European Spa magazine Spring issue 2026

A New Wave of Bodycare

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BY MARINE SCIENCE

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From Face to Body, in the Spa and at Home

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Our new body icon can be integrated seamlessly into spa and homecare routines, enhancing existing services and extending their visible results beyond the treatment room.

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Contact: newbusiness@elemis.com

newbusiness@elemis.com

Sarah Camilleri Editorial director and founder sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com

Welcome

ISSUE 99 | SPRING 2026

Spring signals a natural shift in momentum. It is a time to embrace subtle changes and recognise the opportunities they bring. After 23 years of shining a light on spa and wellness development, I’m often reminded that progress is rarely immediate, but shaped through consistent and dedicated steps made by real people committed to making a difference. If you take time to observe these seemingly subtle steps, you will see an industry moving forward in the right direction.

Our spring issue has been carefully curated as a ‘must read’ to start the year well. We begin with the European Spa Event in London, where we explored how next-level leadership will be critical for our rapidly evolving industry in 2026 (p28). We are also joined by four international spa leaders, who share their perspectives on the hot topics shaping decision-making this year (p72).

Our cover spa spotlights the highly anticipated opening of Six Senses London, with an exclusive interview with director of wellness Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis (p16). Across Europe, we present five of the best spas for this spring (p80), and we warmly welcome industry icon Sue Harmsworth MBE as a guest columnist, sharing her experience of returning to the pioneering Original Mayr Medical Resort in Austria (p44).

Continuing our focus on leadership and innovation, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts’ global vice-president of spa and wellness, Emma Darby, explores how ‘wellness without walls’ is shaping the future of spa services (p104). Neuroscientist Louise Baker, wellbeing ambassador for the Made for Life Foundation, offers compelling insight into the power of touch and its role in resetting the body (p66).

Investment and innovation remain central. Our Brands to Watch this spring are TempleSpa (p26), Natura Bissé (p42), Comfort Zone (p52) and Voya (p70), alongside the latest Menu launches (p55) and leading-edge equipment in Style (p117). We also present our annual Buyers’ Guide: Treatment Couches (p92) to support informed decisions around comfort, performance and ergonomics.

As ever, European Spa is created to support your leadership journey and keep you connected to the best ideas shaping the spa world. We hope you feel inspired by this issue and embrace the transformation of spring, along with all the opportunities it brings.

Be well.

I would like to dedicate this issue to my incredible brother, Matthew Short, who made me braver than I ever thought possible and always dared me to climb higher. Matty – stay golden. We love you stars and moons xx

Experience The Power of Touch, with ESPA Treatments

Guided by expertise. Powered by nature. Designed around you. For over 30 years, our therapists have perfected the art of advanced skincare results, mastering the power of touch with ESPA’s naturally powerful products.

THE HOME OF GLOBAL SPA INTELLIGENCE

EUROPEAN SPA

LEADERS’ RESOURCE

The ultimate yearbook for spa business success, the new resource showcases the super brands of spa and wellness, latest industry trends and thought leadership

Meet the team

European Spa is the No.1 business magazine for spa and wellness leaders

Sarah Camilleri

Editorial director and founder

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

Sue Harmsworth MBE Founder, SATCC

The recipient of European Spa’s first Spa Visionary Award in 2026, Sue has been responsible for the design of more than 500 award-winning spas in 65 countries. In our spring edition, she revisits the Original Mayr Medical Resort in Austria to experience its pioneering philosophy and and approach to gut health.

Mark Smith

Deputy editor and events lead

The founder of UK meditation brand Kalm Horizons, Mark has contributed spa and wellness content to European Spa for well over a decade. In this issue, he reports on five of the best spa openings for spring 2026 and brings us the best new product launches and treatment innovations in our Menu section.

Louise Baker

Wellness ambassador, Made for Life Organics

Louise is a neuroscientist, hypnotherapist and psycho-sensory practitioner who specialises in the science of touch and its effects on stress and emotional resilience. In her European Spa debut, she decodes the biology of touch and how it affects therapists and guests.

Wendy Golledge

Managing editor

Always up to date with the latest spa trends, property openings and appointments, in this issue Wendy brings us an exclusive interview with Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis at Six Senses London. She also spotlights the best spa additions in our Style section and curates insights from leading treatment couch brands in our Buyers’ Guide.

Emma Darby

Global vice-president spa and wellness, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

With more than two decades’ experience in the hospitality industry, Emma shares the evolving approach to guest wellbeing across the Fairmont brand’s portfolio. She explains how rooting wellness in a sense of place is leading to a new era of restorative travel.

On the cover Six Senses London

Editorial director and founder

Sarah Camilleri sarah.camilleri@spapublishing.com

Deputy editor and events lead Mark Smith mark.smith@spapublishing.com

Managing editor Wendy Golledge wendy.golledge@spapublishing.com

Art director Richard Page richard@spapublishing.com

Production and online editor David Fagan david.fagan@spapublishing.com

Production and proofing Angela Sharpe angela@spapublishing.com

Accounts manager Julie Jones accounts@spapublishing.com

Media sales Zoe Williamson zoe.williamson@spapublishing.com

Spa Publishing Ltd

Registered in England. Company No. 6293825

The legacy of a heritage brand devoted to beauticians for 80 years.

Since 1946, Sothys has been showcasing the art of French skincare around the world. Choosing Sothys means choosing a unique skincare experience that blends science, sensoriality and expert technique.

www.sothys.com

SPA SPOTLIGHT

FIVE OF THE BEST SPAS THIS SPRING

• The Longevity Spa at the Lake Como Edition, Italy

• Wellness at the Newman, London, UK

• Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, El Vendrell, Spain

• Oysana Spa at Van Oys Maastricht Retreat, The Netherlands

• Skostredet Hotel & Spa, Bergen, Norway

44 ORIGINAL MAYR MEDICAL RESORT, AUSTRIA

Visionary spa leader Sue Harmsworth

MBE visits the pioneering medi-spa to experience how 50 years of insight informs its immersive gut health programming

16 ON THE COVER

SIX SENSES LONDON

We join wellness director Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis to explore the highly anticipated new luxury wellness space that features a cutting-edge spa, social connection, and longevity services.

28 EUROPEAN SPA LEADERS’ RESOURCE 2026 VIP LAUNCH EVENT

More than 240 spa industry leaders gathered at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London to celebrate the launch of the 2026 edition of our ‘industry Bible’

66 WIRED TO TOUCH

Louise Baker creates neuroscience-based wellbeing programmes for Made for Life Organics. In this issue she decodes the biology of touch and how it affects therapists and guests

72 THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT WILL DEFINE SPA LEADERSHIP IN 2026 AND BEYOND?

Industry leaders share hot takeaways from their panel discussions at the European Spa Leaders’ Resource launch event: featuring Magdy Abdelaty from Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Bürgenstock Collection’s Maggie Derblay, Patrick Saussay of GPSA Wellness and Alice Lightfoot from Jumeirah Carlton Tower

104 WELLNESS WITHOUT WALLS

Emma Darby, global vice president spa and wellness, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, discusses the evolving approach to guest wellbeing across the brand’s portfolio

ISSUE 99 | SPRING 2026

BRANDS TO WATCH

70

26 TEMPLESPA: WHERE HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION

The brand’s vice-president, global head of spa, Sarah Ronchetti, explains how its unique guest journeys and training innovations make it a turnkey spa partner

42 NATURA BISSÉ: A SKINCARE REVOLUTION

Patricia Fisas, senior vice-president and director of research and innovation, reveals how Natura Bissé’s Essential Shock (R)Evolution meets the skin’s changing needs during menopause

52 COMFORT ZONE: LOOKING TOWARDS LIFESTYLE LONGEVITY

As Comfort Zone celebrates 30 years of skincare excellence, we speak to the Davines Group chairman, Davide Bollati, about the brand’s heritage and future

70 VOYA: LUXURIOUS AND ORGANIC FROM SHORELINE TO SPA

The Irish brand’s co-founders, Mark and Kira Walton, explain why organic skincare belongs right at the heart of the modern spa and wellness experience

55 ON THE MENU

European Spa’s round-up of the best new products begins with Voya’s collaboration with sauna culture expert Anada on its new thermal rituals. We also spotlight Seed to Skin Tuscany’s Restorative Collection and share six of the best body scrubs

