, but also others to measure individual performances within the team. For a simpler operation or a spa manager beginning their journey, I would recommend starting with a series of targets that are easier to monitor and measure.

KPIs explained

KPIs are exactly what they stand for: the key performance indicators of your business, a series of targets that are used collectively to measure how effective your operation, a team or an individual is. KPIs tell a story and paint a picture of the current situation whether positive or negative: they

can highlight areas where you need to drive revenue, possibly with an additional promotion or offer; they can identify training issues within the team and individuals; and they can also bring to the fore areas of your business that are just not working and need to be changed.

KPIs can also be used to measure individual performances for bonus or commission structure purposes, as well as shining a light on softer targets such as guest feedback or human resources metrics including attendance or lateness. They can be applied to every aspect of your business and supervisors and managers can be measured on the results of their teams.

Recruitment, training and targets

I have always used KPIs to also look at possible training issues: if an entire team is not hitting its retail target then training is required; if one therapist is not as busy as they could be, maybe they need training in other treatments; and if a treatment rate is low then it could highlight that a promotional treatment was introduced or they were doing a lot of complimentary treatments. KPIs can also highlight when you need to recruit: if your therapist utilisation across the team is consistently hitting 80% then recruitment is essential, or you will start having to turn away bookings.

The right targets depend on your business structure and main revenue streams, and should be set in line with the budget you need to achieve.

KPIs are also a great tool for GMs www.europeanspamagazine.com

Thought Leadership Kirsty MacCormick, The Spa Consultancy

and finance departments – creating a simple dashboard for them and distributing it daily can provide a clear picture of where you are at.

Measuring team performance

Business KPIs should reflect the performance of your operation and its key drivers, including: • Capture rate, the percentage of hotel guests booking into the spa • Guest mix, such as the number of residents compared to the number of outside guests • Treatment room usage • Therapist utilisation • Average treatment rate per hour • Retail sales/conversion • Number of members • Average membership rate.

Individual therapists’ KPIs should include individual performance, average treatment rate per hour and retail conversion. For the reception team you should analyse the number www.europeanspamagazine.com

of bookings taken, average revenue taken per booking, call conversion to bookings, retail sales and percentage of treatments upsold. For the fitness team, consider the utilisation and revenue of personal training classes, retail revenue and memberships sold.

One piece of advice I always give when starting to introduce KPIs is that if you’re not going to monitor these daily, then they are a waste of time.

Monitoring KPIs on a bi-monthly or monthly basis will be too late – if the month is over there is nothing you can do to pull back performance.

Another point is don’t always look at individual KPIs without looking at the entire picture. For example, in most spas a therapist is usually rewarded for hitting their retail target but what if their other KPIs were not on target and another therapist, who didn’t hit their retail, out-performed them in utilisation and treatment rate – would that be fair?

Essential steps to success How to establish, monitor and act on KPIs within your busienss n Choose KPIs that reflect the

operation and budget requirements of your spa

n Communicate them to everyone

involved and monitor daily: talk about them all the time and what needs to be achieved

n Ensure that the team know their

individual KPIs and what they need to do to achieve them

n Ask team members to input their KPI

results into a shared spreadsheet.

This promotes healthy competition among the team

n If every team member achieves their

individual KPIs and they have been set in line with your budget. that means you achieve your budget!

www.thespaconsultancy.com

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Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK

A stately spa experience Hoar Cross Hall spa hotel in Staffordshire, UK, has revealed a host of upgrades following the completion of the property’s most extensive renovation project to date I N T E RV I E W BY L AU R E N H E AT H -J O N E S

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et inside a 150-year-old former stately home in 43 acres of Staffordshire countryside, Hoar Cross Hall – owned by luxury hotel and spa group Barons Eden – has emerged from a two-year programme of works to upgrade its 97 bedrooms, communal areas and spa.

The £14 million (c16 million) redesign represents the most significant investment in the history of Barons Eden. Improvements have included the addition of a new treatment lounge for guests to relax in the spa before and after treatments and the renovation of its Spa Boutique, The Parlour and Barber Shop.

Now complete, the 8,000sqm spa offers a total of 41 treatment rooms, ten saunas and steam rooms, five relaxation and snooze lounges as well as hydrotherapy and saltwater pools.

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Signature experiences include the Nordic Heat & Ice suite, which offers a full circuit of thermal experiences with an Aspen wood sauna, thermal showers, thermal cabins and aromatherapy and salt inhalation rooms.

Treatments are provided by Elemis, Lava Shells, Voya and Jessica.

European Spa talks to Edward Law, director of Barons Eden, and Hoar Cross Hall’s director of spa and leisure, Phil Murphy, about creating a spa that provides unique moments of indulgence for all guests.

What was the driving force behind the redesign?

Edward Law: We wanted to ensure that Hoar Cross Hall, as one of the biggest spa resorts in Europe, both met and exceeded guests’ expectations. Our goal was to update the property to bring it in line with our

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Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK

From previous page: Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire, UK; the spa offers hydrotherapy and saltwater pools

luxurious offering but in a way that still honoured its heritage and celebrated its history.

It’s a beautiful old building, it’s believed to have been first built in the 15th century, but a lot of attention and money needed to be dedicated to it. There’d been a period when sufficient care hadn’t really been spent on the property and some areas were in need of total renovation. The bedrooms are a great example: they’d had facelifts but hadn’t had a proper overhaul since they’d been built. A lot of it was also just the natural cycle to need to upgrade the property and the facilities.

Sustainability was another factor. www.europeanspamagazine.com

“We currently have 77 projects in the pipeline for Hoar Cross Hall and its sister spa Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire.

