European Spa magazine Issue 68

THE NO.1 MAGAZINE

FOR SPA AND WELLNESS

Issue 68 | February/March 2019 | www.europeanspamagazine.com

EUPHORIA RETREAT Holistic wellbeing in the spiritual heart of Greece

TRAINING FOR CANCER How therapists can treat guests with confidence and sensitivity

LAKELAND LUXURY

Inside the stunningly scenic spa at Lodore Falls Hotel, UK

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Welcome I SS U E 68 | F E B R UA RY/ M A RC H 2019

Set your intention

A

s we look forward to the new beginnings heralded by the arrival of spring, this issue celebrates some of the very best spa destinations, treatment trends and investments that are set to move the dial in 2019.

In Greece, we find out how former banker Marina Efraimoglou followed her dream to create the unique £21.4 million (E24 million) Euphoria Retreat, which has emotional healing at its heart (p32). In the UK, we report on the delayed re-launch of the impeccable urban spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London (p60), before heading to the Lake District National Park to experience the scenic Falls Spa at the Lodore Falls Hotel (p88).

Recent years have seen a wave of impressive spa investment in this region.

Brimstone Spa at Langdale; Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa in Keswick; Gilpin Hotel & Lake House and Holbeck Ghyll at Windermere; and the much anticipated Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, also at Windermere (p19) have made it a hotspot for wellness travellers who love nature’s bounty and the art and poetry it inspires.

On the topic of natural attraction, satisfying the growing number of ‘conscious consumers’ should be an aim for every spa professional and investor, so sit back, pour a green tea and take some time to enjoy our guide to the powerful and emerging trend for ‘green’ beauty products and services (p46). A wealth of wisdom from pioneering brands and treatment providers who are leading the charge in the organic and natural beauty market highlights eco-friendly and cruelty-free alternatives to enhance your spa offering.

Last but not least, our Wellbeing 360 series focuses on the ‘cancer challenge’ (p82), revealing how dedicated wellness professionals are striving to ensure that spa therapists are properly trained and ready to welcome people suffering with or recovering from cancer. We sincerely hope this article will inspire you to get in touch with these experts and find out more about how your spa can join the global movement to deliver invaluable spa services to those who need it most.

Sarah Camilleri Publisher & founding editor

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

Assistant editor Ian Parkes +44 (0) 115 950 4748 ian.parkes@spapublishing.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Office address: European Spa magazine, Spa Publishing Ltd, Halifax House, Halifax Place, Nottingham, NG1 1QN, UK. Online & social media: www.europeanspamagazine.com

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@eurospamag

/europeanspamagazine

eurospamag

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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Germaine de Capuccini is found in the most luxurious spas and salons across 90 countries worldwide.

Astound your clients with unforgettable treatments that your therapists will love too.

Market leading treatments With over 50 years experience, our inhouse laboratories have developed some of the worlds most highly acclaimed, award winning formulations. Our skincare experts and scientists are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of skincare technology.

Results that last Combining the perfect balance of natural active ingredients and cutting edge technology, our products and treatments are scientifically developed and vigorously tested to ensure clients walk away with visible results that last.

Exquisite rituals All of our treatments are steeped in relaxing protocols and beautiful rituals from around the world that are exciting for therapists to perform. This ensures clients receive not only outstanding results but a unique experience they wont forget.

Environmentally responsible All of our products are developed with the utmost respect to the environment and we are always working to maintain our social commitments. All of our natural ingredients are ethically sourced and nothing is ever tested on animals.

Find out how we can help transform your business International Enquires: germaine-de-capuccini.com | +34 93 49518 60 UK Enquires: germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk | 0845 600 0203 Eire Enquires: germainedecapuccini.ie | 01-8355941

Contents I SS U E 68 | F E B R UA RY/ M A RC H 2019

Business 19 INDUSTRY NEWS

88

The latest industry developments, including the opening of Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa in the Lake District, UK, and Elemis’ buyout by L’Occitane.

30 PREVIEW: THE WELLNESS COLLECTIVE Networking and exclusive wellbeing await delegates at the European Spa partnered debut event at Verdura Hotel & Spa Resort, Sicily, on April 24-27.

40 A THRIVING SPA ECONOMY

We take a closer look at the latest Global Wellness Economy Monitor report, which reveals that in 2017 the spa sector produced revenues of $93.6 billion.

46 THE GREEN BEAUTY REVOLUTION

The rise in conscious consumerism is fuelling demand for ecologically sound, clean beauty products and services.

We ask 12 leading brands how the spa industry is evolving to meet these needs.

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80 THOUGHT LEADER:

NICOLAS RONCO, YELOSPA Having added YeloExpress to his portfolio, the urban sleep concept’s founder now plans to address the needs of therapists with The Good Lab.

114 IN CONVERSATION WITH...

SHEILA MCCANN Global Wellness Summit’s 2018 ‘Leading Woman in Wellness’ discusses the increased medical aspects of her roles at Grayshott Health Spa, Surrey and Lanserhof at the Arts Club, London.

Menu 71 MENU

Our round-up of the best new products and treatments, including ESPA’s Natural Face Lift and Tri-Active ProBiome range and the Brightening Lumière Marine Treatment from Thalgo.

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46 71

60

SEE US ON STAND Q6

24 & 25 Feb 2019 ExCeL London

Untitled-95 1

06/12/2018 11

Contents I SS U E 68 | F E B R UA RY/ M A RC H 2019

Spas 32 EUPHORIA RETREAT, GREECE

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The humanistic approach to wellbeing at this stunning 224 million destination spa incorporates traditional Chinese and Greek healing philosophies.

60 THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL

HYDE PARK, LONDON, UK Following a fire at the hotel last year, its rejuvenated spa has now reopened with additional treatment rooms and new expert health and beauty partners.

88 THE FALLS SPA,

LODORE FALLS HOTEL, UK Part of an £11 million redevelopment, traditional charm and contemporary design are matched by dramatic Lake District scenery at this family-run spa.

Design

97 STYLE

Among the highlights in this issue are the ‘moon wood’ Sky Spa at Forsthofalm bio-hotel, in Leogang, Austria, and the new ICE Lounge from KLAFS.

Wellness 82 THE CANCER CHALLENGE

With incidences on the rise worldwide, we talk to experts in the field of oncological wellness to find out how proper training and pure products can make spas a haven for those affected.

105 WELLNESS

82

97 Renew your subscription today...

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

email: subscribe@spapublishing.com

We spotlight the luxury new medispa, Longevity Wellness Worldwide, in Portugal’s western Algarve, and talk to author Patrick Holford about the importance of nutrition in spa wellbeing programmes.

Annual subscription rates (six issues): UK: £65 EU: £85 Rest of world: £110 On the cover: Greece’s Euphoria Retreat promises a one-of-a-kind spa experience thanks to its magnificent Sphere Pool, lined with hydrotherapy jets, which offers views of the Peloponnese surroundings.

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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WELLNESS & SPA

Discover the latest wellness & spa trends at the sector meeting for beauty experts!

29–31 March 2019

Düsseldorf, Germany | www.beauty-duesseldorf.com

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH P.O. Box 10 10 06 _ 40001 Düsseldorf _ Germany Tel. +49 211 4560-01 _ Fax +49 211 4560-668

www.messe-duesseldorf.de

News

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

APPOINTMENTS

INVESTMENT

DIARY DATES

E D I T E D BY I A N PA R K E S

Luxury Lake District spa embraces its stunning surroundings With views across one of England’s best-known lakes, Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa aims to define Cumbrian wellness UK: Commanding an enviable position on the north shore of Lake Windermere, Low Wood Bay Resort aims to provide an ‘exceptional wellness offering’ with the opening of its £7 million (d7.9 million) spa.

Drawing upon the industry experience of its in-house team, who have worked across the UK, Ireland and America, and overseen by IDA (Interior Design Association) with Lancaster-based architects Mason Gillibrand, the spa’s 2,000sqm offers indoor and outdoor thermal areas as well as a health club.

Michael Kay, group leisure manager of the property’s owner, English Lakes Hotels Ltd, told European Spa: “It’s fitting that a world-class resort like Low Wood Bay, set against the backdrop of the spectacular English lakes and fells, should be complemented by an equally stunning spa and health club.”

Part of the resort’s recent £16 million development, the indoor thermal area includes

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a 10m infinity pool with submerged loungers, a Himalayan dry salt room, a coconut steam room, a rasul, a herbal lounge and the Greenhouse relaxation room that includes swinging pods.

An additional 10m infinity pool graces the outdoor space, which also offers two hot tubs and a sauna, in which an aufguss experience is available.

The health club offers a 15m pool, an infrared sauna, a hot tub, a gym by Core Fitness and a studio for some of the 50 indoor and outdoor classes available per week, including Pilates, aqua

“It’s fitting that a world-class resort like Low Wood Bay…should be complemented by an equally stunning spa and health club.”

Michael Kay Group leisure manager

fit, HIIT, FBX (fatburn extreme) and FloatFit. Low Wood Bay turned to Wigan-based Anapos for its thermal cabins; Unique Pool from Preston supplied the pools; Living Earth Crafts beds are installed in the six treatment rooms and private hire treatment suite; while Premier Core has set up the spa and membership booking system.

A signature range of exclusively designed treatments and products is delivered by Berry & Birch using 100% natural ingredients, and the treatment offering is complemented by ESPA. “We set out to create a feeling of unpretentious luxury, where the outdoors meets the indoors and our guests can relax, rejuvenate or revitalise,” explained Kay. “We wanted our guests to not only see and appreciate the stunning scenery, but to be able to reach out and embrace it. Our location, the indoor and outdoor facilities, along with our exceptional wellness offering, allows them to do just that.” www.englishlakes.co.uk/low-wood-bay

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Business News & industry developments

Elemis flies high following $900m L’Occitane buyout GLOBAL: Elemis believes its acquisition for $900 million (£700 million/ e790.4 million)

by L’Occitane will elevate the British skincare brand into a world leader.

In an industry coup, L’Occitane International is expected to complete the Sean Harrington acquisition of Elemis from spa services provider Steiner Leisure, which operates under parent company L Catterton, a leading consumer-focused private equity firm based in Connecticut, US, by the end of March this year.

L’Occitane, a leader in the premium beauty market with Reinold Geiger 3,285 retail outlets, including 1,555 owned stores, in 90 countries, is leveraging the buyout via cash and bank borrowing.

Elemis CEO Sean Harrington, who founded the brand in 1990 along with Noella Gabriel and Oriele Frank, claimed the deal “will strengthen the continued growth and momentum behind our timeless brand and remarkably transformative products”.

A statement from the founding trio reads: “This

transaction enables L’Occitane to enter premium, luxury skincare, and enables Elemis to benefit from their global and retail expertise, especially in Asia and the United States.

“By partnering with L’Occitane, we are confident that we can continue to realise our mission to deliver extraordinary products and experiences, and grow Elemis to be the number one skincare brand in the world.

“There are many reasons to be excited about this next chapter, but it’s important we do not lose sight of our priorities and business objectives, which are critical for our success in 2019.”

With Elemis, L’Occitane adds a sixth brand to a portfolio that also includes L’Occitane en Provence, Melvita, Erborian, L’Occitane au Brésil and LimeLife by Alcone.

Referring to the purchase as “a major step forward in building a group of premium beauty brands”, L’Occitane chairman and CEO Reinold Geiger commented: “Elemis presents a truly unique opportunity that fits us perfectly in terms of brand ethos, product quality, management capability, as well as growth and profitability trajectory.

“Elemis has enormous growth potential in untouched markets and channels, particularly in Asia Pacific where we have a strong presence.” www.elemis.com | www.loccitane.com

London clinic’s regenerative solutions

UK: An advanced and highly-scientific regenerative clinic has opened in London, claiming to provide solutions that extend and enhance the quality and longevity of life.

BelleCell, in Mayfair, Kasia Zajkowska was founded by Kasia Zajkowska, a bioscientist with 15 years’ experience in regenerative medicine, stem cell research, nutrition and wellness.

The clinic, designed by Ascot-based Zynk and with Lisa Barden serving as spa consultant, offers a range of the latest technologies, including an oxygen chamber, zero-gravity and virtual reality experiences,

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high-tech head massagers, a vacuum therapy device and an infrared sauna.

BelleCell will provide state-of-the-art genetic and bio-analysis lifestyle tests and procedures, backed by personalised regenerative programmes and performance optimisation. Six treatment rooms will offer aesthetic injectables, carboxytherapy, colonic hydrotherapy, IV infusions, laser hair removal, LPG endermologie, skin tightening and sculpting, as well as gynaecological rejuvenation.

Zajkowska told European Spa: “Regenerative treatments and therapies can now be enjoyed daily as a social experience, not only in a clinical or retreat environment.” www.bellecell.com

European Spa prize winners

UK: European Spa is delighted to announce the winners of a prize draw we ran exclusively at last November’s Spa Life International (UK). We partnered with several leading spas and brands (including Champneys, pictured above) to offer an array of fantastic prizes for professionals to enjoy. The winners were: Spa break for two at Champneys Jemma Whitney, spa manager, Ringwood Hall Hotel Spa break for two with spabreaks.com Samantha Randle, national spa manager, Bannatynes Spa treatment for one, with bubbles, at The House of Elemis Julie Chambers, spa manager, business development, The Belfry Spa Spa experience for two at The Refinery Victoria Patterson, manager, Murad Thalgo gift set Susan Auld, director, Spa Vision [comfort zone] gift set Julie-Anne Rigby, spa manager, Camden Park Hotel Aromatherapy Associates gift set Sarah Johnson, spa manager, Rudding Park

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Business News & industry developments

Ambitious wellness venture plans for Adriatic resort ITALY: A 10,600sqm wellness complex is in the pipeline for the Adriatic coastal town of Riccione.

Modena-based management consultancy bbspa&partners has drawn up plans for a 4,000sqm thermal medispa, a 6,000sqm wellness spa, plus a 600sqm luxury spa, to be served by two interconnected 120-room hotels.

At present, with plans to be finalised, the medical spa will include an area dedicated to thermal rehabilitation, with indoor and outdoor pools, along with a medical diagnostic practice where guest treatments – including thermal mud and waters – will be delivered.

The wellness spa will again offer a range of indoor and outdoor pools, including a bio pool, as well as numerous hydrotherapy routes that will incorporate saunas, steam baths and hammams. There will also be thermal mud and water massage areas, several relaxation spaces, a solarium and a treatment zone with individual and couples’ treatment rooms, and spa suites.

The luxury spa, to be sited on the top floor of one of the hotels, will offer a panoramic pool, several spa suites and an indoor/outdoor relaxation area.

Describing the elaborate project, bbspa founder and CEO Régis Boudon-Doris told European Spa: “A complex of this magnitude, quality and completeness does not exist, at present, in Italy. It is unique.

“These hotels are dedicated to 360° wellbeing, with every

News in brief Kamalaya and Lime Wood repeat partnership THAILAND/UK: Following the success of last year’s collaboration, renowned wellness destination Kamalaya is to again partner with Lime Wood’s Herb House Spa in offering two three-day retreats in the New Forest, entitled ‘Living Well in Rhythm with Nature’.

Overseen by Kamalaya founders John and Karina Stewart, the courses, from June 3-5 and June 5-7, offer teachings, treatments and practices for mind, body and spirit. www.kamalaya.com www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

detail within them designed to guarantee a thorough and complete wellness experience.”

In partnership with local architectural and engineering company Polistudio, the Riccione Terme project is due to start construction in early 2020, once the authorisation process is completed this year, with the aim to open in February 2022. www.beabusinessspa.com

20 years of Raison d’Etre

Gharieni is selected by Forbes Travel Guide

Rare honour for Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy UK: The Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy has been named a Habia Centre of Expertise, one of only six in the UK recognised as a learning provider delivering the very highest quality programmes and training.

The Academy successfully met rigorous assessment criteria, covering areas such as standardisation, health and safety, trainer qualifications, training and certification, before receiving the award for nail services, beauty therapy and retail level three. www.gerrardinternational.com/ beauty-academy | www.habia.org

SPATEC Europe will return to familiar ground

SWEDEN: Spa design, wellness business and spa education company Raison d’Etre is this year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the opening of its first spa at Soneva Fushi in The Maldives in 1998.

Acquired by Pegasus Capital Advisors in 2013, numerous iconic brands have been created under the Raison d’Etre banner, including Six Senses, Aman, Resense and Kempinski, LivNordic, and spa training academy, Spa Business Education.

Anna Bjurstam, who has been with the company since 2000 and is now partner at Raison d’Etre and wellness pioneer for Six Senses Hotels, told European Spa: “We have morphed into more of a wellness think-tank, rather than a spa company for the hospitality industry.

“Today we are reinventing wellness in hospitals, shopping malls, office buildings and residential buildings, in addition to working in the amazing hospitality industry, while our cruise ship spa/wellness industry is very successful and growing.

“Most important is the amazing team, led by Anna-Cari Gund. It is the most wonderful, caring team, with unparalleled expertise, creativity and passion. Right now, the future looks incredibly exciting.” www.raisondetrespas.com

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GLOBAL: One of Europe’s leading makers of high-end spa, medical equipment and furniture, Gharieni has been selected by Forbes Travel Guide as its official spa and wellness equipment provider.

Gharieni Group founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni said: “This great recognition by Forbes Travel Sammy Gharieni Guide serves to reinforce our commitment to delivering stellar service, supreme comfort and impeccable design to our partners.

“This acknowledgement by Forbes Travel Guide will only reinforce our purpose in providing the utmost attention to design detail and differentiation in our equipment and furnishings.”

Praising the brand, Forbes Travel Guide’s CEO, Filip Boyen, commented: “Gharieni’s team of experts oversee every step of design and customise spa tables, treatment beds and more based on client need. The company, with more than 25 years in the business, puts guest experience at the forefront of its innovative products.” www.gharieni.com | www.forbestravelguide.com

ITALY: SPATEC Europe, the premier networking conference for the spa, beauty and wellness industry, is to return to Europe this year after being staged in Morocco last year. Event director Stephen Pace-Bonello and his team will host the 13th edition in the magnificent setting of the Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno, on the shore of Lake Maggiore, on June 19-22. www.spateceu.com

Cycling and boxing on the menu at Champneys UK: Champneys has launched two new fitness experiences at its spa resort in Tring, Hertfordshire.

A state-of-the-art Cycle Studio, with equipment from Stages Indoor Cycling, will host Virtual Cycling, Ride & Tone, and Ride & Learn classes.

A new Urban Gym, set to be rolled out at other Champneys spa resorts, offers a Boxing Zone with classes including Box Fit, Box Club and one-to-one training sessions. www.champneys.com

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Business News & industry developments

Homefield Grange offers a ‘return to the true nature of spa’ UK: Boutique health and wellness

retreat Homefield Grange has opened a new spa to offer guests “the time and space to concentrate on good health”.

Costing £1.7 million (w1.92 million), the Living ‘Well’ Spa opened at the end of January and boasts an infinity hydropool, from Pools by Design, a salt steam room, a herbal sauna, infra-red benches, deeprelax water beds, magnetic loungers, aromatherapy showers, an ice trough and Kneipp water therapy.

Augmenting the existing facilities at the converted Northamptonshire farmhouse, co-owned by Suzanne Peck and Hans Looser, the 325sqm spa was designed by Russell King of Butterscotch Design in a warm, homely palette of natural stone, slate and cedar wood.

Palatial five-star retreat is unveiled in Madrid

“The spa complements the business’s exclusive residential weight loss, wellness and detox programmes, and is a return to the true nature of what a spa is designed to offer – the time and space to concentrate on good health,” said Peck.

Six treatment rooms, with Gharieni and IONTO-COMED couches, offer a menu that includes Decléor, Pevonia and Made for Life Organics Peck added: “The menu is designed to help guests strengthen their immune systems, lower stress and inflammation, and improve gut health.

“My naturopathic training reflects a European feel with additional treatments such as liver packs, constitutional hydrotherapy, contrast showering and Kneipp therapy.” www.homefieldgrangeretreat.co.uk

Appointments Grant makes move to Whatley Manor

Jessica Grant

UK: Jessica Grant is the new spa manager at Whatley Manor’s Aquarias Spa, now Tracey Whelan has returned to the Bank House Hotel & Spa in Worcester.

With a team of 20, Grant, formerly of the Royal Crescent and the Gainsborough Bath Spa, will work on new signature treatments and continue to drive the spa’s day business. www.whatleymanor.com

O’Neill to develop Temple Spa business

SPAIN: Located on the site of the former 19th-century Palace of Anglada, Madrid’s five-star Villa Magna has unveiled a new spa that “raises our standards of luxury”, according to general manager Charles L. Morris.

With architecture and interior design from Lisbon-based Openbook, which also specified the fixtures and finishes, the €1.9 million (£1.68 million) Mytha Spa includes a Turkish hammam, a sauna, a steam room, a Jacuzzi, a lifestyle shower, a relaxation room and a 24-hour fitness centre with equipment from Technogym.

The space has been crafted with high-quality natural materials, such as travertine and wood, that mix with the sounds of water and scents of the Mediterranean.