109 WELLNESS TRENDS

Tuning into the world of wellness, we find out how the Auberge Collection is bringing the ‘Joy of Wellbeing’ to its properties

through innovative programming. We also focus on the use of music as holistic medicine, and feature the best new retreats in France, Italy, Spain and the UK

117 SPA STYLE

A showcase of innovative new equipment and leading-edge technologies includes the new WellGate modular spa architecture from Myrtha Wellness and Alberto Apostoli, and news of Ellisons’ immersive new Gharieni showroom in the UK

European Spa brings you the latest technologies and purchasing advice from leading treatment couch design companies including Gharieni Group, Lemi Group, Nilo Spa Design, Living Earth Crafts and AKT Group

CAPSICUM

NATURALLY WARMING AND COMFORTING

GLYCERIN

HYDRATES AND REPLENISHES SKIN

ARNICA

SOOTHES TIRED, OVERWORKED MUSCLES

ALGAE EXTRACT

NOURISHES, HYDRATES AND CONDITIONS

Six Senses in the city

European Spa joins wellness director Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis to explore the highly anticipated new luxury wellness space, Six Senses London, which promises a cutting-edge spa, social connection, longevity and biohacking all under one roof

REPORT BY WENDY GOLLEDGE

Few properties have been as eagerly awaited, or talked about, as Six Senses London. Located in the historic Whiteley department store on Bayswater’s Queensway, a west London landmark since 1883, the capital’s newest luxury wellness offering was finally revealed in early March.

It’s a property full of firsts. As well as being Six Senses’ debut UK offering, it’s one of the brand’s first major urban hotels and is home to both its first-ever members’ club – Six Senses Place – and longevity clinic. Add to that the 2,300sqm Six Senses Spa, fitness centre, stunning Alchemy Bar and a Biohacking Recovery Lounge (another first for the brand), and the offer is immense.

Despite a relatively modest overall footprint, the scale of modalities on offer is staggering. Everything

on the wellness spectrum is headed up by wellness director Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis, who joined the project in early 2024. “We set out to create a fully integrated wellness ecosystem, not just a spa with treatments,” she says. “Everything we have done is underpinned by a distinct philosophy and a genuine set of values: wellness and sustainability as a way of life.”

Quietening the noise

Inspired by the character of an old tube station, the Six Senses Spa spans the entire basement floor. A dramatic sweeping staircase reveals a tranquil reflection pool and a sculptural art installation by Ula Saniawa, composed of handmade porcelain petals, creating a grand sense of arrival to the sprawling subterranean space.

With an impressive 20m lap pool and hot, cold and

wet experiences by Barr + Wray, the hydrothermal journey is central to the offer and includes cold plunge and magnesium pools, a steam room, hamman, Finnish sauna and bio-saunas. “I have worked in spa for many years and I’ve never had a thermal offering like this,” says Kinsey-Ellis. “Each does something distinct and meaningful for the body. When guests move through the sequence, the cumulative effect is quite extraordinary.”

Yet another first within a London hotel, the magnesium pool supports muscular recovery and nervous system regulation. “Magnesium deficiency underpins so much: poor sleep, muscle tension, anxiety, inflammation. Absorbing it transdermally is more efficient and the quality of the water is just beautiful. Silken and buoyant in a way that feels completely different to a standard pool. It transforms what might otherwise be a passive dip into a truly restorative ritual.”

Below: workshops in the Alchemy Bar at Six Senses London allow guests to mix their own botanical-based creations to take home

“We set out to create a fully integrated wellness ecosystem, not just a spa with treatments. Everything is underpinned by a distinct philosophy and a genuine set of values: wellness and sustainability as a way of life.”

Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis Wellness director, Six Senses London

Curated treatment stacking for maximum benefits

The spa is open to day visitors as well as hotel guests, residents and Six Senses Place members. As part of its wellness ecosystem, the amenities just keep coming. Fitness is more than just an add on, with a state-of-the art 325sqm gym and movement studio with reformer Pilates and aerial yoga.

Every offering can be curated and ‘stacked’ by the wellness team, according to guest need. Members and day spa guests alike are encouraged to begin their journey with a comprehensive 45-minute screening revealing 40 key biomarkers, which then guides their time in the spa. “It gives us data, it gives the guest insight and it creates a framework,” says Kinsey-Ellis. “From there, recommendations are purposeful and sequenced. Sometimes the most powerful recommendation is to do less; I want every guest to feel seen and cared for, not processed.”

Interspersed around the six treatment rooms there is an infrared sauna and ice bath contrast suite, a floatation pod, cryotherapy chamber

Sustainably crafted wellness solutions

Matteo Brusaferri, general manager at Lemi Group, details the bespoke couches created for Six Senses

How did you tailor Lemi’s products to meet the needs of this project?

Six Senses is very stringent when it comes to environmental values. The brand is guided by the value of ‘global sensitivity, local sensibility’ and sustainability is woven into this at the core.

We worked with their team to create a bespoke finish for our treatment beds, customising a top layer to comprise less plastic and a higher percentage of materials from renewable sources. It has excellent environmental credentials and still provides the durability and level of performance you’d expect from a Lemi bed.

How is Six Senses London unique?

We’ve worked alongside Six Senses for many years, but London is the first site to feature our new Harmony Lounge chaise longue, with integrated vibro-acoustic technology and heating, in the relaxation lounge. In line with their philosophy of offering stillness in the city, the Harmony offers a deep relaxation experience.

The ancient…

and a photobiomodulation red light bed, plus a sensory retreat room for sound healing. “All of these therapies, mixed and matched, sequenced intelligently for each individual guest. That’s where the magic is,” says Kinsey-Ellis.

Rituals grounded in nature

London-based skincare specialist de Mamiel was selected for the spa’s body and face therapies, alongside Dr Burgener Switzerland and CBD brand Kloris. The menu includes bio-intelligent facial rituals, a full-body CBD massage, chromotherapy and soundscape experiences. As part of Grow With Six Senses, treatments are also available for children.

“Modern urban life has almost entirely severed our connection to natural rhythms,” says Kinsey-Ellis. “We’ve grounded our programming in ancient seasonal wisdom to help guests reconnect to something deeper. Annee de Mamiel curated our massage oils to mimic circadian rhythms, with a morning, daytime and evening oil to keep guests in sync. Myndstream has created circadian music playlists that benefit our guests and also our hosts.”

Across a low bridge flanked by two towering sculptural eucalyptus trees, with reflection pools on either side, is the Alchemy Bar, run by head alchemist Charlotte Pulver. Here guests can mix seasonal British botanicals into personalised blends to take home. “The Alchemy Bar and medical apothecary is the first thing that made me fall in love with this project,” says Kinsey-Ellis. “It’s a signature department found at every Six Senses property globally but, in London, we have gone a step further with what I think of as the Alchemy Bar 2.0: a medical apothecary. This is not just a workshop; it’s a place where guests can sit down with a qualified medical herbalist who’ll listen deeply, then craft a bespoke herbal medicine for their constitution, symptoms and goals, all guided by the Anglo-Celtic seasonal calendar and locally foraged botanicals.”

...versus the boldly futuristic Focused on high-tech, results-driven offerings, the Recovery Lounge offers reset ‘shortcuts’ and bespoke biohacking blends lasting from five to 30 minutes. There are, for example, programmes dedicated to detox, fitness, recovery and sleep. The selection of kit is a biohackers dream, from sound

How Six Senses offers its members a true sense of place

The brand’s wellness pioneer, Anna Bjurstam, shares the curation of the Six Senses Place concept and how it aims to provide a sense of belonging that is vital to guest wellbeing

Tell us about the concept that drove the development of Six Senses Place. Six Senses Place is what happens when you take everything the brand stands for – wellness, connection, nature and meaning – and ask how it can live in a city, not just at the end of a long-haul flight.

Home, work, the gym, social life – they all exist in separate places and the mental load of moving between them is exhausting. Six Senses Place dissolves that fragmentation. It’s a members’ club where wellbeing isn’t something you escape to, it’s something you come home to.

How did the idea take shape?

has energy, ambition, diversity and pace in abundance, but it often lacks the opposites: stillness, depth and genuine community.

True wellbeing is not an individual pursuit; it requires belonging. The answer is Six Senses Place. London is the first – everything that follows will build on what we learn here.