At Eden Hall, we have planning permission to begin developing an outdoor spa in the property’s courtyard.”

Edward Law Director, Barons Eden

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Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK

Phil Murphy: With the spa, we wanted to create a luxury offering with a variety of experiences so that every guest is catered for. Barons Eden’s mission statement is to treat every guest as a friend of the family and give them experiences that bring them back, and the spa really embodies that ethos.

We offer 41 treatment rooms, ten saunas and steam rooms and five slumber and relaxation spaces. We also have The Parlour salon, the Barber Shop, a gym, fitness studios and the hydrotherapy and saltwater pools. We’ve also overhauled our treatment menu.

We wanted to look at the individual’s spa journey and have something for everyone. For example, we’ve seen male clientele increase within the spa since coming out of lockdown. So our luxury grooming experience in the Barber Shop has been really popular and it’s great to offer experiences for male guests who don’t want spa treatments, while still being able to offer male-targeted treatments for those who do.

What challenges have you faced during the work?

Edward Law: Aside from the pandemic, the biggest challenge has been the scope of the project. It’s like the saying about painting the Forth Bridge... it’s an ongoing process with no set end. We’ve got ourselves to a good place now, but we’re not going to stop. We’re going to continue to invest and upgrade as we go.

We currently have 77 projects in the pipeline for Hoar Cross Hall and its sister spa Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire, where we have planning permission to begin developing an outdoor spa in the courtyard.

What is the spa’s special USP?

Phil Murphy: I would say the Nordic Heat & Ice suite is our USP. It was the first element of the spa that was created when we embarked on this project. It was designed by Jamie Strachan of HiP Creative Consulting

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Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK Clockwise from top of previous page: A stylish relaxation room provides a sense of privacy; Skincare brand Voya provides its seaweed-based treatments; the spa has five relaxation and snooze lounges; a guest enjoys a Winter Glow spa day treatment; relaxation beds line the pool

General manager Andy Rathbone explains why Hoar Cross Hall is so in-demand as a UK staycation hot-spot “Hoar Cross Hall has the grandeur and splendour of a stately home, which of course is a draw in itself.

The spa is certainly one of the greatest strings to our bow but we also have outdoor pursuits available, such as archery and cycling, we have local cycling maps, walking maps and historic maps for people who want to explore the area.

“Locally we have the National Memorial Arboretum, which is a great tourist attraction.

It’s a wonderful place to go and visit, and we have some absolutely top-class golf courses around here. In terms of historic England, we have the likes of The Samuel Johnson Museum and Lichfield Cathedral, which you can actually see from the front of the hotel. There’s an awful lot to attract people to stay with us.

“On site one of the biggest draws is the standard of food and beverage that we offer. It really is a cut above, certainly compared to most hotels within stately homes.

There’s very little competition in that area that stands up to what we can do.”

and was inspired by Scandinavian spa traditions. It’s based on four principles – hot, cold, rest, repeat – and is a complete thermal circuit with an Aspen wood sauna, an ice shower, a heated shower, a lavender aromatherapy room and a salt-inhalation room.

Our hydrotherapy pool and saltwater pool are also unique experiences. The hydrotherapy pool is kept at 33-34C and aids relaxation, reduces stress and heals sore muscles, while the saltwater pool has minimal levels of chlorine so is kinder to the skin. The salt water acts as a natural exfoliant and promotes the bodies relaxation response, while our starlit swim grotto provides the ultimate relaxing experience.

Tell us about the new spa menu

Phil Murphy: We have partnered with Elemis, Jessica, Lava Shells and Voya to deliver outstanding treatments with long-lasting results. We’re really trying to provide www.europeanspamagazine.com

an approach that is both holistic and results-driven, again so we can cater to everybody. Our body rituals include various Elemis massages, Lava Shells’ Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Voya’s Voyager Massage Journey. We also have a host of facial rituals, such as Elemis’ Superfood Pro-Radiance Facial and Voya’s Sea Soothers Facial.

There’s certainly a trend for low-touch experiences at the moment so we’re also exploring new treatments, such as Elemis’ results-driven LED mask and Voya’s Lazy Days Detox Seaweed Bath, a self-led protocol that includes a guided meditation experience. We also have our Lava Shells massage, which isn’t contactless but reduces physical contact while still being effective.

Edward Law: We worked closely with our brand partners to look at what we were offering and how it could be reinvigorated and tailored to our guests. We 85

Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK

found that our treatment menu had evolved so much and had almost become too big. Even I was becoming confused by the range of treatments that we had, so we decided to simplify and pare back our offering. There’s so much to our spa and we have so much to offer in terms of thermal experiences and relaxation but having a treatment completely transforms the experience, so we wanted to make it as easy as possible for guests to choose the ideal treatment that would best enhance their stay.

You said sustainability was a factor in the redesign, can you tell us about your sustainability initiatives?

Edward Law: We take sustainability very seriously.

We’re trying to cultivate a culture of sustainability within the business, so we’ve appointed sustainability champions and are breaking the concept down to its core components. Because it can be bewildering when you look at a business 86

Clockwise from top: The Nordic Heat & Ice Suite is a comprehensive thermal circuit; the spa’s Aspen wood sauna; product partner Elemis supplies skincare expertise

of this size and think: “How can we do everything sustainably?”

For us, it’s all about striking the right balance between the guest experience and sustainability without compromising on quality. We’re looking at everything we do in the minutest detail. The spa, for example, can be very hot, due to the thermal experiences etc, so it’s important that we have water stations throughout.