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A trio of Spanish brands – luxury skincare brand Natura Bissé, bio-cosmetic specialist Dulkamara and natural cosmetic enterprise Massada – are used in the four treatment rooms, which include one double and furniture from Gharieni.

Mytha Spa has turned to California-based Morgan Taylor for its manicures and pedicures, with these treatment couches supplied by Nilo.

Explaining the philosophy behind the creation of the 450sqm spa, Morris said: “The Mytha Spa was built to offer a retreat to relax that both emulates and raises our standards of luxury. Our carefully designed treatments are authentic and influenced by a variety of cultural traditions.”

Martine O’Neill

UK: Luxury skincare brand Temple Spa has appointed Martine O’Neill as its new spa business development manager.

O’Neill has a wealth of spa industry experience in training, account management and new business acquisition, including most recently two years with Natura Bissé as business development manager. www.templespa.com

James and Hanson join Mallory Court

www.mythahotels.com/villamagna/en/

Tara James

UK: Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa, a member of the Relais & Châteaux Group, has taken on Tara James as its new spa manager and Nick Hanson as general manager.

With 10 years in the industry, James spent the last six of those within spa and leisure management roles at QHotels Hellidon Lakes. www.mallory.co.uk

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Business News & industry developments

Andaz Spa is a ‘modern journey to rediscover tradition’ GERMANY: Hyatt’s latest Andaz hotel, in Munich, includes a 2,000sqm spa that offers guests ‘a modern journey to rediscover tradition’, according to spa director Lydia Heymann.

At the heart of the Andaz Spa at the Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor is a 17m hydrotherapy pool, located on the sixth-floor roof terrace, with a sundeck that commands extensive views across the city.

Overseen by Concrete, an architecture and interior design company based in Amsterdam, there are also three mixed saunas and a further two for women only, alongside a number of lavish relaxation areas, and Lydia Heymann an urban garden in which herbs are grown for teas and infusions.

The six treatment rooms provide a range of what has been described as ‘locally inspired healing treatments, massages, body rituals, facials and aromatherapy that are designed to refresh body and mind’.

Product partners include Ebenholz, for male skincare, and Team Dr Joseph, for women, along with the Botanique range from Parisian brand La Biostétique, and natural spa therapy from a third German company, PINO. The spa is open to hotel residents as well as members and day-spa guests. The gym, equipped by Technogym and with personal trainers available from one of Munich’s foremost fitness companies, R1 Sportsclub, is accessible 24/7 to hotel guests.

Heymann said: “Our experience begins as soon as the guest steps out of the elevator and arrives at the spa. Everything is just as it should be, with fine teas, freshly squeezed juice, a nice aroma and views over the city rooftops. It’s then about creating a back-to-nature feel, and about providing true stories for real people.” www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/germany/andaz-munich-schwabinger-tor/mucaz

Aromatherapy Associates ‘never more relevant’, says new CEO Teal

An ‘integral’ addition to EDITION

GLOBAL: Anna Teal has said she will push the boundaries of pioneering international brand Aromatherapy Associates following her recent appointment as its global CEO. Teal will combine the role with those of vice-president and global business development and strategic planning director, global brands, for Walgreens Boots Alliance, a position she took up in October 2017.

In taking over on January 1 from Tracey Woodward, who is retained as a consultant and ambassador until the end Anna Teal of March, Teal has vowed “to protect, amplify and share” the legacy of founder Geraldine Howard, while at the same time aiming to modernise and innovate the brand.

Speaking to European Spa, Teal said the brand “has never been more relevant” due to modern-day pressures and with more natural wellbeing solutions being sought. She added: “We will stay true to the authenticity, quality and heritage of Aromatherapy Associates and The Refinery, while modernising our offering where we need to, so we can continue to pioneer aromatherapeutic solutions in spa and at-home treatments.”

TURKEY: With consultancy from ESPA and styled by Ian Schrager Company, The Spa at The Bodrum EDITION provides a “relaxing, restorative retreat”, according to general manager Marc Matar.

Overlooking the Aegean Sea along the Turquoise Coast, the spa was designed by Paris-based Christophe Pillet and offers a soothing, tranquil environment.

“An integral part of our guests’ journey, the destination was created in response for consumers’ demand for Mark Matar intelligent retreats,” Matar told European Spa. “Our hammam, for example, is the only one in Bodrum to offer a heightened ritual-focused Moroccan-style experience.”

The hammam is the centre of the 400sqm spa that includes a sauna, a steam room, a Himalayan salt room, a beauty salon and a vitality lounge. As well as a Life Fitness-equipped gym, outside are infinity and ice water pools.

A total of 14 treatment rooms, six of which are private suites, offer skin and facial care from Hungarian beauty brand Omorovicza, massage oils from Aromatherapy Associates and Gharieni treatment couches.

www.aromatherapyassociates.com

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www.editionhotels.com/bodrum/

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Business News & industry developments

Cosmoprof to run dedicated spa arena and experiences ITALY: For the first time since the inception of Cosmoprof in 1967, this year’s edition of the world-leading exhibition event for the beauty industry will feature dedicated halls for each of its eight sectors.

The ‘Beauty Salon and Spa’ area, in particular, is to grow by 20% for the event that runs from March 14-18 in Bologna and attracts 250,000 professionals and 2,800 exhibitors.

“Day by day, spa and wellness are becoming a strategic segment for the beauty industry, so we have worked on specific initiatives for the sector,” general manager Enrico Zannini told European Spa. “For the 2019 edition, we will provide spa professionals and companies with dedicated seminars. Further to that, a special area will be dedicated to beauty and spa companies, offering them the best tools to increase their business opportunities with buyers and distributors who attend our show.”

A seminar entitled ‘How to be successful in the spa industry’ features a panel containing Brian Brazeau, general manager of the skincare division of the Davines Group; Garrett Mersberger, ISPA chairman and director of wellness for Kohler Waters Spas; Laura Parsons, director of spa and wellness at The Spa at Pelican Hill, California, US; and Michael Tompkins, partner at Hutchinson Consulting.

One particular feature is SPAce99, created by Italian spa company LIFEXCELLENCE, in collaboration with designer Simone Micheli, which will ‘recreate the emotional experience of a spa with numerous initiatives and live events, where visitors can try out innovative rituals and essential oils, meet business leaders and taste herbal teas and wellness cocktails’. www.cosmoprof.com

‘Wellness and the city’ at Kempinski

GERMANY: Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels, aims to attract wellness travellers with the launch of a new spa retreat at the Taschenbergpalais Marten Schwass Kempinski Dresden.

With renovation “urgently needed”, according to general manager Marten Schwass, as the spa had not been updated since the hotel was restored in 1995, the 520sqm project took six months to complete under the supervision of Erdmann Saunen, an exclusive German supplier of sauna and spa interiors.

The spa includes an 11m indoor

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pool, two Finnish saunas, a steam bath, an infrared cabin, three treatment rooms, a relaxation area and a wellness bar. There is also a separate Technogym-equipped fitness suite.

Treatments are from Thalgo’s La Beauté Marine line and Black Forest based Schupp, with bath supplements from Salvatore Ferragamo.

Director of sales and marketing Max Rothe said: “With this new wellness retreat we can focus even more on an additional target group: the wellness traveller. We also expect the average length of stay to increase, but the most important point is to increase our guest satisfaction and let them experience ‘wellness and the city’.” www.kempinski.com/en/dresden/ hotel-taschenbergpalais/

Spa Business School is boxing clever UK: Spa Business School is hoping to “ignite passion and a purpose” in its members by moving its learning resources to the subscription box model with its Business Booster Boxes.

Operating on a quarterly basis, subscribers will receive a workbook supplement designed to tackle different areas of management development, a selection of major brand products, a recommended best-selling book and access to an exclusive online community.

Spa Business School founder and managing director Michelle Hammond Michelle Hammond will also provide online booster training sessions each month via exclusive interviews, insights and challenges.

“We pride ourselves in always looking for ways to bring learning to life, to make it fun, effective and collaborative,” Hammond told European Spa. “By putting our physical and online learning resources and activities into a themed quarterly box we hope our subscribers feel encouraged and empowered to step in to their authentic selves and truly lead in a way that brings about real results.”

Each box retails at £149.97 (s169.82), including P&P, or £499.98 for all four over the year, saving £100. www.spabusinessschool.com

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2019 COSMOPROF BOLOGNA, ITALY – FAIR DISTRICT

14 – 17 MARCH

15 – 18 MARCH

A new world for beauty Bologna, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Mumbai

Company of

With the participation of

cosmoprof.com

Organiser BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.

Milan, Italy P +39 02 796 420 F +39 02 795 036 info@cosmoprof.it

In partnership with

Business News & industry developments

Co-chairs named for GWS 2019

Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO, Global Wellness Summit

GLOBAL: The Global Wellness Summit has named advisory board members Catherine Feliciano-Chon and Yoriko Soma as its co-chairs for the 13th staging of the event, which will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong later this year.

Chon founded CatchOn, a strategic marketing communications consultancy with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 2001, while Soma is president and CEO of Japan-based Conceptasia, a major investment fund for Asian spa and wellness businesses.

Describing the leadership role as “an honour”, Feliciano-Chon added: “Having the Summit in Hong Kong underscores Asia’s importance to the wellness economy. With China at our doorstep, Hong Kong bridges east and west, the ancient and modern, and sits at the crossroads of many industries shaping the business of wellness.”

Soma added: “Corporate success is

Riverboat relaxation on Floating Spa

UK: A traditional boat on the River Thames will be one of the key attractions when Monkey Island Estate re-opens its doors in February following an extensive renovation by YTL Hotels.

Situated in Bray, west of London, The Floating Spa by Spa Village, overseen by a development team that comprises Melissa Mettler, Sylvia Sepielli and Lai-Ping Chik, is housed on a 70ft wide-beam canal boat built by Narrowboats Limited.

Beyond the wheelhouse that forms the reception area will be three treatment rooms, with a menu incorporating new British Lee Kelly brand Moss of the Isles; ISUN Alive & Ageless Skincare, which utilises wildcrafted and organic ingredients; and Haeckels, a natural skincare and wild fragrance company. Oakworks has supplied the treatment couches.

Of additional enticement will be the Elixir Bar, serving house-cured elixirs made from medicinal herbs grown in The Experimental Teahouse.

Estate general manager Lee Kelly told European Spa: “Monkey Island dates back 800 years, when it was founded by monks, and all treatments and experiences have been choreographed to fit the setting and concept. As such, the Floating Spa signature treatment will be ‘The Monks Elixir – Booze, Botany and Beauty’, involving a full-body massage and ‘long-life elixir’ based on original recipes practiced by Augustinian monks in the 12th century.” www.monkeyislandestate.co.uk

Yoriko Soma

Catherine Feliciano-Chon

built on collaboration, and that is exactly what the Global Wellness Summit, with its tagline ‘Joining together. Shaping the future.’ prides itself in fostering.

“I’m excited to be part of the team that will help the GWS delegates uncover insights and opportunities in the Asian wellness economy and help them better understand Asian culture and the best way to approach business in this exploding market.” www.globalwellnesssummit.com

WaveStone eases therapists’ strain

UK: Champneys College and leading spa supplier Ellisons are playing an active role in the long-term health of therapists with the procurement of an innovative new massage tool known as WaveStone.

The ergonomic design of the WaveStone, made from white jade, claims to significantly reduce strain on a therapist’s hands, wrists, arms and back, so enabling longer and more efficient massage treatments.

Champneys College, based in Tring, has started Adrian Jenkinson to run courses for all students, with further tutorials available to staff across its portfolio of properties, with a view to rolling out treatments that use the WaveStone.

WaveStone designer Adrian Jenkinson said: “We hope this is the start of a long relationship with both of these companies as we look to making the WaveStone a global brand to help therapists around the world.” www.thewavestone.co.uk | www.champneyscollege.com | www.ellisons.co.uk

Share your appointments, announcements, launches and diary dates with Ian Parkes by calling +44 (0) 115 950 4748 or email ian.parkes@spapublishing.com

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Your next spa project starts here.

Offering an unrivalled level of service and an exceptional selection of beautifully crafted, high-quality furniture and equipment, Ellisons will ensure your next spa project is a success.

Our Spa Partner team can help with every aspect of your project, making sure it runs smoothly, on time and to budget. With a portfolio showcasing an extensive range of high-profile spa refits, you can depend on our years’ of experience advising on new builds and refurbishments in treatment rooms and relaxation and reception areas.

ellisons.co.uk

Ellisons offer an impressive selection of attractive spa furniture from leading brands Living Earth Crafts, REM, Salon Ambience and many more. Amongst our luxurious product range, you’ll find a selection of elegant, ergonomically designed treatment couches offering bespoke options to suit every treatment need.

Please contact our dedicated Spa Partner team to discuss your options in more detail: spapartner@ellisons.co.uk +44(0)24 7636 9114 Find out how you can add value to your next spa project by downloading our Spa Guide at www.ellisons.co.uk/spaguide

Business News & industry developments

Key spa and wellness dates for 2019 The biggest and best global industry events for spa professionals to mark in their diaries across the first half of the year

World Spa & Wellness Convention

February 24-25 ExCel, London The global networking event delivers a dedicated two-day programme designed to help senior management of hotels and spas improve their skills and talents in order to grow their businesses. Guest speakers include Jeremy McCarthy, group director of spas, Mandarin Oriental; Sue Goddard, group spa director, Center Parcs; and Irene Forte, group project director, Rocco Forte Hotels.

Spotlight Event

www.worldspawellness.com

Cosmoprof

March 14-18 Fair District, Bologna, Italy A leading worldwide event for the beauty sector that is attended by over 250,000 professionals, leaders and experts in a variety of sectors.

Although split into its three core areas of CosmoPack, Cosmo Perfumery & Cosmetics, and Cosmo Hair & Nail & Beauty Salon, for the first time this year each of its eight sectors will have its own dedicated hall. (See p26). www.cosmoprof.com

Beauty Düsseldorf

March 29-31 Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, Germany With more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 55,000 trade visitors from 77 countries in 2018, the international showcase for innovations and education spans sectors from spas and cosmetics to nails and wellbeing.

The ‘Meeting Point Wellness & Spa’ features a variety of speakers discussing topics such as holistic approaches, sustainability and Far Eastern practices. www.beauty-duesseldorf.com

The Wellness Collective

April 24-27 Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy Making its debut, the event is a premium networking concept that brings together senior level decision makers with a carefully curated host of potential brand partners (see p30).

The focus will be on forging meaningful connections, acquiring practical knowledge and skills, learning away from the pressures of everyday life with an itinerary that allows attendees the time to enjoy health and wellness activities. www.wellnesscollectiveevents.com

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Healing Summit

May 6-7 Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal Deliberately limited to 150 delegates ‘to create a collaborative atmosphere’ and to ‘engage in-depth with other awakened minds from around the world’, this year’s Healing Summit operates under the banner of ‘Take A Quantum Leap’ as business owners, hoteliers, healers and scientists discuss ways to make positive changes via progressive thinking.

Above: Sunset yoga at Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal

Taking place at Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve, for the Summit’s sixth edition, guest speakers include Adam Rockefeller Growald, a board of trustees’ member of the Rockefeller Family Fund; investor and entrepreneur Steven Kennedy Smith; and Sarah Collins, CEO and creator of globally conscious company Wonderbag. www.healingsummit.org

Spa Life International (Ireland)

Spa Life International (Germany)

www.spa-life.international

www.spa-life.international

Forum HOTel & Spa

SPATEC Europe

www.forumhotspa.com

www.spateceu.com

May 13-14 The Johnstown Estate, Co. Meath, Ireland Returning to the beautiful estate that is set in 120 acres of parkland, the 18th-century Georgian rural residence will play host to a two-day event that provides spa professionals with what is claimed to be ‘an unrivalled combination of new product innovations, shared industry insights, networking opportunities and quality management education’.

May 23 The Four Seasons George V Hotel, Paris, France Since 2008, the Forum HOTel & Spa has become a meeting point for leading figures in the world’s of spa, hospitality and wellbeing to discuss and share knowledge on best and future practices for the industry. For the 12th edition, this year’s theme will discuss ‘Multiversity in Wellness’, in particular, as to how innovation can contribute to such a market.

June 3-5 Freiburg Health Resort, Freiburg, Germany Billed as ‘more than just a congress’, this three-day event is about innovative products, current industry trends and discussions with experts, as well as numerous networking opportunities, in particular ‘speed-dating’ meetings, and keynote addresses from leading figures in their field that are offered to innovate and inspire.

June 19-22 Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno, Italy The must-attend event welcomes over 150 influential decision-makers from Europe’s spa, beauty and wellness industries. Over three business days around 1,000 networking and one-to-one meetings will take place between operators of medium-to-large hotel resort, destination, medical, athletic and day spas with domestic and international suppliers.

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SPATEC 19 Europe

The spa, beauty and wellness industry’s key players will come together on Italy’s Lago Maggiore this June for SPATEC Europe 2019

Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno, Italy 19 - 22 June 2019

What do you get at SPATEC? • Guaranteed pre-qualified audience of key decision makers • Pre-set appointments with buyers of your choice • Limited competition • 2 full days of exceptional networking • Unparalleled value for money

For more information contact: Stephen Pace-Bonello, Event Director spacebonello@questex.com Tel: +356 99458305

www.spateceu.com

News Wellness Collective Events

Networking for wellness Max Laurence-Gutteridge, founder of Wellness Collective Events, explains the origins of the brand's first premium, four-day spa and wellness community networking event for Europe

W

ith its debut set for the magnificent Verdura Hotel & Spa Resort, Sicily, on April 24-27, Wellness Collective Events is promising a new level of luxury networking to let delegates relax and work ‘on’ their business rather than ‘in’ it.

With open access to the resort’s spa and fitness facilities, attendees will also benefit from new forms of personal skills development and practical learning through dynamic ‘hot seat’ symposiums with key industry figures.

As exclusive media partner, set to co-host a Champagne lunch, gala dinner and the new Icon Awards, European Spa talks to the company's founder, Max Laurence-Gutteridge, about this new light on the spa business horizon.

What made you set up this new type of event?

Any operator will tell you the job of managing a spa or wellness facility can be not only physically and mentally demanding, but also quite isolating.

It can be difficult to find time and space to see the bigger picture and identify the market opportunities beyond what you do every day for your clients’ wellness.

Spa operators also rely heavily on their peer network for support and self-development, and I was increasingly being asked to provide an event that dedicated itself to this requirement in a more relaxed and unhurried way.

Additionally, operators want to meet only

30

specialist spa brands who offer real innovation and education, while the brands want to meet the real decision makers in a setting that affords them proper time to forge relationships.

How are Wellness Collective events different?

We will meet all the challenges posed to us by attendees, but most importantly our guests will find time to remember why they do what they do for everyone else. Each of our operator delegates will receive €350 to spend in the resort spa, and we will be offering additional activities, such as running groups, yoga on the beach and meditation sessions. Five brand treatment rooms will also be open during the event.

Is the timing of the gathering significant?

We purposefully chose to hold the European event in April, as this is traditionally when new operator budgets are released and new projects are initiated. We hand-pick our operator attendees based on them having budget to spend and the authority to spend it. Equally, we only welcome specialist spa brands, so we guarantee access to new innovations, trends and education for operators, while brands know their target audience will be in one place at one time.

What else will be new and different?

Well, we have a few exclusive brand-launches that you won’t see anywhere else. We will also

From far left: Max Laurence-Gutteridge, founder of Wellness Collective Events; Verdura Hotel & Spa Resort in Sicily will host the company's first conference

be offering access to real-life skills ‘take-aways’ through our ‘hot seat’ symposiums. These are a hybrid of panel-led and intimate workshop sessions that will address the specific challenges of operators who request five minutes in the ‘hot seat’ to receive personalised help from influential industry experts.

Furthermore, our Icon Awards will recognise individuals from any part of the industry – operators, brands, service providers, consultants, trade bodies, educators etc. – who have made a significant and positive impact.

What do you want attendees to take away?

Our goal is to remind our guests of the importance of what they do; inspire them to keep coming up with new, innovative and profitable ways to do it; and to leave our event feeling refreshed, relaxed and energised enough to go back to their own businesses and make it happen. www.wellnesscollectiveevents.com

Our spa operator readers can take advantage of an exclusive discount of 50% on the Luxury Package (normally £120) by quoting ESMLUX50 or 30% off the VIP Package cost (normally £300) by quoting ESMVIP30 online at point of payment.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

The future of networking in the wellness industry Join Wellness Collective Events for a four-day luxury networking event like no other.

This is a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence in the wellness sector in the stunning, tranquil surroundings of the 5-star Verdura Spa & Golf Resort in Sciacca, Sicily.

Be part of the future If you’d like to join the elite of the wellness industry in Sicily from 24th - 27th April 2019, register at wellnesscollectiveevents.com/register for more details.

LIMITED SPACES REMAININ G

Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece

Emotional healing Blending ancient Greek and Chinese healing techniques, Euphoria Retreat heralds the start of a new era for the spa market in Greece

S

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

et amid a forest of pine and fir trees in the spiritual heart of Greece, Euphoria Retreat is immersed in the nature and history of its Peloponnese surroundings. Located just a few kilometres from the ancient town of Sparta, it stands on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Mystras and has the 2,400m Mt Taygetus as a backdrop.

