European Spa Magazine Issue 55

THE NO.1 MAGAZINE

FOR SPA AND WELLNESS

Issue 55 | December/January 2017 | www.europeanspamagazine.com

SOCIAL & SUCCESSFUL A warm welcome at The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

SHAPING THE FUTURE Highlights from the 2016 Global Wellness Summit

A SOUND INVESTMENT

Inside Germany's Toskanaworld – a pioneer of Liquid Sound

EXPERT SOFTWARE

Our guide to IT solutions that can streamline your business

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Welcome I SS U E 55 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2017

New year, new opportunities

A

s we leave behind a year of seismic geopolitical and economic shifts, many businesses are still trying to predict how these macro trends will impact on their day-to-day business: will the expectations of spa customers change? Will the cost of supplies rise or fall? How will demand fluctuate in different regions?

In truth, no one has a crystal ball, but change is certainly in the air and with it come fresh opportunities, as well as new challenges. Smart spa leaders are now busy re-imagining their menus, extending their social media reach and planning new strategies to deliver life-enriching wellness services.

Also under scrutiny are the vital intelligence and support key suppliers and business partners can bring. With this in mind, we showcase the latest advances in management software in our Expert Guide to Digital (p73) as well as a crop of new product developments that are now on the spa Menu (p63). We also bring you highlights from two of the most respected annual industry events – Spa Life UK, (p94) and the industry-defining Global Wellness Summit (p42).

Elsewhere, we shine a spotlight on a selection of spas that show what can be achieved with the right attention to detail. We receive a warm, sociable welcome from The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village in north-west England (p32); immerse ourselves in Liquid Sound Therapy at Toskanaworld in Germany (p54); get seriously active at Guernsey’s St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort (p90); and strike urban gold at the new Away Spa at W Amsterdam (p100).

We hope you enjoy this festive selection box full of spa treats – all the team at European Spa wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Sarah Camilleri Publisher & founding editor

The Team Publisher & founding editor Sarah Camilleri +44 (0) 115 950 4748 sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com

Contributing editor Sarah Todd +44 (0) 115 950 4748 sarah.todd@spapublishing.com

Subscriptions manager Angela Sharpe +44 (0) 1353 772173 subscribe@spapublishing.com

Art director Richard Page +44 (0) 7917 646495 richard@spapublishing.com

Contributing editor Hellena Barnes +44 (0) 115 950 4748 hellena.barnes@spapublishing.com

Accounts manager Julie Jones +44 (0) 115 950 4748 accounts@spapublishing.com

Production editor David Fagan +44 (0) 115 950 4748 david.fagan@spapublishing.com

Contributing editor Mark Smith +44 (0) 7956 658261 mark.smith@spapublishing.com

Online & social media www.europeanspamagazine.com @eurospamag

Office address: European Spa magazine, Spa Publishing Ltd, Halifax House, Halifax Place, Nottingham, NG1 1QN, UK.

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The No.1 business magazine for spa and wellness professionals. Published six times a year by Spa Publishing Ltd, European Spa is an independent, intelligent business title specifically for spa decision makers shaping the wellness market throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. European Spa is printed by Buxton Press on paper sourced from FSC-certified forests.

Spa Publishing Ltd is registered in England. Company No. 6293825

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Contents I SS U E 55 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2017

Business 19 INDUSTRY NEWS

54

The latest deals, developments and appointments, including the opening of a ski-centred Alpine spa by Six Senses and plans for a series of pop-up spas at Aqua Sana, Center Parcs Woburn Forest

42 GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT 2016 An international delegation convened in Austria to consider the country’s spa and wellness legacy and where the global industry is heading now

94 SPA LIFE UK 2016

We report back on two days of fascinating keynote conference speeches, one-to-one meetings and lively networking opportunities

110 LAST WORD:

DR DANIEL FRIEDLAND The CEO of SuperSmartHealth believes a combination of neuroscience and mindfulness can open up strong leadership possibilities for spas

42

32

Spas 32 THE SPA HOTEL AT

RIBBY HALL VILLAGE, UK The dedicated team at this gem of the north-west has been on a true journey into wellness to deliver affordable luxury in a friendly environment

54 TOSKANAWORLD, GERMANY

The expansive brand’s unique Liquid Sound concept unifies the thermal offering at its three hotel spas set in spectacular locations

90 ST PIERRE PARK HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT, GUERNSEY

After a £2.5 million makeover of the health club and spa, we talk to Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell about its new Matrix fitness offering

14

90

Expert Guide 73 MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Advice for spas on selecting an IT solution to streamline and optimise their operations, with contributions from Premier Software, TAC | The Reservation Company, ResortSuite and Book4Time

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Contents I SS U E 55 | D E C EM BER /JA NUA RY 2017

Menu 50 BABOR: 60 YEARS OF SUCCESS

83

The international skincare brand is celebrating its evolution over six decades by investing further in its impressive research and development capabilities

63 MENU

The best new product and treatment launches, including the 3D Collagen Shock facial from Natura Bissé and Decléor’s new Facial Pilates treatment

Wellness 83 WELLNESS

The latest trends and news including Champneys’ new NHS partnership to support people with diabetes, and the European success stories honoured at this year’s Spafinder Wellness Travel Awards

50

100

88 THE ART OF SACRED BATHING

Dr Paulette Sherman describes how she came to create the 52 bathing rituals, designed to revitalise the spirit, which are detailed in her latest book

Design 100 AWAY SPA AT W AMSTERDAM

Located within the vaults of a former bank building, this sleek, subterranean urban sanctuary represents the ultimate in bespoke design

103 STYLE

Renew your subscription today...

Published six times a year and packed with quality coverage to inform and inspire, European Spa will keep you up to speed with the latest industry developments and news. To subscribe visit: www.europeanspamagazine.com/subscribe

Our editor’s pick of the best new equipment, furnishings and finishes starts with the minimalist chic of Swissôtel’s new Vitality Room

email: subscribe@spapublishing.com

Annual subscription rates (six issues): UK: £55 EU:g75 Rest of the world (and non-EU): $110 On the cover: A couple enjoy a sociable dip in the hydrotherapy pool following a warm welcome at the £5 million Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, located in the north-west of England.

European Spa magazine is published by Spa Publishing Ltd. The Publisher has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the information detailed in European Spa magazine is correct at the time of going to print, and while every care is taken to avoid inaccuracies the Publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions from any information within this edition. Views expressed in European Spa are not necessarily those of Spa Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or part without the Publisher’s permission is strictly prohibited. © Spa Publishing Ltd

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It’s time for the spa industry to come together The World Spa & Wellness Convention returns on 26-27 February 2017 to ExCeL London DELEGATE RATES One day pass: £195 + VAT = £234 or €270 Two day pass: £285 + VAT = £342 or €395

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News

DEVELOPMENTS

APPOINTMENTS

INVESTMENT

DIARY DATES

EDITED BY SARAH TODD

Six Senses Courchevel to revitalise the Alpine experience

Aprés ski treatments are a highlight of the new property designed to ‘articulate the relationship between nature and human biology’ FRANCE: A new 700sqm Six Senses Spa is set

to open in December 2016 as part of Six Senses Residences Courchevel, the brand’s Alpine resort comprising 53 penthouses and apartments.

Located in the heart of Courchevel 1850, the new spa boasts a revitalising bathing circuit designed with the needs of skiers in mind, while a variety of visiting practitioners will complement its menu of signature therapies aimed at relieving aching muscles and joints.

Guests will arrive at an open-plan reception, lounge and retail area, before enjoying treatments in one of five treatment rooms (two double and three single) and a mani-pedi station. The indoor swimming pool and relaxation area will be joined by a Six Senses juice bar and an outdoor hot tub.

The spa’s Vitality circuit will be equipped with a bio-sauna, a sauna, Kneipp path, a rain shower and a steam room.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Descombes Architects was responsible for creating the structure, and interior design by Longo Palmarini Architects has incorporated biophilic principles that are intended to ‘articulate the relationship between nature, human biology and the built environment’.

The design concept was inspired by the organic shapes of snow waves, which have been translated into contemporary features throughout the development. A palette of pure white combined with clean, bright colours is complemented by quirky mountain motifs in bespoke artwork that reflects the Alpine setting.

“We are incredibly excited about our second Six Senses spa in Europe. Our training director Carla Sage has worked on several new Alpine experiences and treatments that we will launch in Courchevel,” said Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses’ vice-president of spas and wellness. “We have targeted skiers and created a bathing ritual and journey that has not been seen before in this region. We will be the first spa in Courchevel using The Organic Pharmacy products and have created unique experiences here with the brand’s co-founder Margo Marrone.” www.sixsenses.com

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Business News

Lanesborough London prepares to debut exclusive spa

News in brief Park Hyatt Mallorca unveils Serenitas Spa SPAIN: An exclusive new day spa and wellness centre has been opened at the Park Hyatt Mallorca. The Serenitas Spa draws on the island’s rich history and cultural heritage and offers guests authentic treatments from ESPA that reflect the hotel’s rural Balearic locale. www.mallorca.park.hyatt.com

Alexandra House adds two thermal treatment rooms UK: One of Yorkshire’s leading destination spas, Alexandra House has expanded its offering with the launch of two new underground thermal treatment rooms.

The Roman-inspired designs are the result of a £150,000 refurbishment by local tradesmen over the past six months and feature individually heated tiled loungers from Germany and a Himalayan salt brick wall. www.alexandrahouse.org.uk

UK: Following the re-opening of the Lanesborough London in 2015,

and marking the next stage of the iconic hotel’s evolution, the 1,670sqm Lanesborough Club & Spa is to launch in early 2017.

The spa will offer both members and guests access to internationally recognised experts and leaders in the fields of wellness, beauty and fitness.

The Lanesborough Club & Spa has been created by 1508 London, and its designers have furthered the tone of Cabinet Alberto Pinto’s work on the hotel’s recent renovation, while generating additional, unique design characteristics.

Inspired by the ceremonial spaces and intimate areas associated with Roman baths and spas, the designers say a ‘balanced hybrid’ has been created, representing luxury club and lounge features as well as fitness and spa retreat offerings.

Spa brands will include La Prairie and ila, with wellness expert Bodyism and facial specialist Anastasia Achilleos The Method also partnering with the new spa.

Clarins has new partnership with Gran Meliá de Mar SPAIN: Clarins has unveiled its latest European spa partnership at the Gran Meliá in Mallorca.

Featuring the ‘Art of Touch’ signature treatment, which uses Clarins’ exclusive Manual Method, the contemporary hotel’s Spa by Clarins is located in the heart of a coastal enclave and surrounded by pine-studded gardens. www.clarins.com

www.oetkercollection.com

Champneys expands portfolio with Eastwell Manor acquisition in Kent UK: Champneys has acquired Eastwell Manor in Kent. To be operated under the

title of Champneys at Eastwell, the acquisition of the historic hotel is part of an ongoing development programme that has also included the recent refurbishment of Champneys Tring and Champneys Forest Mere.

Eastwell Manor sits within 3,000 acres in the heart of the Kent countryside and the hotel comprises 62 bedrooms and suites, two restaurants and extensive spa and leisure facilities. The building’s origins date back to the Norman conquest and the hotel maintains many traditional features including carved panel rooms and large, baronial stone fireplaces.

“We are thrilled about the acquisition of Eastwell Manor, which is a major milestone for Champneys,” said owner Stephen Purdew. “We love the historic property and this area of Kent so we are honoured to be welcoming such a landmark property to the group.”

Further to its latest acquisition, the group will be transforming Champneys Henlow and Champneys Springs in order to offer some of the most ‘advanced and cutting-edge’ facilities. The refurbishment programme at Eastwell Manor is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2017. www.champneys.com

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Business News

The Ritz-Carlton Abama embraces flagship role SPAIN: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

launched its new global spa programme in November at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama in Tenerife. A new treatment menu has been developed in conjunction with ESPA and the Abama spa will also be the first in Tenerife to introduce the Spanish skincare spa brand Sepai.

Treatments will be based on the brand’s ‘seven pillars’ of wellbeing – indulge; relax; Kenneth Ryan soothe; rejuvenate; revive; awaken and transform – with indigenous ingredients intended to evoke ‘the unique splendour of the volcanic isle’.

Crafted by spa ambassadors at Ritz-Carlton, the new concept incorporates treatments that reflect island influences, and the spa will offer what is described as ‘exceptional tailoring’ of wellness experiences to suit each individual guest.

Kenneth Ryan, vice-president, global spa discipline, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group, said: “The new Ritz-Carlton Spa concept plays on the location and the uniqueness of each spa to create exceptional and bespoke experiences.

“There are 18 spa locations live and a further 26 spa locations currently in the conversion process, as we continue to place our guests at the heart of everything we do, with a focus on personalised attention and flawless execution.” www.ritzcarlton.com

Blackhawk Network acquires Spafinder US: One of the leading

prepaid and payments global companies, Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. has acquired Spafinder Wellness 365 for an undisclosed sum.

David Tate, senior vice-president of Blackhawk’s US retail business said he believed the deal represented David Tate a very substantial opportunity for the company’s partners.

“We’re excited to expand our reach into spas through the Blackhawk platform solutions, such as Hawk Direct, which enables spas to sell their own gift card or e-gift on their own site,” said Tate. “We will be able to expand Hawk Direct to allow more spas to grow their branded value with their customer base.

“We can also assist spas with card design, production and processing. All very exciting and great opportunities for our partners.” www.blackhawknetwork.com

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Center Parcs welcomes pop-up brands in 2017 UK: Center Parcs’ Aqua Sana spa at Woburn Forest

in Bedfordshire is to host ‘pop-up’ spas from three different product houses next year.

Between January and June 2017, Voya, [comfort zone] and ESPA will each have a four week slot in the retail space and use of a treatment room at Aqua Sana Woburn Forest.

Chosen because they each offer a different approach to spa, the introduction of the three leading product houses will give guests a chance to learn about new brands as well as to experience treatments from their own specialised therapists.

Aqua Sana group spa manager Kay Pennington said: “We’re really excited about Voya, [comfort zone] and ESPA running pop-up spas at Woburn Forest. It’s a first for Aqua Sana and something completely new for our guests – we can’t wait to see what they think.”

Center Parcs currently operates five Aqua Sana resort spas, one serving each of its forest villages, and in 2019 is set to open a sixth spa within the E233 million (£200 million) Center Parcs Longford Forest development in County Longford, Ireland. www.aquasana.co.uk/woburn

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Business News

Gibson takes senior role at AccorHotels

Elemis partnerships expand global spa portfolio Global: Representing a significant portfolio

expansion, leading luxury British skincare brand Elemis has revealed ten new spa partnerships around the world.

In the UK, Elemis has entered the £3 million new Brimstone Spa at Langdale in the Lake District as well as at Swinton Park’s luxurious spa and the innovative SPAshell at Fishmore Hall in Ludlow.

Elsewhere in Europe, Elemis has joined forces with Soma Spa at Domes Noruz in Greece and the

Aphrodite Hills Sensatori Retreat Spa in Cyprus (above). In Asia, it has partnered with Serenity Spa & Salon at Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran and the Aramsa-The Garden Spa in Singapore.

Three more Marriott properties have been added to Elemis’s US portfolio – The Spa at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, The Spa at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and Si Spa at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Resort & Spa. www.elemis.com

GLOBAL: Following the recent acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts by AccorHotels, Andrew Gibson has become vice-president of wellbeing, Accor Luxury.

Responsible for the development of the wellbeing strategy for AccorHotels’ six Andrew Gibson luxury brands, Gibson will oversee the creation and implementation of standards globally as well as influence design and concepts.

Bringing more than 30 years of international hospitality experience in the fields of spa, wellness and leisure to this strategic leadership position, Gibson will be joined in the wellbeing division by Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, director of wellbeing, Raffles, Fairmont and MGallery; and Aldina Duarte Ramos, director of wellbeing Sofitel, Swissôtel and Pullman.

“With spa, wellness and living healthy now a key consideration of the affluent traveller, I’m very excited to guide our luxury group’s overall approach to general wellbeing,” stated Gibson. “To have the opportunity to refine, develop and revitalise the wellness strategies for all our luxury brands is a true privilege. My goal is to make AccorHotels the pre-eminent leader in this field.” www.frhi.com

Caudalie launches at Rockliffe Hall UK: Rockliffe Spa within the Rockliffe Hall Resort in Hurworth, County

Durham, has secured an exclusive contract with the luxury French beauty company Caudalie.

Rockliffe Spa will be the only spa in the north-east to offer Caudalie’s range of products and treatments and the menu has been designed around offering unique and indulgent experiences.

In keeping with Caudalie’s vineyard theme, treatments include a Wine Makers Massage, the Crushed Cabernet Body Treatment and the Premier Cru Facial.

A signature treatment called Vineyard Treasures will also be available.

Exclusive to Rockliffe Hall, it celebrates the ‘beautifying power of the grape and the winemaking process’ and combines an invigorating back massage with a bespoke Caudalie facial and a cranial scalp massage. www.rockliffehall.com www.caudalie.com

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Business News

Fishmore Hall showcases the innovative new SPAshell modular concept UK: Following a five-year developmental phase by consultancy

Spa Creators, SPAshell has made its UK debut at the luxury, boutique, Fishmore Hotel in Shropshire.

A fully functioning modular spa solution for the spa, wellness and luxury hotel sector, SPAshell provided the service for Fishmore Hall in 14 weeks from the order being placed and it was installed in just eight hours.

Available in two modular pod-size options, SPAshell offers a thermal suite to aid guest relaxation and a commercially graded six-seater outdoor vitality pool made from cedar wood.

Other features include a spa reception with juice bar and lounge area, a unisex changing room area and a vanity area with seating and hair drying facilities.

Laura Penman, owner of Fishmore Hall, said: “When SPAshell founder Alistair Johnson suggested a modular spa concept, I really didn’t know what to expect. However, the company’s creative spa solutions and ideas looked incredible and I loved the simple spa design.

“I chose the four treatment room version of SPAshell as this solution was ideal for us, with the interior being so well designed that it makes the best use of space, both inside and out. I have no doubt that SPAshell will revolutionise the hotel spa sector as it is such a great spa business concept.” www.spashell.com www.fishmorehall.com

Appointments Matthews exits Mandara Spa and Steiner

Jeff Matthews

GLOBAL: After 20 years with Mandara Spa and its parent company Steiner Leisure, Jeff Matthews has left to set up his own company, Spa Foundations.

In his future work as a consultant, Matthews says he aims to “ensure that the building blocks of a profitable spa are created” for clients around the world. www.spafoundations.com

Elisabeth Rugani joins MO Hyde Park

evianSpa move shows it has real Seoul FRANCE/SOUTH KOREA: evianSpa has further cemented its position in the Asian market with the

Elisabeth Rugani

Mazza is director of hospitality at HKS

signing of a license agreement with the Lotte Hotel Group to bring the evianSpa concept to Seoul.

Due to open in early 2017, the spa will be situated within the six-star Signiel hotel on the 86th floor of the Lotte World Tower skyscraper. It will offer guests the full experience of the evianSpa concept, which focuses on the journey of evian natural mineral water in the French Alps.