In previous years, we’d get through thousands of paper cups but now we encourage guests to use their own water bottles. We sell reusable bottles in the boutique and have changed our water fountains so there’s enough space to refill them. There are a lot of initiatives like that, which we’re encouraging across the business. www.europeanspamagazine.com

Spa Spotlight Hoar Cross Hall, UK From top: Voya’s Sea Soothers facial is available at Hoar Cross Hall; the hydrotherapy pool is kept at 33-34C to aid relaxation, reduce stress and heal sore muscles; there are plans for further outdoor spa facilities at Hoar Cross Hall

We’ve also reduced our site-wide chemical usage by 70 per cent, from simple swaps like cleaning with ionised ‘magic’ water, to bigger things like installing filters in the spa. We’re also zero-landfill as a site, which is terrific.

There’s so much we’re doing that when you say it individually it doesn’t sound very exciting but that’s how change happens. It’s those incremental steps adding up.

SPA STATISTICS Hoar Cross Hall +44 (0) 1283 477900 www.baronseden.com/hoar-cross-hall Owner: Barons Eden Managing director: Michael Stott General manager: Andy Rathbone Director of spa and leisure: Phil Murphy Spa operations manager: Lori Davis Therapy manager: Milly Spilsbury Design and interiors: Jamie Strachan, HiP Creative Consulting Construction: TC Builders Total investment: £14 million Spa team: 130 Spa size: 8,000sqm Treatment rooms: 41 Hydrothermal experiences: Nordic Heat & Ice suite, 10 saunas and steam rooms including an Aspen wood sauna Pools: Hydrotherapy pool and saltwater pool Fitness facilities: Gym, two exercise studios, outdoor tennis courts, driving range and archery classes Other facilities: Five slumber and relaxation spaces, The Parlour and Barber Shop hairdressing Suppliers: Anapos, DaleSauna, Unique Pool, Ellisons, EcoKnit, TLJ Access Control, Technogym Product partners: Elemis, Voya, Lava Shells, Jessica, Geleration and Kerastase

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Wellness

Trends 2022

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Waking up to wellness As the demand for healing healthcare and integrative programming grows, Mark Smith highlights the four most influential trends shaping the wellness industry

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reventative healthcare and mental wellbeing came into sharp focus during the pandemic as everyone reflected on their personal health.

Spa and wellness providers responded with innovation and collaboration, pushing the boundaries of product development, treatment protocols and medical expertise. European Spa has identified four key trends that are propelling the industry forward:

CBD goes mainstream

CBD oil and its derivatives have been widely available for a few years and this year saw its use go mainstream with collaborations that fused spa treatments with ingestible ingredients to bring this most ‘of the moment’ wellness trend into guest rooms and treatment areas.

Rise of the super supplements

Sales of nutritional supplements, long the preserve of pharmacies and health stores, have also exploded in the spa setting. Not only have traditional spa brands

developed their own versions of health and beauty supplements, but leading medi-wellness clinics have also developed their own ranges.

Health in focus in the age of Long Covid

Medi-wellness spas across the globe have curated programmes specifically for the needs of guests experiencing Long Covid, with a range of remedial programmes to treat its varied symptoms.

Matters of the heart

Finally, in a world where mental health and wellbeing conversations are finally taking place more openly and prominently, we have seen the continued rise of retreats offering emotional support to help build resilience in the face of personal trauma and adversity.

As wellness travel has restarted around the world, guest expectations have increased and the market has responded accordingly. Read on to discover how:

SHA Wellness in Spain has been at the forefront of innovative programming over the last year

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Wellness

Trends 2022

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CBD goes mainstream The rise of CBD products and treatments shows how this ingredient was truly embraced by the spa and wellness world this year

Following a year of upheaval, increased anxiety levels and amplified mental wellness issues, therapeutic CBD products and treatments gained traction in 2021, which is set to continue. This previously niche ingredient has found a welcoming home in the spa market, offering a range of benefits said to help with stress, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. ila was a trailblazer, launching its range in late-2020, followed by Temple Spa, which debuted Stress Not, an all-over balm, and Light Relief, a skin-soothing oil, as well as a spa treatment this year.

KLORIS entered the spa market with CBD-infused products and treatments, debuting at Bulgari Hotel London. Ground Wellbeing also launched a CBD Balm to help alleviate the side-effects of menopause with a formula of therapeutic-grade essential oils including ashwagandha, clary sage and geranium.

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Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square in London launched a CBD-infused hammam treatment that incorporates an exfoliation before a lymphatic massage using a body oil from Apothem Labs that contains CBD. OTO Wellbeing achieved CIBTAC-accreditation for its spa treatments, which are now available in the UK at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Cliveden House, Berkshire; Nàdarra Spa at The Coniston; and Bokeh Spa at Montcalm East, Shoreditch.

In the green room Luxury Scottish hotel Kimpton Blythswood Square in Glasgow launched ‘La Chambre Verte’, an immersive in-room experiment promoting the psychological and physical benefits of biophilic design and forest bathing.

Developed in partnership with CBD expert La Rue Verte, leading horticulturalists Benholm Group and award-

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

winning DJ Brian d’Souza, this multi-sensory experience combines biophilic principles with CBD rituals, meditation and sound therapy.

Elsewhere in the UK both Rudding Park and Cowshed partner with MariPharm for their CBD therapies, with the former offering CBD as an add-on to treatments in the form of oral and body applications, including massages, sprays and CBD-enhanced tea and hot chocolate.