Billed as a holistic wellbeing destination spa, the €24 million (£21.4 million) property is a triumph of design and concept, drawing on the mystical energy of the mountains and combining elements of traditional Greek and Chinese medicine to offer transformational journeys designed to heal the heart, mind, body and soul of guests.

Developed, financed and built by ex-banker Marina Efraimoglou following an 11-year search for the ideal

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location, Euphoria Retreat is intended as an all-year-round alternative to more long-haul spa destinations.

“People today really need healing and I have created a wellness destination with a Greek soul that also draws on Chinese healing traditions,” says Efraimoglou. “You could always go to Bali, Thailand or India, but to have a place in southern Europe you can visit all year round is unique.”

When Efraimoglou purchased the land, she had to demolish an unfinished and abandoned hotel to make way for her vision. The resulting hotel, comprising 45 rooms and suites with views of the castle of Mystras or the retreat’s private forest, is part of a larger complex developed around an historic mansion that has stood in the spot since 1830.

Designed to resemble a monastery, the new property is built into the hillside, with guests arriving at reception on the

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Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece

lower floor, and the hotel, Gaia Restaurant and Euphoria Spa positioned on various levels above. Curved domes and arches in a palette of soothing yellows and golds create an elegant and calming tone throughout. The guest rooms are modern, minimalistic, yet cosy, offering sanctuary with plush fabrics, wooden furniture, and warm, natural colours.

The project was designed by Efraimoglou’s sister’s practice, Natalia Efraimoglou & Partners, along with award-winning Greek firm Deca Architectur A garden by Greenways Landscape Architecture has been established at the front of the retreat, with areas dedicated to the five elements and their different energies, while a private forest at the rear provides over 78,000sqm for immersive wellness experiences including cycling, hiking, meditation and yoga.

“There is beauty in the surroundings here,” effuses

“People today really need healing and I have created a wellness destination with a Greek soul that also draws on Chinese healing traditions.”

Marina Efraimoglou Owner

www.europeanspamagazine.com

From above left: A purifying treatment in the spa’s Byzantine-inspired hammam; total relaxation in the cocooning Sphere Pool; Euphoria Retreat stands surrounded by the pine and fir trees of its own private forest

Efraimoglou. “The location itself is healing as there is an abundance of nature and the mountain is very mystical with a strong energy.”

A world of experience Having studied economics in Greece and London, Efraimoglou entered the world of finance and investment banking, including a stint on Wall Street. However, following illness and two battles with cancer, she developed a passion for alternative healing. During this time, she also established her own bank, becoming the first female CEO of an investment bank in Greece.

After selling this business, Efraimoglou’s entrepreneurial spirit carried her deeper into the world of wellness.

Travelling the world to study with experts in philosophies ranging from Chinese medicine, reiki and meditation to yoga and transformational healing, she began to formulate her concept for a unique healing centre in Greece. After visiting some of the world’s leading

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Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece

destination spas in India, Thailand, the US and Europe for inspiration, she saw a gap for nurturing a psycho-emotional approach to wellbeing.

“I felt that what they did was very clinical – there was no soul and the process of transformation was linked to sacrifice and denial,” Efraimoglou explains. “I felt the emotional side was lacking. I believe we need a spirituality that is grounded and allows for happiness and small transitions.”

Greece has a rich and ancient healing tradition and the spa is inspired by, and pays homage to asclepeions, the healing temples renowned for their use of thermal baths and therapeutic rituals. “The philosophy here is humanistic, centring around the individual, and gives both freedom and joy,” says Efraimoglou. “Based on authentic ancient Greek culture, it brings in science alongside Chinese medicine, which is something that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Health by design Built into the mountainside to connect with the earth’s energy, the four-storey spa benefits from consultancy

“Without exaggeration, there is nothing like Euphoria Spa anywhere else. It carries the personal signature of Marina Efraimoglou and her whole family.”

George Tavelis CEO, Tavelis Spa Concept

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Clockwise from above left: Views over the Peloponnese countryside from the outdoor pool; a nutritious, seasonal menu is served in the Gaia restaurant; the 25m-deep Waterwell as viewed from above; a guest takes in the hammam after a treatment; the spa’s calming relaxation room; Kniepp bathing at the foot of the Waterwell

by Tavelis Spa Concept and has been designed to offer guests a cocooning and transformational journey.

The ground-floor reception area has Byzantine-influenced domed and curved ceilings with a soft, warm colour palette continuing the monastic feel. The Pilates and fitness studio are located here, as well as the medical and nutritional team, led by Dr. Leon George who oversees 3GL testing and the Nutrigenomics retreat for Advanced Detox and Weight Loss. The residential Homeopathic Doctor is Alexandra Papadopoulou.

Joining all four levels is a distinctive spiral staircase that doubles as a 25m-deep Waterwell with hot and cold footbaths and a Kneipp bathing experience at its base. It truly is a stunning centre piece for the spa and is said to be very popular with guests.

On the second floor is the magnificent Sphere Pool with curved walls lined with hydrotherapy jets and in-water benches. Inspired by the gigantic dome of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, it is very much a one-of-a-kind spa experience and connects to an outdoor pool and terrace with views across the valley.

In the thermal suite are a tepidarium, Watsu pool, steam room, cold plunge and

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Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece

Speleotherapy-Salt Room. A beautifully crafted circular Finnish sauna and a domed Byzantine hammam with marbled heated beds complete an offering that will surely satisfy even the most discerning of international wellness travellers.

Higher up, 15 treatment rooms are situated on the third floor, while the fourth floor is home to the two yoga and meditation rooms, which offer panoramic views of the valley and the surrounding forest.

A statement spa With its incredible location and superlative facilities, George Tavelis, chief executive officer of Tavelis Spa Concept, who worked as spa consultant on the project, believes Euphoria Retreat is a truly unique proposition.

“Without exaggeration, there is nothing like Euphoria Spa anywhere else,” he states. “Apart from its highly individual concept, as a facility it carries the personal signature of Marina Efraimoglou and her whole family.

“Marina developed the concept, her sister Natalia is the architect who designed the facility, and other members of the family are also involved. The result is the epitome of a destination spa – one that will stand out in the industry.”

Tavelis helped turn Efraimoglou’s dream into a reality by working with her on the operational efficiency and functionality of the spa. “We advised Euphoria’s architects, interior designers and engineering team on all matters related to the implementation of the concept in terms of the design of a spa, the necessary facilities, specialised electromechanical

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece From top: A guest reflects on their surroundings from the Sphere Pool; natural tones in one of the 15 treatment rooms; the spa’s handcrafted, circular Finnish sauna

provisions, and materials to be used,” he explains.

His team also helped with the recruitment and training of staff, and the development of the signature treatments, as well as pre-opening management services. “We also offered independent advice regarding the selection and procurement of specialised spa equipment,” he adds.

Signature retreats with a purpose The programmes and retreats at Euphoria aim to offer guests a pathway to change. Addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each person, the programmes, based on the five elements, are designed to revitalise and rebalance.

Each guest is assigned a guide, or mentor, for their stay and programmes range from three to seven days in length, extending to 21 days for advanced weight loss. Recently introduced weekend escapes of just two days are said to be popular with local guests from Athens and Kalamata.

Signature Retreats are tailored around issues such as emotional self-awareness, improving body image and interpersonal relationships. These delve deeper into healing for the individual and are fine-tuned and highly personalised.

The week-long Emotional and Physical Transformation Retreat, for example, is for many guests emotional, nurturing and life-changing, and therefore has been very sensitively curated, as launch spa director Patrizia Bortolin comments: “Opening a spa destination like this, with a special interest in spirituality and emotional transformation, is a huge opportunity. It’s important to be aware of what the guest needs and how they are as they can be very delicate.”

The treatment menu, which also forms the basis of the retreats and programmes, features innovative wellness consultations and mental coaching, as well as a wide range of massage therapies, signature bodywork, holistic healing practices and reflexology, through to more traditional rejuvenating face and body treatments. Daily classes offer yoga, meditation or outdoor adventures, such as hiking and cycling, always aiming to bring the client to a state of balance.

Feeding change All guests visiting Euphoria are able to experience its unique 3GL Therapy, which combines a medical consultation and a 3GL test that analyses levels of glycogen, glucose and glutathione to understand the body’s requirements for energy, antioxidants and cellular protection.

“Opening a spa destination like this, with a special interest in spirituality and emotional transformation, is a huge opportunity.”

Patrizia Bortolin Launch spa director

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© Max Krasnov / Fotolia

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Spa Euphoria Retreat, Greece

Clockwise from top: The ‘monastic’ interiors of Euphoria Retreat; the light-filled Pilates and fitness studio; dusk settles on the uniquely idyllic wellness destination

The results determine the content of their subsequent programme, combining exercise and healing energy therapies.

The nutritionist also determines an ideal diet and food regime to suit each individual, providing, for example, an optimum combination of protein, carbs and fat intake in each meal.

The food on all of the programmes is inspired by the healthy Greek and Mediterranean diet and features locally grown produce served in the stunning Gaia Restaurant with views of the surrounding countryside. The nutritious menu changes seasonally, ensuring guests experience a real sense of place in the heart of rural Greece. Expect Greek salad, souvlaki, Stifado and a slow-cooked local stew as well as a range of fish and vegetarian options.

The firm belief at Euphoria Retreat is that regular, smaller meals taken during the day are the best way to detoxify the body, boost metabolism, fight inflammation and reinforce the immune system. Guests taking part in the spa programmes are offered two smaller snacks between main meals. This changes daily, according to predetermined needs and includes a selection of nuts and seeds rich in essential therapy oils, herbal teas and energy-rich protein shakes.

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Euphoria Spa’s guest profile is varied and also changes according to the season, with 60% of guests being female, often booking the detox and emotional healing retreats.

Men are starting to visit more often on solo trips focusing on weight loss and detox. Some 60% of overseas visitors come from the UK, with Scandinavians and Americans also in strong attendance, while up to 70% of weekend visitors travel from Athens, usually in couples.

While there is much interest in Euphoria Retreat around the world, it is the local market in Greece among which this world-class retreat is really making waves as a must-visit location, something that gives Efraimoglou great pride.

“At a time when Greece was only talked about as being in crisis, I wanted to create something that was authentic and Greek,” she smiles. “We had lost our pride and our connection with who we really are. I looked at what we have to offer here and Euphoria Retreat is making the news. It’s a healing place with a Greek soul and Greek healing traditions that I hope inspire people – it’s a truly positive story.”

Euphoria Retreat, Greece +30 2731 306 111 | www.euphoriaretreat.com Owner: Marina Efraimoglou Spa consultant: George Tavelis Launch spa director: Patrizia Bortolin Spa manager: Maria Kalogeraki Size: 3,000 sqm Spa team: 25 Treatment rooms: 15 Product partners: Biologique Recherche, Fresh Line, Ariadne Athens, Charme D’Orient Other suppliers: Gharieni, Kyrpoglou, Ethnokat, Harvia, Speck, KLAFS

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Business GWI Global Wellness Economy Monitor

Rise of the wellness economy We delve deeper into recent research from the Global Wellness Institute, which reveals that in 2017 the spa sector produced revenues of $93.6 billion and employed 2.6 million professionals worldwide R E P OR T BY I A N PA R KES

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he expansion rate of the world’s wellness economy can now claim to be twice as fast as overall global economic growth, according to the latest report released by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) The Global Wellness Economy Monitor reports the value of the market in 2017 was $4.2 trillion (£3.17 trillion; €3.63 trillion), a rise of $0.5 trillion and 6.4% annually, compared to previous figures released two years ago. Global economic growth over the same period was only 3.6%.

The GWI research, overseen by senior research fellows Ophelia Yeung and Katherine Johnston, defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”.

Representing 5.3% of global economic output, the wellness market incorporates 10 sectors (pictured right): personal care, beauty and anti-ageing; healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss; wellness tourism; fitness and mind body; preventive and personalised medicine and public health; traditional and complementary medicine; wellness real estate; spa economy; thermal and mineral springs; and wellness real estate.

All 10 sectors recorded strong growth, with the standout performer being the spa economy, which showed an average 9.8% rise from $98.6 billion in 2015 to $118.8 billion in 2017, of which $93.6 billion is accounted for as revenue from spa facilities.

Spa sector growth In its report, the GWI claims the number of spas worldwide now totals more than 149,000,

“Wellness, for more people, is evolving from rarely to daily, from a luxury to a dominant lifestyle value, and that profound shift is driving growth.”

Katherine Johnston Senior research fellow, GWI

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Note: Numbers do not add due to overlap in segments. Dark coloured bubbles are the sectors for which GWI conducts in-depth, country-level primary research. Light coloured bubbles are sectors for which GWI aggregates global estimates only, drawing from secondary sources Source: Global Wellness Institute, Global Wellness Economy Monitor, October 2018

employing 2.6 million workers. The increase is attributed to a rise in incomes, the rapid growth in wellness tourism and an increasing consumer propensity to spend to achieve wellness.

The broader spa economy encompasses sectors that support and enable spa businesses, including capital investment; consulting; training of spa therapists and education of managers; and associations, media, and events businesses that work to promote spas.

The overall high growth rate of the spa economy is not entirely due to new builds, but also because of a dramatic increase in the number of hotels and resorts listing themselves and their spa facilities and services on global online booking sites, especially in emerging market countries.

Stating that a spa is defined as “an

establishment that promotes wellness through the provision of therapeutic and other professional services aimed at renewing the body, mind and spirit”, Yeung says: “When it comes to the growth of the spa economy, the numbers were higher than we thought they would be.

“I would urge caution, though, because while the jump is considerable, I wouldn’t want to categorise all of it as growth.

“Part of our methodology is to search booking sites and see which properties say they have a spa. The number of hits is now so much higher, but is that because more of them want to promote it, rather than the fact they are new?

“Additionally, we can apportion a significant amount of this rise to the whole concept of wellness tourism, which has become very much more mainstream.

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Business GWI Global Wellness Economy Monitor

importance of caring, service and hands-on, touch positions, so hopefully, over the longer term, we may see big change.”

No one size fits all

Source: Global Wellness Institute, Global Wellness Economy Monitor, October 2018

“For a lot of people, when they think of a spa, they now see it as maintenance, beauty and relaxation. As there is so much more stress in our lives, and as the price point has come down, there is more demand, and so more supply.”

Behind the numbers Europe ranks second, behind the Asia-Pacific region, in terms of its number of spas, with 46,282 sites compared to 48,679, but its revenues are $6.8 billion greater, at $33.3 billion.

The United States remains the number one spa market, ahead of China, with Germany leading the European nations, both in terms of the number of spas (7,060) and revenue ($6.66 billion). France, Italy, the UK and Spain come in fifth to eighth positions respectively.

In terms of employment, since 2015 spas have added over 444,000 jobs to the global economy, rising to a total of 2.6 million in 2017. The GWI is projecting the spa industry will employ 3.1 million people in 2022, which means an additional 300,000 trained therapists will be required, along with 54,000 experienced spa managers and directors. In Europe alone, it is anticipated an additional 77,000 employees will be needed by 2022.

With the industry already struggling to find the quantity of quality therapists required, Johnston says: “It’s been a problem since we started

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researching the spa industry 10 years ago and I don’t think it’s going to go away.

“Something bigger that needs to shift is the way all of society and culture, in almost every country in the world, values, or does not value, people in service positions, not just spa therapists.

“We see that people aren’t trained properly, they’re not paid sufficiently, there aren’t enough of them and it’s viewed as a low-value job.

“We know there is a shift in recognising the

The GWI acknowledges that spas come in many forms and sizes, and so defines and measures six categories – hotel/resort spas; day/club/salon spas; destination spas and health resorts; medical spas; thermal/mineral springs spas; and others.

The hotel/resort spas category added the largest number of spas during 2015-17 – over 18,000, up to 48,248 – and in doing so gained the most revenue growth, rising almost $11 billion to $36.4 billion. It is noted that global listings of lodging properties that have spas increased by over 35% over these two years.

The report notes, in particular, that “spas across Europe are responding to a rising need for mental wellness and stress reduction, along with a growing interest in igniting and supporting behavioral change that will lead to a more healthful, balanced, and fulfilled life for guests outside of the spa”.

It adds that “there is a gradual shift and expansion in offerings, as more spas recognise that they are no longer operating within the confines of the spa sector but competing in a much broader and quickly evolving landscape of the wellness industry”.

In the sector of thermal/mineral springs, denoted as “revenue-earning business establishments associated with wellness, recreational, and therapeutic uses of water with special properties”, revenues rose by just over $5 billion to $56.16 billion.

Behind China and Japan, European countries occupy eight of the subsequent nine positions in

Wellness Growth Projections, 2017 - 2022

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Business GWI Global Wellness Economy Monitor

number of wellness trips.

Combining both international/inbound and domestic wellness tourism spending, Germany again leads the way with 66.1 million trips and receipts/expenditures of $65.7 billion. In both categories, the figures are more than double those of the next nation, France.

In conclusion, Johnston says: “Once upon a time, our contact with wellness was occasional – we went to the gym or got a massage – but this is changing fast.

“A wellness mindset is starting to permeate the global consumer consciousness, affecting people’s daily decision-making, whether that be food purchases, a focus on mental wellness and reducing stress, incorporating movement into daily life, environmental consciousness, or their yearning for connection and happiness.

“Wellness, for more people, is evolving from rarely to daily, from episodic to essential, from a luxury to a dominant lifestyle value, and that profound shift is driving powerful growth.” www.globalwellnessinstitute.org

terms of revenue, with Germany leading the way with 1,265 establishments that generate $7.1 billion in revenue.

Wellness Economy Sectors, 2015 and 2017

A time for tourism One burgeoning area of the market is wellness tourism, defined as “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing personal wellbeing”, and split into primary travellers – those motivated by wellness to take the trip or choose the destination – and secondary travellers – those who seek to maintain wellness or engage in wellness activities while on the move.

The rapid growth of wellness tourism around the world has been stimulated by a rising global middle class, increasing consumer desire to adopt a wellness lifestyle and a growing interest in experiential travel. Across the world, Europe remains the destination for the largest

“A lot of people, when they think of a spa, now see it as maintenance, beauty and relaxation... as the price has come down, there is more demand, and so more supply.”

Ophelia Yeung Senior research fellow, GWI * Figures do not sum to total due to overlap in segments

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Business Green Beauty Guide

The green revolution Consumer demand for natural and organic beauty products and services has driven growth in the spa market for clean, green, vegan alternatives.

European Spa looks at what this means for spa operators RE P O RT BY M ARK SM I T H

T

he organic and natural beauty market is booming as consumers turn to eco-friendly, cruelty-free alternatives to traditional products.

Driven by the desire for wellness, the rise of veganism, social media and even the impact of the BBC’s Blue Planet II programme, conscious consumerism is changing the way people think, shop and spa.

There has been a significant change of priorities, especially around single-use plastic; the phrase ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ is a mantra for this new beauty era.

Consumers are demanding greater transparency in supply chains, increased traceability of ingredients, sustainability, and a zero-waste approach to packaging.

These concepts resonate deeply with millennials and Generation Z, and the business case is clear as there has been a massive shift in the market.

A 24% increase in the sale of organic beauty products was reported by The Soil Association in 2017, showing a seventh consecutive year of growth. Meanwhile, NPD Group reported a 38% increase in the sale of vegan beauty products in early 2018, which is expected to grow further this year.

“The rise in the number of vegan brands coincides with consumers adopting a more conscientious approach when purchasing products, looking closely at the underlying philosophies and actions of the brands,” confirms June Jensen, director, NPD UK Beauty. “They want to know about traceability, and how animal-friendly the products they use are.”

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Evolving with demand Positive change has been achieved with the ban on microbeads in cosmetics and the backlash against disposable wipes, and in a bid to increase sustainability, the European Commission has declared that by 2030 all plastic packaging in the EU must be recyclable.

Brands are responding with new products, marketing and social media campaigns that promote green alternatives. For example, REN Skincare has created a new 100%-recycled plastic bottle containing 20% reclaimed ocean plastic; VOYA uses excess seaweed pulp for the packaging of its body range and is sourcing vegetable and mineral inks for its printing; Elemis recently launched the vegan-friendly Superfood Skincare line; and Natural Spa Factory has pledged that every new product launch in its range will be vegan-friendly.

The greatest challenge in this emerging green beauty space is establishing exactly what is meant by terms such as clean, natural, vegan, sustainable and zero-waste. Due to a current lack of legislation, brands can call themselves ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ even if the term applies to just a small percentage of the ingredients. Certification by a third party, such as the Soil Association, can verify best practice, but such affiliations are not compulsory or universally accepted within the beauty industry.

European Spa talks to industry leaders about the challenges and opportunities presented by the natural and organic trend going mainstream and asks how spas can respond to this growing demand.

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IMAGE: Courtesy of VOYA

Business Green Beauty Guide

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Gaia Skincare How can spas embrace the growing trend for vegan beauty products?

“As consumers strive to spend their money in more environmentally-friendly ways, they are looking to buy products that not only make them look and feel good, but also fulfil a need to ‘do’ good.