Florence Bossard, global business development director for evian, said: “As the most ambitious project in South Korea, evianSpa at Lotte World Tower will enable its guests to discover the evian universe with our vision of wellness through the spa experience.”

The evianSpa team will be led by Patrick Saussay, head of evianSpa international development, who will work closely with the Lotte team and leading interior design firm Wilson Associates. www.evianspa.com

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UK: Elisabeth Rugani has become the director of spa and wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London. With a wealth of experience in the luxury sector, Rugani was most recently the director of spa and wellbeing at the ESPA Spa at The Metropole Hotel in Monaco. www.mandarinoriental.com

Luciano Mazza

UK: Luciano Mazza has been appointed as director of hospitality, architecture at the global architectural practice HKS. Based in the group’s London office, Mazza’s promotion comes as Luis Zapiain, the former director, relocates to the US to work in the firm’s headquarters in Dallas. www.hksinc.com

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Ultimate costumized treatments Since 39 years, Biologique Recherche has a reputation for astounding effectiveness based on a clinical approach to beauty care using intentionally pure, concentrated and raw ingredients as well as innovative protocols and procedures.

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Business News

Gerard McCarthy is mr sauna UK: Gerard McCarthy, the former sales director of DaleSauna, has embarked on a new venture to supply sauna and steamrooms to the commercial and residential markets. mr sauna will be based in Harrogate and will offer a service throughout the UK, providing high quality, British-made equipment.

“There are so many suppliers in the marketplace now that I really want to stand out by offering a first-class, personal service and use all of my experience to ensure complete client satisfaction,” said McCarthy. www.mrsauna.co.uk

Spa Metropole by Givenchy set for Monaco debut Monaco: The House of Givenchy is to unveil its first

spa in Monaco in early 2017.

Opening in February at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, the Spa Metropole by Givenchy will be the third Givenchy spa to open in the world, after sites in Morocco and Switzerland.

Designed by architect Didier Gomez, the spa is intended to be a luxurious space offering ‘sophisticated care treatments and absolute wellbeing’. The treatment rooms have been designed to reflect Givenchy’s distinctive and elegant style, while complementing the architecture of the prestigious hotel.

Priding itself on the selection of exclusive properties and carefully hand-picked staff, the Givenchy spa philosophy promises to deliver personalised and indulgent treatments.

A Belle Epoque property built in 1889, the hotel is situated in the Carré d’Or and overlooks the

Mediterranean Sea. It was fully renovated in 2004

by French designer Jacques Garcia, who transformed the property into an exclusive hotel comprising 126 bedrooms and suites. www.metropole.com www.givenchybeauty.com

Innovative wellbeing space opens in London UK: A new type of boutique wellbeing space has launched

in the heart of Richmond, London.

Bhuti offers a range of holistic activities and classes within its intimate surroundings, including yoga and Pilates. A range of more than 50 spa treatments and complementary therapies are also available using premium British brands including Oskia, Elemental Herbology, ila and Neom.

Bhuti will also host events and workshops including supper clubs and yoga courses, and guests will be able to sample wholesome and delicious dining thanks to the fully organic, vegan kitchen which serves gluten- and sugar-free dishes.

Membership to Bhuti is available on either a yearly or monthly basis. www.bhuti.co

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Business News

European industry ready for Beauty Düsseldorf 2017

Diary dates World Spa & Wellness Convention 2017

February 26-27, 2017 ExCel, London, UK For owners and operators of spa, hotel and wellness facilities, this two-day conference forms part of the Professional Beauty show and incorporates the World Spa & Wellness Awards held at a historic venue in the City of London. www.professionalspawellness.com

Healing Summit

March 6-7, 2017 Berlin, Germany A programme of presentations with workshops on holistic perspectives and healing business practices lead this inspirational event. In 2017, the Summit’s core topics will focus on ‘transformation’ on both personal and business levels. www.healingsummit.org

GERMANY: Taking place from March 31 to April 2,

the 2017 Beauty Düsseldorf international trade show promises to be the most comprehensive to date.

With more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 nations showcasing spa, cosmetics, nails and wellness brands to an audience of more than 50,000 delegates, the event provides a platform for the latest spa and wellness innovations in a range of industry sectors, from solariums and tanning to interior fittings and accessories.

Located within the trade show, The Spa Business Lounge will provide a ‘compact overview of current developments and innovations’ in the spa industry,

providing lectures, educational discussion panels and an exclusive exhibition area for spa brands, spa treatments and design.

There will also be a dedicated wellness exhibition area that will enable delegates to experience a special ‘World of Treatments’, showcasing a selection from different continents. This area will feature an Innovation Gallery full of pioneering products, services and concepts with the best being commended at the Wellness and Spa Innovation Awards. www.wellness-innovation.eu www.beauty-international.com

Condé Nast Johansens chooses a Premier partnership UK: Leading reference guide for independent

travellers, Condé Nast Johansens has chosen Premier Software and its flagship software system Core By Premier as its exclusive hospitality software partner.

The deal will see Core being marketed and endorsed directly to the Johansens’ portfolio within both the UK and Europe.

Johansen has a range of more than 550 four and five-star independent luxury hotels and spas worldwide. “We choose our partners like we choose the hotels and spas we invite into our portfolio – very carefully,” said Fiona Patrick, Condé Nast Johansens client services director (in photo, right).

“They have to be world-class, of the highest quality and go beyond expectation. Premier certainly meets this criteria and shares our values.”

Leonie Wileman, COO at Premier Software, (in photo, left) added: “Core already works with some of UK’s leading hotel and spas, and the partnership with Johansens is testament to the quality of the software.” www.premiersoftware.co.uk

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Share your appointments, announcements, launches and diary dates with our News editor Sarah Todd. Call +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email sarah.todd@spapublishing.com

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

A warm welcome European Spa visits The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, a Lancashire gem with a dedicated team that has cared for the wellbeing of its guests for the last five years RE P O RT BY SARAH C A M I L L E R I

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t is a bright Monday morning and The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village is already a hive of activity; guests are relaxing in the newly opened Zen Garden and experiencing the spa’s Aqua Thermal journey; the treatment columns are almost full; and the sunshine illuminates the enthusiastic team as they greet and serve the clientele with a clear sense of pride.

The 120 staff at this grand property in the north-west of England have been on a real journey into spa and wellness over the last seven years, since entrepreneurial owner CEO Paul Harrison and managing director Mark Partington, took the decision to begin a £5 million investment programme to create what is now a leading spa destination.

Since it opened in 2011, the 38-bedroom spa hotel has grown into a thriving business; the jewel in the crown of Ribby Hall Village, a short-break holiday resort set in 120 acres of Lancashire parkland, it has achieved a five-bubble rating from The Good Spa Guide and two AA rosettes for fine dining. More recently, The Spa Hotel scooped the former’s 2016 award for Best Spa for Value, beating 15 other shortlisted UK spas.

The journey begins Success stories are always great to hear, but what makes Ribby Hall’s story compelling is the fact that this was actually the team’s first foray into running a hotel that could present luxury spa service.

“Everything we have achieved as a business in the past 21 years has been on the back of the success of each of those years,” says Mark Partington. “Our owner, Mr Harrison Sr, always wanted a building at the highest point of the site to overlook the village, so the original building here was a 42-room self catering apartment hotel. There was no life up here – no bar, no restaurant, certainly no spa,” he states.

“It achieved a reasonable profit, it was ‘tick-tock’, but not really exciting. As time went on, we knew that we needed something else, something really special, that would attract new customers.”

In fact, it was a family trip to Center Parcs that catalysed an ambitious new investment. “When Center Parcs first launched its Aqua Sana spa I went to try it and I could not believe how busy it was. The experience helped us crystallise our thinking on what we wanted to achieve here at Ribby Hall.”

Inspired by a growing demand for accessible spa services, the team embarked on creating a new spa destination. “It took two years to develop the hotel and achieve the luxury offer we knew we needed,” says Partington. “This could not be nip and tuck, it demanded the right level of luxurious equipment, finishes and experiences.”

The design, build and realisation of the new spa hotel was just the beginning

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

Clockwise from far left: The spa’s hydrotherapy pool supplied

by DaleSauna; socialising at the Garden Bar; the cocooning treatment area provides a change of ambience from the wet spa area; the spa offers treatments specifically to attract the male market; The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall is set in 120 acres of parkland

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

“It took two years to develop the hotel and achieve the luxury offer we knew we needed. This could not be nip and tuck, it demanded the right level of luxurious equipment, finishes and experiences.”

Mark Partington Managing director, Ribby Hall Village

of a steep learning curve. “We had never operated a luxury hotel before and so every piece of the business was new,” reveals Partington. “We knew our leisure offer inside out but had to recruit a whole team for a new business we had no experience of operating before. It was a colossal challenge.”

Inside the spa Overlooking the Zen Garden’s relaxation spaces, the 1,100sqm spa, originally designed by Malcom King, is testament to this clarity of vision. Elegantly split over two floors, light plays through the heart of the facility thanks to double-height windows that provide a sense of space.

The spa’s busy reception welcomes day and overnight spa guests who arrive either straight from the hotel or via a separate day guest entrance. Spacious male and female changing rooms lead off from the reception area, taking guests through to the social wet spa, which features a central hydrotherapy pool surrounded by a sequence of eight heat experiences, all designed and installed by DaleSauna.

Known as the Aqua Thermal Journey, the thermal circuit is packaged as a two-hour experience to which lunch, afternoon tea or dinner can be added. It comprises an aroma room, an aroma steam room, a saunarium, a Balinese salt inhalation room, a herbal sauna, an outdoor rustic sauna, a Roman pedidarium and a tepidarium, complemented by an outdoor

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Clockwise from above left: Guests find sanctuary in the Zen Garden; enjoying the light-filled poolside relaxation area; the spa’s 11 treatments rooms are accessed from a separate reception

spa pool and monsoon showers. A two-person rasul is also available to be booked as a separate treatment.

The newly extended, south-facing Zen Garden offers outdoor relaxation on a lounge deck complete with a hot tub and a juice bar that serves an indulgent menu of juices, Prosecco and cocktails, to relaxing guests.

Upstairs, the cocooning treatment area represents a notable shift ambience from the sociable wet spa area. Guests heading for treatments are greeted at a separate reception, which can also be accessed by hotel guests arriving directly from their rooms. Here, 11 treatment rooms and two relaxation rooms are discreetly shielded from the wet spa below, but still have views of the garden beyond.

Forward-looking leadership Ribby Hall’s spa manager, Jane Tregonning, joined the enterprise in October 2015, bringing a wealth of expertise from a career with DeVere and Marriott. “I’m originally from this area, so joining the team has been like coming home, its been a fantastic opportunity,” she smiles. “Our spa hotel really is the hidden gem of the north-west, its luxurious and affordable – a sanctuary where you can get away from it all.”

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

Mind, body and goals A new Wellness Suite has provided an exciting step-change for business, The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall’s John Mcilwham and Natalie Westgate tell us more

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he spa’s new Wellness Suite has deepened the level of preventative health expertise on offer to health club members, local residents, day spa visitors and overnight guests.

“When we opened The Spa Hotel in 2011 we envisaged that one day we would offer dedicated wellbeing packages and therapies,” explains John Mcilwham, who was the driving force behind this latest wellness investment.

“In today’s often manic world we want to encourage our guests to be mindful of their health and wellbeing. We firmly believe that the combined expertise of our therapists, together with the clinical and nutritional advice provided by our team and Wellness International, enhance our ability to do this.”

Fitness equipment specialist Technogym has supplied both the Wellness Suite and Ribby Hall’s extensive Health Club.“We wanted the very best equipment for our gym and liked the wellness philosophy behind Technogym and Wellness International,” says Mcilwham.

“It has inspired us to begin implementing our own health and wellbeing concept for guests and our own team. We know that if our staff are healthy and feeling good about themselves then we can offer this to other businesses. Its about practicing what you preach.”

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Natalie Westgate, Wellness manager, The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall As part of her role to promote the new offering, wellness manager Natalie Westgate can plan bespoke wellness packages for individuals, as well as corporate groups.

Her growing team offers the expertise of Olympian Bronze medalist Helen Clitheroe in personal training and coaching; Adrian Kalinski, sports nutritionist and personal trainer; sports therapist Olivia Simmons; physiotherapist Tim Pigott, who has worked in elite sport for over 10 years and currently supports British Cycling and UK Athletics; and hypnotherapist Gemma Webster.

“The opportunities to grow this side of our business are endless,” Westgate enthuses.

“We want to bring people back to fitness in an environment that is not intimidating. That one-to-one, that ‘little push’ can make all the difference to people’s confidence. Our Spa Slimmers club is very popular with local guests as it is not about short-term benefits, but much longer lasting health and life-changing results.”

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

“Opening the spa earlier has generated an extra 144 hours a month of treatment time. This has been great for our hotel guests as they can use the spa at 9am before they check out.”

Jane Tregonning Spa manager, The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

From top: Outdoor hydrotherapy in the hot tub on the lounge deck in the newly extended spa garden; a juice bar provides both healthy and indulgent refreshment; feeling the heat in a sauna on the eight-stage Aqua Thermal Journey

With a Masters in sports and recreational management, the keen marathon runner says continuous development is key to achieving a successful spa business. “I have really enjoyed bringing a level of corporate process, training and commerciality to what was already a successful business,” she states. “Our spa is always evolving it never stands still.”

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village provides a real sense of sociability and its accessible pricing draws in a wide range of visitors. “I am always impressed by the number of different types of guest we appeal to,” says Tregonning. “We attract a lot of couples, mums and daughters, and other guests who just want to escape for the day.

“Over the years we have taken care to manage large groups, just so we can maintain the atmosphere and experience for everyone.” she adds.

“We are very much about affordable luxury and that is what we deliver,” says brand and communications manager Charlotte Gill-Ross. “Our mid-week spa breaks start from £99 per person, per night, which is extraordinarily good value for money. This positioning is right for us in this location.”

Strong communication has been a key factor in the business’s success and will continue to shape its future.

“We have worked very hard to improve and fine-tune our communications throughout all our menus and marketing channels,” says Gill-Ross. “Social media is an instant barometer of how well received our ideas are and it really gives us the level of engagement we need. Our Facebook following is amazing, we now have more than 45,000 followers, so when we put out a campaign, such as our fifth birthday celebrations, you can watch it take on a life of its own with people commenting, sharing and tagging. Its incredible to watch.” she says.

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On the menu The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village offers an extensive menu of treatments from Elemis, Neom, Ishga and Natural Spa Factory, as well as a host of innovative signature treatments and bridal, couples, celebration and seasonal packages. “We have worked very closely with our lead product house, Elemis, to streamline our retail offer and bring onboard many new, exciting treatments,” explains Tregonning.

“It’s been a real team effort to bring together new ideas and packages and make them appealing to different groups and individual customers. We are always experimenting to see what takes off – for instance, coupling services such as Pilates and a treatment, or staging events like ‘Bring In Your Makeup Bag’, with makeover advice and a facial.”

The spa also does a brisk business in fun overnight stays with titles such as ‘Perfect Night In’, which includes an overnight stay, dinner, spa time and an Ishga treatment, as

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

SPA STATS The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village +44 (0) 1772 671755 www.ribbyhall.co.uk CEO: Paul Harrison Managing director: Mark Partington Senior accommodation manager: Carole Pilling General manager: Andrew Scott Spa manager: Jane Tregonning Wellness manager: Natalie Westgate Spa Hotel team: 120 (60 spa) Opened: August 2011 Interior design: Malcolm King Investment: £5 million Treatment rooms: 11 Pool and Aqua Thermal Journey: DaleSauna Product houses: Elemis, Neom, Mii, Jessica, Natural Spa Factory and ghd Fitness equipment: Technogym Facilities: Wellness suite including two consultation rooms, private gym and Pilates Studio, Finishing Touches Suite, two relaxation rooms, Zen Garden with relaxation deck, outdoor hot tub and Garden Bar

well as complimentary movies and popcorn.

Notably, men are specifically encouraged to make the most of their time at the spa. “We have taken time to really improve our men’s treatment menu to make it more accessible. We offer performance massages, facials and foot care treatments, so men can have a facial and still feel masculine,” says Tregonning. “This is one of the great appeals of Ishga – as a brand they have really helped to drive our male treatment sales.”

Nurturing excellence The 120-strong team, overseen by hotel manager Andrew Scott, is split almost 50:50 across the hotel and spa, with everyone playing a part in the destination’s overall success.

“We recruited Andrew internally as our new hotel manager, as he has the right drive, energy and personality to lead our team here,” says Mark Partington.

With 30 therapists to nurture, Jane Tregonning has appointed a training manager to oversee their complex training matrix. “It really helps us to know where everyone is at and what specific training is needed so we can evaluate performance and ensure our therapists feel they are invested in and their skills are maintained and enhanced,” she says.

“We have 11 treatment rooms and four stations in our

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From top: Nailcare and makeup services are provided in the Finishing Touches Suite; reflexology footbaths begin the Aqua Thermal Journey; the spa offers an outdoor sauna in addition to the indoor wet area

Finishing Touches Suite and, on average 12 therapists working daily, so we can deliver approximately 100 treatment hours a day,” confirms Tregonning, before giving an example of just how deep the process of continuous improvement goes at the spa. “We spent several months analysing our roster, as it was too static and not conducive for growth,” she states. “Room occupancy, therapist availability and shift patterns, all impact on business growth. We saw the opportunity to open the spa earlier to lengthen the day and generate an extra 144 hours a month of treatment time. This has been great for our hotel guests as they can use the spa at 9am before they check out.

It has also helped us create two spa shifts a day.”

Suite success In 2015, the spa launched its new Wellness Suite (see box on p35) and a Finishing Touches Suite. Decadent and beautifully appointed the latter features its own lounge, retail area and four stations offering signature mani-pedi services from Jessica, as well as professional makeup, lashes and brows by Mii. “Relocating this Suite downstairs has given us another dimension of the business to offer our 4,000 health club

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Spas The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, UK

“We pride ourselves on providing affordable luxury, phenomenal product houses, state-of-the-art treatments and an amazing team that strives for success in everything we do.”

Andrew Scott Hotel manager, The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

members and other local visitors,” says Tregonning. “They can come and enjoy beautiful nail and makeup treatments, and special events, without impacting on other guests.”

Retailing is also another proactive focus for the team. “It’s a massive growth area for us,” she continues. “Our reception team receives regular retail training for every brand, rather than leaving it to the therapists to complete sales. This has really made a difference to our retail revenue, which has grown 14% year on year. Currently, the split of sales is around 35% by our therapists and 65% by our reception team.”

Flowing to the future All the team at The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall agree that guest feedback is vital to move the business forward. “We speak to our guests on reception day-in, day-out. In fact, we have doubled the size of the reception team, it was one of the first changes I made, as it is that all important first point of contact,” says Tregonning. “We need to ensure that every guest has a smooth start to their day and our staff are there to make this happen.

“We also introduced two new roles – a spa host and a spa attendant. Our reception team work much later now so the host supports them in their work, while the spa attendant looks after the Aqua Thermal Journey inside. We identified a need for someone to be there, walking the floor and able to help people, whether showing them to lunch or directing them to their treatments – someone to keep the flow going.”