The new Six Senses Shaharut in the Israeli desert is also offering CBD-infused camel milk massages, while Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs is said to be the first Portuguese spa offering CBD therapies.

Taking it to another level, SchlossHotel Zermatt in Switzerland unveiled what it says is the first CBD spa in Europe. Developed with the care line SwissCBD, the spa uses hemp in its herbal sauna and teas and CBD-infused products in all of its treatments.

Clockwise from opposite page: CBD leaders OTO Wellbeing, SchlossHotel Zermatt, Stress Not, Ground Wellbeing and Kimpton Blythswood Square

CONNECT WITH CBD LEADERS www.ila-spa.com www.templespa.com www.kloriscbd.com www.groundwellbeing.com www.fourseasons.com/tentrinity www.apothemlabs.com www.otocbd.com www.mandarinoriental.com/london/hyde-park www.clivedenhouse.co.uk www.theconistonhotel.com www.montcalmeast.com www.kimptonblythswoodsquare.com www.lrvskincare.co.uk www.benholm.com www.ruddingpark.co.uk www.cowshed.com www.maripharm.com www.sixsenses.com www.pinecliffs.com www.schlosshotelzermatt.ch

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Wellness

Trends 2022

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Rise of the super supplements The popularity of nutritional supplements designed for spa and wellness retailing is booming and looks set to continue to grow

As health and wellness came into sharp focus during 2021, a number of wellness brands and spa operators entered the supplement market to answer the increase in consumer demand for beauty and wellness enhancements. According to market research company Kantar, sales of beauty supplements in the UK increased 11 per cent in 2020 and 3 per cent of females included beauty supplements as part of their daily routines. This presents new and exciting opportunities for spa operators, particularly in retail add-ons when recommending aftercare to clients.

A closer look at the data reveals that the market for millennials is booming. Kantar saw an increased demand among younger females in the UK, with sales from women under 34 increasing 140 per cent in 2020.

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But this is more than a UK phenomenon, with Mordor Intelligence forecasting that the global nutricosmetics market will grow by 8 per cent between 2020-2025.

Global wellness brand Aman has introduced a range of nutritional supplements, named SVA, into its global network of 32 hotels and resorts. Traditional Chinese Medicine has informed seven exclusive formulas, which use vegan herbal ingredients to support Balance, Vitality, Uplift and Calm. The collection also includes Respiratory Support, Immune Support and Nourish to aid digestion.

Luxury spa and wellness brand Clinique La Prairie launched Holistic Health, a collection of Swiss-made supplements to support guest health in-clinic and at home. The four products – Age-Defy, Balance, Energy, and Purity – have been created by a team of life-science

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Clockwise from opposite page: The gowth in demand for wellness-enhancing supplements has driven new products from Aman, Clinique La Prairie, 111SKIN, Lanserhof and Voya

experts focusing on immunity, stress management, anti-inflammation, rejuvenation and cellular longevity.

Renowned medical spa Lanserhof also introduced a range of four naturopathic health supplements to boost its preventative healthcare programmes. Designed to support conditions ranging from skin health to poor sleep, the products draw on the latest scientific knowledge and over 30 years’ experience from the LANS Medical concept.

Meanwhile, The Organic Pharmacy addressed health concerns with the launch of immunity-boosting supplements; ishga products and Voya’s Sea Or offer clients the many health benefits of pure seaweed in capsule form; and from a beauty perspective 111SKIN, Thalgo and Advanced Nutrition Programme launched high-tech vitamin and mineral supplements for the skin.

Reflecting this growth, Shiseido recently announced the launch of new ingestible beauty brand, Inryu, which is part of its aim to become a personal beauty wellness company.

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SUPER SUPPLEMENT BRANDS www.kantar.com www.mordorintelligence.com www.aman.com www.cliniquelaprairie.com www.lanserhof.com www.theorganicpharmacy.com www.ishga.com www.voya.ie www.111skin.co.uk www.thalgo.co.uk www.advancednutritionprogramme.com www.shiseido.com

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Wellness

Trends 2022

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Health in focus in the age of Long Covid Medi-spas and wellness clinics opened their doors to guests after lockdown with a range of new programmes designed to boost health and immunity

The Global Wellness Summit identified immune health as a key trend in its report, Future of Wellness 2021. Noting growth in the market, it also emphasised the need for evidence-backed approaches to immunity-boosting treatments with metabolic health, the gut microbiome and personalised nutrition leading the trend.

As medi-spas and wellness clinics around the world welcomed their returning guests, immunity-boosting therapies were in high demand, particularly for people suffering the ill effects of Long Covid. Fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory issues, depression, anxiety and insomnia are listed by the UK’s National Health Service as possible effects of this illness. A challenging condition to treat, leading medical-led spa and wellness properties worked to draw on their in-house medical expertise to introduce a series of symptom-specific retreats.

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One of the first was the five-star Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence at Bürgenstock Hotel & Resort in Switzerland, which launched a comprehensive Covid Bounce Back Programme. The centre combines Swiss medical expertise and state-of-the-art technology tailored to enable guests to recover post-pandemic and attain a more balanced and sustained level of personal health.

SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain unveiled a programme aimed at people experiencing lingering Covid-19 symptoms following historical diagnosis. An integrative approach to health overseen by the medical team has established different rehabilitation therapies and clinical treatments to address each persistent symptom on physical, immunological, respiratory, cognitive, digestive or emotional levels.

