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A wellness club opens on London’s River Thames this month, offering luxury facilities and personalised wellness protocols focused on recovery and longevity.
Sæl Spa at Fulham Pier will span four floors and feature a 15m rooftop infinity pool, infrared-equipped movement studio and wet spa with sauna, steam and contrast therapy. A recovery lounge will offer red light therapy, PEMF, IV infusions and vibro-acoustic beds.
Inge Theron, founder of FaceGym and spa design studio ITANDA, consulted on the longevity concept and wellness programming and describes Sæl Spa is the 'future of British wellness'.
Mark Mikhail will lead diagnostics via the spa's medical partner, 3 Peaks Health.

Brinkerhoff reveals Austin as location

Michaela Hurst, head of Sæl Spa, says the new facility has been 'designed around how people want to live today'.
Individual memberships will start at £3,000 a year and can be customised according to personal goals.
>>> http://lei.sr/6n4j2_B



Sæl Spa has been designed around how people live today
Michaela Hurst

Aman’s global ambassador, wellness advisor and tennis star Novak Djokovic has worked with the brand to create a mobility and recovery programme.
The new retreat marks the second phase of Aman’s Longevity Pathways – an initiative to bring together elite training, mindful rituals and restorative techniques.
The launch of this programme follows the three-night retreat the tennis star curated last year, which focused on detoxification.
Djokovic said: “It's been a true pleasure to develop programmes and retreats that not only enhance participants’ immediate sense of wellbeing, but also reflect our shared commitment to longevity.

Adventure has become a catalyst for healing, an invitation to push beyond our comfort zone
Laura Montesanti

My rituals arm participants with the tools they need to sustain lasting vitality
Novak Djokovic
"Recovery goes beyond physical rest and in this programme, we work through my rituals to arm participants with the tools they need to sustain lasting vitality.”
The new three-night experience will be available at five destinations: Amanpuri and Aman Nai Lert Bangkok in Thailand, Amanoi in Vietnam, Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos and Amanzoe in Greece.
The programme includes a consultation, movement sessions, hydrotherapy, spa treatments, on-court tennis training and stretching workshops.
Djokovic became global wellness advisor for Aman in 2024 as he builds his life after competition.
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/F5Y8e_B
Laura Montesanti introduces the theme for Synergy – The Retreat
The international trade show dedicated to wellness travel and the retreat sector, Synergy – The Retreat Show, has unveiled the theme for its 2026 edition: The Healing Power of Nature.
The three-day event – taking place in Istria, Croatia between 29 September and 2 October – will demonstrate how retreat leaders are designing programmes to reflect a shift in the industry towards nature as the foundation for wellness experiences, rather than structured, outcome-driven ones.
The event will showcase retreat experiences that combine the biological and psychological benefits of being in nature with human connection – including horseriding, open-air breathwork and journeys in remote destinations.
Laura Montesanti, founder and managing director of Synergy, believes consumer demand for adventure is a key driver in the shift towards these experiences, saying: “Adventure and ‘freedom retreats’ are surging.”
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/3M9g2_B