Tel Aviv is confirmed as the next location. What’s essential, and what I feel strongly about, is that we never replicate. Each Six Senses Place must be a genuine expression of its city. The philosophy travels, the formula doesn’t.

What about the offering are you most proud of?

The seed was planted around 2015, though we’ve been preparing the soil for much longer. We were watching a quiet crisis unfold in urban life. People were busier than ever and lonelier than ever. The wellness industry was booming and yet genuine wellbeing felt increasingly out of reach. London

Honestly? The fact that it exists at all. Concepts like this are easy to imagine and extraordinarily difficult to execute well. If I’m speaking about what will matter most in the end, it won’t be the architecture or the spa or the programming, though I’m proud of all of it. It will be the moment someone walks in feeling depleted and leaves feeling like themselves. That’s what we set out to create. And I believe we have done everything to achieve that.

loungers and full body lymphatic compression therapy to CAROL Bikes for HIIT training, PEMF therapy and Electrical Muscle Stimulation.

“So many guests are operating at maximum capacity, so everything has been selected for its efficacy. Technology without humanity is cold, but tradition without science can lack credibility; we have been very intentional about bringing these two worlds together,” says Kinsey-Ellis.

“The technology is a tool in service of the guest, not the other way around, always embedded within a deeply human experience, guided and contextualised by our hosts. The art is in weaving these elements together with our holistic offerings so a guest can have a biomarker screening in the morning and a guided hammam ritual in the afternoon, and both feel equally meaningful and intentional. The combination of ancient Celtic tradition, medical-grade longevity, biotech recovery and deeply personalised treatments, all within one address is, I believe, unique.”

Getting social

Accessed via a grand staircase sweeping up from the hotel lobby, Six Senses Place is very deliberately separate from the spa. Described as ‘a living room for west London’, the members’ club has been created to blur the lines between socialising, work

and wellbeing. “The spa is immersive, sensory, treatment-led; Six Senses Place is social, light-filled, a community space,” says Kinsey-Ellis. “Physically and experientially, they serve different needs. But the core philosophy is the same: sustainability, wellness as a way of life, community as medicine.”

Conceptualised with Six Senses’ wellbeing pioneer Anna Bjurstam, guests from the hotel’s 109 rooms and suites automatically become honorary members of Six Senses Place, flowing between the quiet restoration of the spa and the social energy of the club. For residents and members, the aim is to weave wellness into the working week. Six Senses Place memberships are available annually, ranging from £3,000 (€3,464) to £37,000.

Creating a cutting-edge thermal suite in a vintage style

Cheryl Anderson, spa design and sales manager at Barr + Wray, reveals how Six Senses’ vision was brought to life in London and what its magnesium pool brings to the spa scene

What was involved in the thermal development at Six Senses London?

As well as a filtration plant for the lap, cold plunge and mineral magnesium pools, plus the reflection ponds, we worked with Six Senses to develop their vision for three saunas, a hammam with steam shower, and an aroma steam room. Alongside Devin Consulting, we translated their bespoke designs into reality while honouring Six Senses’ brand guidelines.

Sustainability is high on Six Senses’ agenda, so we used EOS heaters and HygroMatik steam generators, which are some of the best in the market when it comes to energy saving.

What was the vision for the thermal areas?

Six Senses wanted an antique-looking finish, so the timber in the saunas is a black waxed pine finish with contrasting hemlock benches. Fittings in the steam rooms are antique bronze to continue the vintage feel.

Tell us a little more about the unique magnesium pool. It’s very much a pool of the future. There are no chemical additions, just an effective blend of magnesium and potassium minerals to create a gentle chlorine via electrolysis. This means it’s an all-natural wellness solution, which is something that is increasingly in demand.

The water feels very different to a chlorinated pool, much softer and silkier on the skin. As the skin absorbs magnesium transdermally, I predict it’s going to be very popular, as so many people are deficient in magnesium.

Tackling longevity

Operated by HUM2N, Six Senses’ first foray into longevity has everything you’d expect from a medical clinic and more, from advanced blood diagnostics and IV therapy to hormone optimisation and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. “Longevity is about understanding the body as a system, not treating symptoms in isolation,” says medical director Dr Mohammed Enayat. “By combining advanced diagnostics with lifestyle medicine, we’re able to support better health outcomes.”

“Genuine healthy longevity requires more than a great treatment; it requires data,” says Kinsey-Ellis “Understanding individual biomarkers and hormonal profile, then building personalised protocols around that data. HUM2N brings medical rigour and clinical credibility, a meaningful gateway into ongoing health optimisation. I feel very strongly that a single spa day can be deeply restorative, but lasting wellness requires consistency. What we are offering is the start of an ongoing health optimisation journey, not a one-off.

INSIDE THE PROJECT

Six Senses London

www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/europe/ united-kingdom/london

n Owner Gruppo Statuto (Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts)

n General manager Nick Yarnell

n Director of wellness Taffryn Kinsey Ellis

n Head alchemist Charlotte Pulver

n Director of Six Senses Place Nico Eden

DESIGN & CONSULTANCY

Spa size 2,300sqm | Treatment rooms 6 | Spa team 30

Architect Foster + Partners

Designer AvroKO in collaboration with EPR Architects

PRODUCT PARTNERS

de Mamiel, Dr Burgener Switzerland, Kloris, La-Eva

EQUIPMENT

Pools, steam and sauna Barr + Wray

Treatment beds and loungers Lemi Group

Fitness equipment Life Fitness, Technogym, Balanced Body

Ice bath Brass Monkey

Biohacking lounge Hyperice, CellGym, Juvent, Carol HIIT

Bike, Vasper, miha Bodytec, Vyper Go Roller, Neurosonic by Third Space Solutions, HigherDose, Pulse PEMF, InBody, Therabody, Teeter

Hyperbaric oxygen chamber One Hype Wellness

Cryotherapy chamber Icepod

IV therapy HUM2N

Floatation pod Float Spa

Red-light therapy bed One Hype Wellness

Music Myndstream

Where heritage meets innovation

Sarah Ronchetti, vice-president, global head of spa at TEMPLESPA, explains how the brand’s unique guest journey and training innovations make it a 360-degree spa partner

Science-led British skincare brand TEMPLESPA is recognised industry-wide for its breakthrough formulations and innovative professional treatments. It’s results-driven products are a fusion of hyperactives, rich botanicals and vitamins, while its 32 nourishing treatments merge science with soul.

The brand has a reputation for excellence that emanates from its attention to detail and a people-first approach to spa partnerships.

“For us, standing out in a competitive marketplace is about ensuring our spa partners can consistently provide an exceptional customer journey,” says the brand’s vice-president, global head of spa, Sarah Ronchetti. “That guest experience begins with the spa team, which is why we’ve created a 360-degree operator journey.

“We consider every touch point, from an aromatic welcome as the guest

What the brand’s partners say…

“Our partnership with TEMPLESPA is built on a genuine alignment of values and a shared belief that wellness should always be purposeful. From the very beginning, they understood that wellbeing is not just a treatment offering at Serenity Spa.

“TEMPLESPA’s dedication to educate, support and prioritise people mirrors our own ethos, ensuring therapists feel empowered, valued and inspired which ultimately elevates every guest journey.”

– Amanda Jennings, spa director, Seaham Hall

“Working with TEMPLESPA isn’t just about our products and treatments, it’s about personal relationships and our above-and-beyond approach to business.”

Sarah Ronchetti Vice-president, global head of spa, TEMPLESPA

walks through the door to turndown treats for hotel partners, helping to create a pocket of peace that lasts beyond the spa.”

Training for success

TEMPLESPA spa partners benefit from ten days of professional protocol and practical onsite training as standard. They also have access to the brand’s train-the-trainer and brand ambassador programmes, therapist and spa staff incentive schemes, and the option of bespoke VIP gifting and marketing support.

“Working with TEMPLESPA isn’t just about our products and treatments, it’s about personal relationships and our above-and-beyond approach to business,” says Ronchetti. “To really help spa partners consolidate retail opportunities by nurturing therapists’ confidence, we’ve recently employed a

training and events manager, dedicated to consulting with sites on increasing retail revenue. Since Jaime Brown started, we have seen the spas she’s worked with double their sales, which means therapists earn more and spas generate more profit.”