Cutting-edge therapies with proven effectiveness are

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

Clockwise from opposite page: Among those properties placing a renewed focus on their guest’s health are Park Igls, Clinique La Prairie, SHA Wellness Clinic, Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence at Bürgenstock Hotel & Resort and Lanserhof Lans

applied, such as intravenous laser therapy, cryotherapy, stem-cell treatments, breathing techniques, reflexology, Watsu, isometric training, and specific nutrition.

Leading European medical wellbeing group Lanserhof introduced a series of packages designed to tackle Long Covid at its Austrian facility, Lanserhof Lans. Combining extensive diagnostics with exercise, fasting, nutritional supplementation and CellGym metabolic activation, the programmes are aimed at fighting neuro-inflammation.

Combining Traditional Thai Medicine and western medicine, RAKxa – an integrative wellness and medical retreat in Bangkok – has also launched a new package designed for Long Covid sufferers.

Meanwhile, Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland, Park Igls in Austria, Buchinger Wilhelmi in Germany and Chiva-Som in Thailand have all adapted their existing programmes and introduced new concepts and retreats to boost their guests’ health and immunity.

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IMMUNE-BOOSTING PIONEERS www.globalwellnesssummit.com www.buergenstock-waldhotel.ch www.shawellnessclinic.com www.lanserhof.com www.rakxawellness.com www.cliniquelaprairie.com www.park-igls.at www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com www.chivasom.com

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Wellness

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Matters of the heart The growth of emotional healing retreats has taken the spa and wellness industry to another level, nurturing mind, body and spirit

Emotional healing has been a buzz word in the industry over the past 12 months as spa and wellness operators adapted their offering to support guests with specific mental wellbeing needs. Support and coaching in the spa environment is not brand new – The Original FX Mayr offers coaching with Claudia Waldner on its fasting cure to help people understand and resolve a wide range of personal issues that arise during the programme. Vair Spa at Borgo Egnazia in Italy also offers a Tarant retreat for empowering women and the Happiness Break.

But a new wave of retreats places greater emphasis on personal reflection and growth with modalities as diverse as talking therapy, movement, dance, role play, sound healing and one-to-one coaching. Addressing sadness, negativity, pain and a lack of confidence, the retreats can range from releasing trauma held in the

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body to heartbreak, relationship and marital problems, and much more. Bridging the space between counselling and therapeutic healing, these retreats add a spa-like quality to the experience with complementary therapies including yoga and mindfulness, energy healing, reiki, reflexology and daily exercise and gym classes.

Euphoria Retreat in Greece offers the Meaningful Relationships Mini Retreat, helping people to understand why they may be experiencing a lack of satisfaction in relationships. Guests can learn to dissolve any blocks in this area and feel confident in attracting joyful and trusting relationships in the future.

Kamalaya in Thailand offers an Embracing Change retreat over five or seven days, exploring the inner self and emotional patterns with compassion to overcome negative habits, explore past trauma and find fulfilment

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Industry Intelligence European Spa Wellness Trends 2022

in relationships within oneself and with others.

Champneys in the UK has planned a series of programmes and retreats centred around self-healing, developing positivity and attitudinal change. Drawing on the expertise of visiting practitioners, the sessions include Attitude Is All with Tanya Wheway; Awake Your Awareness with Sandra Crathern and Roberta Pagliarulo; and the Living The Wisdom Retreat with Neil Seligman.

The Heartbreak Hotel is another new concept in the UK offering transformational therapy over a three-day residential retreat. Founded by counselling psychologist and lecturer Alice Haddon, it addresses anger and emotional pain following heartbreak with a series of therapies including CBT and NLP while guests enjoy downtime exercising in nature.

Clockwise from opposite page: Emotional healing retreats and programmes are offered at Euphoria Retreat, Borgo Egnazia, Barsham Barns and under the Original FX Mayr method

EMOTIONAL RESCUE PROVIDERS www.original-mayr.com www.borgoegnazia.com www.euphoriaretreat.com www.kamalaya.com www.champneys.com www.theheartbreakhotel.co.uk

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Industry Intelligence SpaFest 2021 report

SpaFest 2021 People, Planet, Health This year’s SpaFest event allowed delegates to focus on their own heartfelt passions and possibilities to examine how wellness can change the future direction of their businesses R E P O R T BY M A R K S M I T H | I M A G E S BY PAU L C O L L I E R

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econvening for the first time in two years, SpaFest 2021 was declared a great success by organisers and participants. Held at the five-star eco-resort Gwel an Mor in Cornwall, UK, the immersive industry event offered a chance for 100 spa and wellness leaders and professionals to reconnect with colleagues, with nature and with their inner purpose.

Offering empowering educational sessions and thought-provoking talks, the conference opened with an introduction Below from left: SpaFest media partner Sarah Camilleri with event founder Amanda Winwood and treasurer Fran Hayter; Sue Harmsworth, MBE emphasised the importance of spa; Mehmet Er of Gharieni and Made for Life Organics’ Emma Williams

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from event founder Amanda Winwood and partner Sarah Camilleri, publisher and founding editor of European Spa. Cherilyn Mackrory MP then gave an opening address, providing an insight into the work she does to bring health and wellbeing into government policy.

“It was a wonderful thing to see the wellness and spa industry come together in an awesome, inspiring way. The pledges were unbelievable. When you get like-minded people together and there’s collaboration, partnership, support, magic happens.”

Amanda Winwood, Founder, SpaFest and Made for Life Organics

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Industry Intelligence SpaFest 2021 report

Iconic keynote speaker A highlight of the first day was a keynote discussion between Sarah Camilleri and Sue Harmsworth, MBE, founder of iconic spa and wellness brand ESPA. Harmsworth gave a frank account of her business and personal journey to date, addressing current trends and revealing why she doesn’t like the word ‘wellness’.