Nostos provides a grounded, and deeply imaginative framework for exploring life’s biggest questions
Social sauna benefits
Loneliness may be tackled by regular sauna rituals that create community and a sense of belonging
Submersive
Meow Wolf co-founder Corvas Brinkerhoff, will open an immersive art bathhouse next year in Texas, US
African wellness roots
Kent Richards highlights the Africa Wellness Initiative's recent webinar on the region's contribution to the longevity market
Shenandoah soul
A new 640-acre nature resort in the US will debut in 2028 with spirtually expansive programming
Aformer neuroscientist and psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore, Sharon Blackie, will lead a retreat called Nostos at Broughton Sanctuary’s Avalon Wellbeing Centre in the Yorkshire Dales, UK. Taking place between 15-20 November, guests will explore how to live well in today’s world, using a framework for spirituality that's rooted in ancient Greek philosophy.
The word Nostos is derived from the ancient Greek concept of “homecoming,” historically linked to Odysseus’ return to Ithaca in The Odyssey. Blackie will be joined by contributors during the five-day experience, who are part of the Nostos Institute – a philosophy-led community committed to cultivating a deeper understanding of meaning, belonging and connection based on the oldest spiritual traditions of the West. Contributors will be Mark Vernon, Tom Bree and Vanessa Chamberlin.
Sharon Blackie MORE >>> http://lei.sr/N8m9z_B
Èliva goes live
Salter Brothers Hospitality launches a new day spa concept in Australia ahead of rollout
Supplier news
The latest in products and innovation from Omnisens, Ishga, NADairX, Effe and G.M. Collin
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A series of studies about the mental and physical benefits of sauna bathing has found evidence that the emotional synchrony and rituals such as aufguss improve wellbeing and feelings of belonging. In the face of rising levels of loneliness and a range of associated health challenges, UK researchers have published the results of three separate studies to understand how feelings of connection grow via sauna bathing. Two of the studies tested the idea that sauna bathing could have a possible social cure effect. Weekly sauna use was significantly
associated with a stronger sense of belonging compared to rare visits. Higher levels of identity fusion predicted higher positive affect scores after using the sauna and those who were more 'fused' experienced the best outcomes.
The researchers believe this is because more 'fused' participants were more susceptible to emotional synchrony and mystical experiences.
Other results showed monthly and weekly sauna visits predicted improved mental health (compared to rare visits), only weekly visits predicted improved physical health.
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/2E9s2_B

St Lucia marks a pivotal expansion for TheLifeCo as we enter the Caribbean market
Ersin
Pamuksuzer, founder, TheLifeCo
TheLifeCo has debuted its first Caribbean operation, TheLifeCo St Lucia, at the US$1.3 billion (€1.2 billion, £1 billion), multiphase Atlas Group-backed A’ila Resorts development.
There will be two other resorts developed, The Palm and The Cove, plus 500 residences, 20 restaurants, retail, a medical and commercial district.
The entire 100,000sq ft development, in the island’s Rodney Bay area, is designed to be a Longevity Village.

Social prescribing of sauna bathing warrants further investigation as the UK’s sauna community continues to grow

The 100-key TheLifeCo St Lucia is the largest site the brand has operated so far, compared to its existing properties in Turkey, Egypt and Thailand. The resort has a physician-led clinic, offering integrative medicine and a spa.
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/2E9s2_B
US-based robotics wellness company
Aescape Inc has entered insolvency proceedings following the sale of substantially all of its assets.
A notice issued by Insolvency Services Group confirms the company executed a General Assignment for the benefit of creditors on 3 April 2026, following defaults on a loan originally held by Silicon Valley Bank.
A foreclosure sale in January 2026 saw a new company, Aescape Recovery Inc, acquire the assets for US$16.6m.
Submersive, an immersive art bathhouse concept by Corvas Brinkerhoff, co-founder of experiential art company Meow Wolf, will open in the Bouldin Creek neighbourhood in Austin, Texas, US.
The bathhouse, which will open in Q3 of 2027, will combine ancient hydrotherapy traditions with art installations, with the help of international artists. The space will use the latest technology and neuroscienceinformed sensory design to create transformative experiences.
The flagship 20,000sq ft indooroutdoor property’s steam, mist,

Aescape Inc owed around US$4.55m in secured debt and US$152.6m in unsecured liabilities. Aescape Recovery Inc continues to trade.


saunas, hot baths and cold plunges will merge with the artistic environments. There will be 12 distinct "therapeutic" artistic spaces for guests to move through.