“People are becoming more conscious of what they eat – with the number turning to a plant-based diet quadrupling over the last four years – and we are becoming just as conscious of what we put on our skin.

“Spas should embrace this desire by offering vegan-friendly products from artisan brands that use an exceptionally high level of natural ingredients, sustainably sourced and recognised by the Soil Association.

“If you’re not already offering vegan dishes on your food menu, this is the best starting point, in addition to introducing vegan-kind treatment menus and product ranges for use in spa treatments as well as your retail offering.”

Diane Nettleton Founder The Gaia Skincare range is made with natural and organic ingredients. The vegan-friendly brand also uses a minimum of plastic, instead opting for recycled materials such as glass and bamboo. www.gaiaskincare.co.uk

Made for Life Organics What can spas do to reduce the use of plastic in their operations?

“Carry out an audit of plastic use within your spa and choose business partners who consider their ecological impact. If supplies are delivered in unnecessary plastic ask for this packaging not to be used for delivery.

“Install recycling bins and get your team to agree to a green policy where everyone takes responsibility for recycling. Be aware that coloured plastic is harder to recycle, and don’t use plastic cups to give people water after a treatment. Remember that refilling items such as washroom toiletries, rather than replacing them, makes both economic and environmental sense.

“Avoid products that contain microbeads, some in the UK still do and will continue to until legislation is enforced in 2020. Also, check ingredients and try to avoid polyethylene, polypropylene, terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polylactic acid, or nylon.”

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Amanda Winwood Managing director Made for Life Organics is an organic skincare range, hand-blended in Cornwall using sustainably sourced, 100% natural ingredients.

All products are suitable for vegetarians and many are also vegan-friendly. www.madeforlifeorganics.com

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Brands to watch Amala

Chemical-free and formulated with potent plant actives, this results-driven skincare line is also gluten-free and certified organic.

Environmental protection and social sustainability are at the heart of the brand’s core values. www.amalabeauty.com

Pinks Boutique

Hand-blended and accredited by the Soil Association, the brand’s products, which are gluten-free and vegan-friendly, are made entirely from natural and organic ingredients that can be fully traced back to their source. www.pinksboutique.com

Sodashi

Sodashi’s name and philosophy comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘purity, wholeness, and radiance’. 100% natural skincare products, crafted in small batches, use the purest botanical extracts and are made free from synthetic chemicals. www.sodashi.com.au

VOYA

Sofri

Plant extracts and natural organic ingredients combine with colour therapy to work energetically on the skin. Formulated without mineral oils, aluminium or parabens, 90% of the Sofri product range is vegan. www.sofri.com

What are the latest developments in eco-friendly packaging and printing?

“As an industry, it is very important for product houses to lead the way in sustainable and environmentally friendly best practices.

“Packaging is just one of many challenges and we are always looking for new technology and innovations to reduce the environmental impact of products.

“We now use waste product from within the production process as a base for an ecologically sound and sustainable packaging solution.

“Being innovative within your own processes could present great opportunities, so look at excess raw ingredients from your production line to see if they can be incorporated back into your packaging in order to reduce waste.

“We are also looking at extending this to other marine ingredients through the use of vegetable oil as an ink base for printing. This is a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based printing inks. As well as being more environmentally friendly, vegetable oils can produce more vibrant colours than traditional inks and require less pigment to create the same effects.”

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Subtle Energies Kira Walton Founder Built on passion, integrity and respect for the sea, VOYA develops innovative products and treatments using the latest skincare technologies within the organic field. www.voya.ie

Subtle Energies creates results-based aromatherapy, natural skincare and wellness solutions founded on Ayurvedic principles. Certified by Cruelty-Free International, it uses no parabens, mineral oils, silicones or artificial fragrances. www.subtleenergies.com.au

Vinoble

Enriched with highly active ingredients and extracts from the vine, Vinoble’s chemical-free products are handmade, completely vegan and combine the benefits of resveratrol and grape seed oil. www.vinoble-cosmetics.at

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Caudalie What ingredients should be avoided in green alternatives?

“A growing focus on ‘clean’ ingredients has been driven by demand from consumers due to concerns over certain chemicals and ingredients that can be harmful to us and to the environment.

“This has caused a huge upheaval in the beauty industry and many brands are now responding by providing ‘clean’ ranges, with some stores now offering areas to showcase these brands.

“The ingredients I would suggest clients avoid if they are looking for a green alternative include potential endocrine disruptors like parabens, phthalates, toluene, formaldehyde, coal tar and dyes; skin irritants like sodium laureth sulfate, sulfates, MCIT; and petrochemicals including mineral oil, petrolatum and paraffin. Also, anything from a genetically modified origin is better avoided if at all possible .

“The basic rule is always read the label and do your research to be sure the products you choose are as clean as can be.”

Tracy Brasenell National sales manager, UK & Ireland French spa brand Caudalie’s products are paraben-free and formulated with natural, active, vine-based ingredients that respect the environment and the skin. The company is also part of the 1% For The Planet movement. www.caudalie.com

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Could scientific testing help to bring natural skincare to a wider audience?

“Consumers are so much more aware of the ingredients in all products – from the food they eat to the cosmetics they put on their skin – and labels are being scrutinised. It will only become more important to ensure that what goes into the cosmetics people use has been ethically sourced and is sustainable.

“These qualities are important in the spa and beauty world but so are the results and efficacy of the products. This is where the role of science becomes integral to the longevity of brands competing in the marketplace.

“Nature has a wonderful variety of active ingredients whose effects are backed up by scientific evidence; highlighting these benefits is crucial to educating the consumer, reassuring them that natural and organic brands can be results-driven.”

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Leon Trayling Director ishga is an organic luxury skincare company whose products harness the natural antioxidant, healing and anti-ageing properties of the purest Scottish seaweed. www.ishga.co.uk

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Organic Pharmacy How can a brand’s natural or organic story be communicated?

“It is vitally important to have a very transparent policy. Ingredients should be listed on a brand’s website and the organic percentage of each formula should be clearly stated on the packaging, along with the certifying body.

“In a world of clever marketing, and in light of the current global trend for clean beauty, this information transmits indisputable authenticity to customers.

“In a spa setting, your organic and natural credentials are displayed through your treatment menu and website, but it’s also vital to educate your team to help them understand the true meaning of these terms and avoid ‘greenwashing’.

“Social media now plays a key role in communicating messages to consumers and is a perfect platform for discussing natural and organic credentials. Posts about the source of ingredients, their heritage, support of the local community, sustainability and how the products are made, are vital.”

Margo Marrone Founder The Organic Pharmacy has been a pioneer of organic health and beauty for nearly 20 years, with an international following through its eight stand-alone stores and global distribution network. www.theorganicpharmacy.com

Cinq Mondes What does chemical-free really mean in the spa and wellness world?

“Chemical-free is a growing trend with more and more brands converging slowly towards green beauty concepts.

“Currently, silicones and mineral oils are used in around 80% of all beauty products, but these ingredients have no physical or chemical affinity whatsoever with skin.

“However, innovations and new product launches increasingly tend to highlight the chemical-free initiatives taken in their formulation.

For example, when referring to ingredients, claims listed on the packaging highlight ‘no’ or ‘without’ or ‘free from’. This enables some brands to start to communicate about ‘green’ subjects, even if they are not yet fully committed to petrochemical-free cosmetics.

“It is also important to keep in mind and communicate to your clients that natural can actually be more powerful and effective than chemical, especially when applied using specific and targeted manual techniques.”

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Jean-Louis Poiroux Founder Formulated free from petrochemicals, silicone and parabens for the last 17 years, Cinq Mondes products feature green and clean patented botanicals and the brand has demonstrated a firm commitment to sustainability. www.cinqmondes.com

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Marques that matter A guide to the certifications that verify best practice and quality assurance in ingredients and manufacturing processes:

B Corporations - Businesses

that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

BDIH – German trade association for natural cosmetics product manufacturers.

COSMEBIO – The French

trade association for organic and natural beauty brands, soon to launch its own certification service, Cosmecert.

[comfort zone] How can spas ensure they are meeting the ecological needs of their guests?

Barbara Gavazzoli Director of communications and education [comfort zone] and Skin Regimen, made in Italy by the B Corporation, Davines, offer spas and consumers conscious, clean skincare solutions that combine high performance and a certified sustainable approach. www.comfortzone.it

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“Sustainability is a diamond with many facets; it has to do with the environment and the safety of the products we use, as much as with our lifestyle and the social impact of every choice we make.

“The buzz is still mostly on the source and nature of the ingredients, but it will definitely evolve: more and more studies are showing how all these aspects are intertwined.

“What is good for the environment is good for our balance and happiness, and for the whole of society. Consumers are now more conscientious than ever and people are eager to find ways to live and look better while still respecting the world around them.

“Spas therefore have a great opportunity to evolve and embrace the model that their present and future guests will demand.

“One key way of doing this is to select services and brands that guarantee a combination of performance and sustainability; transparent communication; and activities and initiatives that can make them co-creators of a better, regenerated world.”

COSMOS – A harmonised global standard for organic and natural cosmetic products, founded by five leading organisations: the Soil Association, COSMEBIO, Ecocert, BDIH and ICEA. To receive COSMOS Organic Certification, 95% of all ingredients in any product must be organic.

Cruelty Free International

– The Leaping Bunny is the primary certification for personal care products signifying cruelty-free, non-animal tested products.

Ecocert – Global company,

headquartered in France, which certifies the largest portfolio of organic brands in the world.

ICEA – Italian certifier offering a range of food and non-food standards, including COSMOS.

Soil Association – A British charity and certification body that launched the world’s first organic standards for beauty products in 2002.

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Business Green Beauty Guide

Kerstin Florian What are some of the new superfood ingredients to look out for and why?

“Just as nutrients in our diet support general bodily health and function, incorporating them into our skincare routine supports the health and function of the skin – the body’s largest organ.

“When choosing what to include in our products, we carefully select ingredients that are considered superfoods due to their nutrient density and high antioxidant levels.

“Some new ones to look out for include: sea buckthorn, a potent source of vitamin C and the rare omega-7 essential fatty acid; moringa, with a high oleic acid content that slows cellular ageing; Tasmanian pepper berry, containing polygodial, an anti-inflammatory that reduces vasodilatation; and Prickly Pear, which increases collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production.

“Not only are these ingredients rich in compounds that improve skin function at a cellular level, but they have all evolved to survive and thrive in harsh climate conditions and are uniquely able to transfer that resilience to the skin.”

Kerstin Florian Founder The brand’s ANDA range emphasises its use of vital nutrients for skin and spirit, stating that ‘skincare is loving self-care’. Its products are formulated to be clean for skin and the earth, being natural, organic, cruelty-free, vegan and recyclable. www.kerstinflorian.com

Éminence Organic Skin Care What does the future hold for the world of natural and organic skincare?

“Consumers are asking more questions and doing their own research, and they want to know whether chemical pesticides and fertilisers are used, be that in their food or their skincare.

“It took more than two decades of education for consumers to understand and demand organic products, but as the mass market learns more about the effects of chemicals and toxins on the body, biodynamic farming and production processes for topical products will finally be recognised as imperative to the clean beauty consumer’s skincare routine.

“I think, as more consumers start to understand biodynamic ingredients – plants grown in harmony with the seasons, the alignment of the earth, the moon and the stars to yield the highest possible nutrient content – that this will become a powerful trend in the beauty industry.”

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Jessica Timberlake PR manager Éminence Organic Skin Care, a certified B Corporation, provides award-winning, natural, organic and biodynamic skincare, and plants a tree for every retail product sold. www.eminenceorganics.com

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modern plant chemistryTM

Business Green Beauty Guide

ila spa How are spa guests evolving into conscious consumers?

“As consumers we have become used to so many unnatural toxins in our body, through our food and our skincare. What we have seen over the last five years is how important sustainable credentials are to spa customers.

“Organic and chemical-free is a given, but that is not enough. The customer wants accredited products that are cruelty-free, and proof of sustainable sourcing, particularly of palm oil.

“This shift is primarily being led by millennials, who are some of the most educated in the ethical space and are seeking a more sustainable way of living.

There has been a dramatic rise in veganism and this trend filters through to what people eat, wear and put on their skin.

“Spa managers can respond by selecting an accredited chemical-free brand to attract this market. They should also be mindful that being ethical is not only about the products used, but how you treat your staff and the environment they work in.”

Denise Leicester Founder Promoting healing and wellness, ila offers an exclusive range of natural, organic skin care products that promise to make guests feel great, both on the outside and inside. www.ila-spa.com

Elemental Herbology How can a natural brand provide an invaluable USP for the spa menu?

“Wellbeing, conscientiousness and sustainability have become global topics of conversation. The natural and organic trends that catapulted to prominence thanks to ‘clean eating’ celebrity chefs in the kitchen are now mirrored in the beauty space.

“To be billed as ‘natural’ or ‘green’ is no longer synonymous with smaller indie brands, and such credentials are in increasing demand across all markets. Customers want to take a holistic approach to life and by producing products with natural ingredients, brands can directly answer this call.

“Consumers are calling for transparency, and by being open and actively engaging with them, brands can build a valuable relationship of trust. People now expect companies to share their values and deliver honest messages. By doing this, brands can show that they are actively listening to, and respecting, their customer’s needs on a global scale.”

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Carolyne Beck Sales director Inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, Elemental Herbology’s natural skin and body products aim to nurture skin while promoting a sense of harmony and wellbeing. www.elementalherbology.com

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

An eastern renaissance The £140 million refurbishment of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, including a redesign of its spa, has reinforced the position of the luxury hotel group’s London property as one of the English capital’s most desirable stays

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R E P OR T BY I A N PA R KES

longside Harrods, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is arguably the most recognisable building in Knightsbridge.

With a red brick and Portland stone exterior reflecting a Franco-Flemish style, its construction in the late 19th century defied a protest from local residents who feared it would block light across The Serpentine lake; opening in 1889 as an exclusive gentlemen’s club, it was, at the time, the tallest building in London.

Following a fire a decade later, which damaged the top three floors and most notably destroyed part of the roof, upon its reopening in 1892 as the Hyde Park Court it was exalted as the most distinguished in London. Despite the current proliferation of luxury hotels in England’s capital city, this sobriquet still rings true over a century later.

Purchased by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) in 1996, a £57 million (e63 million) renovation followed prior to its reopening in 2000. Not wishing to rest on its laurels, in 2018 MOHG completed a further extensive £140 million refurbishment, overseen by interior designer Joyce Wang and executed by French company Vinci Construction Grands Projets, which included a redesign of the hotel’s spa.

The property is viewed as one of the flagship hotels Clockwise from top left: A highly personalised treatment experience awaits spa guests; the 17m twin-lane, stainless steel pool; the iconic facade of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; award-winning trainer Hollie Grant works with a guest in the dedicated Pilates PT studio

“My vision is to relaunch the hotel as one of the finest in the world; as a caring, decent and proper business that has beautiful suites, fabulous restaurants and an amazing spa.”

Amanda Hyndman General manager

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in the portfolio of 31, alongside a further six residences, that MOHG operates in 21 countries and territories.

However, just 10 days into its most recent renaissance, a fire, on June 6 of last year, forced the hotel to close for five months before the re-opening on December 4 of its restaurants, event spaces and spa. The guest rooms and suites are scheduled to be available from April 2019.

General manager Amanda Hyndman, who has worked with MOHG for the last 11 years at its properties in Hong Kong, Washington and Bangkok prior to moving to London, says: “The fire took place on only my third day, so it was an eventful start and quite a challenge.

“Everybody was very, very kind to us – the general public, other hoteliers, other businesses – it was quite touching how kind and generous people were. My colleagues also did an amazing job. I believe you see the best of people in the hardest of times and everybody really pulled together. We are overjoyed to be open again.

“My vision now is to relaunch the hotel as one of the finest in the world; as a caring business that has beautiful suites, fabulous restaurants and an amazing spa, where our guests are treated in a very special and unique way.”

A luxury spa experience Having launched its maiden offering in 1963 in Hong Kong, MOHG can claim to be one of the leading global hotel brands when it comes to luxury hospitality. With a mission to ‘delight and satisfy’ its guests, the spa offering within its Hyde Park hotel now delivers an all-around wellness programme befitting the hotel’s status.

The 2,500sqm spa has expanded its number of treatment rooms from nine to 13, including a spacious couples Oriental Suite with a rasul. Swiss anti-ageing science from cosmeceutical brand Nescens has also been added to a menu that includes Australian high-performance skincare company Sodashi; facialist to the stars, Linda Meredith; and Aromatherapy Associates, which can be found in all of MOHG’s spas.

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

In addition, the spa now offers a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio from renowned expert Bastien Gonzalez; a Philip Kingsley hair salon; Traditional Chinese Medicine services from Professor Song Ke, founder and principal of the Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine; and work-outs led by awardwinning trainer Hollie Grant in a dedicated Pilates PT studio.

“The way Mandarin Oriental spas are set up is different, and here, whether people are coming for one of the traditional treatments, something more results-driven, a manicure/pedicure, or Traditional Chinese Medicine, we want to give them an experience,” says Hyndman.

“It’s our job to get guests into a relaxed frame of mind and we have very specific protocols. When you are in a treatment room you should be asked if the temperature is agreeable, whether you prefer music, if the pressure being used is comfortable. When you’re spending £200 to £300 on a treatment, the basics have to be right.

“The spa is designed to gradually draw guests into a totally relaxed and tranquil state. The interiors are elegant and luxurious, with an alluring balance of organic lines and soft, neutral tones.”

Adam D Tihany Designer

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Clockwise from above: An eastern influence flows throughout the 13 treatment rooms; the Bastien Gonzalez studio offers manicure and pedicure excellence; a warm welcome is assured in the spa reception; a modern rasul in the spacious Oriental Suite

“Also, there is an emphasis on aftercare in terms of what a therapist suggests for follow up. This is not aimed at selling, but making clients aware of the other areas to focus on, as well as to hopefully make them want to come back.”

An elegant escape The redesign of the spa was overseen by Adam D. Tihany, regarded as one of the world’s best hospitality designers, who also worked with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London on three earlier projects: the Mandarin Bar in 2000; the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Bar Boulud restaurants in 2010 and 2011; and the pool and fitness centre in 2013.

Along with the redesign of the spa, Tihany Design completed refurbishments to the three dining venues that were unveiled with the recent reopening of the property.

The spa’s elegant new interiors were inspired by traditional Chinese style to emphasise a harmony of the natural elements. “We wanted the spa to feel completely removed – an oasis from the surrounding activity,” says Tihany. “Drawing on the healing power of nature and traditional Chinese symbolism, the spa is an authentic Mandarin Oriental escape, featuring a

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London Striving to work with the best Claiming to perform more than 25,000 treatments each year in the most luxurious global locations, Bastien Gonzalez has become renowned as a ‘feet virtuoso’ thanks to the care and Bastien Gonzalez attention that goes into his specialised podiatry work.

Gonzalez believes the opening of his first Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio in the UK, as part of the newly-renovated The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, London, was an evolutionary step for the brand.

“London has always been important to my business as I have provided treatments to clients in this amazing city since the start of my career,” he says.

“I also partner with Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok and Hong Kong, and as its Hyde Park spa is renowned for its high quality of treatments and service, it was natural

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to further the union between us.

“My father always told me, ‘if you want to be the best, then you have to work with the best’ and this is why I am proud to work with Mandarin Oriental.”

Gonzalez’s focus on superlative performance naturally extends to the relationship he has with his clients.

“I want to fill them with emotion, providing them with an exceptional treatment that gives them amazing hands and feet; I want to educate them, so they can continue to take great care of themselves at home, and I aim to create memories of a unique experience.

“Our treatments are based on French know-how and all our managers possess a medical background. This, in turn, delivers natural beauty to the hands, feet and nails. Finally, our wonderful relaxing massages provide a sense of wellbeing.

Our treatments want to change you, to make you better than when you arrived.” www.bastiengonzalez.com

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London Building on tradition

Professor Song Ke (above) started practising Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the age of 13 in Hubei, China, as an apprentice to three herbal masters. He later founded Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine, which has long-term partnerships with universities and NHS England as well as several clinics across London, including The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Treatments for skin disorders, allergies, diabetes, gynaecological conditions, infertility, epilepsy and emotional disorders are its speciality.

“We are hoping this is a long-term collaboration that will be beneficial for everyone,” says Professor Song Ke. “We aim to deliver experienced, authentic, high-quality Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments that will benefit the health and wellbeing of Mandarin Oriental’s guests.

“TCM has been used in China for centuries and helps Chinese people to stay fit and healthy. While some of the treatments may seem strange or unconventional at first to western people, they are safe and sound, so I would urge anyone who has a treatment to simply relax and enjoy.” www.asante-academy.com

From top: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has selected an ‘unrivalled’ group of treatment and product partners; separate male and female thermal suites offer multifunctional vitality pools

fresh, contemporary environment while maintaining a sense of continuity with the facilities we designed in 2013.

“One of the greatest challenges was in creating an effective layout within the existing building structure. The spa is designed to gradually draw guests into a totally relaxed and tranquil state. The interiors are elegant and luxurious, with an alluring balance of organic lines and soft, neutral tones.