“We are going into an era of great health and medical specialisation. For spas to compete on this level will be tricky”, she told attendees, suggesting they shouldn’t www.europeanspamagazine.com

always chase the idea of delivering the concept of ‘wellness’, but rather should “focus on ‘spa’ and do it well.”

Putting people first Iain Bell, founder of Executive Fitness Foundation discussed wellness partnerships and offered some insights on how to embrace wellness on a personal and professional level.

A topical panel discussion then took place entitled: Moving Forward: Investing in Your People. Chaired

by Brian Hunter, director of spa and leisure at the Old Course Hotel and

Clockwise from top: Jamie Edwards of Trained Brain delivers a leadership programme; SpaFest was founded in 2017

by Amanda Winwood; seaside meditation on the south coast; a Cornish sunset

Spa, panelists presented ideas around best practice and offered a vision for attracting and retaining staff.

Lesley Bacon, group health club and spa manager, Hand Picked Hotels, said: “Spa team retention should be a key focus for everyone as the real profit conversion from spa is high and our owners understand and support this.”

On a practical level, she added: “This 99

Industry Intelligence SpaFest 2021 report

ABOUT SPAFEST Founded in 2017 by Made for Life Organics founder Amanda Winwood, SpaFest is a not-for-profit event that benefits the brand’s sister charity The Made for Life Foundation, which supports people living with cancer.

Aiming to put the focus back on people rather than organised selling, SpaFest is a welcoming affair, free from the formalities of name badges and business attire. It offers spa professionals a chance to reconnect, rebuild and re-energise their personal and professional wellbeing, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

“This year’s extraordinary spa industry event was dedicated to heartfelt leadership and creating sustainable change for our industry in the future. I’d like to say a huge heartfelt thank-you to all our speakers, wellness experts, panelists and delegates” Sarah Camilleri Publisher and founding editor, European Spa and SpaFest partner

also includes looking at ways to give our teams time out, flexible or reduced hours and many other wellbeing benefits.”

Also on the panel, Sue Harmsworth, MBE stressed the importance of career progression: “We have to talk to hospitality leaders about graduated training of therapists linked to pay, as well as linking pay increases to reflect experience.”

Attracting team members Liz Holmes, founder of Commercial Spa Strategies, offered a reminder to spa operators about recruitment: “People make decisions based on feelings, always.

They align with values that resonate with them. Ask yourself, do your business values resonate from the heart?”

Diane Hey, founder of Armonia Training, spoke passionately about her apprenticeships programme, with many delegates asking for more information 100

afterwards, seeing a potential solution to recruitment issues they currently face.

Every kind of wellbeing Other speakers during the conference addressed a range of topics from ocean activism to Cancer Touch Therapy, heartfelt leadership and mental wellbeing. Speakers included Claudia Roth, founder of Soul Luxury; Teresa O’Farrell, spa director at Coworth Park; Marian Harvey, managing director of marine skincare brand Thalgo; Lizzi Larbalestier, founder of Blue Health Coaching; Pat Smith, founder of The Final Straw, Cornwall; Kicki Carlsson, co-founder of Dröm UK;and www.europeanspamagazine.com

Industry Intelligence SpaFest 2021 report

Clockwise from top left: A lively and engaging panel discussion chaired by Brian Hunter; Thalgo’s Marion Harvey; Iain Bell of Executive Fitness Foundation; Sarah Camilleri with the team from event sponsor HydraFacial; Sheila McCann of Enflingo Global Limited; the Dorchester Collection’s Teresa O’Farrell; Kalm Horizons’ Mark Smith leds an ocean meditation session

Dr Neil Carpenter, founder of NMC2.

The event also included an inspiring day-long session by mental performance coach and founder of Trained Brain, Jamie Edwards, who delivered a leadership programme on “leading yourself and others beyond crisis”.

Each day offered the chance to enjoy immersive wellbeing experiences. Before breakfast and during the afternoon sessions, attendees were offered a range of workshops, including forest bathing, yoga, Tai Chi, wild swimming and wave meditations on the beach. www.europeanspamagazine.com

The final night of the event included a session of sea shanty singing and a true culinary taste of Cornwall.

Attendees also had the chance to immerse themselves in the wellbeing benefits of spa therapies offered by sponsors including: Made for Life Organics, HydraFacial, La Rue Verte, the Gharieni Group and Elemental Herbology. The event was also sponsored

by BC Softwear, Dröm UK, Thalgo, Camellia’s Tea House, Clinic Must Haves and Wildlife Botanicals. www.madeforlifeorganics.com

BOOK NOW FOR SPAFEST 2022 Taking place on September 26-28 at Gwel an Mor in Cornwall, SpaFest 2022 will build on the success and energy of this year with a continuing focus on heartfelt leadership within spa and hospitality.

To book your place email: info@spa-fest.com

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Supply & Demand Spa Specifier

SpaSpecifier SHOWCASING ST YLISH EQUIPMENT AND LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY Ed i te d by L a ure n H e a t h-Jo ne s

ICAROS Pro Designed and manufactured in Germany, ICAROS Pro combines VR and gamification elements with exercise to produce what is described as a whole ‘eco-system for exciting and performance-improving exercise’.

Developed for use in hotel and spa gyms, ICAROS Pro offers effective core and upper body training while also allowing users to work on different muscle groups and improve their reflexes, balance and coordination.

Compatible with several VR headsets

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including the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, as well as tablets and screens, the system features an extensive library of eSport and VR exercise experiences that enable users to fly, dive or drive through virtual worlds as they improve their fitness.

