Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best Spas in Sweden
CEO Anders Pertun. The new Selma Spa rooftop terrace.
Welcome to Sweden’s first spa Selma spa in Sunne, Sweden, opened in 1991. The fitness trend was on the rise and they decided to combine this with the old European spa tradition. 25 years later, the spa is still a great place for combining cardiovascular exercise, mindfulness and culinary experiences. By Ellinor Thunberg | Photos: Selma spa
The concept was created with a holistic view of the whole human in mind – good food and movement in combination. “What we did back then is part of our DNA today. We offered several classes per day, both mindful and cardio, as we wanted to leave room to recharge too. The difference now is that we focus even more on activities and the possibility to have an active spa experience in a modern and conscious way,” says Anders Pertun, CEO at Selma Spa.
Workouts and mindfulness The spa’s payoff, ‘Mjölksyra och Champagne’ (which translates as ‘lactic acid and Champagne’), is a tongue-incheek nod to the fact that you find all aspects of wellbeing here. “We are in many respects an active spa. But that does not mean that we want people to get lactic acid or indeed that everyone must 50 | Issue 92 | September 2016
“I see myself standing up there giving the New Year’s speech or that we go outside to enjoy some mulled wine now and then in winter. Perhaps we’ll make holiday season door wreaths in the green house? It should very much be a venue all year round,” he says.
drink Champagne either – but it is about workouts and rewards,” Pertun says and adds: “We don’t want to work out now to get rewarded at Christmas. We can take a hard cardio class but want to get some form of reward pretty quickly. We give the opportunity to work out, go for a calm walk in the forest, enjoy a glass of Champagne or something completely different, like dinner or a good smoothie.”
New rooftop terrace When Pertun started his job as CEO at Selma Spa in 2009, he spotted great potential in the roof above the spa. This summer his vision became reality and the 546-square-metre-large Selma Spa rooftop terrace opened. It includes an outdoor kitchen, a bar and a green house and has been very well received by visitors and locals alike. The idea is to make use of it all through the seasons.
For more information, please visit: www.selmaspa.se