“Our hope is that the design will create an inspirational and connective experience, enriched by the hand-selected art and thoughtful use of natural materials and precious metals.”

Driving the business The spa’s separate but identical male and female thermal areas include a vitality pool with a quartet of hydrotherapy functions, an amethyst crystal steam room, a sanarium and an experience shower. There is also a relaxation room for women only, and a mixed ‘zen’ colour therapy relaxation area with beds from Living Earth Crafts. With each bed is a small wooden tray holding a mindfulness guide, a colouring book, two tubes of coloured pencils, two stress balls and a guide to pressure points.

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Separate from the spa are a 17m twin-lane, stainless steel pool with lap timer, and a Technogym-equipped fitness studio with changing areas offering a refreshing ice fountain and two 4-Senses Loungers from Inviion by Schletterer Consult.

While the pool, fitness area and spa are available to members and hotel guests, the latter is also able to draw additional business from other visitors.

“The spa offering has been extended for two reasons,” explains Hyndman. “The first is to match the demographic of the rooms. We’ve gone from 25 suites to 40 because we have a demand for them. Those guests, whether they are here for a special occasion or are high net-worth individuals, are going to have dinner in Heston Blumenthal, have afternoon tea, and they’re going to use the spa.”

Secondly, she adds: “Unlike the hotels where I worked in Bangkok or Washington, DC, there is also a large external clientele for a spa such as ours because people in London are looking for the types of treatments we are now able to offer.”

“The spa is part of our overall business proposition, and that is why the whole renovation was needed,” she continues.

“A spa’s offering must be tailored to the market in which it sits. Here, there is a greater focus on leisure and private guests. Overall, we will produce a return on investment, and to do that we focus on therapist and treatment room utilisation, capture rate, and percentage of retail sales.”

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Spa The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London Right from top: Mandarin Oriental aims to constantly improve its service delivery as well as its products and facilities; the spa’s stylish reception area; the state-of-the-art Technogym-equipped fitness area

Diverse appeal In a crowded marketplace such as London, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London requires brand partnerships that reflect its luxury status.

“While we are, naturally, looking to entice our hotel guests and members into the spa, we are also looking to capture more of the local market,” says spa manager Michelle Matthews. “We believe the brands we now offer cater to many different people. Aromatherapy Associates has the most beautiful, soothing and calming oils; Sodashi’s pure botanical extracts offer luxurious, high-performance skincare; while Linda Meredith’s facials bring vitality and rejuvenation to the skin. Nescens is unique to us in London. When you have a Nescens treatment it feels like a workout for the facial muscles. They are very results-driven, powerful and effective.”

With the inclusion of Bastien Gonzalez and Professor Song Ke, the spa has attained a superb level of treatment delivery.

“Everybody is talking about Bastien,” says Matthews. “He is such an incredible practitioner. He offers something different as his treatments are the medical side to manicures/pedicures.

“As for Professor Song Ke, our strong Middle Eastern and Asian clientele love someone who is of such a very high standard in Traditional Chinese Medicine. He provides us with a real talking point.”

Staying true to heritage Among Mandarin Oriental’s guiding principles is a desire to be the best by continually improving its service delivery, as well as the quality of its products and facilities, to ensure it appeals to a multi-generational audience in a competitive and cosmopolitan city such as London.

“There is ever-increasing competition, so it is about staying relevant,” says Hyndman. “As people have a choice, we have to ensure what we do resonates with what they are looking for. It’s about adjusting what we do to incorporate what those people are interested in, but in a sensitive way, staying true to who and what we are.

“People are also saying they want more out of a visit to a spa; it’s not just about wellness or fitness, spas need to provide more of a holistic view. Being in the middle of London, and therefore requiring a sense of place, one of our principals is to be mindful of our Oriental heritage. Whether it’s the uniforms, the fragrance, the gestures with people, our spa really underlines that, and the experience will reflect it.”

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London +44 (0) 20 7235 2000 | www.mandarinoriental.com/london/hyde-park Owner: Mandarin Oriental Hotels Group Investment: Part of an overall £140 million renovation Spa size: 2,500sqm Spa team: 39 Treatment rooms: 13 Product partners: Aromatherapy Associates, Sodashi, Linda Meredith, Nescens, Reverence de Bastien Thermal and wet spa design and supply: Rigo Spa Other suppliers: Inviion by Schletterer Consult, Living Earth Crafts, Lemi, RKF Luxury Linen, KLAFS, Technogym

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

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BEAUTY

SKINCARE

Menu AROMATHERAPY

TANNING

NAILCARE

THALASSOTHERAPY

EDITED BY MARK SMITH

Health and vitality Editor’s choice

ESPA’s Natural Face Lift and Tri-Active ProBiome range aim to provide a holistic approach to natural ageing In order to address the needs of ageing skin, ESPA has introduced a new lifting facial and skincare line. Designed to strengthen and tone, ESPA Natural Face Lift incorporates four key elements – detox, invigorate, sculpt and relax – to leave skin feeling firmer and glowing with health and energy.

“Our Natural Face Lift Facial acts like an exercise regimen for the face,” says Marian Hook, director of training at ESPA. “It fuses Marian Hook the lifting and stimulating effects of the ancient Kobido-inspired massage, which increases circulation and cleanses the skin from within.”

The massage is said to increase energy flow while cleansing the lymphatic system, restoring the skin’s radiance and creating a natural ‘face lift’ effect.

Using advanced microbiome technology from ESPA’s new Tri-Active Advanced ProBiome range, the facial delivers stronger, more resilient, naturally lifted skin. The new product range features Tri-Active ProBiome technology, which combines a selection of plant, marine and aromatherapy actives with microbiome technology.

“With ESPA’s Tri-Active Advanced ProBiome range, unprecedented discoveries about the skin’s own microbiome unlock new potential for spas to educate clients on how to achieve stronger, resilient naturally lifted skin,” adds Hook.

Tri-Active Advanced ProBiome Serum boosts the skin’s resilience to the effects of stress and environmental aggressors, with peony extract, Chinese butterfly bush, neroli, cedarwood and petitgrain.

Tri-Active Advanced ProBiome Moisturiser helps to restore a balanced, strong, youthful complexion with peony extract, neroli and citrus blended with bergamot and cedarwood.

Tri-Active Advanced ProBiome Eye Cream features potent microalgae to protect the skin with tuberose cell complex to diminish the appearance of dark circles and Natural Bio-Retinol, which helps improve texture and tone. www.espaskincare.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Super hydration The Super Moisture Collection from ClarinsMen offers three hydrating products to moisturise and strengthen skin.

It includes the ultra-comforting, invisible and non-greasy Super Moisture Balm; a refreshing and non-sticky Super Moisture Gel; and the lightweight and skin-protecting Super Moisture Lotion SPF 20.

The products feature Hydra Resist Phyto Complex, which combines organic houseleek, to help offset the negative effects of testosterone, with organic leaf of life to encourage natural hydration of the skin.

Also integrated into all of the products is ClarinsMen Complex, which blends gymnema extract and bison grass extract to energise and soothe. An additional Anti-Pollution Complex has extracts of nipplewort and furcellaria that help to shield the skin from pollutants. www.clarins.com

Treatment focus

The beauty of the night Designed to treat and prevent dark spots, Caudalie’s Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream features a concentrate of powerful active ingredients and works overnight to renew the skin for a more even look and radiant complexion.

Viniferine is combined with a bio-peeling complex that contains glycolic acid and papaya enzyme to promote gradual and controlled exfoliation of the skin.

Applied over the face and neck before bed, the comforting and velvety textured cream acts as a gentle peel to create a visibly brightened and more even complexion.

For an accelerated effect, Caudalie’s Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream can be applied in a thick layer, like a mask. www.caudalie.com

Sweet dreams are made of this CND has launched its 2019 spring collection of fashion-forward nail colours with ‘a colour to suit every mood’.

The range includes: Soulmate, a muted brick-red; Exquisite, an elegant blonde tone; the pastel lilac of Coquette; the delicate dusky mauve of Poetry; and Antique, a timeless beige-nude.

Available in selected shades of Shellac and Shellac Luxe, which offers high-performance wear and stunning crystal shine, with no nail damage when used as directed; the collection is offered in all shades in Vinylux, the seven-day wear, chip-resistant and fast-drying colour. www.sweetsquared.com

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Menu New products & therapiesoducts & therapies

Treatment focus Thalgo Brightening Lumière Marine Treatment Offering a tailor-made facial for the correction of pigmentation marks and uneven skin tone, Thalgo has launched its Brightening Lumière Marine Treatment.

This triple exfoliation treatment is effective on all skin tones and works to brighten skin and lighten dark spots.

The Resurfacing Cream with Corundum offers an initial surface exfoliation. A Gentle Clarifying Peel with gluconic and phytic acids is then applied to each dark spot for eight minutes before an even layer is spread over the whole of the face, then neutralised with a post-peel solution.

A Brightening Mask with vitamin C, active oxygen and brown algae extract brightens and clarifies; Brightening Correcting Serum reduces the appearance of pigmentation irregularities and uneven skin tone; and the facial concludes with Brightening Cream followed by Sunscreen SPF 50+.

The effects are supported by at-home skincare, including: Brightening Correcting Serum, Clarifying Water Essence, Targeted Dark Spot Corrector and Brightening Cream and Fluid. www.thalgo.co.uk

Luscious locks Gerrard International has introduced Hair Gain’s all-natural growth supplement, Grow, to the professional spa market, promising to tackle thinning hair and hair loss with visible results in one month.

Grow is a nutritional cosmetic packed with a combination of 10 ingredients – including biotin, zinc, bamboo extract, vitamin E, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, niacin and proline – to promote hair growth and improve its density and shine.

The key active phytonutrient ingredient, AnaGain, is derived from organic pea shoots and has been shown to initiate the growth of new hair in human follicles. www.gerrardinternational.com

Body reawakening: Decleor launches Aroma Blend Superfood supreme Adding to its popular Superfood Skincare range, Elemis has launched two new face masks and its first face mist and jelly exfoliator. Vegan-friendly and formulated with the latest superfood ingredients, each product contains a pre-biotic to help hydrate and balance the skin.

Superfood Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator contains black tea, blackcurrant and grape seed extracts to remove dead skin cells and reveal a smooth and radiant complexion.

Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist is fortified with rooibos tea extract and kefir ferment to soothe and brighten the complexion, as well as organic aloe vera and coconut water to balance and hydrate.

Superfood Vital Veggie Mask combines avocado and broccoli seed oils to support the skin’s moisture barrier. Wheatgrass, kale and nettle extracts replenish skin while vitamin C and passionfruit acids exfoliate.

Finally, Superfood Berry Boost Mask balances the skin with Nordic bilberry, blackcurrant and grape seed extract to brighten; oatmeal particles to exfoliate; and Brazilian purple clay to absorb impurities. www.elemis.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Time for tea Jessica Vartoughian has appreciated the therapeutic benefits of the manicure ritual ever since she opened the first nail-only clinic on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard 50 years ago. Now, her established brand, Jessica, is paying homage to the act of rituals with six delicate pastel shades in its Tea Party collection.

Offering a chance to embrace calm, inner peace and happiness, the collection includes: Blueberry Cream, a grey blue; the vibrant coral of Pumpkin Spice; Yellow Meringue, a lemon yellow; Earl Grey, an elegant grey; the cool green of Love you very Matcha; and Lavender Love, a true lilac. www.gerrardinternational.com

Treatment focus

Babor SeaCreation The Treatment Babor has incorporated active ingredients from the ocean in a unique face and body ritual that renews and rejuvenates the skin. SeaCreation The Treatment promises to increase oxygenation, improve microcirculation and boost the absorption of active ingredients.

The treatment begins with a welcoming shoulder and neck massage, followed by massage movements to relax the arms and legs. The skin is cleansed and exfoliated, then a detox face mask is applied while the hands and arms are massaged.

Ultrasound boosts the absorption of ingredients across the face, after which a concentrated serum and partner eye cream are applied. A Lifting Touch massage then stimulates the skin and muscle tissue with SeaCreation The Cream Rich.

An ice-cold face mask is subsequently applied, topped with a cool SeaCreation Foil Mask to ensure optimal absorption, and the face is left renewed and revitalised with fine lines and wrinkles smoother than before. www.babor.com

Supplementary skincare Hech is a specialist German range of nutraceuticals that works to enhance skin, hair, health and wellness.

Its nutritionally rich formulas are designed to support and supplement modern lifestyles and the products are vegetarian, kosher and halal-friendly.

The brand includes: Functional Nutrition and Waterboost, PureMan Performance Nutrition and PureWoman Beauty Nutrition.

The latter is a collection of collagen-based products and dietary supplements that have been specially developed for the needs of the female body. Focusing on wellbeing and nutrition they work to protect and maintain skin, hair, nails and muscle tone.

PureMan features products to boost brain function, sports performance and general health. www.hech.com

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24 & 25 Feb 2019 ExCeL London

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Menu New products & therapies

Brand spotlight Moss of the Isles Launching at the UK’s Monkey Island Estate, Berkshire, Moss of the Isles is a new natural spa brand offering products and signature treatments featuring handcrafted, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients including peat, rosemary, horse chestnut, moss, poppy seed and heather. Blended in small batches with the highestgrade aromatherapy oils, the therapies work to nourish, heal and transform the skin.

Developed by four experienced international spa consultants – Fiona Byrne, Maria Herrera, Peigín Crowley and Nigel Franklyn – Moss of the Isles is a 100%-natural line cultivating the holistic connection between indigenous nature and overall wellbeing.

Explaining how the brand crafts unique and bespoke therapies alongside luxury spa locations, Crowley says: “We build distinctive partnerships, as each property has its own identity and their spas are an extension of this.” www.mossoftheisles.com

Lashus The Lift Sweet Squared has added Lashus to its portfolio of beauty brands and, following two years of research and development, has launched The Lift, a gentle, stripped-back lash-lift treatment for the professional market.

Providing consistent uplifting, volume-enhancing lashes, the treatment offers a classic, natural look or a more dramatic and intense enhancement.

The Lift works with the client’s natural lashes, straightening them at the root to provide extra volume, definition and length. The treatment concludes with a deep, intense tint to both the upper and lower lashes to deliver a complete look. www.sweetsquared.com

Five of the best

Spa at home

kokolokahi Sensory Retreat Candle

Murad Multi Vitamin Infusion Oil

Vegan-friendly, ethically sourced and crafted from 100% natural vegetable wax, the candle offers therapeutic benefits from grapefruit, geranium and lavender oils. www.sharedbeautysecrets.com

Vitamins A to F boost hydration, brighten skin and tackle lines and wrinkles while defending from free-radicals for a more youthful-looking complexion. www.murad.co.uk

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VOYA Room Spray Natural essential oil extracts can be used to brighten and freshen any atmosphere courtesy of VOYA’s two-room spray scent options: African Lime & Clove and Cedarwood & Bergamot. www.voya.ie

QMS EpiGen Pollution Rescue Overnight Mask

Nimue Superfluids

High-tech peptides and the latest science in epigenetics combine to hydrate, nourish and protect skin from the effects of stress and environmental damage. www.qmsmedicosmetics.com

Five targeted super concentrates customise Nimue’s professional treatments to address inflammation, wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation and age spots. www.sweetsquared.com

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Menu New products & therapies

Multi-moisture boost Designed to soothe and hydrate dry skin, Dermalogica’s reformulated Intensive Moisture Balance moisturiser and new Intensive Moisture Cleanser both feature BioReplenish Complex.

Intensive Moisture Balance is engineered with chlorella algae complex, hyaluronic acid, echinacea, centella asiatica and aloe vera to strengthen, replenish and support the skin’s barrier lipids, helping reduce dryness.

The Intensive Moisture Cleanser features coconut and murumuru seed butter to minimise the damage of vital proteins and lipids, which are often affected during cleansing.

Instead, the skin is left feeling hydrated. www.dermalogica.co.uk

Treatment focus

Skin soothing help from healing botanicals

Temple Spa Truffle Excellence The Truffle Excellence collection is a capsule range of Temple Spa’s premium, effective treatments and award-winning truffle products that harness the power of black summer truffles, Champagne extract and gold and silk peptides.

Created to enhance existing spa offerings, the Truffle Excellence collection includes: Champagne and Truffles Deluxe Treatment, an anti-ageing facial; VIP Golden Truffle Experience, a top-to-toe face and body treatment; the indulgent new Cashmere and Truffles Body treatment, which combines an invigorating and anti-ageing exfoliating experience with a luxuriously pampering Truffle Oil massage; and the Rose Quartz and Truffles Body Massage, a soothing and renewing experience featuring Truffle Body Massage Oil. www.templespa.com

Decléor has harnessed the healing power of centella asiatica for two new nourishing and repairing botanical skincare products. The ingredient, also known as Cica, is popular in Korean Beauty and has been used for centuries to treat and heal wounds. Studies have shown that Cica, rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, B and C, helps to heal burns and cuts, as well as reducing redness.

Cica-Botanic Balm is formulated with eucalyptus essential oil to provide instant relief and visible results in just one use. This multi-purpose balm can be used on very dry skin patches, insect bites, dry cuticles, burns, skin reactions and hard or itchy skin.

Cica-Botanic Oil is a unique blend of nine oils, including borage, avocado and jojoba, to target scars and stretch marks leaving skin nourished and soothed. www.decleor.co.uk

Renewed and radiant skin Formulated with alpha hydroxy acids and cell-penetrating peptides, Elemental Herbology’s Skin Resurfacing Multi-Acid Facial Pads help to plump fine lines and wrinkles while minimising pores and reducing breakouts.

The instant at-home facial treatment leaves the skin gently exfoliated with a lighter, brighter and more youthful appearance. Its ingredients stimulate collagen production and gently exfoliate to reduce break-outs while promoting a brighter complexion.

Glycolic acid promotes natural exfoliation to reveal fresher, healthier and well-hydrated skin, while Arginine, a cell-penetrating peptide, deeply hydrates. Aloe vera, a powerful skin immune booster hydrates, heals and soothes the skin. www.elementalherbology.com

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

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

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Stay informed.

Be Inspired.

Refined and renewed skin To address the specific needs of pigmented and dull skin, Biologique Recherche has developed Masque PIGM 400.

Regulating melanogenesis with dulse extract, complex of pea extract, sucrose dilaurate and stabilised vitamin C, Masque PIGM 400 leaves the complexion more even and with fewer irregularities.

Existing pigmentation marks are reduced and radiance is boosted through the exfoliating properties of finger lime extract, a fruit that is naturally rich in AHA. A-Glucan detox, an extract of candida saitoana, targets dark spots and leaves skin renewed and radiant.

A rich combination of brightening ingredients is delivered via a mask consisting of Lyocell, a highly absorbent, natural, eco-friendly and fully recyclable material that allows optimum delivery of the formula’s concentrated active ingredients. www.biologique-recherche.com

Velvety radiance Celebrating diversity and inclusivity with 16 shades to suit all skin tones, Mii Cosmetics has launched Velvet Radiance Face Base.

Blendable and buildable, the ‘weightless’ perfecting foundation offers a satin-matte finish with a delicate boost of radiance, blurring imperfections and smoothing skin tone.

The collection’s additional skincare benefits come courtesy of a rich infusion of fresh carrot cells and seaweed extract that help protect, tone and firm skin, boosting hydration and radiance.

Seaweed extracts are known for hydrating and calming the skin, and also increase elasticity. Carrot cells help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by moisturising and soothing the epidermis. www.gerrardinternational.com

Body reawakening: Decleor launches Aroma Blend

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Business Nicolas Ronco, YeloSpa

Putting therapists first European Spa meets YeloSpa founder Nicolas Ronco to discuss his development of The Good Lab, which aims to help self-employed therapists achieve their full potential

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icolas Ronco ended a successful but demanding corporate career to launch New York’s YeloSpa in 2007. Offering urban sanctuaries focused on sleep and reflexology, so popular had the concept become by 2015 that he drew up plans to franchise the business.

However, despite being a strong brand, YeloSpa was having trouble attracting and retaining therapists due to spa on-demand service providers tapping into the talent pool.

Ronco realised that if he was having difficulty hiring, potential franchisees would encounter the same issue.

Undaunted, the industrious entrepreneur last year launched YeloExpress, aimed at meeting the wellness needs of a broader clientele.

Now he is set to turn his attention to hardworking therapists, who he feels can be put off by traditional employment practices and even certain aspects of new on-demand models.

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I NT ERV I E W BY I A N PA R KES

Recognising that therapists are keen on independence, but may require assistance in running other areas of a self-employed business, Ronco is set to roll out out his latest concept, The Good Lab, later this year.

European Spa talks to him about his career in spa, and why he believes The Good Lab could be a powerful new option for therapists and their clients everywhere.

Why did you launch YeloSpa? At the end of my corporate career I travelled a lot – Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Australia – but I was always jetlagged and could never find a place to recharge. I could see the impact it was having on my health, even though I was travelling comfortably and I had nothing to complain about, but it was taking its toll and I was only in my 30s.

It also became increasingly obvious to me that the way people live in big cities is insane.