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Clockwise from above left: The hydrotherapy area provides a social experience in contrast to the calming treatment rooms; performance massages and other treatments are aimed at the male audience; the Wellness Suite has enhanced the spa’s fitness offering

Another of Ribby Hall’s feedback successes has been its work to make spa accessible for those with cancer. “For the past two years we’ve been working closely with the NHS Christie Trust foundation to develop a range of gentle therapies, tailored to suit each guest,” says Tregonning. “In many spas there is no access to this type of treatment but we are very open here. Our therapists have all been trained in-house by Dr Mackereth and his team, so we can provide a range of packages and treatments to care and support clients following a cancer diagnosis,” she says. “Our therapists actually love delivering these treatments – they get a lot out of it, as do our guests.”

The future at Ribby Hall looks set to be one of continued growth. “We are very excited about working with the experts we have here to grow our corporate wellness services,” says Tregonning. “We are also looking forward to expanding the services in our Finishing Touches Suite and working with our guests to improve what we can offer them, including the launch of a new spa membership programme.

“Ribby Hall is diverse, forward-thinking, innovative and, most importantly, genuine. My team also has the freedom to contribute ideas and everyone benefits from really getting engaged and being part of the process of moving the business forward.”

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Business Global Wellness Summit 2016

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Business Global Wellness Summit 2016

Back to the future Celebrating the industry’s history while keeping everyone’s attention firmly on what lies ahead, the 2016 Global Wellness Summit, held in the Tyrolean Alps, was a thought-provoking and inspirational gathering R EP OR T BY S A R A H TOD D A ND S A R A H C A MIL L ER I

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he tenth annual Global Wellness Summit (GWS) took place in October against the stunning backdrop of the Tyrolean Alps in Kitzbühel, Austria.

The largest event to date, more than 500 spa, hospitality and wellness decision-makers attended from over 45 nations to shape the future of the $3.72 trillion wellness economy.

The 2016 theme of ‘Back to the Future’ sparked an agenda designed to engage and entertain with both examinations of the past and visions for the future of the global spa and wellness industries.

This year’s host country of Austria remains a groundbreaking force in the global wellness tourism market, despite being a relatively small nation of around 8.5m people. As one of the first countries to incorporate wellness into its tourism marketing more than 25 years ago, Austria ranks sixth globally for wellness tourism revenues with an annual figure of $15.4 billion, according to the new Global Wellness Institute (GWI) data, while its 1,354 spas generate $1.6 billion in revenue per year.

As Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit, explained, this year’s theme was very much shaped by the Summit’s location: “So much of the spa and wellness industry was born in Austria. Hosting the Summit here allowed us 1. Dressed to impress: Nancy Davis, Susie Ellis, Nadja Swarovski, Susan Harmsworth, MBE and Gina Diez Barroso at the glittering gala event at Swarovski Crystal Worlds 2. Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, CEO and owner of Germany’s Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa and Cultural Hideaway 3. Louie Schwartzberg, founder of US-based company Moving Art, gave an opening presentation that received a standing ovation 4. David Bosshart, managing director of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, discussed the ‘post-digital’ age 5. Fitness and fun atop Hahnenkamm mountain 6. President and COO of Babor, USA, Mark Wuttke 7. Summit co-chair Dr Franz Linser, managing director of Linser Hospitality, welcomed visitors to the Summit

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8. The Tyrloean town of Kitzbühel provided a stunning backdrop for this year’s Global Wellness Summit

to analyse the past decade for our industry and forecast what lies ahead in the next ten years.”

Sharing expertise With numerous in-depth keynote sessions, panels, discussion forums and research presentations taking place across the Summit’s three days, a wide range of topics were covered, from design, marketing and education, to wellness tourism, architecture, beauty and the emerging sector of wellness lifestyle real estate.

Starting off an insightful and memorable agenda was Louie Schwartzberg, founder of US-based company Moving Art, who greeted delegates with a welcome session that received a standing ovation, before Susie Ellis and Summit co-chairs Susan Harmsworth, MBE, founder of ESPA, and Dr Franz Linser, founder and managing director of Austria’s Linser Hospitality provided some brief opening remarks.

The first keynote was from Dr David Bosshart, managing director of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute in Switzerland. With a session entitled ‘Wellness 2030 – from old fashioned industrial romance to data buddhism’, Bosshart suggested that the rapid normalisation of digital media meant this was now the defining characteristic of our age. He said that the digital revolution as we understand it was over, as we “move towards an algorithmic humanism”, where listening to our data will become more important to optimise our behaviour.

In this post-digital world, Bosshart asserted, “the only scarcity we will have... is the power of imagination”. Towards the end of his talk, he revealed that thanks to the prevalence of smart phones and social media, more photographs were taken last year than in the whole of the rest of the history of mankind.

Wellness insights One of the standout moments of each GWS is the unveiling of the latest research figures from the GWI. This year, Ophelia Yeung and Katherine Johnston, senior research fellows at the GWI, enlisted the help of selected members

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of the audience who held up inflatable balls of varying sizes to visually break down the ten different industry sectors that comprise the global wellness economy.

Defining wellness as ‘the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyle that lead to a state of holistic health’, Yeung and Johnston provided a detailed but accessible summary of the latest research from the 2016 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, which will be released in early 2017.

Key findings included that the wellness industry grew 10.6% in the last two years; from a $3.36 trillion market in 2013 to $3.72 trillion in 2015; and it now represents 5.1% of global economic output.

Among the ten wellness segments studied for the report, the fastest growing during this period were Preventative/Personalised Medicine and Public Health (+23.5%) followed by Fitness and Mind Body (+21.4%) and Wellness Lifestyle Real Estate (+18.6%).

Concluding, Johnston said that the growth trajectory of the global wellness economy was

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resilient to short-term economic cycles and geo-political elements. “We predict a major shift in how we think about wellness and how we integrate it into our daily lives,” she added.

Dr Franz Linser followed with a short keynote examining wellness ‘as it is meant to be’. He predicted a paradigm change would happen soon and that wellness ‘as it is meant to be’ means active health promotion through lifestyle change. He said it was impossible to ‘sell’ prevention of the negative aspects of life; rather, the focus should be on selling the best possible life an individual can have. Dr Linser added that we should get rid of ‘to do’ lists and replace them with ‘to be’ lists in order to truly embrace life as a whole.

The naked truth Before lunch, a packed general session on European spa and wellness traditions provided a range of insights. Featuring Aldina Duarte Ramos of Accor Hotels, Adrian Egger from Linser Hospitality, Lasse Eriksen of Nordic Hotels & Resorts, and Alla Sokolova from

Inbalans, the panellists were moderated by Six Senses’ vice-president of spas and wellness Anna Bjurstam.

Topics included how bathing traditions provided a great marriage between health and spirituality, helping people to stay ‘purified, healthy and strong’. Describing thalassotherapy as “a gift from nature”, Aldina Duarte Ramos focused on a brief history of French thalassotherapy and stated that biologist René Quinton’s pioneering ocean science work is still used in modern day therapies.

After lunch, journalist and filmmaker Giselle Fernandez interviewed two European spa visionaries. Balthasar Hauser, owner of Austria’s world-leading five-star luxury eco-resort, Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, told how he began his inspirational journey at 17 years old when he inherited a 400-year-old Tyrolean farmhouse. He described how, when he decided to transform the property into a resort, the banks wouldn’t lend him any money, so he extended the farm’s stables using materials sourced with help from friends and family.

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1. Six Senses’ vice-president of spas and wellness Anna Bjurstam 2. Dr Jan-Emmanuel De Neve discussed the economics of happiness and wellbeing 3. Ophelia Yeung and Katherine Johnston presented the latest GWI research 4. Gharieni’s Mehmet Er gets active in the Austrian outdoors 5. Irene Forte, brand manager for Rocco Forte Hotels, gave a fascinating talk on the Millennial market 6. Mia Kyricos, chair of the GWI’s Wellness Communities Initiative 7. Delegates said a resounding ‘Yes’ to the prospect of Global Wellness Day 2017 7

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He emphasised how deeply important it was to him, as a farmer, that every part of Stanglwirt’s construction was genuine and authentic. His inventive workarounds to avoid debt, he said, eventually came from the belief that “ideas were better than loans”.

Next up was Richard Schmitz, CEO of Germany’s H/S/M Hotel und Spa Management and also the recipient of this year’s Global Wellness Award for Leader in Innovation, who recalled adding ‘& Spa’ to the name of Germany’s iconic Brenners Park Hotel in 1983. As he joked, to begin with “people couldn’t even spell ‘spa’”. Subsequently, as the property became world famous, Schmitz said his philosophy that “people were the most important factor in any business” remained paramount during his tenure.

Following these instructive and inspirational interviews, a short keynote from neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre explored what neuroscience can teach us about beauty. She asked if there is any such thing as ‘universal beauty’ as well as whether humans actually need the concept,

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before exploring how the brain processes both beauty and sublimity. Concluding with a positive message, Dr Aguirre said that beauty could change a person’s self-esteem and that, if we can find beauty in the harshest of places, then there is hope.

President and COO of Babor USA, Mark

Wuttke, then proceded with an examination of beauty through the ages. He said the beauty industry is now at an interesting crossroads as the consumer’s search for more than a personalised experience is leaving the big companies unsure of which direction their business should go in. Consequently they are

The crade of wellness Dr. Jürgen Bodenseer, president of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce, discussed the future of wellness tourism in Austria “Wellness is one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

“It is often said that the Tyrolean region created wellness tourism in the 1980s and we certainly revolutionised the concept of a year-round wellness destination. For Austria, and particularly the Tyrol, wellness hotels are our ‘pulling horses’ in creating a cross-seasonal 365-day offering, and they are a very important market for us, generating more than $1.5 billion in revenue a year.

“From companies such as Schletterer, which was the first company in the Tyrol to start supplying premium specialist equipment to spas, to pioneering wellness hotels such as the Hotel & Resort Alpenrose, our enduring wellness offering is authentic, fully integrated and always from the heart.” www.wko.at/tirol

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Business Global Wellness Summit 2016 Recruitment challenge Katherine Johnston and Ophelia Yeung from the GWI discuss spa career statistics “Our projections for spa industry growth over the next five years indicate that there will be an estimated 2.8 million people employed by spas in 2018. An additional 400,000 trained spa therapists and 70,000 experienced spa managers/directors (above the current level) will be needed by the industry in 2020.

“We also looked at spa employment by world region and broke these down into Europe; Asia-Pacific; North America; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East and North Africa; and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe, we’ve seen the total employment in spas rise from 678,920 in 2013 to 745,584 in 2015 and we project that, by 2020, there will be 946,765 people needed in this region alone.”

rapidly acquiring smaller companies. Wuttke said this presented a great deal of opportunity for the spa industry, as “where else can you find such a truly individualised, bespoke experience?”

Design inspiration Day two began with a keynote interview focusing on wellness architecture and design.

ARUP’s associate director Ann Marie Aguilar and sustainable design specialist Vicki Lockhart were joined by Lars Krückeberg, founding partner of Germany’s GRAFT Gesellschaft von Architekten, and Neil Jacobs of Six Senses, to cover the latest innovative design solutions and thinking around environmental protection.

Krückeberg detailed some of his practice’s pioneering work within healing environments, including the redesign of an intensive care unit at the University Clinic Charité in Berlin, which incorporated more holistic lighting and greatly reduced noise levels. The hospital found that patients in this considered environment healed more quickly; Krückeberg used this as an example of what he called the ‘cradle-to-cradle’ circular economies concept.

Neil Jacobs then presented a range of ways in which Six Senses was using cutting-edge wellness design in its new properties at Six Senses Gammarth on the northern Tunisia coast and 1 Hotel Marrakech in Morocco. Jacobs spoke of the importance of elements such as biological lighting, which is supportive to the body’s natural Circadian rhythms, and biophilic design principles, whereby guests should have a visual connection with nature through the presence of water, natural materials, colour and patterns wherever possible.

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This was followed by a short, but powerful, keynote session from Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, CEO and owner of Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa and Cultural Hideaway in Germany. Perhaps best described as a creatively clever disruptor, Mueller-Elmau gave an insight into his spa, which has used little marketing but operates at around 80% occupancy throughout the year, mostly through word-of-mouth publicity.

Having invested more than $100 million in the property over the past decade, he said the philosophy of Schloss Elmau is to provide a cultural offering that opposes homogeneity and instead celebrates “maximum individuality”.

Guests include authors and musicians who ‘play to stay’, and from people choosing the colour of their bathrobes to the active encouragement of children to visit all parts of the hotel and spa, his underlying logic was that freedom of choice leads to the “hope of happiness”.

The conference’s second day was moved outside thanks to an afternoon spent at the

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5 1. Fabian Franz of Vitalis Dr Joseph and Maria Hauser from Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt 2. Spa visionary Richard Schmitz was awarded the Global Wellness Award for Leader in Innovation 3. Zappos advisor Maggie Hsu described the company’s philosophy of self-organisation 4. Economist Thierry Malleret discussed the concepts of ‘fairness’ and ‘mandatory wellness’ 5. Dr Harald Stossier, medical director of Austria’s VIVAMAYR clinic 6. Summit co-chair Susan Harmsworth, MBE 7. Delegates unwind in a yoga class 8. The second day of the Summit began with a keynote session exploring wellness architecture and design

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top of Hahnenkamm mountain – home of the world’s fastest downhill ski race and accessed via a state-of-the-art gondola – before delegates enjoyed a gala event at the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds with a personal welcome from executive board member Nadja Swarovski.

The economics of happiness The final day began with the first-ever Shark Tank of Wellness Student Competition. A panel of judges from companies including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, ESPA, KLAFS and Jane Iredale interrogated three finalists in a live event. The top prize of $5,000 was eventually awarded to Shahrin Ali Raivi from North South University in Bangladesh, for her ‘Mukto Sanitary Napkin’ concept. Her idea was to make sustainable sanitary towels accessible to the 80% of women throughout Bangladesh who currently rely on unsanitary and ineffective options, by making use of the leftover materials from her country’s cotton industry.

Next, Dr Jan-Emmanuel De Neve’s keynote examined the ‘economics of happiness and wellbeing’. Presenting parts of Gallup’s World Happiness Report, Dr De Neve, from Oxford University, explained that economic development was good for wellbeing but that wellbeing is twice as sensitive to economic loss as it is to gain. To this end, in times of loss, the wellness industry should be at its most active, as this is when people will need it the most.

Fellow Oxford professor Gerry Bodeker then addressed the topic of mental wellbeing and how conceptions of wellness have translated into the mental health arena. He explained how,

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as an industry, we should be bringing wellness more into the community to help towards its greater democratisation. He advised that the wellness industry should not look to big companies as drivers of change and growth, but instead find the ‘boundary riders’, or the wellness equivalent of the Silicon Valley garage start-ups, as it is they that will provide the future billion dollar industries.

Following Professor Bodeker, Irene Forte, brand manager for Rocco Forte Hotels, delivered a dynamic keynote focusing on the Millennial generation. Forte explained how the new Rocco Forte spa concept, which went live in January 2016, focuses on the four ‘notions’ of ‘rituals’, ‘fitness’, ‘nourish’ and ‘health’. This direction was said to be rooted in recent research that showed Millennials are deeply engaged with these aspects of wellness.

Forte also explained how the group has tapped into the increasing trend of staff education via mobile devices with the launch of ‘Map My Future’, an app which enables Rocco Forte employees to access hospitality training and development via their smart phone.

Back to the future After lunch, the co-founder of The Monthly Barometer, economist Thierry Malleret delivered a hypothesis on the role of ‘fairness’, citing it as the best economic proxy. Around the world, Malleret said, healthcare systems are ‘reeling’ from a combination of ageing populations, funding constraints and rising levels of chronic disease. He believed wellness should now be mandatory in the public and private sectors, and

Above from left: Delegates had great fun at the famous Swarovski Crystal Worlds gala event; The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida was announced as the host of Global Wellness Summit 2017

that workplace wellness should be a strategic imperative for forward-looking companies.

Mia Kyricos, chair of the Wellness Communities Initiative at the GWI, led the informative final panel presentation of the Summit, with contributions from Samantha Foster, director at Destination Spa Management; Brooke Warrick, president of American LIVES, Inc; and Ophelia Yeung and Katherine Johnston of the GWI. Looking at wellness communities and lifestyle real estate, the session detailed a number of global developments that have either launched, such as Serenbe in Georgia, US, or are in development, including Q’In Wellness in China. It was said that these projects showed the power of ‘positive economics’ in all areas of the wellness communities design process.

The final keynote belonged to Maggie Hsu, an advisor at online clothing retailer Zappos.

With a philosophy of “intentional inefficiency”, she described how Zappos headquarters, which is owned by Amazon, has been ‘designed for collisions’, with water-cooler moments deliberately replicated in order to increase employee trust and collaboration.

Susie Ellis wrapped up a memorable event by announcing that the 2017 Global Wellness Summit is to take place at The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida, US. www.globalwellnesssummit.org

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Menu Babor’s 60th anniversary From below: Babor’s sleek headquarters in Aachen, Germany; the brand’s new ReVersive mask is based on principles of chronobiology; Babor strives to deliver quality treatments in 70 countries around the world; the company produces 19 million of its iconic ampoules each year

Perfected over time A European Spa exclusive celebrates 60 years of international spa brand Babor R E P OR T BY H EL L ENA B A R NE S

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rom the bold vision of a single scientist in Cologne, over the last 60 years Babor has grown into a leading global brand. With its headquarters in the spa town of Aachen, Germany, Babor’s reach extends to 70 countries worldwide and the company has distributors in Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, the UK, Canada and the US. The Babor story began in 1956 when German biochemist Dr Michael Babor developed his ground-breaking HY-OL formula, still a bestseller of which the company currently produces 50,000 litres a year. This formulation became the foundation for a pioneering skincare business that was later taken over between 1962 and 1965 by pharmacist Dr Leo Vossen, who began its global transformation.

Six decades later, Babor is now led by third-generation members of the Vossen family who are dedicated to carrying on its tradition of excellence. “We are proud to be the biggest independent family-owned company in the global spa

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industry,” says chief executive officer Michael Schummert.

“Babor represents exceptional quality made in Germany.

The attention to detail that comes with being a family-led company sets us apart from many competitors. Our heritage underpins our position around the globe and enables Babor to define the future for our brand and its partners.”

Precision skincare

The impressive Babor headquarters is home to the brand’s state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Centre, where every aspect of each product – from concept and creation to production and packaging – is meticulously developed.

“Research is in our DNA,” says Schummert, “and we have a deeper understanding of the skin than ever before. This is what drives research at Babor’s laboratories – we focus on developing precision formulas with active ingredients that are perfectly coordinated to ensure the best possible results.”

The company’s confidence in its research is matched by its

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Menu Babor’s 60th anniversary

pride in the most celebrated product in the brand’s offering, the iconic ampoule. “Our production standards are close to pharmaceutical levels, to guarantee exceptional quality. This is achieved to perfection in our ampoules, which have become a beauty icon,” states Schummert.

The brand’s current marketing and development aims reflect a traditional focus as well as its evolution into the digital age. “Spas and salons are the very core of our international strategy,” says Schummert. “We are committed to further strengthening partner relationships within spa distribution. However, we are also becoming a globally and digitally integrated multi-channel brand, and are looking into selected distribution points both online and offline.”