African wellness is rooted in a world view where wellbeing is collective, ancestral
Planning a wellness escape? How about Ethiopia, Zimbabwe or Botswana? These destinations are not yet as popular as France or Thailand, but demand for transformative travel is starting to help Africa to move to centre stage.
International tourists want to make a positive impact when travelling, and this is boosting the African market beyond the known attractions of its wildlife, diamond mining industry and safaris.

facilitator,
I was born in Kitwe, Zambia, and raised in South Africa and after a lifetime working in more than 20 countries in areas dedicated to the world of wellness, I’m being drawn back to my roots.
I wanted to support the African Wellness Initiative (AWI) which was created by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) and was sure African wellness professionals would want to learn everything I knew. They didn’t.
I quickly learned that the 54 countries that make up Africa – the cradle of mankind – were practising wellness long before the rest of the world claimed the term. The more meetings and webinars I attended, the more foolish I felt, realising Africa does not need to learn from the world; we need to learn from Africa. What happens globally may be interesting, but practitioners continue to learn from their own ancestors.
Since it was first established in 2017, the AWI has made great progress. More than 700 participants registered to attend the first online
■ The high-end o ering at Bisate Sanctuary Rwanda demonstrates how African wellness is maturing

Africa Wellness Summit in 2025. This year, on 25 May - in honour of Africa Day - the AWI is hosting a webinar exploring the region’s emerging role in shaping the future of global longevity.
African retreat specialist Michelle Saudan, describes African wellness best when she explains the Zulu greeting ‘Sawubona’: “The term is similar to ‘Namaste’ and highlights the importance of our ancestors,” she says. “The meaning, ‘We see you,’ reminds us that when you meet an individual, you are also meeting the lineage they represent.
“Everything relates to social connection, which supports how we deal with mental health, stress and overall health. When you heal in a community, the support received is critical to our overall wellness. Music and dance heighten this social connection, breaking down barriers amongst individuals and creating a sense of belonging.”
African wellness is rooted in a worldview where wellbeing is collective, ancestral and deeply relational.
The 54 countries that make up Africa were practising wellness long before the rest of the world
At the core of African wellness traditions sit a number of guiding beliefs:
■ Wellness is collective. Individual health is inseparable from community wellbeing
■ Culture is the highest authority; it shapes all wellness and healing rituals
■ Family care is intergenerational, the last-born traditionally tends to the parents’ wellbeing
■ Healing is innate, everything needed for wellness already exists within us
■ Self-healing comes first, inner balance precedes healing the world
■ Family is the first teacher. Wisdom and values are learned at home
■ Harmony between self, community, ancestors and nature is required So ‘Sawubona’ to all and let us learn from the success of Africa. ●
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■ There will be an indooroutdoor pool and 20 treatment rooms at the spa
The Shenandoah Nature Resort reveals details of facilities designed to provide spiritually expansive programming to guests
Construction has begun on a new wellness destination in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, US, called The Shenandoah Nature Resort, which is due to open in January 2028.
The US$200 million (€171 million, £148 million) property has been designed to reimagine the traditional spa experience by blending ancient and modern wisdom in what is described as a “spiritually
expansive and scientifically grounded approach”. The guest programming will be based on four pillars: relax, release, connect and love.
The resort has been created to address what the founding partners see as a 'meta crisis' in the degradation of health, economic and environmental systems.
The resort’s mission is to provide transformational experiences
for people that serve humanity and the greater good.
Founder, Mike Marburg, told Spa Business: “The Shenandoah Nature Resort was envisioned as a place where exceptional hospitality and meaningful impact coexist.”
Design partners for the site include Olson Kundig Architects, Marlon Blackwell Architects, interior designer Clodagh and landscape architect Coen + Partners. The resort’s regenerative design has




been informed by a partnership with The Regenesis Group, whose leaders co-authored the original sustainability LEED standards.
The 640-acre property will have 120 rooms for accommodation with a spa and aquatics centre.
There will be an indooroutdoor pool and 20 treatment rooms. Fitness and yoga facilities will also be on offer.