Places like London, New York, Paris and Tokyo are made more for productivity than for human beings, so I felt this strong urge to help people reclaim their health and sanity.

While I couldn’t change the way people were living, I could help them cope with their current environments and the relentless stress of their daily lives. That’s when I decided to give up a very lucrative, prestigious career, one that I enjoyed, to go full tilt into the wellness industry and create a concept that was initially focused on sleep and reflexology.

How did YeloExpress come about?

As we’ve grown, we have seen a certain category of people come to us. They enjoy a very decent standard of living and have high disposable income, but are stressed and have little free time. I thought it was important that everyone who wishes to enhance their life should be able to experience the wellness offerings at YeloSpa.

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Business Nicolas Ronco, YeloSpa

THOUGHT LEADER

Currently, our clients pay a flat fee of $2.65 (£2.07/s2.32) per minute, so a one-hour treatment is $159, which is mid-to-high range in New York. We’ve decided to reduce it to $2 a minute, focusing only on 20, 30, and 40-minute treatments, effectively creating a $40 entry point for the YeloSpa experience.

This allows millennials, people starting their careers, to also start a wellness lifestyle. If I could have started in my 20s or early 30s, I’d be in better shape today.

Tell us about the YeloSpa franchises.

We enjoyed a banner year in 2015, with the New York spa being very profitable. We thought we’d cracked the code and felt it was time to franchise. But by 2017, when we were ready to roll out further, massage on-demand platforms were gaining strength. A niche was discovered, and the Uber-like technology made it a natural development of the market.

Also, I recognised there was a trend of therapists wanting to work for themselves, and via the variety of social media platforms these days, to promote themselves. The direct consequence is that it has become increasingly difficult to hire, train and retain the best of them. Our labour costs also increased as a result – this happened all across the spa industry.

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I thought that rather than simply bracing for the inevitable, I would invent something new that would benefit therapists, and I think we have come up with something pretty special.

Above from left: Providing a cocooning sanctuary for urban workers to de-stress and recharge, as well as a select range of skin and bodycare brands, YeloSpa founder Nicolas Ronco is now turning his attention to the needs of on-demand spa therapists with The Good Lab

So what is your latest innovation?

Is there scope for expansion of this model?

We’re calling it The Good Lab. It is a different brand from Yelo, but there is potential for synergy between the two.

Our plan is to take care of therapists who want to work for themselves – the best ones, who are driven and really love what they do, yet find it painful to book appointments, sort out cancellations, take calls, field texts, promote themselves and hustle all day long.

We aim to provide them with a beautifully designed, safe environment in which to operate.

They remain independent, taking 100% of the income they generate, while we assist them with the booking process and payment processing, and coach them on how to promote themselves, or even do it for them. We will also offer to include them on the Good Lab website, create a strategy and determine price points.

Their main expense would be hourly, daily or monthly rent. Busy and successful practitioners would increase their income substantially compared to what they currently make working for a spa or a massage on demand platform.

Absolutely. The beauty of this is that you can expand into a wide range of areas in the wellness industry. You can include osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychotherapists etc. All of these people will be welcomed within our space.

I want to create a real wellness community, where various practitioners work in the same place and exchange best practices. For on-demand therapists, for instance, I know there is a sense of isolation as the only people they interact with are their clients. From a psychological level, this type of community would be beneficial in allowing them to engage with colleagues.

Then there is the possibility of these practitioners opening up their databases to one another, thereby expanding their clientele.

I’m someone who wants to remove these obstacles and provide opportunities for job growth. The Good Lab is going to be a brand new model for that. www.yelospa.com

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Wellness Cancer focus

The cancer challenge Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, European Spa brings together a panel of respected experts to discuss progress within the spa and wellness industry to open doors to those who need treatments most RE P O RT BY I AN PA R KES

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ccording to the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, by 2040 there will be a 61.7% increase in the number of new cases of the disease worldwide, compared to 2018, rising to 27.5 million.

This growth can be in part connected to an older global population, as age is the main risk factor for cancer, especially in developed countries where life expectancy is higher.

With just over 4.2 million cases in 2018, Europe accounted for 23.4 % of all cancer incidences, and among the 185 countries for which data is available, European countries occupy 19 of the top 25 nations for new cancer diagnoses.

In the UK alone, where incidence is ranked higher than in two-thirds of Europe and greater than 90% of the world overall, someone is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that by 2030 there will be four million people living with cancer in the UK. Appreciably, these are alarming statistics, and that is why the spa and wellness industry is determined to ensure those either diagnosed with or recovering from cancer are provided with the appropriate level of care, advice and treatments when attending spas.

Becoming cancer aware While there is growing awareness of the implications of cancer, an apparent lack of education for therapists remains a concern. Figures vary as to the percentage of UK spas, in particular, that continue to turn away those whose lives are affected by the illness. Some estimates suggest it is 70%, but whatever the actual number, it is simply too high.

Massage training to enable therapists to work with those touched by cancer remains relatively new in

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the UK and other parts of Europe, in contrast to Canada and the US, where many of the existing ‘oncology massage’ standards were created.

Overall, it is felt there is a lack of understanding about what happens to the body while it is being massaged and how cancer treatments affect people in different ways. More information is, however, coming to light. Data collected by the Jennifer Young Training School states that 32% of clients affected by cancer are seeking help with appearance-related issues, such as dry, sore or sensitive skin, with 24% seeking relief from aches and pains.

Julie Bach, who runs registered charity Wellness for Cancer, emphasises the need for an appropriate syllabus that takes into consideration raising the ability of therapists who are not necessarily going to specialise in oncology massage but will still encounter clients in post-cancer treatment.

While there has been a rise in the number of skincare brands becoming cancer aware, Bach would also like clear guidelines when it comes to the products used on guests dealing with cancer, as she says there is currently no list of ingredients bearing clinical data to say they are ‘cancer aware’.

There are, of course, many valuable initiatives currently in place. One such is run by Natura Bissé through the Ricardo Fisas Foundation. Its Oncology Aesthetics Program offers free customised treatments for those undergoing cancer treatment, as well as specialist courses in oncology aesthetics for therapists. Elsewhere, the Hair Loss Friendly Spa campaign, supported by Champneys, is working to ensure women with hair loss feel truly nurtured.

Here, European Spa asks a number of experts about their approach to the education and training of therapists, and the range of suitable products and treatments available.

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Wellness Cancer focus

Made for Life Foundation This registered charity, founded in 2008 by Made For Life Organics’ managing director Amanda Winwood, provides specialist training for spas and a dedicated support network for those diagnosed with, and recovering from cancer

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ade For Life Organics has been carrying out treatments, educating and training using our skincare range since 2003. Profits go to the Made For Life Foundation, which supports those going through cancer by providing access to counselling, spa days and advice on nutrition.

For therapists, we provide a three-day course that is CMA-accredited, CIBTAC/BABTAC-endorsed and was developed with input from Macmillan along with specialists in their field – oncologists, breast cancer nurses, surgeons.

Our Cancer Touch Therapy training is covered by a worldwide insurance policy, ensuring any clients we work with – and spa owners/operators – can have absolute confidence. A minimum score of 80% on theory and practical is required to pass.

The training teaches therapists about treatments for cancer and the terminology that may be used by guests. They learn to be confident about the protocols and adaptations of three named treatments using our 100% organic skincare range, which we have researched with Plymouth University, UK. We also train therapists in self-care techniques as this is fundamental. To date, over 500 therapists have been trained in Cancer Touch Therapy.

The third day of the course is the most profoundly moving and rewarding day as that is when we bring in people who are going through cancer to help us complete supervised training. It means every therapist will have had a ‘hands-on’ experience.

Organic in origin Our treatments are incredibly versatile and inclusive as they can be incorporated in any menu and are wonderful for anyone suffering from stress or anxiety, as well as for those going through cancer.

Self-care is at the heart of what we do and all our skincare products are 100% organic, using ingredients including herbs, flowers and oils sourced mainly from within the UK, all hand-blended in our Cornwall laboratory.

All the products are rich in botanicals, omega oils and the necessary phenols to replenish the skin naturally. This makes them ideal for sensitive skin, from birth through the whole of life. We were the first company in the UK to receive 100% organic certification and our belief is that healthy humans need a healthy planet, so we actively promote sustainable practices in all we do.

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Amanda Winwood Founder Starting out in hospitality and tourism, Amanda Winwood also trained as a therapist. In 2003, she began work on creating treatments that would be accepted by oncology experts, before setting up the Made For Life Foundation five years later.

PRODUCT RANGE n T wo new treatments are due to be launched this year, along with a number of new products, as part of an ongoing development relationship with Plymouth University. This has been part of a knowledge transfer programme, in place since the beginning of 2018. It includes extensive clinical research being carried out to underpin the science behind the use of plants within the skincare range.

UK SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Aqua Sana at Center Parcs HandPicked Hotels Fletcher’s Cottage Spa at Archerfield House, East Lothian, Scotland Nuffield Health Spa at Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Scotland www.madeforlifeorganics.com

Left: Post-treatment relaxation for a Made for Life client who is recovering from glioma, which is a type of brain tumour

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Wellness Cancer focus

Wellness for Cancer A globally recognised charity, Wellness for Cancer connects with individuals who have been touched by cancer, and trains therapists and teams at spa and wellness centres to provide personalised wellness services for those dealing with the illness

A Julie Bach Executive director After starting her career in business, Julie Bach turned her attention to beauty and cancer in 2000 via her US skin clinic and spa in Vail, Colorado. Five years later, Bach, a thought leader within the Global Wellness Institute, set up Wellness for Cancer.

PRODUCT RANGE n I n 2017 Wellness for Cancer teamed up with French skincare brand Biologique Recherche to adapt facial and body treatments specifically to the needs of cancer patients as well as those who are in remission. It also partners with ESPA and [comfort zone]. n A fter initially starting out with treatments in the US and France, Biologique Recherche is currently expanding the programme across the 70 countries in which it operates, with the assistance of Wellness for Cancer.

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland COMO Shambhala (global) Slieve Donard, Newcastle, Northern Ireland Six Senses (global) Ambassade de la Beauté, Paris, France Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri, Italy www.wellnessforcancer.com Clockwise from top: A Biologique Recherche-sponsored Wellness For Cancer retreat at Sofitel Quiberron, France; a personalised Wellness for Cancer treatment; Jennifer Young’s Defiant Beauty range targets ‘chemo skin’; Wellness for Cancer works with Ambassade de Beauté in Paris, France

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cancer advocate organisation founded in 2000, our charter is to help individuals adopt healthy lifestyles to enhance their quality of life, improve their wellbeing and reduce their risk of cancer recurrence. The spa and wellness industry is our charity’s largest partner in this aim.

We are now a multi-disciplinary team consisting of cancer survivors, doctors, nurses, lymphedema specialists, fitness experts, wellness coaches, yoga and mindfulness teachers, volunteers in hospitals, and therapists specialising in cancer. We contribute to adapting the portrayal of cancer ‘sufferers’ by allowing for normality, flexibility and compassion.

Recognised as a beacon shedding light on cancer issues within the industry, Wellness for Cancer works in a partnership model with leading skincare and wellness brands in almost 40 countries, infusing our knowledge and experience into their DNA and embedding a Cancer Aware code. We provide global education, customised tools and programmes, access to our subject matter experts, and social outreach opportunities.

Breadth, depth, flexibility As our training expands geographically, we recognise the gaps in foundational massage training and some therapists’ reliance on learning a set protocol by adapting our training based on each class. We offer a personalised approach by emphasising critical-thinking skills when conducting a client consultation, developing a service plan and delivering that service with confidence.

We also provide a breadth and depth in content as our training emphasises mindfulness, meditation, yoga and integrative wellness practices. We offer specific Cancer Aware training in massage, skincare, manicures, yoga and exercise and movement.

Our training is also flexible. For example, in Costa Rica, 90% of the massage therapists we worked with were also physical therapists, so our training went deeper into the ability to personalise; in the US, with four out of 12 therapists also lymphedema specialists, we supplemented with a second trainer who is also a trained nurse and certified lymphedema massage specialist.

Looking ahead, Sue Harmsworth, MBE, as an advisor to the Wellness for Cancer Initiative, will host two round tables to ensure we agree upon proper standards and approaches that are transparent to the consumer. The first will be to develop shared curriculum standards with other cancer-focused training organisations and interested parties; the second, to develop skin and bodycare guidelines on becoming Cancer Aware.

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Wellness Cancer focus

Beauty Despite Cancer With both a legal and medical background, Jennifer Young provides skincare products and treatments specifically designed for cancer patients, as well as education and skills programmes for therapists

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everal years ago, I was approached by my local NHS cancer centre to create a specialist skincare range with them. At this point I was training to be a therapist and being taught not to touch cancer patients; being a biologist and a lawyer, I wanted to know why.

Asking that question was the beginning of my pioneering work with spas. I was outraged by the injustice – women don’t stop being women when they are diagnosed with cancer. Yet the world of beauty had stopped being available to them. It had to change, so I used my academic education, 20 years’ experience of working in health-related fields and my therapy qualifications, to change it.

The Jennifer Young Spa Welcome post-graduate diploma allows spas to provide an inclusive, luxurious and indulgent full menu to all. Our tutors have extensive experience of working hands-on with cancer patients in healthcare settings as well as in spas. When developing our Spa Welcome oncology qualification, one of my aims was to safeguard the legal position of the spas and their therapists.

Trained therapists, perfect products The Jennifer Young Training School’s accredited courses allow spas to offer a full treatment menu to those affected by cancer. Its two-day programme also provides therapists with the confidence they need to perform to the very best of their abilities.

It is vital spas are able to offer a seamless service; front-of-house and reservations teams need to be able to answer the difficult, technical questions often asked by those enquiring about oncology therapies.

You don’t want a booking to be lost because reservations don’t know if you can massage someone with a PICC line fitted.

Accredited retail training is also included in our standard spa offering. It is a big undertaking for a spa to take on another skincare brand, but I believe it is crucial in order to provide an acceptable level of service. Our specialist skincare collections were created with the help of the NHS. There are some natural ingredients that should never be used, not because they are unsuitable for sensitive skin but because they are thought to be beneficial to some cancers. Those affected by cancer want products that match their values, are effective against their treatment-related skin conditions, and which exclude ingredients that cause them, or their medical teams, concern.

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Jennifer Young Founder With a BSc (Hons) in biology and a post-graduate qualification in law, Jennifer Young is an experienced microbiologist, a qualified and practicing nutritional therapist, an associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine and an aromatherapist, beauty therapist and product formulator.

PRODUCT RANGE n D efiant Beauty is a completely natural and organic range, developed by experts, cancer survivors, cancer patients and medical staff to treat ‘chemo skin’ – dry, sore, sensitive and itchy – and skin damaged by radiation treatment. n T he Wellbeing Beauty collection contains eight body, bath and home fragrance products created to solve problems often associated with diagnosis of, and treatment for, cancer. n N ew spa treatments will be on offer at selected spas from spring/summer 2019.

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Soho House Spas (global) Cowshed spas, UK Rudding Park, Yorkshire, UK Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire, UK Hoar Cross Hall, Derbyshire, UK Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire, UK Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, Derbyshire, UK Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Wiltshire, UK www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk

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Wellness Cancer focus

Christine Clinton Cancer Care Touched by cancer in her personal life, as a licensed massage and skincare therapist Christine Clinton has devoted a considerable part of her career to creating safe and effective massage and spa therapies for those dealing with cancer

M Christine Clinton Founder A licensed massage and skincare therapist, Christine Clinton is skilled in therapeutic massage, oncology massage, hot stone therapy, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy, reiki and energy medicine. She has been running a private practice in Philadelphia for over 20 years.

PRODUCT RANGE n C linton promotes Lindiskin, a collection developed by Lindy Snyder that has been clinically trialled for efficacy. n S he is also working with a number of other product houses and choosing ingredients known to be beneficial to repair the skin’s barrier function, which is compromised during cancer treatments. These include: VOYA’s organic seaweed line; Unzented; Saltability for Himalayan salt stone massage; and Eastern Vibration for sound therapy.

SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Steiner Leisure Corporation, incl. The Onboard Spa, Global Shangri-La Hotels, US Woodloch Resort, Pennsylvania, US Lough Eske Castle, Ireland Parknasilla Resort, Ireland Castle Leslie, Ireland Castlemartyr Resort, Ireland Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados Jewel Grande, Jamaica www.christineclinton cancercare.com Clockwise from right: A client is treated for alopecia with laminara digitata organic seaweed from VOYA; tpot has partnered with Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa (top) and Rockliffe Hall (far right) in the UK

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any years ago, my husband was misdiagnosed with lung and liver cancer. It was during this time that I was profoundly touched by the cancer patients I met and vowed to dedicate myself to making a difference.

I now have 15 years’ experience, and I believe my programme is different because of that. It was due to my learning that I was able to partner with oncologists to help with my father’s recovery when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He has twice overcome the disease.

Having trained in Medical Massage for Cancer Patients at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, I feel prepared for all medical eventualities. In terms of personal development, my Clinical Training in Mind Body Medicine, at Harvard, and an inspirational meeting with the Dalai Lama while attending a ‘Compassion and Wisdom in Your Practice’ symposium, mean I bring empathy and positive energy to training and for all those who participate.

The experiential learning that takes place during training enables therapists to apply their new skills immediately, offering safe and effective spa services to guests in active treatment for, or with a history of, cancer.

During training we discuss the long and short-term side effects of cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.

A bespoke offering One of our big differentiators, of which I’m proud, is the inclusion of guests who are living with cancer as participants in the practical, hands-on portion of our training. We invite anyone with cancer, or a history of it, to take part.

We address specific challenges of cancer treatment, such as EGFR rash, hand-foot syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, radiation-induced dermatitis, post-surgical complications of mastectomy, lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, reconstruction and lymphodema.

In recognising the complications that arise from certain cancer treatments, we have developed a bespoke spa service to improve the quality of life of our guests.

Initially, we perform a very in-depth consultation and then develop a spa treatment based on each client’s specific needs. For example, if a guest has lymphodema, or has had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and cannot lie face down, we would tailor or modify the treatment accordingly.

Almost every treatment on the spa menu can be modified in some way to accommodate guests whose health is compromised.

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Wellness Cancer focus

tpot (The Power of Touch) This cancer-focused training organisation was founded by Spa Business School owner and managing director Michelle Hammond in 2013 after she discovered over 97% of UK spas and salons were turning away, or would turn away, those with cancer

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s an industry we can no longer justify discriminating against or excluding clients with cancer. tpot’s expertise as a longstanding industry educator comes in helping qualified therapists feel more comfortable and confident in treating clients with cancer safely.

We’ve worked extensively over the years with medical specialists and oncology teams from some of our greatest hospitals and NHS trusts to ensure the advice we give, the training we deliver and the ongoing support we provide is correct, relevant and in line with mainstream medical recommendations in the UK. We’re committed to making wellness accessible to all and ensuring therapists have access to accredited and insurable educational short courses and learning up-to-date resources. We make sure they are encouraged to succeed in being and doing the best they can.

We elevate and empower therapists to know that the greatest gift for any spa or salon is in their hands, driven by their heads and hearts. We aim to take the fear out of treating someone who presents with cancer and simplify what is a challenging and complex disease, so our therapists can focus on delivering the many clinically trialled benefits of massage to those that need it most.

Focused training Links with our blended-learning sister company, Spa Business School, mean we can utilise many of its online and digital resources to reduce costs, maximising the depth of our training to delivering the greatest impact without taking people out of practise for long periods.

As our training has a single treatment focus – teaching therapists how to adapt a traditional full-body massage – our energy is laser-focused on cancer and the massaging of clients who have experienced it.

Therapists who want to take their practise into a clinical setting, such as a hospice or hospital, are also able to benefit from a range of advanced training and practical opportunities we’ve made available with our incredible NHS partners and affiliates. Our belief is that learning should be continuous.

Over the years, we have recognised a lack of knowledge, understanding and confidence around treating people with a range of what are the most critical health conditions, including dementia, depression, heart conditions and diabetes, to name a few. As such, we are widening our online and practical workshops to ensure therapists can easily access health-related learning resources and feel comfortable and confident working with every unique individual who presents.

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Michelle Hammond Founder With over 25 years of specialist expertise and experience within the worlds of spa, health and wellbeing, Michelle Hammond has worked a wide range of international spa resorts, hotels and salons. The owner of Spa Business School, she went on to found tpot in 2013.

PRODUCT RANGE n A dedicated training specialist, tpot does not have its own range or promote a specific collection. It is due to commence new advanced massage training this year, starting with ‘Reflexology for Clients with Cancer’, which will be accredited in early summer. n B uilding on the success of its business, booster boxes – a range of ‘health in wellness’ boxes for therapists – are to be developed. The first of these will focus on treating clients with cancer in spas and salons and will be available in spring 2019.