Sleeping beauty

Scientifically, Babor’s latest treatment innovations focus on the concept of chronobiology, or biological timing. “Our researchers have looked into chronobiology and found that with the right ingredients you can make a difference to beauty during sleep,” Schummert states. “Our recent launch, ReVersive anti-ageing overnight mask, is able to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin during sleep.”

Furthermore, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations a new Active Night ampoule has been launched with active ingredients designed to take full effect during sleep. The concentrate contains extract of black algae to regenerate the high content of collagen fibers in the dermis, with black

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“Research is in our DNA and we have a deeper understanding of the skin than ever before. We focus on developing precision formulas with active ingredients that are perfectly coordinated to ensure the best possible results.”

Michael Schummert CEO, Babor

truffle extract to strengthen natural collagen production, and black willow extract for increased cell turnover.

As well as special packaging designed to reflect the brand’s year of origin, more product developments are in the pipeline. “In 2017 we are looking forward to the exciting launch of Doctor Babor Lifting Cellular, a cosmeceutical line of precision formulas to firm and lift the skin,” adds Schummert. “Its highlight is a bi-phase product that brings back the youthful facial V-shape, as well as a serum with a Botox-like effect. The treatments that accompany this launch are results-driven prescription skin therapies.”

Delivering excellence

The opening of Babor’s in-house training centre in 1983 marked a milestone in its development and education remains crucial to its provision of high-end treatments.

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Menu Babor’s 60th anniversary

Above from left: Babor is set to invest further in its research capabilities; the new Active Night Fluid ampoule with extract of black algae; the brand’s celebratory retro-styled packaging bears the date of its foundation, 1956

“Exceptional training and the education of our spa partners is key,” says Schummert. “We have a team of trainers ready to welcome aestheticians from around the world to the Babor training centre in Aachen. They also fly around the globe to undertake local training, ensuring that every Babor treatment fulfils the company’s outstanding quality standards.

“In July 2016, Fabienne Lindholm joined the Babor team as international education director and she is currently upgrading our international education strategy.”

With a leading position in Europe and North America, Babor has a strong network of international distribution partners, who passionately represent the brand in more than 70 countries around the globe. “Our annual international meeting is the key event for our partners in terms of inspiration and sharing strategies,” reveals Schummert.

“As we gathered to celebrate our 60th anniversary in September this year, it was my pleasure to welcome Tracie Kearney for the first time. She has joined Babor UK & Ireland as managing director and I am excited to see her and her team’s impact on the UK market.”

The art of ampoules n n

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B abor produces 19 million ampoules a year ach one contains 2ml of highly E concentrated active serum T hey comprise 31 highly concentrated active ingredients T wo years of research and development goes into creating each new ampoule

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T hey are used by more than 100,000

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A mpoules are heated to a temperature of

beauty professionals worldwide 1,000°C before being filled

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O nce completed they are protected in a sterile, high-security environment

“Today’s spa customer is looking for luxury with results. Babor’s pioneering face, body and makeup collections and treatments deliver on every level.”

Tracie Kearney MD Babor UK & Ireland Strength in partnerships

Committed to its promise of exceptional quality, Babor is preparing for the future by investing in substantial research and facilities at its headquarters, and developing devices and concepts to support its partners in spas and salons.

“Making our partners strong is a key factor in our philosophy,” states Schummert. “This goes beyond creating exceptional products. Our visual merchandising team, for example, offers strategies for successful, professional spa and salon marketing as well as tools that boost retail.”

As for the future of skincare, Schummert believes that current trends harmonise completely with the founding philosophy of Babor. “Near-medical, hi-tech, device-driven beauty procedures will continue to be a major driver of the industry,” he predicts. “European hotel spas will increasingly offer sophisticated, immediately effective treatments that use cutting-edge beauty technology and results-driven skincare, as reflected in our Doctor Babor cosmeceutical range.

“Another trend I see is customisation. Respecting the individuality of a person and their skin is one of the biggest topics in the spa industry at the moment and ampoules are a perfect way to achieve this. Originally inspired by medicine, every ampoule is tailored to a specific skin need – ranging from intense moisture to liquid lifting. This makes them the perfect add-on for an extra-special customised facial.

“From a Babor point of view this trend isn’t new at all, we have been doing this for decades – it is part of our philosophy. We have always tailored skin regimens to specific skin needs.” www.babor.co.uk | www.babor.com

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

Clockwise from top left: Toskana Therme Bad Sulza is an evolution of the company’s first clinic; Aqua Wellness Liquid Bodywork is a key offering throughout the properties; Toskana Therme Bad Orb was opened in 2010; infrared heat treatment in the saunaworld at Bad Sulza

The sound of success

As the successful wellness resort operator Toskanaworld launches its first five-star hotel, we meet the team to discuss its growth and the pioneering Liquid Sound concept

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R EP OR T BY M A R K S M I T H

ased in the heart of the former East Germany, Toskanaworld is a thriving business with wellness at the very core of a portfolio that includes medical spa and rehabilitation clinics as well as five hotels, three of which, in the spectacular locations of Bad Orb, Bad Sulza and Bad Schandau, also offer natural thermal spas. Currently, this trio of Toskana Thermae host around one million spa guests each year and with around 300,000 hotel guests, the brand’s annual turnover is an impressive e35 million.

The search for health and happiness has driven the company’s founders, co-owners and CEOs, Marion Schneider and Klaus Dieter Böhm, ever since they realised their concept in the late 1980s. As the process of reunification began following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, most people headed west in Germany, but this trailblazing pair looked east for new opportunities, setting up a wellness business in Bad Sulza, which is now the spiritual home of the Toskanaworld brand.

The town of Bad Sulza has a long history as a health resort thanks to its thermal waters, so Schneider and Böhm thought it was the ideal location in which to develop their first rehabilitation clinic. “We started a corporation to determine how the Dead Sea’s water affects psoriasis,” recalls Schneider. “We were invited to build a rehabilitation clinic in East Germany and we were very motivated. As skin diseases were mostly dealt with in hospitals, we were pioneers in the field.”

The original property, Klinikzentrum Bad Sulza, is now a medi-spa clinic, primarily for those covered by health insurance, which specialises in rehabilitation treatments for chronic issues including psoriasis, eczema, asthma, bronchitis, and orthopedic and joint conditions.

A sound investment Central to the brand’s subsequent transformation into one of Germany’s leading wellness operators was the development of its Liquid Sound therapy; a totally immersive experience that harnesses the power of sound and light in the warm thermal waters unique to each of the Toskanaworld locations.

Always keen to offer their guests something unique, Schneider and Böhm installed the first Liquid Sound system in the Klinikzentrum Bad Sulza in 1993.

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

“I think it has become normal to want wellness. People expect it and now they have developed a higher expectation. Each time they visit they want something new – something added.”

Marion Schneider CEO, Toskanaworld

Developed with media artist Micky Remann, Liquid Sound makes it possible to listen to music under water, creating a bathing experience in which the guest can float in both light and music.

The rapid popularity of this therapy inspired the team to plan and build a thermal bath complex around the Liquid Sound concept. Forming a public-private partnership with the local authority in the state of Thuringia, Toskana Therme Bad Sulza was opened in 1999 and became a huge success.

“This was a big transformation for us,” admits Schneider.

“We were the first wellness hotel in Thuringia and one of the most successful wellness hotels in Germany, connected to tour operators like TUI and Thomas Cook.”

As the flagship property for the business, Toskana Therme Bad Sulza placed Liquid Sound at the centre of its operation and the design of the buildings formed the blueprint for further expansion throughout Germany.

The spa features seven naturally saline swimming pools, a large sauna complex with different themes and temperatures ranging from 55-90°C, a Wellness Park that offers cosmetic treatments and massages, and a restaurant.

These facilities are connected via a walkway to the adjacent Hotel an der Therme Bad Sulza,which is also operated

by Toskanaworld. Open to members as well as the local community, it has a relaxed, communal feel and is sited under huge glass-fronted futuristic domes that allow year-round

use. In 2000, The New York Times named Toskana Therme Bad Sulza as one of the top 100 spas in the world and Liquid Sound has gained an international reputation for excellence across the globe.

An immersive experience Liquid Sound allows guests to enjoy light and music while bathing in thermal waters. With specially developed speakers embedded into the pool structure, guests enjoy a truly immersive sensory experience. “Liquid Sound brings multi-media technology into the spa environment,”says developer Micky Remann. “It can play and project anything; music, light programming, visuals, anything.”

In designing the experience, Remann took inspiration from modern technology and the natural world. As a professor at the Bauhaus University of Weimar, he combined his knowledge of multi-media environments and cultural content to create a unique soundtrack of music and whale song that is at once other-worldly and totally engaging. The experience taps into a deeper, more primal sense of being, and creates a cocooning, almost embryonic experience for guests.

“Acoustics travel five times faster in water than in air, and sound comes to the body through bone conduction,” explains Remann. “Humans learn to practice their hearing while in the embryonic stages. The ear is the first sense organ that is created and we first learn to hear underwater at body temperature in the womb.”

According to Marion Schneider, it seemed only natural that guests would experience a strong connection with the

Opposite page clockwise from top: Toskanaworld incorporated the Steigenberger Hotel with the spa business at Bad Orb, opening it as Hotel an der Therme Bad Orb; the impressive Liquid Sound temple at Bad Orb evokes a womb-like atmosphere; guests enjoy the golden glow of a relaxation room; the brand’s flagship Bad Sulza offering was a pioneer of the Liquid Sound concept; enjoying the views from the panoramic sauna at Bad Sulza

Signature treatment: Aqua Wellness Liquid Bodywork A water-based treatment has been designed by Aqua Wellness developer and trainer Musia Heike Bus to work in harmony with the Liquid Sound environment.

Combining elements of massage, meditation and bodywork, Liquid Musia Heike Bus Bodywork is a therapist-led experience that takes place in the Thermae’s warm, salt water.

Relaxing and cocooning, the therapy works in unison with the music and light of the Liquid Sound installation to offer a unique, ethereal and otherworldly experience for guests.

Intuitive and bordering on the spiritual, Liquid Bodywork invites therapists to connect with their client on a deeper level, offering relaxation and joint release in an embryonic environment.

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

SPA STATS Toskanaworld +49 36461 92000 www.toskanaworld.net Chief executive officers: Marion Schneider and Klaus Dieter Böhm Chief operating officer: Christian Lohmann Cultural director: Micky Remann Spa director: Franzisca Klotz Architect: Andreas Ollertz Product partners: Sothys, Dr Hauschka, Team Dr Joseph, Spa Find, Malu Wilz Sauna suppliers: KLAFS, Müther, Finnsa, Warda Duftöle Wet spa suppliers: Werner Dosiertechnik, Grünbeck, Müther, KLAFS, Aqua Design Locations: Toskana Therme Bad Sulza, Hotel an der Therme Bad Sulza; Toskana Terme Bad Orb, Hotel an der Therme Bad Orb; Toskana Therme Bad Schandau, Hotel Elbresidenz an der Therme Bad Schandau; Hotel Resort Schloss Auerstedt; Hotel Zum Ritter, Fulda; Klinikzentrum Bad Sulza

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

Clockwise from left: A spacious sauna at Toskana Therme Bad Orb; water-based wellness therapies combining massage, stretching and joint release are led by trained therapists; spa-goers enjoy the immersive Liquid Sound experience as seen from within the pool

“People are much more lonely now, they need a kind touch and connections with a heart. Young people need a little more activity.

We need wellness areas and treatments where people can do things together. We do this with yoga and water gymnastics.”

Franzisca Klotz, spa director, Toskanaworld

bespoke musical score in this setting, and Liquid Sound has become the defining factor of the Toskanaworld business.

“The core of our survival was Liquid Sound,” she admits.

“That transformed us from a mere conventional medical clinic operator into a wellness business. We could see how Liquid Sound made people so happy.”

Building on the success of Liquid Sound, a water-based body treatment has been developed specifically for use in this environment. Drawing influence from underwater body massage and Hawaiian massage, Aqua Wellness pioneer Musia Heike Bus designed Liquid Bodywork, an underwater body therapy that combines massage, stretching and intuitive joint release. Formerly a manager at Toskana Therme Bad Orb, Heike Bus now trains therapists at Bad Sulza in the art of performing the company’s signature treatment.

“Aqua Wellness Liquid Bodywork is a unique experience,” she elaborates. “It’s different to a Watsu treatment, which has a certain structure, and it really resonates with the person who is being guided through the session.”

In addition to water treatments, Remann and the team at Toskanaworld have established a series of regular live events based around the Liquid Sound concept. Each month they hold a Full Moon concert, featuring musicians playing live in the spa, with their music piped through the underwater

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sound system. In contrast, Liquid Sound Club appeals to a younger audience when on the first Saturday of each month, a DJ team presents a mixture of electronic and aquatic sounds that is streamed live to all three Thermae locations.

Both are special offerings that bring wellness experiences to different audiences in formats they can relate to. “Without Liquid Sound we wouldn’t have grown in the way we have.

We had a message to bring to the people,” says Schneider.

Both Schneider and the group’s spa director, Franzisca Klotz, believe that people need to be more active and that spa operators have a role to play in creating a social aspect to their guests’ lives. “I think that people are much more lonely now, they need a kind touch and connections with a heart,” says Klotz. “Young people need a little more activity. We need wellness areas and treatments where people can do things together. We do this with yoga and water gymnastics.

In the sauna, for example, we can offer social mud and exfoliating treatments.”

Resonating with spa guests With unique signature treatments and multi-media platforms that distinguish its wellness offering from other operators, Toskanaworld has expanded rapidly over the years. One such development came when Schneider and Böhm stepped in at

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Photos: Center Parcs Aqua Sana, Woburn

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Spas Toskanaworld, Germany

From left: The hydrotherapy and relaxation area at Toskana Therme Bad Schandau reopened in 2014 after being hit by a second flood; the modern spa and hotel at Bad Orb contributes significantly to the region’s wellness history

“Liquid Sound is an installation that brings multi-media technology into the spa environment.

It can play and project anything – music, light programming, visuals, anything.”

Micky Remann Cultural director, Toskanaworld

the spa town of Bad Orb to turn around a failing business, opening Toskana Therme Bad Orb in 2010.

The company also took over the running of the adjacent Steigenberger Hotel, relaunching it as Hotel an der Therme Bad Orb and implementing a new management structure with a vision to create a modern spa hotel that would build on the tourist opportunities in the region.

On the outskirts of Bad Sulza, the duo further transformed the ruins of Auerstedt Castle into the four-star Hotel Resort Schloss Auerstedt, and the business also operates Hotel Zum Ritter in Fulda.

In 2004, Toskanaworld took over the former spa in Bad Schandau, which had been destroyed in the deluge of the Elbe River in 2002, re-opening it under the name Toskana Therme Bad Schandau. “We were approached to invest in Bad Schandau as we already had a reputation as wellness and spa operators,” explains Schneider. “Then came the flood. We agreed to continue, but only if the regional authority, which was the owner, built a Liquid Sound installation, which they did, and the Therme opened in 2004.”

Toskana Therme Bad Schandau quickly became a must-visit destination for spa tourism in the region, but in June 2013, disaster struck when the hot spring was once again destroyed by a massive flood. Refusing to give up on on the location, Toskanaworld restored the thermal bath and resumed operations in 2014.

The company also took control of the neighbouring Hotel Elbresidenz, which had been forced to close after suffering

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severe damage during the second floods. The most recent addition to the Toskanaworld group, this five-star hotel already had a reputation for spa and wellness, having hosted celebrities including Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. Following extensive refurbishment, Hotel Elbresidenz an der Therme Bad Schandau reopened in August 2016 with additional flood defences and 207 exceptionally appointed guest rooms.

Connected to the Therme by a short walkway, the hotel has installed its own spacious wellness area, the Aurorabad.

Operating under the slogan, ‘The world in spa’, it features an exercise room with strength training and cardio equipment; Finnish and herbal saunas; a steam bath; and 12 treatment rooms. The multiple facets of the business at Bad Schandau are designed to link hospitality, health and wellness with five-star luxury accommodation.

The combined operation of hotels, thermal baths and wellness facilities, all underpinned by the Liquid Sound concept, has made Toskanaworld a huge success and the acquisition of Hotel Elbresidenz an der Therme marks an important step in the brand’s continued development.

“I am still in awe about the wonderful impact the spa has had on the region,” says Marion Schneider. “Especially in Bad Orb, not even an hour away from the banking city of Frankfurt, we saw how real estate developed before our eyes.

Our spa attracted not only new wellness travellers but also new investment, particularly from people seeking somewhere healthy to retire and enjoy their later life.”

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Editors choice

Enter the ‘Matrix’ with Natura Bissé’s 3D Collagen Shock Facial New treatment from Barcelona-based skincare experts contains a ‘smart’ combination of three types of collagen Premium Spanish brand Natura Bissé’s new 3D Collagen Shock is a regenerative facial treatment designed to increase firmness, define the facial contours, improve skin density and preserve moisture.

Its star active ingredient is a new formula, exclusive to Natura Bissé, called the 3D Collagen Matrix – a ‘smart’ combination of three types of collagen, each with a different molecular weight, that work on various layers of the skin. The three collagens create a tightening film that holds moisture on the surface of the skin to protect against external aggressors. They

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also improve water retention, prevent dryness and stimulate the synthesis of new collagen.

The treatment begins with a thermal modelling massage using a thermal-effect gel to improve microcirculation and penetration. An active face contouring technique promotes drainage to redefine and sculpt the facial contours.

The 3D Collagen Matrix is then applied, stimulating collagen production for stronger skin and a more youthful appearance. It also contains a cocktail of nutrients essential for a youthful look, including

proteoglycans and vitamin C, to improve texture and hydrate, leaving skin plump, supple and protected.

Finally, a pineapple and green tea revitalising mask is applied, working with the silicon sealing mask to improve penetration and leave the skin radiant and renewed with defined facial contours.

Anti-ageing, sculpting and lifting, the 3D Collagen Matrix treatment is billed as a next-generation facial promising to firm, define, plump and smooth skin for a completely rejuvenated look and feel. www.naturabisse.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Beautiful balm Ultra-rich and naturally nourishing, ESPA’s Skin Rescue Wonderbalm has been formulated to soothe, strengthen and protect dry or sensitive skin.

This on-the-spot treatment balm features calming, antioxidant-rich actives and is ideal for the face, lips, cuticles, knees and feet.

Designed to treat dry and stressed skin, it features blackcurrant seed oil, balloon vine extract and sunflower oil concentrate to rehydrate and strengthen the skin’s defences.

Echium oil, a rich source of essential fatty acids, including omegas 3, 6 and 9, revitalises stressed skin, while antioxidant sea fennel helps restore hydration balance and strengthen its moisture barrier function.

Manuka and tamanu oils calm and replenish to complete this efficacious rescue remedy. www.espaskincare.com

Treatment focus

Brow power Brow by Mii’s Artistic Brow Creator is a richly-pigmented crème-gel that helps add length and volume to brows in an instant.

It is accompanied by the Brow Master Brush, with a wand on one end and an angled tip on the other, to help groom and style.