Wellness beyond the spa

The consumer-centric TEMPLESPA offering fosters a property-wide way for all guests to enjoy wellness. Its Spa at the Bar concept is an innovative range of cocktails and mocktails served with a mini TEMPLESPA treat on the side. “They make a great talking point at the bar or in guest rooms,” says Ronchetti. “Our Spa Pantry also offers mouth-watering treats and edible aromatherapy to complete your guests’ total sense of wellbeing before, during and after treatments.”

BE INFORMED...

To find out how TEMPLESPA can enhance your treatment offer, visit: www.templespa.com

The European Spa Event 2026

More than 240 spa industry leaders gathered at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London for the launch of the European Spa Leaders' Resource

International spa leaders came together in January for the European Spa Event to celebrate the launch of the European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026. Industry icons, spa operators, designers, consultants and the super brands of spa gathered at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London to connect with purpose and enjoy a conference programme featuring some of the sector’s leading lights.

More than 240 guests attended from around the world, travelling from France, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Malta, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Croatia, Slovenia, Ireland, the four nations of the UK, Hong Kong, Dubai and Canada. Everyone came to celebrate the thriving spa and wellness sector and share industry insight, future thinking and ideas on next-level leadership.

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Pages of expert editorial content

Spa leadership for the future

Welcoming delegates, European Spa’s founder and editorial director, Sarah Camilleri, said: “Our event is dedicated to next-level leadership. It’s about elevating the spa sector with heart, offering a unique space to discover new brand innovations and really championing what the industry has to offer now and in the future. This is a time to stand together and start the year well by celebrating the overwhelmingly positive contribution spas can make to wellbeing in the world.

“Our industry is growing rapidly. With that comes opportunity and responsibility. I’m very grateful to every guest, speaker and all the brilliant brands and suppliers who’ve brought magic, openness and commitment today. This momentum is real and it’s only the beginning.”

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The European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026

The event saw the official launch of the European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026, a business yearbook that has become the home of global spa intelligence and the ultimate companion for spa business success.

This year’s edition features a broad collective of experts, suppliers and spa leaders, top spa destinations and brands to watch. It brings together intelligence and thought leadership from spa luminaries who are building successful concepts, as well as managing destinations and teams.

Redefining high performance

Attendees enjoyed an immersive conference programme during which leaders shared their insights, thinking and collective vision for spa industry growth.

André Devillers, general manager at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, opened the programme by articulating the true value of spa and wellness. “Bringing together so

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many professionals dedicated to wellbeing is powerful in itself,” he said. “It tells the story of an industry that’s no longer a luxury add on, but a fundamental pillar of modern living.”

Emlyn Brown, group director of spa, leisure and wellness at Mandarin Oriental, offered a thoughtful perspective on wellness design in luxury hospitality. “One of the things I would encourage you all to do is to look outside of our industry to what’s happening within broader wellness,” he said. “What’s influencing your guests and bringing them in? Then take a step back and place yourself in the shoes of your consumer from an emotional point of view. What’s the feeling you want to create within your space? That should be at the forefront of every design decision you make.”

Keynote speaker Aki Mandhar, CEO and president of Chelsea FC Women, shared the extraordinary value wellbeing brings to optimising performance and confidence in her world-class football team. “You

7. Oliver Patrick, Pillar Wellbeing

8 A packed room enjoyed insightful panel discussions and presentations

9 Teresa O'Farrell, Dorchester collection; Sue Harmsworth MBE, SATCC; Wendy Golledge

might be thinking what’s football got to do with wellness? Football is loud, it’s fast, it’s emotional whereas you’re curating something that’s calm, softly lit and altogether much more relaxing than a stadium,” she said. “But I’m here because I think we’re in the same business. You’re helping people feel better, live better and perform better. And so are we.

“Together, we have a chance to redefine what high performance feels like, not just what it looks like. Our responsibility is to create environments where people can thrive long term. Wellbeing isn’t soft, it’s strategic. When people feel supported, they perform better.”

The year ahead

A Next-Level Leadership panel explored the biggest challenges our sector faces in 2026 and beyond. Alice Lightfoot, director of spa and fitness at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, felt that innovating while not alienating the sector’s heritage and core group of users will be a challenge this year, while Patrick Saussay, founder

The

of GPSA Wellness and Spa Consulting said he believes the biggest challenge will be human resources.

Maggie Derblay, area director of spa, wellness and recreation for Bürgenstock Collection, felt team cohesion, retention, training and collaboration will be vital for business continuity. Magdy Abdelaty, area director of wellness at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, discussed the challenge of maintaining the phenomenally high room rate Asaya Spa has achieved so far.

Oliver Patrick, physiologist and wellbeing consultant at Pillar Wellbeing, brought clarity to the longevity conversation, a field that has grown faster than the science might dictate. He said: “There is a need for longevity. There’s consumer demand for it,” before asking delegates to consider “but what do we mean by it and can we really offer it?”

Focusing on burnout

Peigin Crowley addressed spa leadership’s role in preventing burnout and recognising

The

heart stress. The founder of Ground Wellbeing said: “Head stresses are coming at us all day long; they’re the overflowing inbox and the never-ending to do list. Heart stressors can be anything from grief to a cancer diagnosis to your child coming home from school crying because they’re being bullied. Our therapists experience all of these stressors and we have to teach them how to meet them, to honour them and to learn how to process them.”

Closing the Leaders’ series, Adam Mogelonsky, advisor to luxury hotel owners and developers, gave an extraordinary talk on the latest scientific developments in cognitive longevity and introduced delegates to vitamin G. “I’m here to talk about cognitive longevity. Your job as spa and hotel leaders is to incorporate this incredibly important topic into what you do,” he said. “And one key element associated with cognitive longevity is what I call vitamin G. The G stands for generosity. Because we’re

European Spa would like to thank our Platinum and Event sponsors:

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

ESPA

Elemis

Clinique La Prairie

Gharieni

Junius

Borgo Santo Pietro Lifestyle Group/ Seed to Skin Tuscany

Agilysys (spa leadership workshops by Steve Morris from Make Happy)

Award-Winning Spa Software To Meet All Your Spa Needs.

Book4Time is now part of Agilysys, uniting the top teams of spa innovators to deliver even more powerful solutions to elevate revenue, guest service and team satisfaction. And now, Book4Time users can access broader Agilysys innovations for their spas –such as Membership Management and Digital Marketing – plus go beyond, with integrations to solutions for Booking, Golf, Activities, Dining, Property Management, Point-of-Sale, Inventory & Procurement and more. Nobody does spa or hospitality technology better. Book4Time + Agilysys. Better Together.

team or to guests booking online.

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and

Align services, guests and booking availability to optimize revenue and sta utilization. Reserve highdemand times for high-revenue services, plus factor in loyalty, preferences and overall spend.

from multiple properties for

THE WHO’S WHO OF SPA

3.

4. Kathryn Moore, Spa Connectors; Stephen Pace Bonello, W3Spa EMEA; Jenny Jones, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane; Sarah Camilleri; Hida Shuleta, Landmark London; Stavros Mavridis, Eminence Hospitality; Resid Seferovic, Quarnero

5. The European Spa Visionary Leader Award was presented to Sue Harmsworth MBE

caregivers, we also have to be generous people. And that is scientifically shown to be associated with cognitive longevity. Get your vitamin G and be generous.”

The European Spa Visionary Leader Award

Sue Harmsworth MBE was named as European Spa’s inaugural Visionary Leader. Honouring Harmsworth as she presented the award, Sarah Camilleri said: “Sue has touched the lives of every one of our VIPs in this room. For more than 50 years, she hasn’t just been part of our industry, she has shaped it, elevated it and moved it forward.

“As the founder of a global brand, Sue has created products, treatments and wellbeing programmes that influence our industry worldwide. Through the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC), she is making our industry more inclusive, trusted and human.

“What makes Sue truly visionary

is that she never stops championing preventative health and bringing medicine and wellbeing closer together. At 80, she shows no sign of slowing down or of taking no for an answer.”

On receiving the award, Harmsworth said: “The generosity our speakers have mentioned is very much a part of where we should all be going. Our industry is so needed now, with all the disturbance in the world. We’re sympathetic and empathetic, but we have to keep our brains open and go into different industries now to learn from them.”

To download your

Brands to Watch Natura Bissé promotion

A skincare revolution

Patricia Fisas, senior vice-president and director of research and innovation at Natura Bissé, reveals how Essential Shock (R)Evolution meets the skin’s changing needs during menopause

The latest addition to one of the brand’s most renowned skincare collections, Essential Shock (R)Evolution has been developed by Natura Bissé to address the multiple changes that women’s skin undergoes during menopause.