The Shenandoah Nature Resort was envisioned as a place where exceptional hospitality and meaningful impact coexist
Mike Marburg, founder, The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Guests will have the option to take part in more than 40 daily group activities as well as access to a retail space and a flexible space to host holistic experiences for groups.
There will be a number of restaurants serving cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients.
Twenty rooms of accommodation will open in January 2027, a year early, to offer guests an opportunity to provide feedback ahead of the final offering that will debut in 2028. ●
Èliva is a strategic platform to enhance asset value, elevate guest experience, and drive long-term performance
Kate Greenwood, creative director for brand and design, SBH

Salter Brothers Hospitality (SBH) has unveiled a new day spa concept, Èliva, which will be rolled out in Australia this year

Salter Brothers Hospitality (SBH) has revealed a new spa brand, Èliva, which it plans to roll out across multiple luxury properties in Australia this year.
The concept is built around pillars of rest, recovery and invigoration. The approach to wellness involves restoring equilibrium through sensory-led environments, and restorative treatments enhanced with advanced technology.
Each location will feature a Herbal Ritual Bar for oil-blending workshops, thermal spaces, recovery lounges, as well as PEMF technology.
Wellness designer and consultant Jessica Kershaw worked on the concept.
Kate Greenwood, creative director for brand and design at SBH told Spa Business about the plan for expansion: “Designed as a scalable, premium brand, Èliva

This year, Èliva will unveil four new destinations across Australia, each shaped by the brand’s considered approach to wellness, design and experience
responds to growing demand for meaningful, experiencedriven wellbeing, seamlessly integrating across resort, retreat and urban hotel environments”.
Omorovicza partnership
Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza is a treatment partner for the Èliva brand. Greenwood said of this collaboration, “Omorovicza is rooted in Budapest’s historic thermal bathing culture, drawing on centuries of mineral-rich healing waters. This gives it an authenticity that aligns naturally with Èliva’s own focus on thermal experiences.”
Èliva Bowral
The first location, Èliva Bowral, has made its debut at SBH's Ardour Milton Park Bowral, in New South
Wales. Ardour Hotels and Estates is SBH’s newest luxury hospitality brand and the property’s existing day spa was renovated to create Èliva Bowral, which has five treatment rooms – three of which can accommodate couples’ therapies.
The spa at Èliva Bowral has a steamroom, sauna, mineral pool and a relaxation lounge. There's also a gym and Pilates studio.
The company has ambitious expansion plans, with new sites coming online in quick succession. Future Èliva locations opening this year in Australia include Èliva Coogee Beach at the InterContinental Coogee Beach and Èliva Blue Mountains at Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains. ●


























































































































































Suppliers tell Spa Business insider about their latest product, design and technology launches

Effe introduces sauna and hammam collection Baluar by Patricia Urquiola
Sauna specialist Effe (formerly Effegibi) has introduced its new sauna and hammam collection, Baluar, designed by architect and designer Patricia Urquiola. Urquiola is an international artist, and she has specialised in industrial product design, strategy consulting, art direction and architecture for hospitality, retail, residential and exhibitions. Baluar is a modular collection of saunas and hammams that have been envisioned to offer compact solutions that can be
■ The modular sauna and hammam system uses heat-treated lime wood cladding, available in either a dark or light tone
configured in multiple ways depending on available space.
The concept is inspired by an architectural element used in fortifications in medieval times, the bastion. Baluar offers a modern-day shelter that offers a sanctuary for bathers to recharge.
The system uses heat-treated lime wood cladding, available in either a dark or light tone, with narrow vertical grooving. The hammam interior finish features Conchiglia or Nocci mosaic. The lighting can be controlled to set the mood for an immersive experience.

■ Architect and designer Patricia Urquiola
Marco Borghetti, CEO of Effe, said: “Baluar sets a new standard on our journey. Our partnership with Patricia Urquiola and her team has opened up new avenues, allowing us to take on new construction challenges.”
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Elevate your offering with a high-impact wellness solution.
G.M. Collin has released a cream and a serum using an advanced vegan growth factor complex to improve skin health and quality, especially for dry, tired or mature skin.
The GF Repair Serum and GF Repair Cream both include a growth factor matrix with plant extracts

such as those from musk mallow, snow crocus bulb and an epidermal growth factor called Plant-EGF.
The brand’s Exometics G ingredient, includes exosomes derived from green microalgae and is described by the company as a blend of growth factors, collagen, proteins and lipids that “each target relevant functions for the skin.”
Myriam Sayer, vice president at G.M. Collin told Spa Business, "Exosomes and growth factors target the root causes of skin ageing. Combining both innovations allows us to develop the most performing solutions to enhance skin longevity."
The GF Repair Cream also includes the brand’s blend of ceramides,
Omnisens has revealed a range of elixirs and supplements called Pure, for a sensory and holistic approach to naturopathic-inspired skincare, in addition to three treatments.