Smoothing, long-lasting and smudge-proof, the new launch aims to provide a perfect brow look all day long and is available in Masterfully Fair, Masterfully Medium and Masterfully Dark, to suit all brow colours. www.miicosmetics.com

Clarins Tri-Active Body Treatments Building on 60 years of Institute experience, Clarins’ personalised body-contouring massage protocol aims to reinforce results through exacting massage movements that contour, drain and relieve tension. The sensorial experience stimulates the lymphatic and blood circulation networks to optimise absorption of the plant-based ingredients found in ClarinsPRO formulas.

The Contour Shaper Treatment, targeting cellulite and sculpting the silhouette, features the new ClarinsPRO Active Contouring Supplement, a formula of highly concentrated plant extracts including quince leaf extract to stimulate the removal of excess lipids and regulate the texture of adipose tissue. ClarinsPRO Body Firming Treatment targets density and elasticity, while Skin Smoother purifies the dermis with mechanical and biological exfoliation. Summer Glow is a new self-tanning treatment and Mother-to-Be is a pregnancy pampering experience. www.clarins.com

Magic mask

From Bodhi with love

Promising to instantly clear and control oily skin, Murad has launched InstaMatte Oil-Control Mask.

To prevent breakouts and offer a long-lasting matte complexion, this three-minute deep-cleansing mask contains Oil-Control Complex to absorb and regulate oil, and zinc polymer network to help maintain hydration.

The formula also features salicylic acid to clear congestion and prevent breakouts; grapefruit extract to tighten and refine; and olive extract which fights free radicals and pollution.

Apply the mask to clean skin, leave for three minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water before patting dry. www.murad.co.uk

Bodhi & Birch has introduced an aromatic trio of organic body oil products that celebrate the scent, colour and culture of Europe.

Made with 100% natural botanicals, the range is handcrafted in micro-batches with a range of skin-friendly, hydrating, caring oils.

Chinois Blue is a complex mix of hyacinth and honeysuckle with nuances of ginger and blue tansy to create a sensual oriental scent.

Nordic White blends spruce, cypress, pine and sweet fennel to create a heady blend to invigorate and awaken.

Finally, Sicilian Rose combines lemon and verbena with a floral heart of rose and geranium, and a touch of warm pink pepper to offer a bright, uplifting fragrance.

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www.bodhiandbirch.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Essential luminosity

Designed to hydrate and illuminate, Darphin has launched Lumière Essentielle, a serum and cream containing a powerful combination of seven botanical essential oils for skin health and radiance.

Each features an illuminating blend of tangerine, orange, neroli, rose, ylang ylang, cedarwood and ginger to boost moisture and plump skin for a glowing complexion.

Illuminating Oil Serum adds an invigorating marine extract from the Mer D’Iroise with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-renewing acetyl-glucosamine.

Meanwhile, the Illuminating Oil Gel-Cream features skin-strengthening plant sugars, hyaluronic acid and acetyl glucosamine.

This cashmere-soft gel-cream transforms into a featherweight oil and is combined with the serum to create a unique beauty ritual. www.darphin.co.uk

Treatment focus

Cool as a cucumber

ishga’s Rejuvenating Eye Balm is designed to hydrate, firm and tone the eye area.

Featuring a shea butter base that nourishes the skin, the balm is also rich in vitamins A and E to help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines.

Also present is vitamin F, rich in fatty acids and containing a high level of cinnamic acid that offers natural sun protection.

Rejuvenating Eye Balm also contains cucumber extract to cool and soothe puffy eyes, as well as a blend of sandalwood, rosehip and geranium, which adds hydration and helps to combat the signs of ageing by softening fine lines and wrinkles. www.ishga.co.uk

Thalgo Marine Wellbeing Massage Inspired by the power of the oceans, Thalgo’s Marine Wellbeing Massage, incorporates the effective techniques of Shiatsu and Swedish massage, together with movements that reflect the shifting of the tides.

The treatment can be adapted using different oils from the Thalgo range including draining and detox, calm and serenity, vitality, and energising.

A Discovery of the Sea welcome massage to relax the body and relieve tension is followed by specific movements over the entire body and energising digito-pressure on the face, allowing the client to truly relax.

The 55-minute standard ritual can be extended to 85 minutes by including hand, foot and scalp massage. www.thalgo.co.uk

Body reawakening: Decleor launches Aroma Blend

The luxury of wax

The London Spa Company has launched a range of luxury waxes designed for the spa market. Sourcing ingredients from around the world, the products aim to indulge the senses with exquisite textures and heady aromas.

The new waxes are made in England from an blend of the finest oils and resin and combine high performance with superb comfort. Even the shortest of hairs are gripped and removed with ease, with the skin left feeling soft, smooth and silky.

Available in 800g tins and 100g cartridges, three fragrances include: Azulene for normal skin, Aloe Vera for sensitive skin and Silver Birch for men. The range also includes Pre-Wax Menthol Gel and a Post-Wax Tea Tree Lotion. www.londonspacompany.com

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Super skin

Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask is a three-in-one treatment for blemished skin from Phytomer.

Purifying, cleansing and anti-shine, this multi-function skin purifier contains EPS Absolute Marine Matifier, a natural marine sugar that offers impressive purifying power for combination and oily skin.

Acting against sebum, shine and dehydration, it is boosted with seboreguline, an antibacterial algae that helps to reduce the production of sebum and inflammation in the skin. The addition of kaolin absorbs oil and removes toxins.

The light cream-foam texture is perfectly suited to blemished skin, non-drying and non-comedogenic. www.phytomer.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Treatment focus

Bathing beauties A limited edition Aromatherapy Bath & Body Oil Collection from Kerstin Florian features a trio of travel-size certified organic oils in a range of signature aromas.

Ginger Bath and Body Oil includes a heady blend of ginger, coriander and plai essential oils to energise and invigorate the senses in an organic formula that moisturises and nourishes the skin.

The pure lavender essential oil and vitamin E in Lavender Bath and Body Oil provide a sense of balance and tranquility, while Neroli Blossom Bath and Body Oil offers an uplifting nutrient-rich blend that transforms the bath into a ‘spa at home’. All are ideal post-shower or blended with body lotion. www.kerstinflorian.com

Arabian nights Deeply therapeutic and aromatic, Sodashi’s Arabian Oud Body Oil comprises cold-pressed botanical oils and is formulated with macadamia, almond, apricot kernel and jojoba.

Oud, known for its ability to bring a sense of renewal, is complemented by the grounding aromas of frankincense, sandalwood and calming rose.

Arabian Oud Body Oil can be applied to slightly damp skin after bathing or showering and it also works as an ultra moisturising bath oil as well as a nourishing hair treatment. www.sodashi.com

Decléor Facial Pilates Designed to visibly lift, remodel and re-densify skin, Decléor’s new spa treatment, Facial Pilates, has been created by the brand’s head of massage development Chico Shigeta.

This new facial massage delivers a natural lift to the face, while helping reshape facial contours with a re-cushioning effect. The skin is left firmer and glowing, with a natural, youthful look.

Using Decléor’s OrExcellence skincare range, the ritual includes three types of facial massage. A deep-pressure action accelerates circulation and revives the skin, while Pilates-inspired movements act on core muscles to reshape.

After deep cleansing, the therapist helps lift the skin with a massage using the OrExcellence Energy Youth Concentrate Mask. The treatment also includes a relaxing back massage using essentials oils of ginger, sandalwood, magnolia, ylang ylang and jasmine. This professional-grade product is also available to buy in order to prolong the effects at home. www.decleor.co.uk

Muscle-ease

Wild child Jessica’s autumn/winter nail collection takes a walk on the wild side, inspired by jungle animal prints as seen on this year’s catwalks.

Deep, dark and moody tones offer an exciting choice that enhances the existing nail colour range, including: Tangled in Secrets, a russet red crème; Mysterious Echoes, a rich plum crème; Enter if you Dare, a tawny pink; and The Luring Beauty, a magenta crème. The final two colours take the collection a shade darker with the dark mink crème of Snake Pit; and Fruit of Temptation, a sumptuous cranberry crème. www.gerrardinternational.com

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Adding to its bodycare collection, Voya’s Muscle Recovery range features two products designed to relieve aches and muscular tension.

A warming blend of ginger and black pepper is accompanied by Voya’s own fucus serratus seaweed extract, which helps to break down lactic acid built up in the muscle.

Serenergise Body Oil relaxes and detoxifies with the addition of evening primrose and rosehip oils to hydrate the skin, and bergamot and may chang to help soothe tension and stiffness.

Feel the Heat gel provides instant muscle relief. Featuring arnica for recovery it warms muscles and is enhanced with sea buckthorn and comfrey to reduce inflammation. www.voya.ie

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Menu New products & therapies

It’s only natural Natural Spa Factory sets out to address the issues of excess sebum and oily skin with its Aegean Black face wrap.

Featuring a powerful blend of antioxidants extracted from a tree native to the Aegean island of Chios, the mask leaves the skin cleansed, refreshed and shine-free.

Activated charcoal removes impurities and toxins, reducing sebum and the appearance of pores while fighting shine and imperfections. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and oleanolic acid concurrently inhibit inflammation.

Ideal for oily and combination skin, this wrap is ideal for men and should be applied to freshly cleansed skin and left for 15-20 minutes.

Treatment focus

www.naturalspafactorytrade.com

Shared Beauty Secrets

Treatment focus

Molten Lava Stones Shared Beauty Secrets has introduced a new heated massage treatment, Molten Lava Stones. Offering a warm, seamless massage experience, each moulded stone is crafted from a blend of black lava rock, sea shells and porcelain for durability and hygiene.

Retaining their heat for up to 60 minutes, the non-porous stones are heated by placing a sachet containing a blend of food-grade minerals inside the stone, which is then activated with a saline solution causing an exothermic reaction.

The self-heating Molten Lava Stones heat through in just 8-10 minutes to create a gentle warmth that is perfect for de-stressing both tense muscles and tired minds. www.sharedbeautysecrets.com

Elemental Herbology New signature treatment debuts at Ockenden Manor Ockenden Manor has launched a new spa menu featuring a range of treatments from Elemental Herbology. The brand’s new bespoke signature treatment, Elemental Rebalancing Ritual, available exclusively at the spa, comprises 120-minute face and body treatment, and was created in partnership with the team at Ockenden Manor.

The ritual involves a series of stretches and acupressure to energise the body’s flow of chi, while releasing muscle tension and promoting a feeling of wellbeing.

A transformative foot scrub and luxurious facial will deeply cleanse and nourish for a brighter complexion, restoring complete balance to the whole body.

The Elemental Rebalancing Ritual is complemented by a full treatment menu of facial, massage and body experiences. www.elementalherbology.com www.hshotels.co.uk

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Beautifully bronzed Two partner bronzing products have been added to the MoroccanTan range.

MoroccanBronzer blends warm bronzed tones and a subtle shimmer to enhance the complexion, while MoroccanIlluminator is perfect for highlighting and contouring thanks to its light reflecting and illuminating pigments.

Both products are infused with organic argan and rosehip oil with vitamins E and C to prevent the signs of ageing while deeply hydrating the skin. The ultra-lightweight formulas blend effortlessly into the skin, minimising the appearance of pores and imperfections. www.sweetsquared.com

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Stand T2

®Registered design

Trust Us To Exceed Your Expectations.

INDUSTRY INNOVATORS Pioneers in setting the standards for luxury.

Over 40 years acclaimed history in the beauty and spa sector sees Majestic continue to exceed the diverse, demanding needs of the industry.

WHY PAY MORE? Buy from the source.

Majestic are manufacturers, not importers, so we can offer: + Uncompromising quality at very competitive prices, passing the savings on to you, the client.

“

+ Ultimate development flexibility allowing for ground breaking, innovative designs with a quality consistency that is unparalleled.

The quality of the robes purchased for spa use and also the efficient level of customer care is superb, illustrating that Majestic understands the specific needs of a successful, luxury business.

”

Cathy Ball, Spa Director, Calcot Spa.

YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR PRIORITY Discover the evolution of spa supplies today.

Call our dedicated customer service team on:

0121 7739091 / 7720936 Email us:

info@majestictowels.co.uk View our extensive range and order online:

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/MajesticTowels Scan now to discover more

Menu New products & therapies

Elemis BIOTEC

Treatment focus

Radiance Renew Facial Elemis has launched the BIOTEC Radiance Renew Facial to brighten and re-energise dull, tired-looking skin. This radiance-boosting facial uses ultrasonic peeling to gently exfoliate skin impurities and pigmentation, stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation.

A series of unique massage techniques, exclusive to Elemis facials, soften and prepare the skin to receive each product more effectively. In addition, a neck and shoulder massage helps to de-stress and rebalance mind and body.

Rich in antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides, Brightening Radiance Activator helps to plump and tone skin, leaving it looking smooth, even and with a dewy luminosity.

Hydra-Active Gel Soothing Masks for the face and eyes help to moisturise and calm the skin, before a galvanic current propels the bioactive formulas deeper into the skin.

The treatment ends with an application of Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm to finish skin with a dewy glow. www.elemis.com

Absolutely scent-sational CND has launched a limited edition range of handbag-sized lotions from its CND Scentsations collection. The silky soft formulas moisturise the hands and body in an instant and are an ideal retail add-on to any manicure or pedicure treatment.

Four uplifting scents are available, comprising Black Cherry & Nutmeg, Citrus & Green Tea, Mango & Coconut and Wildflower & Chamomile.

The limited edition miniatures ensure hands are supple and hydrated at all times and fit snugly into a handbag or travel pouch for weekend escapes. www.sweetsquared.com

Go for gold Trufflesque, the latest launch from Temple Spa, is a power-packed masque with luxury ingredients including gold, black truffles, Champagne extract and diamond powder.

Collagen-boosting Hydra-Plump Complex helps to create an appearance of instant youthfulness in the skin, while black summer truffles, gold and silk peptides, and a fruit and amino acid cocktail work their magic to leave skin plumper, brighter, more lifted, super hydrated and silky smooth.

Diamond powder and gold photo-reflective particles act to convert UV light to blue light which injects luminosity and radiance. The mask can be used as part of a spa treatment or for a spa at-home experience. www.templespa.com

In every issue, European Spa showcases the best new product and treatment launches.

Contact Menu editor Mark Smith on +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email mark.smith@spapublishing.com

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THE NO.1 MAGAZINE

FOR SPA AND WELLNESS

EXPERT GUIDE TO MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE We highlight the most effective IT solutions to help optimise your spa business

PREMIER SOFTWARE

TAC | THE ASSISTANT COMPANY

RESORTSUITE

BOOK4TIME

Expert Guide Digital Software

PREMIER SOFTWARE

Images: MacDonald Monchique Resort & Spa, Portugal

A developer of IT software for more than 20 years, the company’s flagship business management system, Core by Premier Software, is a leading solution specifically for the spa, wellness and leisure industries

What makes Premier Software unique?

How can software improve a spa’s operation?

Core by Premier Software is the only single or multi-site business management system designed to meet the specific needs of the spa industry, enabling spas to be run profitably. PCI-compliant and accredited by SEPA, it provides a multi-layered software solution that integrates with existing PMS systems and functionality that can be adapted to meet business growth.

Core provides transparency across the spa’s operations through its automatic reporting function. Spa operators are able to set targets and assess staff utilisation, periods of on-going white space, product spend, treatment and room allocations at the touch of a button. This information is available to help the spa budget and set targets for the future, with minimal additional input.

What are the key considerations for spa software?

What are your latest innovations and launches?

Think about what you want the software to do, now and in the future. Core considers elements such as tracking targets and budgets, generating reports, managing staff diaries or recording client details to be vital. Most of all, the functionality needs to be easy to understand and the navigation simple.

New functions such as automated marketing and the ability for clients to book multiple appointments have been added to Core. We are looking to launch online vouchers, and we will be adding to Core’s staff management capabilities with training schedules, holiday booking and absence registration. Next year a new suite of products will be launched to complement Core.

How is spa marketing software intuitive and useful?

Systems with a good automated marketing function can transform a business. If it is integrated with the client database, marketing campaigns segmented by postcode, gender, treatment and product preferences can be issued on a certain date for relevant campaigns. Well executed marketing campaigns can help achieve targets, fill white space, improve scheduling and generate new clients – all of which can be tracked.

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What is the future of spa software?

Spa software needs to be adaptable to meet changing trends. As new products and treatments are launched, software has to be able to meet these demands.

While the key components of Core are determined by developers, additional functions are usually requested by clients. As spas diversify their operations, spa software needs to fulfill those requirements.

What the experts say...

Accountability: Ensure your reporting function provides complete transparency across operations, from treatment room bookings and pin-pointing white space, through to retail spend and budgets Marketing: Check that campaigns can be sent automatically to promote offers or key milestones, and that your software is fully integrated with your client database, segmenting data to reach the correct group 24/7 availability: Remember that round-the-clock booking means your spa is always open for business, enabling clients to book at a time convenient to them

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE The Ritz London, UK The Belfry, UK Chewton Glen, UK Intercontinental Dubai, UAE Macdonald Monchique, Portugal Nikki Beach, Turkey

Premier Software

+44 (0) 1543 466580 www.premiersoftware.co.uk

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Relax

Just as much as your clients do!

Take the stress out of managing your spa with the leading single or multi-site software solution for the spa, wellness and leisure industry - Core by Premier Software.

From security to reporting, we’ve got it covered: - Fully integrates with existing PMS systems - PCI compliant and SEPA accredited - Online booking through web, mobile or tablet - At-a-glance reports - Managed membership & client data - Automated, targeted email & text.

Why not take a break from the chaos?

For a free audit of your existing system or to arrange a full on-site presentation just call: +44(0)1543 466580 or email: sales@premiersoftware.co.uk

www.premier-core.com

“Core’s report function is essential to the success of House Spa. Whether it is endof-day reports, staff utilisation, monitoring retail sales or pinpointing which treatments are most popular, all can be accessed easily to enable us to concentrate on what makes House Spa so different – the guest experience. In a nutshell, Core more than meets our business need and is integral to House Spa’s success.”

Zoe Douglas House Spa Manager Dormy House

Expert Guide Digital Software

TAC THE ASSISTANT COMPANY

Image: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

Specialising in the development and distribution of spa and leisure software since 2001, Austrian company TAC generates products that reflect its philosophy of ‘designed to simplify’ with software available in 18 languages

What makes TAC unique?

How can software improve a spa’s operation?

Our Reservation Assistant continues to meet the most sophisticated demands of 1,200 spa and wellness customers in 54 countries. Our software optimises and simplifies operational processes under one platform, for spas, thermal baths, hotel chains, or health resorts.

The modular structure enables flexibility according to business requirements.

It provides you with all the data you need for successful spa management. Business reports allow for statistics of sales turnover, particular employees or departments according to self-defined categories. Automating daily tasks, such as reservations, efficiently helps to eliminate booking errors or double-reservations.

What are the key considerations for spa software?

We recently launched ‘RA sense’, a spa management tool for all mobile devices, and we won the 2016 international World User Experience Award Pegasus for our new web shop technology. The TAC web design enables wellness guests to book services online, buy products and gift certificates or make table reservations. With its responsive design and simple handling, higher sales revenue can be generated without any additional effort.

Firstly, it has to be an integrated solution rather than an isolated application. Good spa software dovetails with existing IT infrastructure, supports employees in the back office and helps to simplify complex daily processes.