Among the experiences on offer is Engadin, which offers a photorealistic flight across the Swiss Alps and the town of St Moritz in Switzerland. Another thrilling option is Berchtesgaden, in which users can take flight across the Berchtesgaden National Park in the

Bavarian Alps in Germany or put on a virtual wingsuit to take a flying dive off the mountains.

“We combine fitness and gaming in the most immersive way. Our goal is to turn workouts into unforgettable experiences,” says ICAROS CEO and co-founder Johannes Scholl.

“The original idea and design for ICAROS was nothing less than fulfilling an ancient dream of humankind: to make people fly,” he adds. www.icaros.com

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Supply & Demand Spa Specifier

Deep Sea Relaxation Room Preidlhof

Housed inside a sealed space filled with 12,500 LED lights, the Deep Sea Relaxation Room at the Prieldhof spa and wellness resort in the South Tyrol, Italy (p18), combines light, sound and vibration therapies to create immersive under-water or deep-space experiences.

Designed by inventor and audiologist Daniel Lathan to offer guests an experience “beyond preconceived ideas and previous perceptions of room planning”, the concept targets areas of the brain responsible for creativity and relaxation – measured against electroencephalogram (EEG) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) scores – to boost the efficacy of full-body treatments by promoting deep relaxation.

“These concepts don’t provoke memories and lead us back into the past, they create space for a new reality in which light and sound activate a previously unknown and therefore non-biased trigger,” he says. www.preidlhof.it/en

Home Collection ESPA

Luxury spa brand ESPA’s Home Collection wellness retail offering now includes a new weighted blanket, made from 100 per cent cotton and filled with glass beads, which is designed to provide a relaxing spa-like experience in the home.

Aiming to enhance sleep, aid relaxation, improve mood and reduce anxiety, the blanket is available in four different weights: 4.5kg, 7kg, 9kg and 11kg, for optimal comfort levels.

“We’re dedicated to being a true, modern-day 360-degree wellness brand and our selection of new homeware products has been expertly designed to help our customers live life in a more balanced and happier way,” says ESPA managing director Danny Golby.

“The blanket’s gentle pressure contributes to the improvement of sleep, mood and relaxation, while helping you to reduce restlessness and feel comforted when drifting off to sleep.” www.espaskincare.com

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P R O D U C T I N N O VAT I O N

Bellaria Lemi

Luxury Italian spa and wellness equipment manufacturer Lemi has produced the Bellaria treatment bed specifically for outdoor treatments. Equipped with a waterproof base, a horseshoe headrest and a seamless mattress, it can be adapted to accommodate several types of treatment thanks to remote synchronised back-leg movements and lifting motions.

The controller is also equipped with AUT and END settings, the first of which returns the bed Matteo Brusaferri to its pre-treatment setting, while the second moves the bed into an end of treatment position for an easier exit.

According to Lemi general manager Matteo Brusaferri, the Bellaria bed was originally aimed at spas in tropical climes and was in development before the Covid-19 pandemic drove demand for outdoor spa treatments, due to the lower risk of virus transmission outside.

“After receiving requests from different parts of the world for the development of an outdoor spa bed, we agreed to undertake the design of a solution for tropical places. A product that could guarantee quality while enhancing relaxation in an outdoor environment,” says Brusaferri.

“The design of this product turned out to be a priority because treatments in outdoor environments have become highly sought-after, so consequently, we worked to focus on this product as much as possible,” he adds. www.lemispa.com

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“Treatments in outdoor environments have become highly sought-after, so consequently, we worked to focus on this product as much as possible” Matteo Brusaferri General manager, Lemi

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Supply & Demand Spa Specifier

Blu Room JZ Knight

Invented by entrepreneur JZ Knight and developed in partnership with Dr Matthew Martinez, the Blu Room is a sensory deprivation experience designed to promote calm and healing.

Housed inside a futuristic octagon shape, a combination of patented technology and blue and UVB light creates a healing atmosphere that encourages mental relaxation.

Blu Room offers 20-minute deep relaxation sessions that blend music and vibration to relieve pain, increase self-awareness, fast-track the healing process, alleviate stress and anxiety and improve general health.

“A healthy mind brings about a healthy body,” says Knight. “The Blu Room doesn’t directly treat physical conditions; it supports your mind. Improvements in physical health are a side effect of the mind getting well.”

There are currently 43 Blu Room locations operating around the world in Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the Americas. www.bluroom.com

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i-Boost

I-tech Industries Italy-based skin tech company I-tech Industries has developed a new body treatment concept that combines two of its patented devices; icoone and icoone Booster.

Aimed at spas, the i-Boost full-body ritual features the icoone’s Roboderm technology (pictured), which delivers 21,600 micro-stimulants per minute directly to the connective tissue to regenerate and revitalise the skin.

The second phase of the treatment uses the icoone Booster Elispheric platform. Using sloping movements, rotation and vibration, the platform increases muscle tone and improves balance and flexibility.

Sessions are said to visibly improve posture, skin structure, muscle tone, flexibility and the appearance of cellulite, as well as increasing a sense of wellbeing. “i-Boost offers customers a total beauty experience based on a perfect harmony between skin quality, balanced muscle tone and mental wellbeing,” says iTech Industries general manager Luca Gualdrini. www.i-boost.it

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Supply & Demand Spa Specifier

Genuine green thinking The Benholm Group

Based on the principle that humans are innately linked to nature, biophilic design can improve mental health, reduce stress and provide a better quality of life by incorporating natural elements such as light, water, air and greenery into urban design.