The new collection uses natural formulas and highly concentrated botanical extracts in the brand’s “In and Out” approach, meaning products can be ingested as well as applied to the skin. This approach is designed to harmonise beauty, vitality and inner balance for integrative wellbeing experiences.
Joëlle Guillemot, Omnisens founder, told Spa Business: “As a psycho-sociologist and naturopath, I have observed a growing need for simplicity and

■ The GF Repair collection includes a serum and a cream
Skinmimics, to help hydrate and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. The formula also uses the brand's Juivinity, an antioxidant designed to shield against external stressors.
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■ The brand has developed three new facials
for rituals that reconnect skin, body and mind.
The new Pure range responds to this desire for authenticity, with minimalist formulas, natural ingredients and an In and Out approach.”
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NADairX is a new pulmonary delivery platform designed to provide the user with consistent exposure to NAD+.
A natural molecule found in every living cell, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) supports cellular energy production and promotes DNA repair.

The new device delivers 60 mg of inhalable NAD+ directly to the lungs, allowing rapid absorption into the bloodstream while bypassing digestive barriers that can limit oral supplementation. Each capsule contains a precisely measured dose of NAD+, supporting consistent and repeatable delivery.
NADairX was co-founded by Erin Lee, wellness entrepreneur and founder of the Touchless Wellness Association, and Iain De Havilland, longevity researcher and founder of its supporting platform, NADclinic. The platform offers a way to help democratise access to NAD+ therapies.

Erin Lee, co-founder and CEO of NADairX, said: “Our goal was to explore whether pulmonary delivery could offer a more accessible and scalable way for people to engage with NAD+ therapies.”
The initial rollout will focus on B2B partners.
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will include wellness centres http://lei.sr/5m3y2
Organic Hebridean seaweed skincare company Ishga has unveiled a multi-use facial and hair oil called Hydra+ Oil. The lightweight formula contains multiple weights of hyaluronic acid to deliver maximum moisture to skin and hair.

■ Leon Trayling
The brand’s signature antioxidantrich Hebridean seaweeds, fucus serratus and fucus vesiculosus, are incorporated into the product. These polyphenol ingredients are said to neutralise free radicals and protect against environmental stressors.
The product also includes frankincense and rose geranium essential oils, plus a base of borage and rapeseed oils.
Leon Trayling, co-founder, Ishga, told Spa Business: “The Ishga Hydra+ Oil is a natural continuation of our advanced Hydra+ range."
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■ The Hydra+ Oil fatty acids improve the condition of hair and skin
It’s time to design recovery with ROI in mind, says Sammy Gharieni
Dry flotation has long been valued for its ability to induce deep relaxation without immersion and today, a new generation of dry float technology is expanding the category beyond passive rest. While traditional systems rely on stillness and sensory withdrawal, Zestós DryFloat combines zero-gravity flotation with hydro-vibroacoustic stimulation and jet massage. The result is a bed that’s not only restorative, but also actively therapeutic.
At the core of the experience is Zestós’ vibroacoustic technology, where sound is not only heard, but felt. Sound waves are transmitted through water and into the body, supporting nervous system regulation, muscular release and stress reduction. Bluetooth pairing allows spas to curate or personalise sound journeys with ease and when

used alongside targeted hydro jet massage (separately rather than simultaneously), the system delivers a dynamic, fully touchless treatment that can be adapted for mental wellbeing, recovery or pain relief, without therapist intervention.
With creativity, the system can be integrated into existing menus and workflows, functioning as a standalone touchless experience, a preparatory or closing ritual, or a recovery enhancement alongside massage or Watsu-inspired approaches. Zestós is also suitable for guests with water-related anxieties or touch sensitivity, expanding accessibility without compromising depth of experience. The plug-and-play unit fits into a standard treatment room, requires minimal setup and can operate continuously throughout the day. Because guests remain clothed, the experience is time-efficient.
“True innovation in wellness is not about complexity, it’s about creating therapeutic depth that is accessible, adaptable and commercially viable”