Secondly, the software should offer a high level of flexibility and scalability for future growth.

Why should spas invest in a software solution?

TAC’s marketing and sales add-ons help maximise sales revenue, address business requirements, attract new customers and offer customer satisfaction. The CRM module helps to send the right messages and promotions to different target groups and also offers statistical reports based on demographics, booking history or purchased products. A smart spa software can help you fill empty schedule gaps.

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What are your latest innovations and launches?

What is the future of spa software?

An easy-to-use web shop is necessary for today’s information search and brand identity. Vendors should also offer online promotions, up and cross-selling, and last-minute offers. Why not integrate a booking channel on your company Facebook page? Your software should be able to handle all these online and mobile booking channels and synchronise reservations in real time.

What the experts say...

All-in-one solution: Selecting a single platform for all activities and resources can enable a smooth integration into an existing IT infrastructure Individual solution: The modular structure of software means you have the ability to choose exactly which functions are needed for your specific business model Customer service: 24/7 support via phone, email or Skype is essential.

Online help, regular training, webinars and ongoing updates can also provide users with technical knowledge and practical skills

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Switzerland VAMED Vitality World, Austria Aspria Members Clubs, Europe Rocco Forte Collection Travel Charme Hotels, Germany

TAC

+43 3332 6005 990 www.tac.eu.com/en

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Reservation Assistant Spa Management Software

Spa & Activity Reservation Point of Sale & Retail

sense.

Table Reservation

Gift Certificates

Stock Control

Š iStock

CRM

Membership Management

Webshop

Web Booking

Digital Signage

Promotions

Facebook Booking App

Since 2001 | 24/7 support | 1.200 customers | 54 countries | 18 languages

Hartberg | Vienna | Hanover | Chicago www.tac.eu.com

Expert Guide Digital Software

RESORTSUITE

Image: Champneys Health Resorts

Launched in 2000, ResortSuite provides uniquely integrated software solutions for multi-amenity resorts, spas and clubs around the world from its headquarters in Toronto, Canada

What makes ResortSuite unique?

How can software improve a spa’s operation?

ResortSuite manages the complete guest experience at spa destinations. Guests are able to book their entire journey online, including room reservations, spa services, activities, golf tee times, gift vouchers and more in a one-stop-shop booking journey.

The right software can allow a spa to take reservations 24/7 via online booking while still adhering to strict business rules that maximise occupancy, utilisation and profit. Yield management is one of the most under-utilised but potentially game-changing strategies to drive revenue and profit to new levels and actually improve guest satisfaction.

What are the key considerations for spa software?

Think about what makes your experience unique and select software that fits your business model. Consider integrating and streamlining the guest experience, and if retail and inventory management are a significant part of your business. Understand the total cost of ownership as hidden costs such as interfacing, subscription and transaction fees can raise this total over time.

How is spa marketing software intuitive and useful?

RS Connect, ResortSuite’s marketing platform, is a two-way integration with SalesForce’s ExactTarget, a leader in marketing automation. Spas can use the Marketing Campaign Wizard built into the product to create highly targeted lists of customers (been here more than three times in the past six months, likes yoga, typically spends more than £300 per visit, etc.) They can then link existing campaigns built with ExactTarget’s easy campaign builder, and send to those targeted lists.

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What are your latest innovations and launches?

We believe that our recently launched ResortSuite WEB 3.0 has taken the spa booking experience to the next level. It includes the Activity Scheduler, which allows guests to add classes, activities and wellness programming to their spa itinerary. It also facilitates the reservation of rooms, golf tee times, dining and other attractions on offer at the spa property.

What is the future of spa software?

Without doubt, the spa guests of the future will increasingly want to book everything online or on their mobile device. Enabling them to explore for themselves and book their entire experience online with smart recommendations will be key to engaging the customer to book more, spend more and be more satisfied with the experience overall.

What the experts say...

Yield management: Select software that has capabilities including dynamic pricing and availability in order to create more profitability within your spa Group management: A Group Booking Wizard will make managing large groups with multiple treatments and service times quick and easy Online booking: Ensure services, programmes and activities can be booked in real-time, allowing guests to book accommodation and golf tee times, purchase gift certificates, and access member statements

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE Champneys, UK Bulgari Hotel London, UK The Savoy Hotel, UK Jumeirah Carlton Tower, UK Beaverbrook Golf Club, UK

ResortSuite

+1 866 477 8483 www.resortsuite.com

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Personalisation is the new luxury.

Make every interaction count.

Share data-rich guest profiles across every department so your staff can personalise every touch-point to create deeper connections.

Experience...

• • • • •

True software integration Online booking for all amenities Highly targeted e-marketing campaigns Opera HTNG interface for Single Guest Itinerary Modern tablet-based apps for SPA, PMS and POS

PMS | SPA | F&B | CATERING | CLUB | GOLF | SKI | RETAIL | CONCIERGE | WEB | MOBILE

Integrated Hospitality Management Software

www.resortsuite.com

Expert Guide Digital Software

BOOK4TIME

Image: Park Hyatt Vienna Arany Spa

Book4Time is a multiple-Profit 500 award winner and one of the fastest growing SaaS (software-as-a-service) companies in Canada. Its spa software is used in 50 countries, managing over $1 billion in transaction volume annually

What makes Book4Time unique?

How can software improve a spa’s operation?

As the industry’s first cloud-based spa management software, we set a precedent for innovation. This drive continues through our strategic partnerships with some of the best-run spa brands in a highly competitive business. Our innovations help to shape the industry through their new technology and capabilities.

Software can automate manual tasks and provide the tools to help better run and grow your business. A well-designed solution will allow you to manage all aspects of your spa, as well as run reports and get insights on your business at any time. Ultimately, success depends on your guest experience and a good software package should help facilitate this with ease.

What are the key considerations for spa software?

Ensure the product capabilities align with your business goals and that the vendor is focused on your industry.

As any change in software brings significant costs, this isn’t a decision to take lightly. Additionally, documenting issues your current system presents will allow you to make informed decisions. Keep in mind the vendor’s investment in innovation when selecting software so that it will grow with your business in the long term.

What are your latest innovations and launches?

Why should spas invest in a software solution?

We continue to see growing adoption of cloud-based spa software among spa businesses. This trend will continue as Millennials enter the workforce and adopt more mobile devices. Many of our clients are replacing traditional front-desk computers with mobile tablets to service guests in a more personalised setting. Consumers are also continuing to adopt self-service apps to make bookings, purchase gift cards and provide feedback.

Spa software can allow you to run your entire business with ease while also helping you to improve the experience of your guests during their stay. At Book4Time, we pride ourselves on partnering with and learning from leading spas. It’s as a result of those relationships and years of insight that we are able to deliver a comprehensive solution.

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Guestintake.com is the latest launch to help spas eliminate manual health intake forms. Built around a customisable smart-form engine, it removes the need to store paper forms while giving the guest a branded and mobile experience. Guestintake.com forms can be completed prior to a service and on a mobile tablet.

What is the future of spa software?

What the experts say...

Collaborate: No one knows your business like you do, so be sure to work with suppliers who are willing to take the time to really listen to and fulfill your needs Get a return: Complete your own cost-versus-benefits analysis. As a general rule you want to ensure that you see your software investment pay off within a three-to-four month timeframe Secure support: Don’t cut corners when it comes to product support.

Make sure that the vendor provides live product support that is available during your business hours, when you need it most

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Wellness

THERAPIES

HEALING

NUTRITION

MINDFULNESS

MOVEMENT

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EDITED BY HELLENA BARNES

Editor’s choice

Champneys partners with DESMOND to tackle diabetes Pioneering collaboration between health resort group and the UK’s National Health Service will offer support for Type 2 sufferers UK: It is estimated that more than 1-in-16 people in the UK has diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed).

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-95% of this and can be treated through the adoption of a healthy diet and increased physical activity.

With this in mind, Champneys health resorts has

“Diabetes is a serious health issue in the UK and one that we are keen to bring to the forefront at Champneys.”

Stephen Purdew Owner, Champneys Health Resorts

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announced a pioneering partnership with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to present the diabetes education programme, DESMOND, an acronym of ‘diabetes education and selfmanagement for ongoing and newly diagnosed’.

The initiative, which was developed by the Leicester Diabetes Centre, is currently delivered by 90 NHS trusts nationwide to teach those with Type 2 diabetes how to manage their condition. It is now set to launch at two of Champneys’ award-winning spas – Champneys Tring in Hertfordshire and Champneys Springs in Leicestershire.

“Diabetes is a serious health issue in the UK and one that we are keen to bring to the forefront at Champneys,” says owner Stephen Purdew, who is leading the way for this new health focus. “We are taking health and wellbeing one step further by offering this exclusive diabetes programme in

collaboration with the NHS. Working with DESMOND is an industry first in terms of health and wellbeing, which we are proud to support.”

The programmes at Champneys will operate as part of a ‘Living with Type 2 Diabetes’ overnight break and also as a day retreat, aiming to address the three core elements of diet, activity and education.

The education section will be delivered by DESMOND with the Champneys team presenting the nutrition and fitness elements, including use of the spa facilities at the resorts.

“Structured education programmes are a proven method to enable supported self-care in diabetes,” says Bernie Stribling, director of DESMOND. “We welcome this partnership with Champneys and the opportunity to ensure our high-quality, evidencebased programme is offered to more people.” www.champneys.com www.desmond-project.org.uk

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Wellness Trends & developments

Wellness Travel Awards winners announced GLOBAL: Spafinder Wellness has revealed the global winners of the 2016 Wellness Travel Awards, with Spain’s SHA Wellness Clinic (above) scooping the Crystal Award for Best in Europe as well as six other prizes.

Presented at the World Travel Market event in London, other winners were selected according to their country, the regions they represent, and a further selection of 20 categories that this year also identified ‘Hidden Gems’ and those that are ‘Ahead-of-the-Curve’.

Best-in-country awards were presented to Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa/Villa Stéphanie in Germany; Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal (top right); Richmond Nua Wellness Spa, Turkey; The Peninsula Spa Paris, France; Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt, Austria; Verdura Resort, Italy; Clinique La Prairie, Switzerland; and the UK’s Ragdale Hall Health Hydro & Thermal Spa (above right).

Honoured for the first time were spas in Croatia and Greece, with Vitality Hotel Punta and

Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso named as best in each respective country. Slovenia’s LifeClass Hotel & Spa was voted the Best in Eastern Europe.

The annual prizegiving aims to recognise hotels, resorts, destination spas and retreats that offer the best wellness holidays and experiences, with finalists selected by a panel of 39 industry experts, including European Spa’s publisher and founding editor, Sarah Camilleri.

Reflecting on the 2016 awards, Spafinder Wellness CEO John Bevan said: “The growth in wellness travel and the vast range of healthy travel options offered by these exceptional properties is remarkable.”

This year, consumers cast over 130,000 ballots for 388 finalists. “Without question, these are the most objective awards in the industry and every nominee, finalist and winner deserves recognition for their accomplishments,” Bevan concluded. www.wellnesstravelawards.com

SHA recipes for living longer and better SPAIN: The SHA Foundation has launched a new project to promote the relationship between nutrition and health. Its first offering is a cookbook entitled The SHA recipes to live longer and better.

“Food plays an essential role in our physical and mental health,” says Alejandro Bataller, vice-president of SHA Wellness Clinic.

“This book explains how integral nutrition is to strengthening not only our vitality and wellbeing but also our body’s cleansing and self-healing abilities. It also includes some of the healthiest dishes found in gastronomy from experts around the world.” www.shaboutique.com

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Belgin Aksoy Leading Woman in Wellness GLOBAL: This year’s Global Wellness Summit (GWS)

saw Belgin Aksoy, creative director of Richmond International, honoured with the Leadership Woman in Wellness award for her work in founding Global Wellness Day (GWD).

The not-for-profit social project, established in 2012, has reached more than 100 million people in 90 countries, with 70 ambassadors worldwide inspiring wellness promotion across seven continents.

Aksoy, who received her prestigious accolade at the event in Austria, told European Spa: “It is such an honour to receive the ‘Leading Woman in Wellness’ award. It motivates me to work even harder.

“I would like to thank the board of GWS, the GWD Ambassadors and key supporters, and dedicate it to all the hardworking, strong women around the world.”

www.globalwellnessday.org www.richmondint.com.tr

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Wellness Trends & developments

Made for men

Snowga is off-piste and on trend FRANCE: A cool combination of skiing and yoga, Snowga is the latest holistic happening to hit the slopes. The concept was created by Aurélia Chrétien Pomès, co-director of Elite Ski Team, which provides tailor-made ski tuition, yoga, osteopathy and sports massages during its five-day Snowga programmes at exclusive locations in Meribel and Courchevel.

“I have always been fascinated with how the body moves, responds and recovers,” says Chrétien Pomès, who is a trained osteopath and yoga, Pilates and ski instructor.

“When I discovered yoga, especially the benefits of meditation and developing one’s mental wellbeing, I saw that there was an irresistible link between these sports.”

Based on the fundamental principles of yogic breathing, stretching and mindfulness, Snowga is part of an exclusive partnership with the acclaimed Chalet Les Brames, which is re-opening in December with a modern take on the mountain experience and wellness at the heart of its offering. www.chaletbrames.com www.eliteskiteam.com

Meeting the male market International wellness locations are tailoring proactive and potentially life-changing approaches to wellbeing in order to target a specifically male audience. Paul Joseph, director of Health and Fitness Travel, highlights three leading examples: DNA fitness Taking bespoke training to another level on the Caribbean island of St Lucia is The BodyHoliday’s new BodyScience programme.

Designed to define optimum activities based on individual genetic DNA information, guests receive a complete lab analysis and an in-house health check prior to arrival. This is followed by a personal and medical consultation with the on-site BodyScience doctor to establish the optimal focus for fitness, weight management, healthy ageing, digestive health or stress management.

Conquering the rock America’s Red Mountain Resort Essential Fitness offers adventure set among the peaks of southern Utah. A versatile and physically demanding sport, rock climbing will test participants’ full-body strength, from legs to fingers, as well as developing concentration and problem-solving skills.

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When guests are not scaling a cliff face, they can explore further afield with daily morning walks and hikes, or participate in fitness classes, from kickboxing to cardio strength circuits.

Boxing and mindful coaching The Body Camp in Ibiza pulls no punches with its action-packed programme that profiles the sport of boxing. Designed to challenge strength, speed and agility, health benefits include fitness building, enhanced cardiovascular activity and stress relief.

All activities here make the most of the great outdoors with a combination of circuit training and sea swimming in the Mediterranean together with mindfulness coaching sessions and daily yoga.

Images courtesy of Health & Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialist, which in 2016 secured bookings for more than 3,500 clients at 36 global destinations. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com

Wake up to the Joy of You

Between the covers

International motivational speaker and successful author Agapi Stassinopoulos is sharing her own experiences and inner work to guide readers’ on a week-by-week, year of self-discovery in her book, Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life.

“Every single person is looking for a deeper connection to themselves and to each other,” says Stassinopoulos. “When people visit a spa, not only are they looking to de-stress, nurture themselves and recharge, but they are also looking to reconnect with their joy and what fuels them with more meaning and a sense of vitality.

“In this book I provide many tools and meditations so that readers can tap into a richer sense of their lives to leave them calmer and happier.”

The book is published on December 27.

For more details visit: www.unbindingtheheart.com

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Wellness Trends & developments

Wellbeing Escapes portfolio incorporates Sen Wellness SRI LANKA: Wellbeing Escapes is to offer an exclusive programme at the Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka, which the chain’s managing director Stella Photi describes as “a very special place with an inspiring story behind its creation”.

“Founded by Sam Kankanamge, a renowned London osteopath who has fulfilled his dream of creating a wellness destination in his birth country, it provides a stimulating, nurturing environment for guests,” Photi adds. “It combines a project to protect the turtles that lay their eggs on the nearby beach and also supports a local school for the blind.”

Wellbeing Escapes has created a ‘Health Rejuvenation’ programme at the sanctuary, which will include daily personalised Ayurvedic treatments, osteopathy, group yoga, meditation sessions, workshops, excursions and cookery masterclasses. www.wellbeingescapes.com www.senwellnesssanctuary.com

Olympic ambassador boosts hot springs AUSTRALIA: Former winter Olympian Steph Prem has been named as the new wellness ambassador at the Peninsula Hot Springs natural spa in Victoria.

Hailed as one of Australia’s leading advocates for women’s health and fitness, Prem, who was the only female to represent Australia in snowboard-cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics, says: “I’m passionate about empowering, uplifting and educating people through movement and wellness practices – encouraging them to live their happiest and healthiest lives – and I know from personal experience the huge benefits of thermal bathing.”

General manager Brook Ramage says the appointment of Prem will increase trust in the wellness message promoted at the Springs. “We have not only chosen a wellness ambassador who is a leader in the health and wellbeing industry, but someone who demonstrates the core values that drive our team,” he adds. www.peninsulahotsprings.com www.premium-performance.com

Lanserhof regenerates sub-zero spa AUSTRIA: Renowned European health resort Lanserhof LANS is extending its integrated health programmes with cryotherapy as part of a €25 million redevelopment. Launching in January, installations include a three-room cryotherapy chamber where temperatures are driven to -110°C for intense treatments, some of which last just a few minutes, to empower wellbeing.

“We focus on getting our guests in the best level of optimum health by using our bespoke symbiosis of traditional and modern medicine,” says Nils Behrens, managing director of Lanserhof. “The introduction of cryotherapy at Lanserhof LANS demonstrates our commitment to utilising state-of-the-art treatments in our health programmes.”

Cryotherapy chambers chill the body across all upper skin and tissue layers, with face, fingers and toes protected from direct exposure. “Under expert guidance, cryotherapy benefits can include modulation of the immune system, a general increase in wellbeing and specific improvements for ailments like chronic inflammation,” adds Behrens.

Cryotherapy is also widely recognised in the professional sports arena, helping athletes excel with improved performance-based speed, strength and endurance.

Speaking about the overall investment at Lanserhof LANS, Behrens says: “We believe that location and environment play an important part in the regenerative process. We have invested €25 million to create a seamless integration of architecture in the natural Alpine surroundings that perfectly complements our LANS Med programme.” www.lanserhof.com

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WELLNESS FOR

YEARS

Wellness The Book of Sacred Baths

Dr Paulette Sherman

Sacred bathing I NT E RV I E W BY H EL L ENA B A R NE S

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s the life force of global spa cultures throughout the centuries, water has a strong connection with the human psyche. Such are the benefits it can bring that clinical psychologist Dr Paulette Sherman believes elevating the simple act of bathing can aid an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing.

In the newly released The Book of Sacred Baths, Dr Sherman describes how each bath can be a personal journey on which people can connect with their unconscious minds and achieve a greater sense of wholeness.

This spiritual approach to the practical act of bathing can incorporate meditation, essential oils, affirmations and crystals to enable the bather to achieve a deep sense of oneness.

We asked Dr Sherman why she decided to dive deeper into the effects of bathing on wellbeing.

What exactly is sacred bathing?

It is performing bathing rituals for spiritual, emotional and mental cleansing, to help revitalise the spirit and transform elements of life. Many people are disconnected these days and plagued with limiting beliefs; taking a sacred bath is an easy, positive act to help de-stress, reconnect and let negativity go down the drain.