“Our goal has always been to support women in caring for their skin at every stage of life, especially when needed most,” says the Spanish brand’s senior vice-president and research and innovation director, Patricia Fisas. “The peri-menopause and menopause

“As conversations around hormonal transitions become more open, clients are seeking targeted, results-driven solutions rather than generic anti-ageing treatments.”

Patricia Fisas senior vice-president and research and innovation director, Natura Bissé

are among the most transformative phases for women, not only emotionally, but biologically.”

The science of ageing

In the first five years of menopause, the skin can lose up to 30 per cent of its collagen as estrogen and progesterone levels decline. These hormones are closely linked to the production of collagen and elastin, key structural proteins responsible for firmness, density and resilience. As they decrease, skin can become

complex that supports the skin’s own exosomes to enhance collagen and elastin,” says Fisas.

thinner, drier, less supple and more prone to dark spots and loss of definition. Lifestyle factors such as stress and lack of sleep can further intensify these visible changes.

Essential Shock (R)Evolution is formulated to counteract the visible signs associated with collagen depletion, including loss of firmness, density and elasticity. It debuts with a next-generation serum and a daily treatment cream available in two textures to improve skin longevity and support its natural functions.

“For these products we developed the groundbreaking Pro-Exo Protein System, a pioneering biotechnological

Featuring five per cent collagen, peptides, polypeptides and essential amino acids, the formula reinforces the skin’s internal support structure, helping restore strength, smoothness and resilience. Clinical results in just four weeks show visible improvements in firmness and elasticity, with wrinkles reduced by up to 50 per cent.

A grounding ritual

Natura Bissé has also developed a new dedicated professional ritual, the 3D Collagen (R)Evolution Facial, which has been designed to address the specific needs of skin undergoing hormonal change.

The treatment combines advanced lifting techniques with a sculpting

kobido-Ayurvedic massage to redefine facial contours and enhance firmness. The client experience is enhanced with osteopathic-inspired massage movements helping to release tension and improve mobility in the neck, shoulders and limbs.

“This launch enables spas to respond to a clearly defined and growing need,” says Fisas. “As women live longer and conversations around hormonal transitions become more open, clients are seeking targeted, results-driven solutions rather than generic anti-ageing treatments.”

BE INSPIRED...

To find out more about Natura Bissé’s protein-based firming skincare range, visit: www.naturabisse.com

Spa Spotlight Original Mayr Medical Resort, Austria

Decades of quiet influence

Visionary spa leader Sue Harmsworth MBE visits the Original Mayr Medical Resort to experience how 50 years of insight informs its immersive gut health programming

REPORT BY SUE HARMSWORTH MBE

When I returned to the Original Mayr clinic on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Austria last year, it had been 12 years since my previous visit. I can’t think why I left it so long. Having been in the global spa industry for five decades, I am lucky enough to have access to great practitioners of all kinds, and to have been treated at several of the best clinics in the world. Last year, having recently undergone two invasive shoulder replacements and also Arthrosamid knee injections, I was looking for a restorative stay somewhere I trusted, to help with my rehab and recovery.

At different times in life, you need different things. Last year I needed somewhere nurturing, comforting and personal, not too clinical in design, where I trusted the philosophy and the doctors. The Original Mayr did not disappoint, on any front. They have been refining the offer over 50 years and it shows.

Understanding the microbiome

I was so impressed with the knowledge and cohesion of all the doctors. Whether medical experts, kinesiologists or specialists in functional or Traditional Chinese Medicine, they were up to date on any subject I tackled them with.

I loved that every single practitioner I saw had seen my notes and diagnostic results, so continuity

SUE HARMSWORTH MBE EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

The recipient of European Spa’s first Spa Visionary Award in 2026, Sue Harmsworth MBE has been responsible for the design of more than 500 award-winning spas in 65 countries.

The founder of global brand ESPA, which she sold in 2017, has a long history in the industry, from building one of the first day spas in the USA to running Grayshott Hall in the UK and introducing the first spas onto cruise ships.

Her passion to spas care for cancer patients led to the launch of the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) in 2020. Now, she is turning her experience to championing preventative health and pursuing her vision to bring the worlds of medicine and wellbeing together. www.satcc.co.uk

Spa Spotlight Original Mayr Medical Resort, Austria

and progress was seamless. The sports scientists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists and massage therapists are all aligned too, and constantly on top of your needs – nothing is done in isolation, so every guest gets consistent recommendations and results. I can’t tell you how difficult this is to achieve; there are six doctors and 24 therapists. This requires constant training and communication between departments.

The medical longevity space isn’t just about buying the latest machines; it’s a tested formula of the team, the programme, the technology, the food, the setting and the ethos. I saw a doctor almost daily, which isn’t an industry-wide standard. As someone who’s worked in this sector for 50 years, and been learning about microbiome for 25 of those, I was shocked to learn more about the latest gut health science during my ten-day stay than I had in most of that time. The team’s knowledge is deep and refreshingly up to date.

Seamless service

The Original Mayr has an offshoot clinic at HVN in Knightsbridge, London. For me, it was invaluable to be able to see a doctor there and do most of my blood tests and diagnostics before the trip, so the results were ready when I arrived in Austria.

You can also do Zoom consultations to prepare before your visit and again after you leave, to ensure continuity. Healthy longevity isn’t a quick fix, it’s an ongoing process. This service makes those long-term habit changes more achievable and manageable.

The offer is not just medical, there are outstanding hikes, cycling experiences and exercise options by wonderful Wörthersee lake. It is the cleanest lake in Austria and, for me, it was part of the healing. Small group aufguss sessions in the saunas in the Bath House followed by dips into the lake immediately outside are amazing, a real experience. I also found wandering around in a robe, even for breakfast and

lunch, empowering in itself – I don’t want to dress up and put make-up on, I do that every day for work!

This is not just a spa, it’s a different methodology. Everything has a reason and a process, but the treatments I did experience – massages, facials and salt scrubs – are some of the best I’ve had. In an era of supplements, self-tracking and biohacking, the Original Mayr’s programmes remain refreshingly simple: rebalance the digestive system, educate the person, support lasting behavioural change.

Small but effective

Because the Original Mayr is small – only 47 rooms and 5,800sqm – you feel deeply cared for. It’s not crowded or stressfully busy and it is very personalised. The team help you understand all the test results, digest and translate that information and connect the dots, so you have a great result and on-going practices that you understand.

The Original Mayr has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s authentic, it’s based on half a century of experience and it works. The knowledge of the outstanding team and their synchronicity is phenomenal; it’s a model our industry could learn a lot from.”

Everything begins with the gut

Gabriella Schnitzler, managing director at Original Mayr Medical Resort, explains why seeing the gut as the source of good health is a philosophy that remains unchanged after five decades

“Long before gut health entered everyday language or became a global wellness trend, the Original Mayr was the first permanent home of the Mayr medical concept. We’ve refined Dr FX Mayr’s idea of gut health, but all the new, evidence-based findings simply prove what we always knew – if the gut microbiome is right, the rest of the body will follow.

“In today’s modern world, probably our biggest challenge is getting people away from their job for seven days minimum. The younger generation is much further ahead, even in their twenties they’re asking: ‘What does it take for me to stay healthy?’ That wasn’t the case 30 years ago – people assumed with age came illness. But every generation still wants a fast fix, to take a tablet that’ll make everything better by the morning; that just doesn’t work with the gut.”

A philosophy based on results

“We take a targeted approach to each person, but one thing is true for everyone; improving gut health is very transitional. We have a procedure we believe in, we’ve been doing this for half a century and we know it works. But it takes time.

“That being said, we’re always adapting, evolving with changes in medical science and modernising. However, we’re very strict about not following fads. When we offer a new treatment, it must be something which shows a clear, scientifically proven result. For example, we now know that our gut is also communicating with our brain and we’ve refined our treatments to incorporate that into our programmes.

Managing hormones and weight loss

“Hormones are also a big new field for us. We’re working with very smart, pioneering blood and saliva tests, so we can determine exactly what stage guests’ hormones are at, then individualise a bespoke programme for their needs. That kind of targeted hormonal therapy is transformational for women.