The Benholm Group uses this to transform spa and wellness experiences, as it did at the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland, where a hotel room was transformed Adrian Byne into an immersive, biophilic spa experience.

Called La Chambre Verte, the concept includes plant life and greenery, as well as a bespoke soundtrack of nature sounds created by DJ Brian d’Souza. Described as ‘the recipe for the perfect night’s sleep’, the experience also offers CBD treatments and cocktails from La Rue Verte.

“Contact with nature helps to improve clients’ mood, promotes serenity and peace and creates a calm and sensory setting,” says Adrian Byne, Benholm Group marketing and HR manager.

“Plants provide direct visual contact with nature. Naturally attractive, lush green foliage works subconsciously on our inner senses to give us that connection with nature and also provides physical, three-dimensional and tactile experiences. Real living plants can be used to clean harmful toxins from the air, remove CO2 and produce oxygen to help provide sustainable air quality.” www.benholm.com

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Supply & Demand Spa Specifier

Zero Waste Urb’n Nature

Zero Waste by Urb’n Nature has expanded its range of sustainable spa and hotel amenities with the addition of a 100 per cent plastic-free spa underwear line.

Disposable and compostable, the unisex collection consists of several pieces including tank tops, briefs, boxers and thongs.

The range is made from plant fibres, cotton and Modal, suitable for allergy sufferers, and designed to be soft and breathable as well as sturdy and crease-resistant with a cooling effect on the skin.

Made from cellulose, Modal is itself an entirely plant based fabric, meaning it’s suitable for clients who follow a vegan lifestyle. It’s also a more sustainable fabric option as it requires less water and energy to manufacture.

“Plastic-free sustainable spa underwear is just one of our brand’s many ways to tackle the overuse of single-use plastics in spas,” says Jörg Demuth, co-owner and product development director of Zero Waste by Urb’n Nature. www.urbn-nature.com

Super Soft Towels Majestic Towels

Spa towelling specialist Majestic Towels has developed a new range of Super Soft Towels.

Billed as the ‘ultimate towel for the modern-day spa’, Super Soft Towels are available in a jumbo size, measuring 150cm by 220cm, and as a treatment bed towel with optional head-hole collar.

Designed to be soft, lightweight and snag-free, the towels are available in a slate grey colour-way and are made from a dual-layered fabric, with an outer polyester layer and a soft cotton inner layer.

Majestic Towels has also drawn on its more than 40 years of experience to make the towels environmentally conscious, using Azo-free dyes, while the polyester-cotton blend requires less water and energy to launder than traditional cotton.

The towels also experience less shrinkage and reduced oil absorption, and are designed to withstand frequent use for busy spas. www.majestictowels.co.uk

If you would like your brand to be part of European Spa’s equipment showcase, email lauren.hj@spapublishing.com

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European Spa Tribute Dr Daniel Friedland

REMEMBERING

DR DANIEL FRIEDLAND

European Spa pays tribute to the health and wellbeing advocate who was dedicated to living well from within

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quietly spoken man who was committed to strengthening the wellness economy and those who work within it, Dr Daniel Friedland came to embody hope, kindness and positive change for those who came into contact with him.

Right up to his passing earlier this year, ‘Dr Danny’ dedicated his life to sharing the latest findings in neuroscience, bridging the gap between integrative wellness and medicine. “Wellness is really about helping individuals to remember the wholeness that they already possess,” he told European Spa earlier this year.

A champion of equality and transformational growth for all, his expertise – including publishing one of the early textbooks on evidence-based medicine, now used by healthcare providers to make medical decisions – enabled him to integrate science-based solutions in conscious leadership growth and development.

“If we want to lead well in the world, we have to start inside ourselves,” he told European Spa. “Fundamentally in life, we need to navigate stress, uncertainty and self-doubt to achieve a greater sense of meaning, purpose and significance.”

A man of courage The founding chair of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and co-chair of the San Diego chapter of Conscious Capitalism, he was also chair of the pioneering Global Wellness Institute (GWI) Living Well from Within Initiative, saying that it was his wish to leave a lasting legacy for our sector. “Through the GWI, we are bringing together a coalition of awakened, conscious leaders to facilitate healing, growth and wellness at this historic time of need and opportunity,” he reflected.

However, it was Danny’s response to a life-changing cancer diagnosis, which he received in November 2020, that showed his true courage and commitment to “living a loving life”. “Alone in thought, I found myself asking a series of miraculous and generative questions,” he said.

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“When you yield yourself to the full, flourishing presence of the moment, the nourishment of that is so sweet. Giving ourselves over to each other is the deepest form of connection. It’s about being present in the big and the small moments. We have every opportunity to bless people’s lives.”

Dr Daniel Friedland

“Finally, I touched down on something pragmatic. I had made the significant shift away from, ‘what now?’, to ‘what matters most now?’ I had asked myself a question of life-giving purpose.”

With the support of his wife, Sue, and their sons, Zach and Dyl, he shared his experience of cancer on a YouTube channel called Living Well from Within. Authentic and compelling viewing, the Friedland family’s support for each other is like a stone cast across the water, destined to create many ripples in helping others facing cancer, or any other challenges, now and in the future.

Taking about the videos with Sarah Camilleri, Dr Danny said: “Our challenge as a family is dealing with cancer, but it is no more important than anyone else’s challenges – everyone has them right now. This is not about us, it is about us serving others through sharing the lessons we are learning.” www.youtube.com/channel/UCcPn9PIGkEe5fWDOEIMB8yQ/

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