How did you come to write a book about bathing?

I began to use rituals for my own self-care after being diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. I tried to meditate, but with two young children around it was difficult. I then discovered that my family would give me a quiet space to myself while I was in the bathroom, so I created a bath time ritual, incorporating tools that I knew would be helpful in a 25-minute timeframe.

Consequently, I emerged with more energy and clarity, with a sense of peace and guidance about the area of my life I had chosen to focus on – so I wanted to share this.

“Spas are a perfect setting for sacred bathing rituals; in thermal pools, with water treatments, and during floatation therapy.”

Dr Paulette Sherman

it also represents the ‘Great Mother’; we all gestate in water within the womb and our bodies are made of up to 75% water.

Sacred bathing draws on this history and symbolism, leveraging spiritual tools to improve mental and emotional health. Equally, research on meditation says those who meditate daily show positive emotions and are more mindful and purposeful. Visualisation shows us that the inner rehearsal of our goals can lead to similar results as outer experience.

Tell us about your philosophy and research

Cultures around the world have long revered bathing: Russians have banyas; the Turkish have hammams; there are Greco-Roman tepidariums, Japanese sentos, and in Judaism there is the mikveh. Water is central for miracles and healing,

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How will this knowledge benefit spas?

Spas are a perfect setting for sacred bathing rituals; in thermal pools, with water treatments, and during floatation therapy – whether alone in silence, or together in a group.

My book illustrates 52 bathing rituals focusing on six major life areas; relationships, career, finances, health, connection to self, and spirit.

Once you learn the elements involved in a sacred bathing ritual, you can create processes around any intention. There have even been shared rituals for causes such as world peace.

Why will this appeal to spa guests?

Providing a chance for guests to raise their mood and achieve mental clarity on a regular basis has got to be a good thing. Spas can provide my book to teach guests about the process, and they can actually provide the real-life opportunity for mental, emotional and spiritual benefits.

The Book of Sacred Baths is published by Llewellyn Worldwide. 10% of the author’s royalties are donated to Water.org, a charity that works to share the resource of water with those who need it around the world.

www.sacredbathing.com www.drpaulettesherman.com

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Spas St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

A touch of gold We talk to British Olympic gold medallist and Matrix ambassador Sally Gunnell, OBE, as she relaunches St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, a revitalised haven for escape and wellbeing I NT ERV I E W BY S A R A H C A M I L L E R I

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and Picked Hotels’ CEO Julia Hands and the team at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Guernsey, recently welcomed Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, OBE, to relaunch its revitalised hotel spa and health club. Having enjoyed a £2.5m makeover as part of a bold £4m overall investment, the re-imagined health club and spa now offers a luxurious combination of wellness activity and relaxation.

Beyond the spa reception area, a tranquil inner sanctum houses five contemporary treatment rooms, a new dedicated mani-pedi area and private spa changing rooms, as well as a large relaxation room overlooking the hotel’s extensive gardens. In addition, a new exclusive treatment menu designed by Elemis offers the latest hi-tech, high-touch BIOTEC treatments.

Spa guests and health club members can get active in two dedicated gyms that are kitted out with new Matrix equipment, as well as a separate fitness and free-weight zone that offers spin cycling, core, aerobic and holistic classes.

The new Cardio Gym features a range of cardio-vascular machines as well as the latest virtual active workout technology. St Pierre Park is also the first health club and spa in the UK and Channel Islands to feature Matrix In-Trinity board classes, a new innovative training tool to help develop strength, balance and flexibility.

Elsewhere, an extensive outdoor deck is perfect for yoga and stretching, while the refurbished indoor pool and wet area feature a volcanic sauna and a steam room.

A balance of energies Stylishly remodelled by designer Liz McNeill of 10 Design and expertly project managed

by Hand Picked’s Ian Maxey, with operational intelligence from group health club and spa manager Lesley Bacon, the spa aims to set a higher standard for Guernsey.

“The new layout completely separates the spa from the health club to allow a guest journey

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A champion of wellness The only female 400-metre hurdler in history to concurrently hold the European, World, Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, Matrix ambassador Sally Gunnell, OBE, is now a respected motivational speaker and corporate wellbeing specialist.

Her philosophy that “small changes, consistently made, really do make a difference”, runs through the work she does to encourage healthy, active lifestyles for all.

On a personal level, having recently turned 50 and being a mother to three sons, Gunnell welcomes time out from work and training for some spa relaxation. European Spa caught up with her at the opening of the new St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort to find out more about how spas can widen their wellness appeal and promote healthier lifestyles.

Tell us about being a Matrix Ambassador?

“Spas have the potential to offer encouragement and clear guidance on how to live a healthier life. They are in a great position to support people.”

Sally Gunnell OBE, Ambassador, Matrix Fitness

with a real sense of exclusivity, luxury and isolation,” explains Hand Picked’s CEO Julia Hands, who currently operates ten spas across a portfolio of 20 individual country house hotels located across the UK and Channel Islands.

“People now expect a spa experience that is cocooning, warm, quiet, peaceful and relaxing, whereas the energy and noise of a health club is a very different ambience,” she continues. “The spa gives this sense of journey and also a deluxe experience – it really is multi-facetted in terms of who we can reach and appeal to. Also, our spacious new gyms and studio offer the latest hi-tech equipment, not to mention wonderful views over the grounds.”

I have been with Matrix five years and the company has grown significantly in that time, reflecting people’s desire to have more choice and more ways to stay healthy. It is a very forward-thinking brand, really moving with the times to bring wellbeing to everyone, not just thinking ‘high-end gym.’

Today, people want to try and do different things and they have the choice to do this whether it’s swimming, a spin class, yoga, or training in the gym or outside. Variety in your routine is actually much healthier as you are not using the same muscles and joints doing the same exercises. Also, you are more likely to get fitter as the body gets used to different routines.

If I go for a run it hardly has any healthy benefits as my body is so used to it, but if I go for a spin class, I really feel it.

Opposite page, clockwise from top: The pristine refurbished pool area at St Pierre Park; the hotel and spa’s Channel Island setting; the chic spa reception area; hi-tech, high-touch treatments complement a dynamic fitness offering

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Spas St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort “People now expect a spa experience that is cocooning, warm, quiet, peaceful and relaxing, whereas the energy and noise of a health club is a very different ambience” Julia Hands CEO, Hand Picked Hotels

How was your spa experience at St Pierre Park?

It was just lovely and so great to see such a large area given over to spa and wellness. At many hotels you only find a gym and perhaps a spa crammed in to one small, out-of-the-way area, whereas the spa at St Pierre is really beautiful and spacious – it’s the highlight of the place. The gym is well equipped with great views and the pool area is spacious and relaxing. I had an amazing Elemis massage which was really one of the best treatments I have ever experienced – just what I needed.

How has the approach to fitness evolved over the years?

Preventative health is much more in focus now. We all lead such busy lives and we want simplicity – sometimes technology can be a barrier to this if you only have 20 minutes to work out and it takes half that time to trying to figure out how a machine works! A lot of new new fitness equipment will strip away this complexity and become more accessible to use.

What you eat and how you exercise is also important when it comes to dealing with stress. This is a message we really need to get across. Many CEOs and managers lead such stressed lives and this is not likely to change, so looking at such lifestyle issues can really have a possible impact and make them more resilient. We talk about heart problems but the rest of the body needs to move as well. Getting people moving is crucial.

What does wellness mean to you?

It is simply having enough energy to deal well with your everyday life. Making time for Pilates, yoga, mediation or even just a ten-minute walk to stretch and bring you back into the moment is extremely beneficial. There is a real change taking place in this respect. Of course, people do want to relax when they go to a hotel or resort spa, but they don’t want to feel as if they have just sat around all day drinking and eating. They want to feel physical.

I am now being asked to do a lot of wellbeing boot camps, as people want to leave feeling fresh and recharged.

What new developments at Matrix are you excited about?

There is a whole shift of understanding about exercise and wellbeing. We are now placing much more importance on stretching, mobility and balance, hence the launch of innovative new products such as Matrix In-Trinity. St Peirre Park is one of the first spas to use this kit for individual and group training, both indoors or outdoors in their beautiful grounds.

The board is very versatile, it has been designed to breathe new Clockwise from top left: St Pierre Park is one of the first spas to use Matrix In-Trinity boards; Sally Gunnell, OBE, believes a variety of exercise is necessary to increase fitness levels; a cosy and relaxing couples’ treatment room; a guest tries out TRX suspension training; St Pierre offers a gender and age-inclsuve spa and fitness offering

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Spas St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort “We have sought to provide the best treatments and all-round spa experience the island of Guernsey has to offer, providing guests with the opportunity to spend a full day or a residential spa break at St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.”

Lesley Bacon Group health club and spa manager, Hand Picked Hotels

life into traditional practices such as yoga, Pilates and martial arts, while promoting wellbeing for all fitness levels. Its elevated platform gives access to the area beneath the board, enabling new movements and deeper stretches.

What new wellness opportunities can spas embrace?

One thing I see is that people want to change but they are not sure how. There is so much conflicting information about health and nutrition. Gyms can be intimidating and are not for everyone, but at spas there really is a great opportunity to engage with people guests on a deeper level.

Walking paths and other outdoor movement options present really interesting alternatives. Yoga, mindfulness and Pilates are also great ways for spa guests to learn new skills that they can bring into their everyday lives. It’s always about starting with small changes. Spas have the potential to offer encouragement and clear guidance on how to live a healthier life. They are in a great position to support people.

Does age matter when starting a fitness regime?

Not at all. People in their 50s and 60s are now realising the importance of mobility and flexibility and these things are just as important as physical exercise. There are also people who panic when they reach this age, as they have got away with it and now realise that they want be living well and being physically active.

We all reach an age when we get a wake-up call.

Tell us about your work in corporate wellness There are two key strands to our business. ‘Sally Gunnell’s Healthy Living’, offers workplace wellbeing programmes that help companies tackle health, wellness and corporate social responsibility issues. We create bespoke programmes based on the four-key-pillars of nutrition, activity, sleep and stress. We have also teamed up with digital-wear company Fitbug to create an exciting new wellness app, which has given me a platform to reach a much wider audience.

The app is engaging and helps you think about your wellbeing every day. It gives you exercises, recipes and articles on posture and stress, as well as trackable ways to monitor nutrition, exercise and sleep patterns. It also incorporates motivational challenges; it’s such a great way to engage a whole team – helping everyone understand how they can really make behavioural change.

How did it feel to win your Olympic Gold?

It was really surreal – one of those days when you don’t feel that you were really there, that you actually dreamt it. It was like being in a cocoon… even now I think, did I really do that? www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/stpierrepark www.sallygunnell.com

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Get connected A must-attend date on the spa industry calendar, the seventh annual Spa Life showed why this growing event is gaining in popularity

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elebrating its seventh year, the largest Spa Life event to date took place at the The Telford International Centre in November and was hailed as the best yet by CEOs, suppliers and spa managers in attendance. European Spa magazine once again partnered with the organising team, Spa Life Events, to promote the event which attracted over 500 spa professionals from across the UK. Spa Life is renowned for a relaxed atmosphere that provides ample opportunities for networking with industry colleagues and making new contacts. Mixing product and brand exhibitions with education and an industry celebration, this motivational gathering of

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like-minded professionals helps to shape the direction of the spa and wellness industry.

Setting the sociable tone of the gathering was a pre-event cocktail and networking event on the first evening. Live music, canapes and good company ensured a positive start, with representatives from suppliers and spas chatting informally over drinks.

The order of the day Opening the session on the first day, event director Andrew Hammond welcomed guests to the forum and encouraged their participation in the social media conversation via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Celebrating the success

of Spa Life to date, he reminded delegates that Spa Life is a “serious, fun event where professional supply meets demand�.

It manages to do this with an eclectic mix of education, communication and networking.

Some 59% of attendees were managers or heads of department and 32% were directors or owners, with 9% from marketing, admin and other roles. More than a conference, it provides inside intelligence on market trends, new launches and direct introductions to key decision makers in the spa and wellness market.

A key note address from Bobby Duffy, managing director of Ipsos MORI Research Institute, was an enlightening talk that addressed

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Business Spa Life 2016 6

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the complex topic of perception versus reality.

Discussing these ‘perils of perception’ he used a range of data and insights from an international survey conducted across 33 countries to demonstrate how people’s views can be skewed in our media-driven society.

Using some markers from health and wellness, in particular weight, smoking, stress and anxiety, he demonstrated that how we perceive an issue is often very different from the reality.

Duffy concluded that the spa industry has some interesting opportunities for growth in addressing the issues of stress and anxiety in the wider population. He also noted that, individually, we should all be sure to check our assumptions.

Following this insightful presentation, buyers and suppliers joined together in the Meeting Forum, a series of fast-paced gatherings to share ideas, inspiration, needs and wants, with the

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view to working in partnership in the future.

Following a similar format to speed dating, each pre-arranged appointment offers one-to-one time, allowing brands to introduce their key concepts and new launches, connecting decision makers with brands face-to-face.

Outside the main meeting room, the Spa Life EXPO grew in size once again with more exhibitors and brands than ever before taking part and continuing to raise the bar for visual presentation and brand presence. Attracting a wider range of suppliers than previous years, exhibitors included fitness equipment manufacturers, spa consultants, and vendors of skincare, makeup, towels, uniforms, tanning products, nail services, computer software and laundry hardware.

All sponsors of the event were individually thanked and platinum sponsors again played a vital role in the success of the show. These

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1. Keynote speaker Tamarah Lohan, founder of Mr & Mrs Smith 2. Making new contacts during the one-to-one meetings between buyers and suppliers 3. S pa Life’s Andrew Hammond welcomes delegates to the conference 4. ‘Predictions, projections and protestations’ from industry leaders in a panel debate 5. Katherine Daniels Cosmetics meets delegates 6. Germaine de Capuccini and Caudalie were represented in the exhibition area 7. Clarins shares its new treatments and products as part of the EXPO 8. Bobby Duffy, managing director of Ipsos MORI Research Institute, delivers his keynote 9. Closing keynote speaker Ellis Watson, CEO of DC Thompson 10. The Murad team focus on clinical skincare

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Business Spa Life 2016

1

2

3

4

included Elemis, Germaine de Capuccini, Gerrard International, Murad, OPI, Sweet Squared, Temple Spa and Xeros.

A highlight of the event and a fitting conclusion to the first day’s proceedings were the Good Spa Guide Awards (see p96). The highly anticipated convention began with a cocktail reception that preceded a glamorous gala dinner hosted by motivational speaker Pete Cohen. After dinner a live band kicked off the real celebrations for winners who enjoyed music and dancing until late in the evening.

Inspiring ideas Day two of the event began in style with an opening address by Tamara Lohan, co-founder of boutique hotel travel specialist Mr & Mrs Smith. Her down-to-earth approach ensured an immediate connection with the audience as she related her journey from initial idea and inspiration to the launch of the world-renowned boutique hotel guide.

With anecdotes of travel, life and funny family moments, she described how she balances work, life and the strategy for a multi-channel business that originated in the

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spa experience. “Spas were a catalyst for the Mr & Mrs Smith business over 15 years ago,” said Lohan. “We had a desire to find places that make you feel good.”

Her story covered the launch of the hard-copy directory through to the present day online booking service and travel club. In closing she offered spas some tips on service delivery with a check-list of criteria for the Mr & Mrs Smith Spa Awards. These included: sensual appeal, fantastic facilities, treatments that deliver, perfect products, a holistic approach and “detail, detail, detail”.

Following a coffee and networking break, attendees had a choice of 15 seminars from four different streams: strategy, marketing, wellness and operations. Highlights included ‘How digital innovations of the future are set to disrupt our life and business’ presented by Hans-Peter Urban, founder of Urban Training, and ‘Wellness in a built environment’ from Ann Marie Aguilar, design specialist at ARUP Associates.

Concluding the event was keynote speaker Ellis Watson, CEO of DC Thomson, whose multi-media background takes in newspapers, publishing and television, having worked with

1. Platinum sponsor Elemis showcases it’s spa skincare lines and treatments 2. Great events are all about teamwork 3. The team from The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village celebrate their Good Spa Award 4. CACI International demonstrates its latest non-invasive aesthetic treatment system

the likes of Simon Cowell and Rupert Murdoch.

As a spa fan, Watson said he enjoys around 100 paid spa experiences a year and his thoughts on treatments, business and service provided a pertinent message for spa owners and managers in a light-hearted way.

Watson said that the main ingredient in a spa was ‘people that make clients feel amazing’.

Creating the right environment and employing the right people, he insisted, was central to the success of this. His engaging style and friendly manner had the audience hanging on his every word and inspired to make immediate changes in the spa environment.

Upon departing from the venue, the highly anticipated goody bags provided a great opportunity for delegates to try new products from the suppliers and sponsors, and

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Save the date for

SPATEC 17 Europe

SPATEC Europe 2017 14-17 June 2017 SPATEC is the original appointmentsbased event for the spa, wellness and beauty industry SPATEC Europe brings together senior decision makers from the industry in the UK and across Europe, with leading executives from supplier companies for networking and face-to-face meetings.

Why attend SPATEC Europe 2017?

– You know ahead of time who is attending – You know the buyers are senior decision makers – You get to choose who you want to meet – You are guaranteed limited competition – You spend quality, uninterrupted time with the buyer – You profile your company to a high level audience – You network, build relationships and get to know the key people in the industry For more information please contact:

– You receive VIP treatment in a 5 star atmosphere away from the pressures of the office

Stephen Pace-Bonello: Email: spacebonello@questex.com Tel: +356 9945 8305 David Zarb-Jenkins: Email: dzarbjenkins@questex.com Tel: +356 9944 8862

www.spatecevents.com/europe

SPATEC

SPATEC Europe

SPATEC

SPATEC Middle East

Business Spa Life 2016 Recognising industry excellence

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The Good Spa Guide Awards recognise excellence in the UK spa industry. Now in its seventh year, the awards were split into regional and national categories. The regional prizes were voted for online, receiving over 72,000 votes from readers of The Good Spa Guide.

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1. Liz Dicker, spa director of Sequoia Spa, The Grove, meets with suppliers 2. Spa consultant Fran Hayter enjoys an OPI Professional nail treatment

it was agreed that, once again, Spa Life had been a great success. An event with growing international appeal, Spa Life Germany launched in 2016 and is set to return in 2017 alongside a new venture, Spa Life Ireland, based in Dublin.

Asked to comment on the event, organiser Andrew Hammond said: “We’re delighted with the industry’s response to this year’s convention and with the growth of the Spa Life brand, both here in the UK and internationally as we expand into other territories.

“This year more than 500 spa professionals registered over the two days, from a dozen different countries,” he added. “It is clear that the combination of a comprehensive educational programme and the face-to-face meeting forum is proving to be a successful formula and a great way to do business.