“And we’ve introduced a highly personalised new programme built around modern GLP-1 therapies within a medically supervised framework. Mounjaro and Ozempic are undeniably powerful catalysts for weight loss but even they are not the ‘magic pill’ people so want.

“We believe weight loss should feel like a return to self, not a punishment and our goal is for each guest to leave not just weighing less but feeling more themselves.”

Celebrating 50 years of preventive medicine

The Original Mayr Medical Resort is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026. It was founded by German entrepreneur Rolf Deyhle in 1976, when the concept of preventive medicine was unknown. Deyhle rejected the logic that you only saw a doctor if you felt unwell, instead pushing the revolutionary idea that people should see a doctor to make sure they never got ill.

Deyhle partnered with Dr Erich Rauch, one of Dr Franz Mayr’s most respected students, to build a place to stay well – a medical retreat offering diagnostics, fasting, rest and rehabilitation.

The clinic remains the only place where the Mayr concept has been practised continuously for five decades, evolving from Mayr’s earliest diagnostics to the modern medical approach used today. Then and now, the entire philosophy is centred on one belief: that the gut is the origin of health, resilience and mental clarity.

The origin of wellness

“Early programmes were based on structured fasting, abdominal treatments, careful chewing and non-negotiable silence during meals – not for discipline’s sake, but because digestion needed to rest,” says Dr Ursula Muntean-Rock, head physician at Original Mayr. “Those founding principles still guide everything offered today. If the gut is healthy, the organs and the mind work as they should. If the gut is in trouble, the entire body is affected.”

“The word longevity now appears everywhere, but for us it was never the headline, it was the consequence,” she continues. “People come here for competence, diagnostics and a medically guided reset. There’s no one-size-fits-all programme and we’re not interested in chasing hashtags. We’ve been doing this for half a century, and we’re still refining it.” www.original-mayr.com

Looking towards lifestyle longevity

As Comfort Zone prepares to celebrate 30 years of skincare excellence, we speak to the Davines Group chairman, Davide Bollati, about the brand’s heritage and its future

Established in 1996 as the skincare division of the Davines Group, Comfort Zone is renowned for its research driven, sustainable products that are available in 7,000 spas across 63 countries. This year the Davines Group announced the launch of its new subsidiary, Davines España, marking a new phase of international growth.

With a professional heritage in spas and skin treatments, Comfort Zone is driven by innovation. A pioneer in skin longevity, it combines botanical science and biotechnology, and most recently started to grow ingredients through regenerative organic agriculture.

The brand offers a unique synergy of science, technology and touch, which relies on the professionals who deliver its products and treatments.

“Transformation happens when knowledge is placed in the hands of

“Transformation happens when knowledge is placed in the hands of professionals.”

Davide Bollati Chairman, Davines Group

professionals. Through touch, science becomes human, results become experiences, longevity rituals a way of living,” says Davide Bollati, chairman, Davines Group.

Innovating for longevity

Davines reinvests three per cent of its turnover into R&D across its three research laboratories, which employ over 60 scientists supported by a multidisciplinary Scientific Commitee and various university partnerships.

A 3,000sqm Scientific Garden at the Davines Group Village in Parma is something of an open-air laboratory offering insight into over 6,000 plants.

“As a B Corp, we want to engage companies in the beauty industry and beyond to take a path toward a regenerative future rather than an extractive – take, use, throw away – economic approach that is no longer sustainable,” says Bollati.

Now celebrating 30 years of excellence, Comfort Zone is at the intersection of advanced skin science, sustainable innovation and holistic living. The brand is set to introduce a fully integrated ecosystem that connects skin tech, professional treatments, home care and hospitality into one seamless experience.

By linking these four pillars, it aims to empower professionals to deliver visible, lasting results, boost consumer engagement and express the brand’s

Left: the award-winning /skin regimen/ Lx Longevity Pro-Collagen+ Serum for skin renewal

purpose across every touchpoint.

“We acknowledge that skin changes over time due to intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (environmental, stress, lifestyle) factors, and we position our treatments and skincare as supporting the skin’s natural regenerative capacity, not opposing it,” says Bollati.

Transformed by touch and tech

A pioneer in skin longevity since 2012, /skin regimen/ won Beauty Shortlist’s Product Launch of the Year 2026 for /skin regimen/ Lx Longevity Pro-Collagen+ Serum.

New for 2026, the team is reinforcing its commitment to boosting collagen. The Body Strategist line now includes a Collagen Wellness Body Treatment and Collagen Cream.

Meeting demand for skin rejuvenation using non-invasive and non-surgical treatments, Comfort Zone recently launched Longevilift – a four-in-one device that boosts skin renewal, revitalisation and redefinition of the facial contours.

BE INFORMED...

To discover how Comfort Zone products can boost your spa’s offering, visit: uk.comfortzoneskin.com @comfortzoneskin_official

On the Menu

Edited by Mark Smith

EDITOR’S PICK

Voya collaborates with thermal specialist Anada

Voya Thermal Rituals is a professional steam and sauna programme that blends Voya’s organic seaweed therapy with Anada’s expertise in sauna culture and design. Designed to meet surging global demand for immersive, heat-based wellness experiences, it is a two-part professional offering that unites thalassotherapy heritage with contemporary thermotherapy.

Tides of Renewal is a deeply restorative group sauna journey combining seaweed infusion, guided breathwork and choreographed towel artistry. The ritual is designed to harmonise the nervous system, stimulate circulation and reconnect guests with the rhythm of the sea.

Ocean Replenish is a skin renewing steam experience integrating Irish seaweed therapy, gentle exfoliation and cooling compresses to rebalance the body, restore hydration and heighten sensory awareness.

The programme will be supported by certified professional training through Anada – a leading provider of education in thermal therapies – equipping spa teams with the technical, sensory and performance skills required to deliver world-class thermal rituals. www.voya.ie | www.anada.co.uk

“Voya

Thermal Rituals feel grounded in tradition and we are able to give spa teams a practical framework to bring these experiences to their guests in a clear, thoughtful way.”

Mark

Walton Co-founder, Voya

Aromatherapy Associates launches muscle gel and shower mist

Aromatherapy Associates has introduced a new Warming De-Stress Muscle Gel, developed for professional spa use and retail continuation. The launch is supported by a new specialist recovery treatment, designed to meet growing demand for results-focused wellbeing experiences within the spa environment.

The gel formula combines the natural warming effect of capsicum with the soothing properties of arnica to ease tightness and muscular discomfort. Lavender, rosemary, ginger and black pepper support physical recovery while encouraging relaxation.

The newly launched Support Breathe Shower Mist, an innovative, steam-activated essential oil blend designed to provide an instant aromatic reset at shower time. The mist is infused with eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint for a cooling, uplifting sensation.

www.aromatherapyassociates.com

Elemis Pro-Collagen collection boosted by new high-performance cleansing mousse

Pro-Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Mousse from Elemis is a lightweight, comforting and intensely hydrating formula that leaves even dry skin types feeling deeply cleansed, refreshed and plumped with moisture.

The transformative cream-to-silky mousse cleanser blends a trio of high-performance, hydration-boosting ingredients for a healthier-looking complexion.

Padina pavonica ferment increases moisture and acts as an antioxidant; earth marine water is enriched with high levels of soothing minerals; and inulin is a natural prebiotic that’s hydrating and improves the skin’s barrier function.

The mousse is ideal for use as a daily, single cleanse or to partner the award-winning, bestselling Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for the ultimate double cleanse. www.elemis.com

Seed to Skin Tuscany offers healing with the Restorative Collection

The Restorative Collection, a new skin treatment for compromised and reactive skin by Seed to Skin Tuscany, has been created to address the daily challenges faced by people prone to redness, burning, dryness and rosacea-like sensitivity.

Designed to comfort and heal, each formulation has been developed to restore barrier integrity, calm inflammatory pathways and re-establish equilibrium in the skin.

The collection launches with The Rescue Cleanse, a glycerine-to-silk transforming cleanser that emulsifies on the skin, lifting away impurities while instantly calming reactivity. In addition, The Recovery Cream is a rich, restorative treatment that delivers intense hydration, strengthens barrier function and leaves the complexion smooth and even. www.seedtoskin.com

Germaine de Capuccini has boosted its Expert Lab range with the release of a next-generation bio-regenerative facial protocol, Expert Lab Tec-Exosome System.