UK SPA CLIENTS INCLUDE: Bannatyne Group Rockliffe Hall, Co. Durham Pennyhill Park, Surrey Senspa at Careys Manor, Hampshire Galgorm, Co. Antrim, Ireland London College of Beauty Therapy www.tpot.org.uk

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Spa The Falls Spa, Lodore Falls Hotel, UK

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Spa The Falls Spa, Lodore Falls Hotel, UK Left: A guest takes in the stunning Cumbrian scenery from the outdoor pool at The Falls Spa

Lakeside luxury We visit The Falls Spa at Lodore Falls Hotel, in Cumbria, to discover what the Lake District’s latest multi-million-pound spa has to offer R EP OR T BY I A N PA R KES

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rom its breathtaking location at the foot of the waterfall from which it takes its name, the Lodore Falls Hotel offers stunning views across Derwent Water, the Skiddaw mountain range and Catbells fell.With a near 150-year history, the former inn, which was converted in 1870, has gained iconic status in Cumbria, having been patronised by royalty, including King Edward VII and Prince Arthur, the third son of Queen Victoria, as well as famous names including Colonel ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, who once signed the guest register while touring with his Wild West show.

For 40 years, from 1947 to 1987, Lodore Falls gained prominence under the ownership of Robert and Merthie England, prior to being taken on by the Stakis Hotel Group, and then the Hilton (UK & Ireland) Group, before being purchased by Charles and Kit Graves in 2004. Renowned local hoteliers who, along with their daughter Daniella Hope, run a further five properties in the area under the Lake District Hotels banner, the Graves have taken a bold step in adding a touch of

21st-century modernity to the property.

The waterfalls and river now divide the main 73-room hotel on one side and The Falls Spa and 14 suites on the other. The latter are the cornerstone of an £11 million (212.3 million) redevelopment, overseen architecturally by Carlisle-based Unwin Jones Partnership, and constructed by Thomas Armstrong (Holdings) Ltd, of Maryport, Cumbria.

“The Lodore is an old building that has been built on over the years,” says general manager Matt Collins, whose father worked at the property in the mid-1980s.

“Mr and Mrs England made a statement when they ran it, and they were quite forward for their time.

“For the Graves this is a statement of their belief that there is a market for this type of environment. My view is that it is their legacy; they have brought the hotel into this century. They’re also good at making things work.

They’re good at business and understanding where the market is, where it’s going to be in the next two to three years, and making things happen.”

Delivering a homely feel

“For the owners this is a statement of their belief that there is a market for this type of environment.

My view is that it is their legacy; they have brought the hotel into this century.”

Matt Collins General manager

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The main hotel still displays a warm, traditional charm with a modern feel thanks to the addition of an inviting conservatory and pan-Asian fusion restaurant, Mizu. Across the river is the 1,074sqm Falls Spa and the sumptuously appointed suites that provide a genuine homely feel thanks to their Scandinavian-style décor, which echoes Kit Graves’ Danish heritage.

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Spa The Falls Spa, Lodore Falls Hotel, UK

With consultancy by Commercial Spa Strategies’ Liz Holmes and interior design by Scotland’s Greyline, the spa offers a smooth-flowing hydro-thermal journey that curves in an arc around a central ‘courtyard’ area, which includes an ice fountain, padded loungers and heated mosaic loungers.

An enticing Champagne bar is positioned off to the side. The suite itself provides a laconium, a forest rinse shower, a salt steam room, a tropical rain experience, a eucalyptus/menthol aroma steam room, a ‘thermal sensation’ with Kneipp therapy massage water jets and a glass-fronted herbal sauna.

Explaining the indoor experience, which enjoys panoramic views of the lake and mountains, Holmes says: “We know this is a challenging market for therapist recruitment and decided to ensure the wet spa area was a product in itself and just as important to the revenue as the treatment rooms.

“The interior wet spa journey takes the guest from the warming laconium through the salt, steam

“The business model we have drawn up ensures guests receive the access they prefer, while allowing us to control the numbers within the spa throughout the day.”

Davina Hassell Spa manager

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Clockwise from above left: La Sultane de Saba’s Akwaterra massage utilises ergonomic warm ceramics; a social gathering in the Champagne bar; the spa’s 16m infinity-edge vitality pool is one of the largest in the UK

and sauna to gradually increase body temperature. There are also six heated loungers and an experience shower for use between rooms. The curved design of the salt and steam room provide enhanced levels of comfort and space, quite unlike the standard square rooms guests often expect.”

Stepping outside, the spa’s centrepiece is a 16m infinity-edge vitality pool, understood to be one of the largest outdoor pools of its type in the UK, complete with swan-neck jets and three different types of hydrotherapy experiences. There is also an additional sauna affording magnificent views, and a cold-water drench bucket.

“The outdoor experiences are among the best anywhere,” adds Holmes. “Apart from the beautiful lakeside view, there is a real understanding that this is the place guests want to be as part of their spa break. It is memorable in itself and designed to inspire visitors as a key experience.

“We expect the pool to become a year-round attraction with its heated deck and cosy blankets as required.

Service of drinks will come from the Champagne bar at poolside to enhance spa packages and encourage dwell time and secondary spend.”

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WILSHIRE LE

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Spa The Falls Spa, Lodore Falls Hotel, UK From top right: With its heated deck, the outdoor pool is expected to be a favourite with guests throughout the year; the spa’s sumptuous relaxation lounge; a luxurious, curved salt steam room features in the thermal suite

The best of two worlds Throughout the five treatment rooms, a carefully curated spa menu offers a range of rituals from Elemis, primarily for facials, along with French brand La Sultane de Saba for the body, including the latter’s Akwaterra massage that incorporates warmed, ergonomic, ceramic tools.

“The treatment rooms are stunning and spacious,” says Holmes. “Treatment quality and development reflects these premium products and these engage with guests’ reasons for being in the Lake District – wellbeing, relaxation and celebration are all on offer at The Falls Spa.” Explaining the decisions behind the selection of the brands, spa manager Davina Hassell adds: “We chose Elemis because it is such a well-known brand. They work with us and offer such excellent support.

“I have always liked working with smaller brands too, so I’m glad Liz and the owners selected Sultane de Saba, which is more bespoke. In my opinion, the two brands work together very well, there is no clash.

“With regards to treatments and spa days, we’ve tried to keep our pricing structure simple, with prices set dependent on treatment duration. It makes our financial forecasting simple to calculate. With special offers, we always try to incorporate spa access and create a package so we don’t discount on treatments, protecting our hourly treatment income that goes towards therapist costs.”

A careful balance While guests staying in the hotel’s spa suites receive complimentary, unlimited access to the spa, those in other room categories have the choice of a four-hour time slot throughout the day and evening at a cost of £25 per person.

Hassell admits that planning the operational structure of the spa was a challenge, in particular, gauging the number of guests within the thermal suite at any one time, and how many could be comfortably accommodated per time slot.

“With 12 heat experiences there are plenty of areas for our guests to enjoy, but you are always aware of the favoured ‘sweet spots’, so you have to avoid overcrowding,” she explains. “Over time we will be able to see the trends and make changes accordingly. For now, the business model we have drawn up ensures guests receive the access they prefer, while allowing us to control the numbers within the spa throughout the day, so safeguarding their enjoyment.

“We know this is a challenging market for therapist recruitment and decided to ensure the wet spa area was a product in itself and just as important to the revenue as the treatment rooms.”

Liz Holmes Commercial Spa Strategies

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Spa The Falls Spa, Lodore Falls Hotel, UK

Clockwise from top: Heated mosaic loungers in the ‘courtyard’ area at the centre of the thermal journey; a cold water drench bucket offers a refreshing outdoor experience; Life Fitness equipment in the spa’s gym

“And when the spa is not full with residents, we can increase numbers via spa packages, most of which include a treatment or mud rasul. In return, these spa days contribute to the food and beverage income as either a two-course lunch or afternoon tea is included on most occasions.”

Lodore Falls has opted not to offer membership packages at present as the spa has primarily been built to enhance the experience for new and existing guests, offering a degree of exclusivity.

“There should be a feeling of calm and luxury, not an over-run spa with hundreds of members,” explains Collins.

“It was also hoped that the combination of the new spa and the adjoining spa suite bedrooms would work hand in hand, providing a new facility for previous guests, but also appealing to a new and wider market.

“The spa is an integrated part of the overall hotel offering, which in return will increase occupancy, as well as food and drink revenue streams.”

Lodore Falls faces strong competition in the area, and while Collins makes clear that the Graves family are eager to reap a return “as soon as possible”, he is equally keen to point

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out that the redevelopment work was carried out on solid financial foundations.

“One of the reasons I’m proud of working for the company is that we don’t borrow money,” he says. “Everything we make in the hotel is reinvested. Ultimately, it is the culmination of all the properties over the years performing really well and hitting their margins that has allowed us to do a project like this.

“As a hotelier, the spa is a facility to help fill my rooms.

If I do, I will get the return back quicker. But the spa itself will not generate enough on its own. It’s going to take the packages, the Mizu restaurant, the F&B offering, so people come for a two or three-night stay and use all the different facilities. All the little add-ons are how we’re going to get that return.

“Overall, what I can say is, the Graves wanted something to compete with the best in the Lake District, and they certainly have achieved that.”

THE FALLS SPA, LODORE FALLS HOTEL +44 (0)1768 787704 | www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls Owner: Charles and Kit Graves Investment: £11 million Spa size: 1,074sqm Spa team: 14 Treatment rooms: Five Spa suites: 14 Product partners: Elemis, Sultane de Saba Thermal and wet spa design and supply: Rigo Spa Other suppliers: Ellisons (Living Earth Crafts), Life Fitness, BC Softwear, Gantner

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FURNISHINGS

Style EQUIPMENT

FINISHES

TECHNOLOGY

FITNESS

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

Design focus

Sky Spa at Forsthofalm celebrates architectural wellness

Sustainable ‘moon wood’ construction offers natural, light-flooded spaces that contribute to guests’ sense of calm and wellbeing AUSTRIA: The incorporation of a wealth of natural materials, light-filled spaces and sustainable elements at Forsthofalm bio-hotel and spa, in Leogang, subtly enhances its guests’ sense of relaxation and calm.

With wooden buildings said to lower the heart rate and reduce stress, the hotel is built entirely Nicole Waltl-Piffer from sustainably-felled ‘moon wood’ – cut during a positive moon phase – and anchored with 200,000 wooden dowels. The natural aesthetic continues throughout the property’s interiors which offer solid wooden furniture, handmade by local company Pabinger Tischlerei, alongside striking slate flooring.

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The 100sqm Sky Spa at Forsthofalm is perched at the very top of the building and features 360° views of the surrounding Alps.

A truly immersive wellness experience is offered, with all of the products used in the spa’s treatments made and bottled on site, using herbs gathered by hand from the surrounding Alpine meadows.

Facilities include a 300sqm roof terrace with a heated pool that has panoramic mountain views, as well as five treatment rooms with beds supplied by RUHA, two saunas and a steamroom.

Speaking about the unique interior design elements of Forsthofalm that she created, Nicole Waltl-Piffer of W2Manufaktur says: “Every element of our design was influenced by nature, and the owner, Marcus Widauer, briefed us to build using simple lines and natural materials such as wood,

stone, glass and leather. Building with wood is always challenging but I think we succeeded in creating a clear design language throughout a very contemporary hotel and spa. It gives the guests the feeling that the building is in the background and nature is completely in the foreground.”

www.forsthofalm.com STYLE FACTS

Designer: Alfred Waltl, W2Manufaktur Interior designer: Nicole Waltl-Piffer, W2Manufaktur Owner: Marcus Widauer Spa consultant: Dagmar Rizzato, Rizzato Spa Consulting Spa size: 100sqm Treatment rooms: Five Heat experiences: 300sqm roof terrace with a heated rooftop pool and mountain views; two saunas and a steamroom Furniture: Handmade

by Pabinger Tischlerei Treatment beds: RUHA Spa robes and towels: Kahles Textiles Lighting: LED by Megaman

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Style Design, form & function

KLAFS 

ICE Lounge Described as an evolution of the snow cabin, the striking new ICE Lounge from KLAFS is an ideal post-sauna experience.

Featuring backlit acrylic glass elements, the focal point of the lounge is a stalagmite ice fountain. Located in the centre of the lounge, the fountain’s ice blooms gradually grow upwards and can be taken and used by guests to assist their cool down.

The room’s temperature is set at 16°C and its design also incorporates a multi-sensorial concept involving temperature, a delicate ‘ice mint’ scent and an optional extra of ATMOSPHERE by KLAFS, whereby ultra-high resolution screens show dramatic, slight slow-motion images of nature, from snowy peaks to drifting ice floes.

www.klafs.com Oakworks q

100 Chair The multi-functional 100 Chair from Oakworks is ideal for medical aesthetic treatments as well as massages and facials.

Offering fully seated, horizontal, zero-gravity and 15° inclinations, the 100 Chair can be used with multiple head rests to provide the ideal surface for massage or a range of face-front treatments.

Specifically designed to offer therapists easy access to the guest’s head and neck area, the 100 Chair is also suitable for longer procedures where comfort is key. As well as a manually adjustable four-position leg rest, a range of other accessories, including T-Rails to attach lamps, are also available.

www.oakworks.com

Effegibi at CP Hart p

Yoku The latest launch from Italian company Effegibi, the Yoku modular sauna features a minimal design by Marco Williams Fagioli, who drew inspiration from the benefits of nature on wellbeing.

With an uncluttered, linear aesthetic, the sauna’s heater is built into the lowest bench, out of sight, while a large glass panel features shelving on the exterior that serves as both storage and as a privacy screen.

Multiple seating levels with back and neck supports are available and Yoku comes in three different types of wood: heat-treated aspen, heat-treated solid wood and Canaletto walnut.

The sauna can be supplied in four sizes with the largest dimensions being 230cm x 200cm and the smallest 174cm x 132cm.

www.cphart.co.uk

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Style Design, form & function

Porcelanosa q

Forest series by PAR-KER Intended to reproduce the singularities of wood with extreme accuracy, Porcelanosa’s new Forest by PAR-KER ceramic parquet is made from 95% recycled materials collected from the solid ceramic waste generated during the production process of other Porcelanosa products.

Resistant to high footfall, radiant heating, fire, water and humidity in general, Forest would be suitable for a wide range of spa areas and comes in two sizes: 22cm x 90cm and 14.3cm x 90cm. The latter can be supplied in an anti-slip variation that makes it ideal for outside, humid or wet spa zones. The Forest series comes in four elegant colour choices: Natural, Arce, Fresno and Acero (pictured).

www.porcelanosa.com

REM p

Indigo nail bar The simple, elegant design of REM’s new Indigo nail bar would complement a variety of manicure spaces.

With features including a twin-tray storage module and a stylish square chrome support leg, the nail bar is available in a range of 20 laminate finishes from titanium and sea breeze to rich praline and rustic oak.

Manufactured in the UK, Indigo comes with a three-year warranty. REM also offers a wide range of other high-quality professional furniture and equipment for spa or salon use.

www.rem.co.uk

 Treesse

Phantom Spa Designed by Marc Sadler Studio for Italian hydrotherapy specialist Treesse, the Phantom Spa measures 235cm x 235cm and is said to be suitable for either indoor or outdoor use.

With automatic filling as well as electronic drainage, the innovative spa pool can be supplied in any RAL colour (on special request) and also offers chromotherapy via the illuminated bands within which its jets are located.

Phantom is made from Crystaltech, which was originally created for the luxury yacht industry. It can either be installed within a custom-built surround or complete with panels in either the same material or wood.

www.gruppotres.it

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Style Design, form & function

Style focus

Meet the expert...

MATTEO BRUSAFERRI

Created to meet the demands of its luxury spa clients, Italian equipment specialist Lemi recently expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the new Portofino and Portofino Evo multifunctional treatment beds. Lemi’s general manager Matteo Brusaferri shares more about the company and its products.

What can Lemi offer spa operators?

We provide a complete range of products for both wet and dry treatment rooms. Lemi designs, manufactures and controls the entire production cycle in our factory, so we are 100% made in Italy.

In addition to our 10-year warranty, which is one of the longest on the market, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest levels of customer service and being able to satisfy any bespoke customisation of our products, such as colour, size or additional features.

How would you summarise Lemi’s design philosophy?

When we design our products, we try to maximise the flexibility of the equipment and to make it as multi-purpose as possible, to help spas increase their treatment room occupancy regardless of the type of protocols being performed. At the design stage, we aim for multifunctionality to create unique, innovative experiences, and we always keep in mind not only the comfort of the spa guest but also the wellbeing of the therapist who will perform the treatments.

What role does technology play in your product development?

Our R&D department is always working on new technologies. In 2016, we were the first to add a

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multisensorial dimension to the classic massage table by incorporating technologies that not only increase comfort but also affect the full range of senses, in particular smell and hearing, to give the spa guest a more complete and satisfying 360° treatment experience.

Tell us about your latest new treatment bed launch In the last few years we have been studying better ways to meet the demands of our clients and this research gave rise to the Portofino and Portofino Evo beds. Comfort and ease of use are combined with exceptional workspace optimisation. Our two new beds are the lowest multifunctional tables on the market, with a height of 49cm possible on the standard version. This makes it easier for clients to mount and dismount, and enables therapists to perform a wide range of massages and relaxation-focused treatments.

What emerging wellness trends are you seeing in spas?

Spas are becoming more and more oriented towards customised treatments and creating new and unique experiences for their guests. Away from traditional massages, we’re seeing an increase in treatment experiences that involve all of the guest’s senses, which deepen and lengthen their feeling of relaxation and wellbeing.

www.lemi.it

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Style Design, form & function

 Kettal

Pavilion H The new range of pavilions from Kettal enable spas to create open, free-flowing spaces through the use of elements including transparency, luminosity and structural lightness.

Pavilion H’s streamlined aluminium structure allows it to be integrated easily in a range of environments for different uses. A number of options are available for the ceiling, including waterproof; venetian; electric bioclimatic; wooden and polycarbonate.

Each pavilion space can be individually configured with a choice of more than 30 aluminium colours and over 50 fabric options offered in Kettal’s Terrain Fabrics and Parallels collections.

The pavilion can be further customised with sliding panels in fabric, wood or aluminium, while fixed panels can also be supplied with additions including shelves, aluminium or wooden adjustable blinds, stone or glass side panels and curtains.

Various models of spotlights can be supplied, as well as a power socket, TV stand and floor.

www.kettal.com

Crown Sports Lockers q

Illuminate range In what is believed to be the first application of its kind, changing room specialist Crown Sports Lockers have introduced ‘shine-through’ mood lighting for locker interiors.

The Illuminate range features LED strip lighting fitted within the locker body, which can be programmed from a mobile device to display an entire spectrum of colour.

Semi-translucent locker doors made in a Corian-like material then transmit diffuse shades into the changing area to create a unique and relaxing ambience.

www.crownsportslockers.co.uk

Curiousa & Curiousa p

Lighting Range British glass lighting design leader Curiousa & Curiousa has unveiled a new collection of IP45-rated bathroom lighting.

Offering a colourful range of options, from opulent tassel wall lights to multi-drop chandeliers, the new range can be installed in areas with tight building restrictions, such as above a bath or even near to a shower.

Each light is suitable for use in commercial wet areas thanks to a glass-threaded cover that screws over the G9 bulb fitting to seal it, while the company also seals inside the cord grips for added protection.

The versatile range includes a large selection of pendant lights and sculptural stacks, and every piece is hand-blown in the UK and available in a choice of 23 colours as well as flexes, fixtures and fittings.

www.curiousa.co.uk

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

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

www.europeanspamagazine.com

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Wellness

HEALING THERAPIES

NUTRITION

MINDFULNESS

MOVEMENT

RETREATS

EDITED BY SARAH TODD

Editor’s choice

Longevity Wellness Worldwide set for summer opening Flagship s25 million medispa will offer a wide selection of impactful wellbeing programmes in the western Algarve

PORTUGAL: Longevity Wellness Worldwide is to open its new €25 million (£22.47 million) luxury wellness property in the western Algarve in June 2019.

Designed by two Portuguese architects – lead designer Vitor Vilhena and interior designer Mónica Amorim – the Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel Alvor will focus on five ‘pillars’ of wellbeing: prevention, personalisation, holistic, integration and regeneration.

The hotel will feature 70 bedrooms and suites, while the 2,000sqm spa and medispa will combine modern integrative and regenerative medicine with preventative diagnostics and therapies.

Covering two floors, the spa will provide a selection of impactful wellbeing programmes, from light schedules, suitable for beginners and focused on relaxation, through to more intensive, specialised curricula that centre on health optimisation and advanced detoxification.

There will also be hyberbaric treatments for tissue oxygenation, as well as health regeneration therapies and sleep optimisation programmes.

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Nazir Sacoor, CEO of Longevity Wellness Worldwide explained: “Longevity’s DNA is wellness. Our multi-disciplinary team, integrated approach, our focus on each individual’s needs and goals, the integrity and pureness of our products, amenities and supplements all combine to create our groundbreaking health and wellness solutions.”

The treatment menu will use 100% natural products, and there will be a dedicated hammam treatment room, an indoor pool, a heated dynamic indoor pool and a rooftop infinity pool, all supplied by

“Our flagship property will be a world-class product with 360° solutions to meet every guest’s need.”

Nazir Sacoor CEO, Longevity Wellness Worldwide

wellness consultancy Aspa International.