“Also, the informal networking opportunities cannot be understated. One of our regular delegates said to me, ‘Spa Life is like a support group for senior managers where we can share our worries and find solutions to common challenges.’ Hearing feedback like this gives us an enormous sense of pride and inspires us to do even better to support this great industry.” www.spa-life.co.uk

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WINNER: Best Spa for Luxury: Rockliffe Hall Sponsored by Natura Bissé

WINNER: Best Spa for Wellness: Champneys Tring Sponsored by [comfort zone]

WINNER: Best Spa for Outside Space: Wynyard Hall Sponsored by Caudalie

WINNER: Best Spa for a Day: Eden Hall Day Spa Sponsored by Thalgo

WINNER: Best Spa for a Stay: Stobo Castle Health Spa Sponsored by Temple Spa

WINNER: Best Spa for Groups: The Day Spa at Whittlebury Hall Sponsored by BC Softwear

WINNER: Best Spa Hotel for Families: L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa Sponsored by Nimue Skin

WINNER: Best Spa for Value: The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village. Sponsored by Virgin Experience Days

Regional award winners

Best Spa in London: The Bulgari Spa. Best Spa in the South East: Pennyhill Park an Exclusive Hotel and Spa. Best Spa in the South West: Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa. Best Spa in the East: Sequoia Spa at The Grove. Best Spa in West Midlands: Dormy House Hotel and Spa. Best Spa in the North East: Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall. Best Spa in the North West: The Woodland Spa. Best Spa in Wales: St Brides Spa Hotel. Best Spa in Scotland: The Spa At Gleneagles By ESPA. Best Spa in the Channel Islands: St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. Best Spa in Northern Ireland: Galgorm Resort and Spa.

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GLOBAL HEALING SUMMIT 2017 A two-day conference in Berlin, March 6 -7, 2017 FEEL THE HEALING SPARK As a global healing business community we create solutions together to make the world and our business a more compassionate place. Join a supportive and integrative global healing business community calling forth an environmentally sustainable, socially just, joyful and spiritually fulfilling human presence on the planet.

It is up to us. Be part of it. Â Speakers and Delegates: Global leading scientists, economists, business leaders, hoteliers, investors, holistic health practitioners and healers.

Get Inspired and secure your space: www.healingsummit.org healingsummit@healing-hotels.com +49 221 20531175

GLOBAL HEALING SUMMIT is organised by Healing Hotels of the World, a global quality brand for hotels and resorts committed to healing of body, mind and soul.

Design focus AWAY Spa at W Amsterdam

Unlocking an urban oasis AWAY Spa at W Amsterdam is a unique wellness experience located within the vaults of a former bank R EP OR T BY S A R A H TOD D

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n innovative W AWAY Spa has opened within the W Hotel Amsterdam, located in the historic former Kas Bank building, in the heart of the Dutch capital.

Designed in 1908 by FWM Poggenbeek, the building was one of the first concrete constructions in the Netherlands and is considered to be a national monument. Like most banks it was constructed with vaults located on the ground floor and it is behind the original 4,000kg vault door that this unique new spa has been sited.

The urban spa’s concept, programming and layout were created by Raison d’Etre Spas, while Baranowitz + Kronenberg Architects were responsible for the interiors, with spa elements engineered and produced by 4SeasonsSpa. “AWAY Spa provides both hotel guests and locals with an insider-escape where innovative tailor made treatments revitalise both mind and body,” says Michelle Kelleher, spa manager at W Amsterdam. “With facilities including seven treatment rooms, a sauna and a dedicated relaxation zone, AWAY Spa transports guests from the whirlwind of city life to an urban sanctuary in just a few small steps.”

“We overcame the building’s restrictions by dividing up areas that are usually adjacent. This concept, created within the former vault, became the centre of the spa experience” Anna Bjurstam, Managing partner, Raison d’Etre

Inspired design

The restrictions of working within such an historic, immutable building have led to the creation of an inventive and formal space where traditional spa offerings are intertwined with areas such as the hotel reception.

“Breaking away from the classical compartmentalising of the spa programme, blurring its borders and sense of hierarchy allowed us to re-think the notion and role of spas within cities,” states Alon Baranowitz from BK Architects.

These spacial limitations have very specifically shaped the final spa offering, as Anna Bjurstam, managing partner of Raison d’Etre explains: “As the spa is located in a historic building, we had many walls, stairs and also doors, including vault

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doors, that could not be moved.

“The design was for 800sqm spread over three floors with very challenging circulation between each area. We overcame this by dividing the wet areas from the locker rooms and the waiting and reception areas, which are normally adjacent.

This concept, created within the unique environment of the vault, became the centre of the spa experience.”

Bespoke design elements encapsulated in the spa include a gold-finished plunge pool and hot bath; a custom-made whirlpool; a steamroom and a sauna constructed from thermo-treated elm; and a full-size pool in black basalt, which has been located beyond the old vault doors.

“Unique spa features are something we specialise in,” says Willem-Jan Kuipers from 4SeasonsSpa. “This project was only about bespoke items, so all the spa features and details were purposely designed by BK Architects and then engineered and produced by our team.”

Continuing the individuality of the spa’s offering, its seven treatment rooms have been installed in one of the two vaults, the changing rooms feature oak lockers, and the unique guest bathrobes are made from denim.

The spa’s product partners include Dr. Perricone and Gemology, which offers a signature treatment, the ‘Diamonds Don’t Lie Facial’, that comprises a powerful anti-ageing therapy using pure diamond powder.

“W AWAY Spa is a pro-active space standing for a new breed of city spas, which transcend mind and body and perform a higher role in the city,” says Alon Baranowitz. Summing up this highly functional, yet truly extraordinary spa space, he adds: “It is a cultural agent of sorts and represents a social platform where day and hotel guests connect and exchange.”

W AWAY Spa Amsterdam is the latest addition to a portfolio that includes two other European AWAY Spas at the UK’s W London and W Verbier in Switzerland. Owners Starwood Hotels & Resorts have also unveiled plans for two further AWAY Spas at W Belgrade in Serbia and W Edinburgh, in Scotland, which will open in 2019 and 2021 respectively. www.wamsterdam.com www.rdespas.com www.BKARC.com www.4seasonsspa.com www.perriconemd.com

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Seven treatment rooms are located in one of the former vaults; the sauna is made from thermo-treated elm; the subterranean pool is lined with black basalt; navigating the former bank’s 4,000kg vault doors; oak lockers line the changing rooms; bespoke installations include a gold-finished plunge pool and hot bath

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Design focus AWAY Spa at W Amsterdam

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FURNISHINGS

Style EQUIPMENT

FINISHES

TECHNOLOGY

FITNESS

E D I T ED BY S A R A H TOD D

Editor’s choice

Making room for vitality Swissôtel opens ‘serene and stylish sanctuary’ to accommodate hotel guests’ demand for wellness Building on the hotel chain’s integrated approach to the wellbeing of its guests, an innovative new Vitality Room has been opened at Swissôtel Zurich. The result of a partnership between Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and Wallpaper* magazine, the room complements the hotelier’s Vitality Programme, which addresses guests mental and physical health during their stay.

Described as a ‘serene, refined and minimalist space’, the room features a clean, calm palette of materials with Grand-Douglas-Classic wood bringing a tactile and sculptural look. Soothing blackout blinds, discreet technology and air purification improve the room’s ambience and atmosphere, while a compact ‘Wellbeing Wall’ offers guests a choice of three training modules for exercise and relaxation.

Conventional hotel room layout has also been reconfigured to optimise views and improve functionality, with many features, such as lighting, being modifiable to suit individual preferences.

The Vitality Room interior was designed by the Wallpaper* Composed team with contributions from product partners who shared a “commitment to sustainability, luxury, craftsmanship and functionality”, including Vitra, Laufen, Dornbracht, Lasvit, NOHrD, Dinesen, Philips, IQAir, Interel and Krebs.

“Feeling ‘vital’ is a prerequisite to enjoying a good quality of life, and it is one of the key pillars of the Swissôtel experience,” says Lilian Roten, vice-president of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

“Our new Vitality Room is the embodiment of our brand values.

“Travellers increasingly view their accommodation not just as a place to stay, but as a place to reconnect, replenish and revitalise.

Our new Vitality Room is a unique place where our guests can be immersed in an environment of peace and health, where they can truly ‘live it well’.”

www.swissotel.com

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Style Design, form & function

MGS u Chromotherapy ceiling-mounted showerhead

Specialist bathroom distributor Grange Design has unveiled a premium collection of contemporary MGS showerheads with chromotherapy functions.

Intended to mimic a tropical monsoon, the square profile of the showerhead has been designed for overhead recessed installation.

Featuring nine different chromotherapy colours, there are three ‘deluge’ head design options of rain, waterfall and spray.

Made from stainless steel and 100% lead-free, the durable showerhead is easy to clean and has a hygienic non-porous surface that naturally creates a preventative layer against the build-up of bacteria.

Further bespoke options are available on request.

www.mgsbathroomtaps.co.uk

BC Softwear q Supreme bathrobes

New from luxury textile specialist BC Softwear is the warm and lightweight ‘Supreme’ luxury bathrobe.

Designed to be superfast-drying, the 300gsm robe is available in white or slate grey and features dual-layer fabric; the exterior is made from supersoft polyester fleece, giving it a plush, velvety texture, while the lining uses a cotton terry towelling fabric to aid absorbency.

The Supreme robe has also undergone rigorous independent wash-and-dry testing at the Laundry Technology Centre and was found to have minimal shrinkage, good longevity and a drying time on average 31% faster than a traditional cotton robe.

www.bcsoftwear.co.uk

t MyCoocoon Mini wall

The new mini immersion wall from colour therapy specialist MyCoocoon promises to create a truly warm atmosphere for spa guests to connect, create and relax in.

Created by Valérie Corcias and Dominique Kelly, the mycoocoon wellbeing concept provides an innovative wellness space that combines colour, light and sound to help rebalance and reharmonise the body.

The mini wall comes with six biocompatible lamps equipped with non-harmful lights as well as a WiFi connection and a wide range of colour immersion options.

A mobile device, the mini wall can be easily moved and implemented in various room configurations and would be ideal in either a treatment room or a yoga studio, where it offers a counterpoint to yoga poses, breathing and meditation. The wall is also available in a larger, 12-lamp configuration.

www.mycoocoon.com

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Style Design, form & function

Technogym u ARTIS Diamond Black

As part of a wider update of its ARTIS line of cardio, strength and functional training products, Technogym has launched the entire range in a new Diamond Black colour.

Comprising 30 products, the ARTIS range has also benefitted from having a new flat ‘full glass’ touchscreen seamlessly integrated into the console, bringing enhanced picture quality.

The UNITY 3.0 software on ARTIS references the growing gamification trend with its Virtual Races functionality, while users can travel to various destinations with 16 new outdoor videos – eight for the treadmill and cross-trainers, and another eight for bikes.

www.technogym.com

Mutina/Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby q Puzzle

The result of a collaboration between Italian ceramic house Mutina and British design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Puzzle is a striking new tile collection.

With eight colour families, each named after different European islands, each Puzzle family includes a composition of six graphic patterns in three colours; a set of two symmetrical patterns in two colours called Edge, and three solid-colour variations.

Intended to provide designers with endless combinations created by using elements in horizontal or vertical positioning, the tiles can be used on floors or walls to create geometric or abstract shapes.

www.domusgroup.com

Caleido Bent Radiator

Designed by Alessandro Canepa, the Bent, Bent Horizontal and Bent Bagno radiators, available in embossed white, black or grey, are made from aluminium with a pure, linear aesthetic.

Created to be discreet yet easily recognisable, the Bent radiator features just three curves to ‘outline’ its profile.

The Horizontal version can be installed either vertically or horizontally to perfectly blend into any setting, while the space-saving Bent Bagno also includes a towel rack.

Each radiator is of minimal thickness with consequently reduced weight and heat-up times, providing cost and energy savings. Limited water consumption adds to their low environmental impact as they are said to provide a higher heat output than other radiators with the same surface area.

www.caleido.co.uk

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Style Design, form & function

Matrix u In-Trinity

New from Matrix is the unique Johnny G In-Trinity Board, which enables workouts to take place raised off the floor.

Finding inspiration while stretching by a riverbed in Brazil, the company’s founder Johnny G realised that being able to reach under the ground would expand movement and enable deeper stretches.

The resulting elevated fitness board and training programme helps users to build strength while improving balance, flexibility and coordination.

Highly versatile, the boards can be used for group training or during individual workout sessions.

In-Trinity is said to ‘breathe new life’ into traditional practices such as yoga, Pilates and martial arts, and can be used to promote physical and mental wellbeing for all fitness ability levels.

www.matrixfitness.co.uk

Gharieni t MO1 Square

Billed as the optimal treatment bed for clients who require easy, low access, the MO1 Square has a minimum height of 19.7 inches (50cm) and is equipped with up to six actuators to further adjust the height, back, leg, foot and armrests, so therapists can achieve the best results while working ergonomically.

A range of further functions can also be integrated into this versatile table, including Gharieni’s Smart-thermo special, Triple Airback technology, Vibro-wellness and an Audio-relax headrest.

Available in a range of patterned finishes, the stitched PU soft upholstery can be supplied in the optionally available Extra Soft Upholstery.

www.gharieni.com

Majestic u Triangular Memory Foam Pillow

Following the enduring success of its memory foam products, Majestic has expanded its range with the launch of the Memory Foam Triangular Pillow.

The patent-pending multi-use support pillow was created to offer exceptional comfort and stability to the back, upper legs and knees. It allows therapists to offer multiple practical support options with the aim of ensuring their guests experience complete relaxation during treatments.

Made using high-quality memory foam, the pillow is encased in a supersoft, durable zipped cover that can be easily removed and washed.

www.majestictowels.co.uk

Every issue of European Spa showcases the best in spa equipment design, textiles and furnishings.

Contact Style editor Sarah Todd on +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email sarah.todd@spapublishing.com

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Between the covers

We connect you with the best brands serving the spa and wellness sector.

This issue of European Spa features the latest expertise, news and developments from: Anastasia Achilleos, The Method

20

ghd 38

Natural Spa Factory

38, 68

Aqua Design

57

Global Wellness Summit

Neom

26, 38

Aromatherapy Associates

15

Grünbeck

57

Babor 50

H/S/M Hotel und Spa Management

45

Barr + Wray

23

HL Concepts

59

BC Softwear

39, 104

House of Givenchy

26

42, 82

Biologique Recherche

25

ila 20

Bodhi & Birch

64

ishga

36, 65

Bodyism

20

Jessica

37, 66

Book4Time

73, 80, 81

Brow by Mii

64

Kerstin Florian

13, 66

CACI International

96

KLAFS

48, 57

Caleido

105

Caudalie

06, 22, 95

Katherine Daniels Cosmetics

La Prairie Living Earth Crafts

95

Oakworks 111 Oskia Phytomer Premier Software Resort Suite

26 65 28, 73, 74, 75 73, 78, 79

Sepai

21

Shared Beauty Secrets

68

Sodashi

66

Sothys

57

20

Spa Find

72

Spafinder Wellness 365

57 21, 84

Carita 27

Lemi 102

Sparcstudio 61

Clarins

Linser Hospitality

43

SPAshell

London Spa Company

65

SPATEC Europe

64, 95

CND

17, 53, 71

[comfort zone]

21, 29

DaleSauna

26, 41, 34

Darphin

65

Decléor

04, 66

Dr Hauschka

57

Elemental Herbology Elemis

26, 67, 68 02, 22, 38, 70, 90, 96

Majestic Malu Wilz Matrix

69, 106 57 90, 106

Medical Spa & Wellness Group

107

MGS

104

Mii 10 Morrocan Tan

68

Ellisons 61

Moving Art

43

ESPA International

Murad

21, 43, 48, 64, OBC

64, 95

Fashionizer 49

Müther

57

Finnsa

Mutina

105

57

Germaine de Capuccini

30, 95, 96

Gharieni

87, 106

TAC Team Dr Joseph Technogym Temple Spa Thalgo

22, 24 97 73, 76, 77 57 38, 89, 105 70 08, 65

The Healing Summit

99

The Organic Pharmacy

19

Treatwell 62 Voya

21, 66

Warda Duftöle

57

MyCoocoon 104

Werner Dosiertechnik

57

Natura Bissé

World Spa & Wellness Convention

18

63

To discuss any bespoke advertising requirements, please contact the sales team at European Spa, T: +44 (0) 115 950 4748.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Last Word Daniel Friedland, MD, SuperSmartHealth

Leadership from within Dr Daniel Friedland believes a combination of neuroscience and mindfulness can help spa operators encourage high-performance ‘conscious leadership’ in both their staff and guests

have been called, have also been shown to be highly profitable enterprises, flourishing and outperforming on key business objectives. The great news is that ‘conscious’ leadership is a trait that can be developed in anyone, whether you are the leader of an organisation, an entrepreneur, a healer, a coach or a parent.

Turning stress into strength My new book, Leading Well from Within, was written to share

A

t the 2015 Global Wellness Summit I began my presentation on ‘the power of conscious leadership’ by asking the delegation what they thought marked out the best spas, destination wellness retreats, or any other successful business. The answer, I suggested, was when a place could be said to possess a sense of ‘soul’, and when that is achieved it is usually attributed to the ‘consciousness’ of its leaders.

First and foremost, these leaders know how to lead well from within. They are able to navigate considerable stress, focus on what matters most and lead from their highest sense of self in service of something that is larger than themselves.

These are ‘conscious’ leaders – those who are able to create thriving cultures of wellness and wellbeing in which employees are highly engaged and can deliver authentic and profoundly rich, life-changing client experiences.

The good news is that these ‘firms of endearment’, as they

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a neuroscience and mindfulness-based framework for engaging ‘conscious’ leadership, revealing a new science of stress that allows the individual to do more than just manage it.

Compelling research now shows that it is your mindset around stress that determines whether it is going to be helpful or harmful to your health, relationships and productivity.

So, in order to relieve you from the stress of being stressed, you can learn specific steps to leverage these feelings as an asset – turning them into strength and success.

The key is to appreciate that stress arises around the things that you care most about. Rather than fighting stress, when you learn how to embrace and focus the energy it offers, you can be more successful in achieving the outcomes that matter most.

The ‘leading well from within’ approach can be applied by spa operators and investors alike. For the latter, it can help to inspire creative thinking and open up your decision making to new opportunities.

For therapists, there is a whole new world of next-generation neuroscience and mindfulness-based wellness programmes ready to be created and shared within the spa environment.

‘Conscious’ leadership can help you thrive more fully in your own life and make an even bigger difference in the lives of others.

Becoming a high-performance, conscious leader enables you to succeed at a higher level.

An expert on the science of leadership, wellness and wellbeing, Daniel Friedland, MD is the founding chair of the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, and CEO of SuperSmartHealth, which provides neuroscience, mindfulness and evidence-based leadership training and coaching. Leading Well From Within is available now from Amazon and at www.supersmarthealth.com

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IGNITE YOUR IMAGINATION STUDIO by Oakworks Spa is the first real time table configurator for spa directors, consultants, designers, and architects that allows you to configure and customize your table to reflect your needs and style.

JESSICA WADLEY

DAFNE BERLANGA

Vice President of U.S. Business Development Spa & Massage

Vice President of International Business Development

jwadley@oakworks.com 001 717.227.3115

dberlanga@oakworks.com 001 717.759.3125

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Our unrivalled expertise, results-driven approach and personal service are what set us apart and ensure a successful and stable solution for your spa business.

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