The complete professional-to-home solution combines high-performance in-clinic treatments (two vials) with targeted at-home care (one intensive treatment and one facial cream) to deliver intensive skin repair, regeneration and hydration with lasting results.

The professional treatment harnesses biomimetic plant exosome technology through the brand’s TECXOSOME patent, composed of tulsi extract, enoxolone and acetyl-tetrapeptide-2. The formula helps to restore cellular communication, stimulate skin repair mechanisms and accelerate visible renewal. Complementary at-home products are provided to prolong and reinforce the results achieved in the treatment room. www.germainedecapuccini.com

6

Best Body Scrubs

Enjoy our spring selection of superlative skin-refining body scrubs available for spas everywhere

ESPA Exfoliating

Body Polish

Natural apricot seed kernels exfoliate without irritation, while spearmint refreshes and cools the skin. Aloe vera helps to hydrate and soothe, leaving skin feeling soft and conditioned. www.espaskincare.com

Sothys Relaxing

Body Scrub, Cherry Blossom and Lotus Escape

Inspired by Japan, this body scrub gently exfoliates the skin with sugar and white-gray volcanic rock powder. Skin is left softer and delicately perfumed with cherry blossom extract. www.sothys.com

Phytomer Oligomer

Well-Being Sensation

This body scrub cream, with white and black sand, gently exfoliates the skin, removes dead cells, and leaves it soft, smooth and enveloped in a seaside scent with fresh aquatic notes. www.phytomer.fr

Natura Bissé C+C

Vitamin Scrub

A gentle yet effective formula contains rosehip seeds and bitter orange extract, rich in AHAs, that work to exfoliate the surface of the skin while renewing the epidermis to leave clients refreshed. www.naturabisse.com

ishga Hebridean Sea Salt Scrub

Made from pure, natural, unrefined salt, this scrub boasts a heady blend of uplifting essential oils including lavender, rose geranium, lemongrass and juniper berry in jojoba, thistle and almond oils. www.ishga.com

TempleSpa Sugar Buff

This Mediterranean-inspired sugar exfoliator, containing olive stone and upcycled raspberry seed powders, removes dead skin cells while olive and grape seed oils hydrate the skin. www.templespa.com

ONE TO WATCH

Quarnero rituals capture the Power of Slow

Organic skincare specialist Quarnero has introduced a new concept to its luxury collection. The Power of Slow Rituals invite guests to slow down, reconnect with awareness and return to a natural rhythm.

The concept is built around four certified organic oils – Relax, Spirit, Refresh and Sensual – carefully designed to guide guests through the phases of the natural cycle and create a personalised wellness journey.

Quarnero Relax – the Soothing Ritual combines lavender, rose geranium and bergamot to melt away tension and restore inner calm. Quarnero Detox – the Cleansing Ritual awakens the senses with rosemary, bergamot and lemon. Quarnero Refresh – the Vitality Ritual revitalises with peppermint, green tangerine and lavender. Quarnero Balance – the Harmony Ritual offers a flowing embrace of ylang-ylang, bergamot, and lemon to restore inner equilibrium.

ishga enhances Hydra+ range with a new skin-boosting oil

Formulated as a lightweight, multi-use face and hair oil designed to deeply hydrate, nourish and restore, ishga has introduced Hydra+ Oil. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it leaves skin soft, plump and radiant, while smoothing and adding shine to the hair. Featuring multiple weights of hyaluronic acid, the oil’s hydrating formula helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, improving elasticity and the appearance of fine lines.

Antioxidant-rich Hebridean seaweeds fucus serratus and fucus vesiculosus help protect the skin from environmental stressors and support a healthy-looking complexion. Borage and rapeseed oils provide essential fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier, frankincense and rose geranium essential oils help balance and calm. www.ishga.com

www.quarnero.hr

TREATMENT FOCUS

Omorovicza reveals new power facial

Omorovicza has unveiled the Elixir Power Facial, a results-driven treatment that represents the Hungarian brand’s heritage, advanced science and signature touch.

Designed for immediate, visible transformation, the 75-minute facial is boosted by Elixir, which features Omorovicza’s patented Healing Concentrate biotechnology. This delivers bioavailable minerals at their highest dose for skin that looks brighter, firmer and sculpted.

The treatment features the Magyar Method, Omorovicza’s signature Hungarian massage technique. This uses rhythmical, expert movements to maximise circulation and absorption, allowing skin to fully benefit from Omorovicza’s mineral-rich formulas. Combined with Elixir’s concentrated mineral infusion, the result is instant luminosity, restored elasticity and skin that feels energised at a cellular level. www.omorovicza.com

Carol Joy curates in-room children’s spa experiences for hotels and spa

Baby Bare Bubbles is a new concept by Carol Joy that aims to bring family wellness into hotel spaces.

The in-room children’s experiences are a series of guided rituals, led by parents, requiring no therapist involvement. Using gentle, natural, paediatrician approved products and simple video guidance, the rituals allow parents to deliver a calming, meaningful wellness experience within the comfort and safety of their hotel room.

Baby Bonding Sleep Experience is a soothing bath and baby massage ritual designed to encourage bonding and promote restful sleep. Dandelion Dream Facial and Massage begins with a calming Dandelion meditation and crystal selection, followed by easy, repeatable movements that create a moment of connection and relaxation for both parent and child. www.caroljoylondon.com

Inlight Beauty partners with Amethyst Trust

An organic beauty brand specialising in scientifically formulated, artisan-crafted skincare products, Inlight Beauty has partnered with the Amethyst Trust to boost the inclusivity of its treatments through Inlight Touch professional training.

The partnership enables Inlight Spa’s 100 per cent organic Trilogy Treatments to be available for everyone. Amethyst Trust courses are accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists and approved by the Standards Authority in Cancer Care (SATCC) and align all training with the standards set out by the SATCC.

Inlight Beauty offers a combination training package: Amethyst Trust Online Training (eight hours) followed by Practical Inlight Touch Coaching and Assessment. www.inlightbeauty.co.uk | www.amethysttrust.co.uk

Plant-based exomes at the heart of Dermalogica’s latest innovation

Dermalogica’s new Phyto Nature E2 introduces a next-generation fusion of skin rejuvention and exfoliation designed to target visible signs of skin ageing.

The formula helps support the skin’s natural ability to renew and refresh. It pairs regenerative exosome technology with exfoliating pumpkin enzyme and ingredients including phytoglycogen and prickly pear. This combination helps to deliver visibly brighter, smoother skin every day, while reawakening the skin’s natural surface renewal processes.

Bio-fermented acetyl glucosamine hydrates and provides antioxidant protection. Phyto Nature E2 is a silky, leave-on formula that feels weightless yet nourishing as it gently resurfaces and rejuvenates for glowing skin. www.dermalogica.co.uk

Wired to touch

Louise Baker creates neuroscience-based wellbeing programmes for Made for Life Organics. Here she decodes the biology of touch and how it affects therapists and guests

As an industry that’s built around the transformative power of human touch, I’m always surprised by how rarely spa professionals stop and think about how touch actually works. For me, the answer began to take shape when I looked more closely at the

neuroscience. Not just the mechanics but the deeper aspects of what touch means and how is it connected to the deepest part of our brain.

The skin is an active sensing organ. When we place a hand on someone, it triggers thousands of specialised receptors to respond. Some detect

pressure; some detect movement; some detect vibration. And deep within the membrane of certain cells are tiny protein structures – called piezo channels – that open in response to touch and convert physical pressure into electrical signals that travel along nerves to the brain.

Regulation through touch

When you touch someone, the body translates that contact into information. The signal moves from skin to spinal cord to brain within milliseconds. Touch regulates the nervous system. Humans are built to respond to physical contact and associate certain forms of steady, predictable contact with reassurance. Very slow, gentle stroking activates a class of nerve fibres that are tuned to soft, rhythmic movement across the skin. These fibres communicate with areas of the brain involved in body

awareness and emotional tone; parts of the brain where our internal body experiences are processed. This makes touch a powerful regulation tool and is one reason why ultra-gentle treatments feel particularly supportive for people who are unwell, overwhelmed or living with the uncertainty of cancer. The body receives comfort and assurance before the mind processes the meaning.