Sacoor continued: “Over the years, Longevity has learned that there is a wide range of guests’ issues and needs when they are looking for a health and wellness holiday. From younger to older clients, from those who lead healthier lifestyles to those who struggle to maintain a wellness way of life, their needs are quite varied and evolve over time.”

Focused on providing unique experiences, the flagship property will further enhance and extend Longevity’s portfolio.

Sacoor added: “Health and vitality are your most precious wealth assets and will be our main focus at this new resort. Our flagship property will be a world-class product with 360° solutions to meet every guest’s need.

“Longevity’s modern, integrative and regenerative medicinal holistic approach is our response to optimise our guest’s health, prevent diseases and enjoy a better, happier and longer life.” www.longevitywellnessworldwide.com | www.a-spa.com

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Wellness Global trends & developments

Hurawalhi Spa launches ocean-based therapies

MALDIVES: Following the successful launch of its underwater yoga experience in 2018, Hurawalhi Island Resort in the Maldives has debuted a new ‘ocean healing’ programme.

Intended to lift the spirits and calm the soul, the ‘At One with the Ocean’ curriculum encompasses a series of therapeutic ocean-based treatments and experiences, including sound baths on the beach, mindful practices, wave meditation with Ujjayi breathing, a Balinese massage at the Duniye Spa, and underwater yoga in the resort’s all-glass undersea restaurant.

Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most bio-diverse areas, Hurawalhi’s new programme has been designed to help guests to connect more deeply with themselves by promoting calmness, harmony and open-mindedness, and carries elements and themes of the ocean throughout. www.hurawalhi.com

Immerse yourself in balneotherapy With a range of scientific studies having shown that regular immersion in hot water can help with numerous physical and mental health conditions, it is clear there is far more to bathing than simply just cleansing the body.

In her 2018 book, Bathe, respected wellness journalist Suzanne Duckett explores the various benefits and meditative rituals of bathing, with input from co-writer Georgina Rodgers.

European Spa asked Suzanne to outline three of the more interesting concepts, which spa operators may consider incorporating into their treatment menus.

Suzanne Duckett

POWER BATHING “Since ancient times, bathing in water has been equated with physical and mental health and a Power Bath distills the essence of balneotherapy in a unique way.

“Spas can tailor them to each individual guest by using ingredients to target specific ailments, such as muscle pain, as well as incorporating aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music.

“Nutrient-rich salts, muds and oils are easy to use, affordable and safe for almost everyone and deliver multiple benefits for the bather.”

BATHTIME YOGA “Adding yoga to a bathing routine can enhance the benefits of a bath as the warmth of the water helps the bather to unwind in a deeper way.

“Neck rolls can help alleviate stiffness, while shoulder rolls will release the tension in the upper back and shoulders. A simple seated twist is a great way to gently realign the body, while a seated forward bend will completely stretch the back muscles and hamstrings.”

Bathe is now available in hardback from www.blinkpublishing.co.uk

JAPANESE BATHING RITUALS “This works particularly well in a spa suite, free from clutter, where you can ensure a calm tone is set with dim lights or candles. The bathtub can be pre-filled with hot water up to 38°C. Cooler water should be used if it is hot outside.

“Guests can then cleanse, immerse and soak for at least 20 minutes before enjoying yuagari ‘the moment after the bath’, and enjoying further time in the spa.”

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Wellness Global trends & developments

Rudding Park encourages guests to aim for the stars UK: Rudding Park has introduced two new Starbathing and Stargazing experiences at its luxury Harrogate spa, to encourage guests to reconnect with nature.

The Roof Top Starlight Spa Experience includes access to the spa’s indoor swimming pool, juniper log sauna and rooftop spa and garden, where guests can relax and bathe under the stars in an outdoor spa bath or hydrotherapy pool. There is also the option of adding a 50-minute bespoke spa treatment.

On clear evenings, the spa’s new telescope offers wide-field views of the night sky. Guests can also download a Sky Map app to access a fully-featured planetarium on their phone.

A Stargazing Experience is also offered, which includes an overnight stay, spa access, dinner and a 30-minute introduction to stargazing with astronomer Richard Darn, who helped to establish Europe’s biggest international dark sky park, and who will guide guests around the night sky. www.ruddingpark.co.uk

Well Intelligence is set to inform the industry GLOBAL: A new market intelligence company has launched with the aim of “cutting through the noise” of the ever-expanding wellness industry, according to its CEO Anni Hood.

With a focus on travel, hospitality and workplace wellbeing, Well Intelligence will Anni Hood offer insights via a subscription based weekly bulletin, a global annual research report and regular training workshops.

A free weekly Well Intelligence email will also offer subscribers further information and analysis of topical wellness trends.

Explaining the company’s vision, Hood told European Spa: “Organisations tell us how difficult it is to grasp what they see as an ambiguous proposition, especially when it comes to interpreting the trends and opportunities around wellness.

“We will work with our clients to cut through the noise and simplify the options available to them, saving time, narrowing their focus and supplying the detail and the evidence managers and directors need to make informed decisions.”

Well Intelligence co-founder and chief executive Hood, one of the UK’s leading proponents in wellbeing, is joined by prominent marketing strategist Steve Dunne as chairman of the company. www.wellintelligence.com

www.europeanspamagazine.com

Six Senses Samui will reward ‘Helping Hands’

THAILAND: Six Senses Samui resort and spa has launched a new ‘Helping Hands’ programme.

Ideal for those looking for a more immersive and purposeful holiday experience, any guest staying for four nights or more at the resort until June 30, 2019 can join Six Senses’ green initiative at Farm on the Hill.

The multi-day experience will include a tour of the farm before guests get to work with the resort’s team making signature lemongrass straws and cleaning Plai Laem Temple.

At the end, guests will be treated to a 60-minute massage and manicure session at the Six Senses Spa and, as an added incentive, Six Senses will pledge each participant’s last night’s accommodation fee to a fund that supports the children’s ward at Koh Samui Hospital.

Located on a headland with Gulf of Thailand vistas, Six Senses Samui is inspired by a Thai fishing village.

Its 66 villas, most with private pools, are located on 20 acres of natural vegetation. www.sixsenses.com

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Wellness Global trends & developments

Wellness master

Optimising nutrition

Workplace wellbeing from The Spa at Bedford Lodge UK: A new wellbeing in the workplace initiative run by The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel aims to emphasise the importance of good physical and mental health with expert therapists hosting a series of ‘pop-up’ spas at local businesses in the Newmarket area of Suffolk.

The visiting therapists will provide a choice of mini treatments designed for workers across all industries to help improve staff productivity and change the perception of spa treatments from a luxury to more of a necessity.

Treatments will include Indian Head Massages, a

Hand and Arm Massage, and Mini-Foot treatments for those who mostly work standing up.

Speaking at the launch, spa manager Rebecca Randall said: “We’re excited to be taking our expertise out of the spa and into the workplace in our local community.

“We are all guilty of occasionally putting our work as the top priority in our lives, so we feel it is important that we are reminding busy workers to put their health and wellbeing first.” www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk

Atzaró aims to rid Ibiza of single-use plastics

A pioneer in the research and discovery of alternative approaches to nutrition, Patrick Holford has spent more than three decades studying health and how people can reclaim it.

He founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 1984 and has spearheaded research ever since to help define what it means to be optimally nourished.

The author of 37 books available in 30 languages, Holford is also founder of the Food for the Brain Foundation and an honorary fellow of the British Association of Nutritional Therapy.

We asked him how spas can better integrate nutrition into their health and wellbeing offering.

What is your approach to nutrition?

When I set up the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 1984, we were interested in defining the kind of nutrition that optimises performance – mental, physical, weight control and longevity. We helped to define what wellness actually means – not just freedom from disease but waking up feeling energised with a good mood and a sharp mind.

Why should spas offer personalised nutrition advice?

The time is coming when spa guests will require not just ‘external’ treatments but also guidance on how to live and what to eat to stay well. We have now trained over 5,000 nutritional therapists to specialise in this. The more progressive spas have both beauty therapists and nutritional therapists.

How can spas promote optimal nutrition?

Switching between a high fat, low carb diet, and a low Glycaemic Load diet are of most benefit. Both are low carb, or slow carb, approaches and can be adapted to promote health and weight loss without hunger.

SPAIN: The Ibizan-based Atzaró Group is collaborating with Oceanic Global to help the island go single-use-plastic-free by 2023.

As a pioneer of the ‘agroturismo’ concept, with its luxury hotel and spa located in a centuries-old working orange farm, Atzaró has a longstanding commitment to supporting environmental issues.

Sustainable practices include using a natural well and large water butts, as well as everything on its menu either being grown on the estate or locally sourced, within 1km of the hotel.

Atzaró’s new partnership with non-profit

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organisation Oceanic Global will provide all business owners on Ibiza with guidance on how to go plastic-free, with a view to banning all single-use plastics.

Victor Guasch, Atzaró Group CEO and founder, said: “We are rooted in nature and, being on a small island, we know sustainability, as it has been our way of life for generations. We believe in encouraging responsible tourism for a cleaner, preserved and more sustainable Ibiza.” www.atzaro.com

What should spa operators look out for in future?

Two big areas are gene and microbiome tests to help identify a person’s perfect nutritional plan. Also very important are the ‘foodscan’ tests that identify which foods a person is intolerant to. This provides a very practical solution for providing an individual with their optimum nutrition. The whole area of personalising nutrition and food offerings does require some on-hand expertise – in the same way that not everyone needs the same beauty treatment, we all have different nutritional requirements. That’s why I am sure the spa of the future will integrate the talents of a nutritional therapist.

Patrick Holford’s The Hybrid Diet, co-written by Jerome Burne, is out in March.

Visit www.hybriddiet.co.uk www.patrickholford.com

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Wellness Global trends & developments

Lanserhof debuts new sleep programme GERMANY: Renowned medical spa Lanserhof Tegernsee has unveiled a new programme that combines high-tech equipment with naturopathic insights to help optimise the sleep quality of its guests.

The LANS Better Sleep Programme 2.0 has been scientifically designed by Lanserhof’s medical team to offer a ‘dynamic, multi-dimensional approach’ and encompasses three core components.

The programme begins by using a number of scientific, diagnostic methods to identify disruptive factors and screen for any underlying medical triggers of poor sleep. Targeted therapy is then employed, including ‘white noise’ reduction and self-awareness and respiratory muscle training with a Lanserhof physiotherapist.

Other elements of the programme include smart sleepwear, night-time biological aromatherapy by Nacht, blue glasses to help filter out harmful types of light in the blue-light spectrum, temperature-regulating FreshBeds and Electrosmog Release, with a kill-switch button to block out all WiFi. Dr Jan Stritzke, deputy medical director at Lanserhof Tegernsee, said: “The reasons for bad sleep are individual.

We get to the bottom of the triggers and provide our guests with a multi-faceted therapeutic approach, in which they lay the foundation for a healthier and more balanced life.” www.lanserhof.com

BC Softwear and Ocean Sole launch ‘Flip, Don’t Flop’ campaign

Pioneers glowing with the flow

UK: BC Softwear has teamed up with the Ocean Sole movement to launch a new recycling initiative and raise awareness of marine plastic pollution.

BC Softwear sold one million pairs of rubber flip-flops and two million pairs of slippers in the UK in 2018 alone, and the new ‘Flip, Don’t Flop’ scheme will see flip-flops and disposable slippers collected from the UK and sent back to Kenya to provide full-time employment to more than 90 low-income Kenyans.

Ocean Sole was founded by Julie Church in 1999. Inspired by toys children were making out of the flip-flops washing up on the beaches, Church encouraged their mothers to collect, wash and cut the discarded footwear into colourful art and functional items.

Spas and hotels can help by signing up to the initiative and emailing enquiries@bcsoftwear.co.uk or follow #flipdontflop on social media. www.oceansole.co.uk | www.bcsoftwear.co.uk

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GLOBAL: Two wellness pioneers have joined forces to create a unique, exclusive offering for destination spas and wellness retreats.

‘Glowing Flow’ by multi award-winning spa director Patrizia Bortolin and bodywork expert Stefano Battaglia, will combine a range of experiences including mindfulness, trauma healing and self-discovery, to focus on ‘the pursuit of happiness and inner peace’.

Each retreat guest will be taken on a guided, personal journey, including psycho-aromatherapy and Yoga Nidra with Bortolin and a one-to-one holistic therapy session with Battaglia, whose unique body therapy technique helps to release long-held emotions and eases trauma.

Bortolin said: “Glowing Flow is the essence of our experience which enables guests to change frequency, to experience concrete and original healing and gain a sense of joyful living. The sessions with Stefano open the door to the beautiful sessions of self-discovery that I lead, which empower the rest of the retreat.”

To find out more, email glowingflow2019@gmail.com

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Main image, bottom left and right: Center Parcs Woburn Bottom centre, Brimstone Spa, Langdale

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE CONCEPTS SEAMLESS DEVELOPMENTS FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

HLC offers expert advice to all those embarking on any exciting and cuttingedge project in the field of hospitality & leisure, including: spa and wellness facilities; hotel and resort accommodation; food and beverage outlets; retail experiences; indoor and outdoor leisure; infrastructure and landscaping designs.

“We take your aspirations and turn them into reality, across the whole spectrum of hospitality, spa, wellness and leisure developments.�

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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: [comfort zone] 17, 54, 84 Adam D. Tihany 62 Anapos 19 Ariadne Athens 38 Aromatherapy Associates 23, 61, 62, 66 Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine 62, 64 Babor 74 Barr + Wray 45 Bastien Gonzalez 62, 66 bbspa&partners 21 BC Softwear 93, 94 Beauty Despite Cancer 85 Beauty Düsseldorf 18, 28 Berry & Birch 19 Biologique Recherche 39, 38, 79, 84 Book4Time 67 Butterscotch Design 22 CatchOn 26 Caudalie 8, 50, 72 Champneys College 26 Charme D’Orient 38 Christine Clinton Cancer Care 86 Cinq Mondes 52 Clarins 72 CND 6, 72 Commercial Spa Strategies 90 Conceptasia 26 Concrete 23 Core Fitness 19 Cosmoprof 24, 25, 28 Crown Sports Lockers 103 Curiosa & Curiosa 103 Davines Group 24 Deca Architecture 33 Decléor 22, 78 Dermalogica 70, 78 Dulkamara 22 Ebenholz 23 Effegibi at CP Hart 98 Elemental Herbology 51, 58, 78 Elemis 2, 20, 46, 73, 92, OBC Ellisons 26, 27, 94 Éminence Organic Skin Care 56 Erborian 20

Erdmann Saunen 24 ESPA 19, 23, 71, 84 Ethnokat 38 Forum HOTel & Spa 28 Fresh Line 38 Gaia Skincare 48 Gantner 94 Germaine de Capuccini 12 Gerrard International 73, 74, 79 Gharieni 21, 22, 23, 37, 38 Global Wellness Institute 42, 84 Global Wellness Summit 26, 104 Greenways Landscape Architecture 33 Greyline 90 Grow 73 Haekels 26 Harvia 38 Healing Summit 28 Hech 74 HL Concepts 112 Hollie Grant 62 Hutchinson Consulting 24 Ian Schrager Company 23 ila spa 58 Interior Design Association 19 Inviion by Schletterer Consult 64 IONTO-COMED 22 ishga 50 ISUN Alive & Ageless Skincare 26 Jennifer Young Training School 82, 85 Jessica 74, 75 Kahles Texiles 97 Kerstin Florian 56 Kettal 103 KLAFS 38, 66, 68, 98 kokolokahi 76 Kyrpoglou 38 L’Occitane 20 L’Occitane au Brésil 20 L’Occitane en Provence 20 La Biostétique 23 La Sultane de Saba 92 Lashus 76 LED by Megaman 97

Lemi 65, 66, 102 Life Fitness 23, 94 LIFEXCELLENCE 24 LimeLife by Alcone 20 Linda Meredith 61, 66 Living Earth Crafts 19, 64, 91, 94 Made for Life Foundation 22, 48, 83, 109 Majestic 101 Mason Gillibrand 19 Massada 22 Melvita 20 Mii Cosmetics 15, 79 Morgan Taylor 22 Moss of the Isles 26, 76 Murad 20, 76 Narrowboats Limited 26 Natalia Efraimoglou & Partners 33 Natura Bissé 4, 22, 82 Natural Spa Factory 46 Nescens 61, 66 Nilo 22, 59 NPD UK Beauty 46 Oakworks 26, 98, IBC Omorovicza 23 Openbook 22 OPI 77 Pabinger Tischlerei 97 Pevonia 22 Philip Kingsley 62 PINO 23 Polistudio 21 Pools by Design 22 Porcelanosa 100 Premier Core 19 Premier Software 111 QMS 76 R1 Sportsclub 23 REM UK 96, 100 REN Skincare 46 Reverence de Bastien 66 Ricardo Fisas Foundation 82 Rigo Spa 66, 94 RKF Luxury Linen 66 RUHA 97

Sally Beauty 95 Schupp 24 Skin Regimen 57 Sodashi 61, 66 Spa Business Education 21 Spa Business School 24, 87 Spa Life International (Germany) 28 Spa Life International (Ireland) 28 Spa Vision 20 Sparcstudio 11 SPATEC Europe 21, 28, 29 Speck 38 Stages Indoor Cycling 21 Starpool Nuvola 99 Steiner Leisure 20 Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy 21 Sweet Squared 76 Tavelis Spa Concept 34 Team Dr Joseph 23 Technogym 22, 23, 24, 64 Temple Spa 22, 78 Thalgo 24, 40, 73 The Good Lab 81 The Organic Pharmacy 52, 55 The Refinery 23 The Wellness Collective 28, 30, 31 Thomas Armstrong (Holdings) Ltd 88 tpot (The Power of Touch) 87 Treese 100 Unique Pool 19 Unwin Jones Partnership 88 Vinci Construction Grands Projets 61 VOYA 46, 53, 76 W2Manufaktur 97 WaveStone 26 Wellness for Cancer 82, 84 Wonderbag 28 World Spa & Wellness Convention 28 YeloExpress 80 YeloSpa 80 Zynk 20

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

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In conversation with

SHEILA McCANN The general manager of both Grayshott Health Spa, Surrey, and Lanserhof at The Arts Club, London, discusses the growing influence of medical wellness “I was interested in health and wellness from a really early age.”

On a trip home to visit my parents last year I found a school project my mom had kept from when I was eight or nine. In the box were recipes for home-made skincare, face masks and shampoos. I’d also drawn little figures that were doing stretches and poses. It’s clear my interest goes back a long way. Jokingly, I often say I didn’t choose this profession, it chose me.

“Starting my career as an aesthetician provided me with an important foundation.”

While in Toronto, I worked for a lovely woman, Lily Alexander, who ran a day spa. It was a bit like a Swiss finishing school with the way she looked after her team. She taught me to see beyond people’s surface behaviours and try to anticipate what they are really looking for, or what they really need. She also had a very multi-cultural team, which ensured we learned to appreciate one another for our similarities and our differences.

It stood me in good stead because I also picked up the travel bug from her. I spent a long time working in Buddhist countries, trying to understand people, looking at relationships. I learned that each new relationship is the beginning of a long-term one, which, in turn, informs your perspective and how you approach things in people.

“When it comes to being successful in business, a lot of it is to do with attitude.”

“Grayshott was very formative for me as I was a spa manager there for seven years in the 1990s.”

It’s about having the gumption to go for something, even if sometimes it may not seem like the obvious choice or path. If you are inspired by what you do, then it’s about keeping that inspiration fresh because there will be days when it does get tough, and any service industry is going to be like that. So, it’s having the inspiration to know you can make it, not giving up, and knowing that hard work always pays off.

We had doctors back then, and although things were done slightly differently, they’ve always been a part of Grayshott. But with a 50-year history, it needs to remain relevant and move forward into the more modern world.

Lanserhof is the cutting-edge brand worldwide in health and wellness. It has a strong brand identity, and with market-leader status come high expectations. So, the two properties are very distinct, which is what makes it such an exciting project.

“One of my current challenges is to gain medical licensing for Grayshott and the members’ club.”

That would be quite unique. It means we would have a much more integrated environment when it comes to including the work of doctors – certainly more so than at a regular health, wellness and spa facility.

It’s quite a different proposition when you move into that territory, in terms of organisational culture, the people you deal with and the amount of documentation and administration. My role, ultimately, is to ensure they both work, that they run well, and crucially that they remain relevant in the marketplace.

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Sheila McCann’s 35-year career has seen her take charge of the spa portfolio of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, as well as Chiva Som in Thailand. She was named ‘Leading Woman in Wellness’ at the 2018 Global Wellness Summit

“It was inevitable that spa and wellness and medicine would meet somewhere in the middle.”

There is a realisation on the spa and wellness side that having the back-up that comes with having a doctor around is fantastic. On the medical side, there is an acceptance that lifestyle intervention and preventative approaches can have a significant impact on health.

This is becoming increasingly validated in science and just being at the forefront of that space is really fascinating for me. www.grayshottspa.com | www.lanserhof.com/london | www.theartsclub.co.uk

Sheila McCann was speaking to Ian Parkes

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