The integration of technology drives ROI
For spas navigating the balance between experience and efficiency, wellness technologies such as Zestós DryFloat offer a practical way forward – supporting wellbeing outcomes alongside sustainable business performance. More: www.gharieni.com
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Keyword: Gharieni

Sound waves are transmitted through water and into the body
Connect with spa organisations from around the world. We welcome your entries – write to spateam@leisuremedia.com
Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness
Coalition (APSWC)
■ www.apswc.org
Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA)
■ www.amspa.org.my
Australian Hot and Mineral Springs Alliance
■ www.bathing.org
Bali Spa and Wellness Association
■ www.balispaandwellnessassociation.id
Bulgarian Union for Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA)
■ www.bubspa.org
Association of Spas of the Czech Republic
■ www.jedemedolazni.cz
Day Spa Association
■ https://dayspaassociation.com
Estonian Spa Association
■ www.estonianspas.eu
European Historic Thermal Towns Association
■ www.historicthermaltowns.eu
European Spas Association
■ www.europeanspas.eu
Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
■ www.fht.org.uk
Federterme
■ www.federterme.it
FEMTEC (the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy)
■ https://www.femteconline.org/m
French Spa Association (SPA-A)
■ https://spa-a.org/
German Spas Association
■ www.deutscher-heilbaederverband.de
Global Wellness Institute (GWI)
■ www.globalwellnessinstitute.org
GSN Planet
■ www.gsnplanet.org
Hot Springs Association
■ https://hotspringsassociation.com
Hungarian Baths Association
■ www.furdoszovetseg.hu/en
Hydrothermal Spa Forum
■ www.hydrothermal-spa-forum.net
Icelandic Spa Association
■ www.hlsi.is
International Sauna Association
■ www.saunainternational.net
International Spa Association (ISPA)
■ www.experienceispa.com
Irish Spa Association
■ www.irishspaassociation.ie
JSSA - Japan Sauna & Spa Association
■ https://sauna.or.jp/
Latin American Spa Association
■ www.spalatinoamerica.com
Leading Spas of Canada
■ www.leadingspasofcanada.com
National Guild of Spa Experts Russia
■ www.russiaspas.ru
Norwegian Sauna Association
■ www.norgesbadstulaug.no/home-english
Portuguese Spa Association (APSPT)
■ www.associacaoportuguesadespas.pt
Portuguese Thermal Spa Association
■ www.termasdeportugal.pt
Romanian Spa Organization
■ www.romanian-spas.ro
Salt Therapy Association
■ www.salttherapyassociation.org
Saudi Arabian Wellness Association
■ www.saudiwellness.org
Sauna from Finland
■ www.saunafromfinland.com
Serbian Spas & Resorts Association
■ www.ubas.org.rs
South African Spa Association
■ www.saspaassociation.co.za
Spanish National Spa Association
■ www.balnearios.org
Spa and Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA)
■ www.swaafrica.org
Spa & Wellness Association of Canada
■ www.spaandwellnessassociationofcanada.com
Spa Industry Association
■ www.dayspaassociation.com
The Sustainable Spa Association (SSA)
■ www.sustainablespas.org

Taiwan Spa Association
■ https://www.twspa.tw/
Thai Spa Association
■ www.thaispaassociation.com
The UK Spa Association
■ www.spa-uk.org
Touchless Wellness Association
■ www.touchlesswellnessassociation.com
Wellness Tourism Association
■ www.wellnesstourismassociation.org