Rhythm amplifies the power of touch

There is another layer to the power of touch that therapists often use instinctively, without fully understanding the benefits. Bilateral rhythm is when touch alternates from one side of the body to the other, a technique frequently embedded in spa

“I’m always surprised by how rarely spa professionals stop and think about how touch actually works.”

Louise Baker Wellbeing ambassador, Made for Life Organics

LOUISE BAKER MSC EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

Louise Baker MSc is an applied neuroscientist, hypnotherapist and psycho-sensory practitioner who specialises in the science of touch and its effects on stress and emotional resilience. With a Master’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health, Louise works at the intersection of brain science and therapeutic practice, translating research into accessible, practical tools. She is a wellbeing ambassador for Made for Life Organics and leads Brainstrust, a neuroscience informed charity programme, supporting individuals navigating cancer treatment, long-term stress and major life transitions. www.brainstrust.org.uk

From above: Made for Life Organics brand ambassador Sade Ekwe with Louise Baker; ultra-slow, gentle touch encourages the nervous system to feel safe

treatments without necessarily being labelled as such.

This alternating rhythm engages both hemispheres of the brain and has a calming effect on the nervous system. The brain responds to a therapist’s rhythmic, flowing movements and that balanced, alternating touch can support emotional processing.

Rhythmic bilateral touch offers a structured sensory anchor that helps to settle stress-driven overactivity, stabilise attention and support clearer thinking for both the person receiving and the person giving care.

Teaching teams to observe, not absorb

By understanding the art and science of touch, we can help therapy teams remain compassionate without becoming depleted and move from a state of automatically ‘soaking in’ others’ emotional states to maintaining a position of compassionate observer.

When therapists recognise their

Muscular guarding – why lighter touch can go deeper

Many assume that tight muscles need firm pressure to release. But muscular tension is often not just ‘knots’ in tissue, it’s the nervous system holding the body in subtle protection through muscles.

“Muscular guarding occurs when the brain anticipates stress, or predicts emotional strain or instability and quietly increases background muscle tone,” says Louise Baker. “It’s not always dramatic; it can be a slightly raised shoulder, a strained jaw, a shallow breath, but over time, this becomes the body’s default setting.

“Ultra-slow, gentle touch works

differently to deep pressure. Instead of forcing the muscle to change, it sends slow, reassuring signals through the skin to areas of the brain that process safety and internal awareness.

“When the nervous system feels safe, the body no longer needs to brace. As one client told me after a therapist-led session: ‘I was convinced I needed strong pressure to shift tension. I couldn’t believe how deeply lighter touch worked.’

“It’s vital we teach our therapy teams that sometimes softness allows the body to let go in ways heavier pressure never could.”

role is to facilitate sensory signalling and regulation, rather than to carry someone’s distress, their internal stance shifts. Their touch therapy is facilitating a physiological process; they are not required to internalise the story attached to it or carry a client’s emotional distress.

If the reflective parts of the brain are allowed to hold that boundary, and therapists can learn that presence should not mean absorption, they’re protected from burnout and depletion.

Giving also supports the giver, as the receiver; touch is reciprocal in subtle

“When approached with awareness, touch can be regulating for both practitioner and client.”

Louise Baker Wellbeing ambassador, Made for Life Organics

Teaching science in the service of care and trust

Made for Life Organics and the Made for Life Foundation are working with Louise Baker to raise standards in compassionate, evidence-informed care. Through the Touch for Cancer training programme, therapists are supported to work confidently and safely with clients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

“This is not about adapting pressure or modifying products; It is about what happens in the nervous system during vulnerability,” says Baker. “Cancer treatment can alter sensory processing, stress reactivity and immune function.

“Informed touch can restore a sense of physical coherence and emotional steadiness. Research led by Professor Francis McGlone on C-tactile afferents has shown that slow, nurturing touch activates pathways linked to emotional regulation and social connection.

“When therapists understand the science behind what they are doing, their confidence grows. When clients feel safe in knowledgeable hands, trust deepens. This is where science strengthens compassion rather than replacing it.”

www.madeforlifefoundation.org

ways. As a therapist delivers slow, rhythmic contact, the receptors in their own hands are active. Their breathing often falls into the same tempo as their movements, the nervous system participating in the pattern they’re creating. The treatment is not one-way and can potentially be restorative for the practitioner as well as the client.

When approached with awareness, touch can be regulating for both practitioner and client. It becomes shared physiology rather than emotional transfer. When therapists are taught to understand the touch, sense and meaning system they can then use touch with greater confidence and without losing themselves in the process.

Luxurious and organic from shoreline to spa

VOYA co-founders Mark and Kira Walton explain why organic skincare belongs right at the heart of the modern spa and wellness experience

From its base in Co Sligo on Ireland’s west coast, VOYA has established itself as a leading supplier of over 160 COSMOS certified organic beauty and skincare products to over 400 spa and hotel locations worldwide.

VOYA’s range includes extracts of wild seaweed, hand-harvested from clean Atlantic waters, and sustainability is at the core of its business model. B Corporation-certified, this includes everything from ethical harvesting to organic formulations and environmentally responsible packaging – its carton board is made from FSC-certified pulp blended with its own seaweed, and packing chips are 100 per cent biodegradable and soluble.

“We follow strict sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring every step of our process respects both land and sea,” says co-founder Kira Walton.

Organic evolution

As consumers demand greater ingredient transparency, seeking guarantees of sustainability, interest in organic skincare continues to grow.

“Independent market research statistics suggest 68 per cent of spa consumers prefer eco-friendly and sustainable spa products,” says Kira.

“A large percentage of spa clients seek organic or natural ingredient treatments. We conduct independent scientific testing on our seaweeds and the efficacy of our finished products, in collaboration with the Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre at the Institute of Technology, Tralee.”

“Our certified-organic products are trusted by spas around the world to deliver conscious luxury for discerning guests.”

Kira and Mark Walton Co-founders, VOYA

Co-founder Mark Walton adds: “Our products are independently certified as organic through the Soil Association and the Irish Organic Association. If a formulation does not meet our organic integrity and sustainability standards, it is not brought to market. Transparency and authenticity are central to maintaining consumer trust.”

Going further to boost the brand’s eco-credentials, VOYA also partners

with the World Land Trust and Plastic Bank to support habitat protection and ocean plastic prevention.

“Research shows that a large proportion of consumers seek clear ingredient disclosure and third party verification. We believe that certification marks and independently validated claims play a significant role in building trust and influencing purchase decisions,” says Mark.

Responsibly luxurious

VOYA’s commitment to certified organic integrity is intended to bring deeper emotional meaning to each treatment. “Grounded in science and inspired by the Atlantic Ocean and traditional Irish seaweed bathing, wellbeing has always been at the heart of our philosophy,” says Mark.

“The purity of our products fosters trust, allowing guests to relax fully, confident that the products used are clean, safe, and aligned with their values.

“Beyond visible results, this commitment elevates treatments into a form of conscious luxury. Guests are not simply receiving a spa service, they are participating in a ritual that reflects environmental responsibility and authentic heritage, creating a more meaningful and memorable experience.”

BE INFORMED...

To find out more about VOYA’s sustainably sourced, seaweed-based spa products, visit: www.voya.ie

What will define spa leadership in 2026 and beyond? THE BIG UESTION

European Spa Leaders’ Resource is the go-to yearbook for spa and wellness leaders in search of insight, expertise and supplier contacts. At our launch event for the 2026 edition in January (see report on p28), a host of takeaways emerged from a panel discussion that explored leadership in the industry.

Four exceptional industry leaders – Magdy Abdelaty from the Chancery Rosewood, Bürgenstock Collection’s Maggie Derblay, Patrick Saussay of GPSA Wellness and Alice Lightfoot from Jumeirah Carlton Tower – shared with our 240 guests the balance required between commercial performance, brand integrity and evolving expectations.

Hot topics and industry insight

The discussion highlighted that distinctive positioning, a sense of place and the courage to introduce new brands and concepts are essential to keeping experiences fresh and relevant. Operationally, people-centred leadership was a hot topic, and the most successful spas were predicted to be those that combine commerciality and heart-led leadership with innovation to create holistic ecosystems that resonate with guests and teams. We share their words of wisdom to help spa leaders in 2026 rise to thier business challenges.

FREE TO READ ONLINE NOW

n Read the European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026, at: https://europeanspamagazine.com/leaders-resource

“Maintaining exclusivity is essential for luxury spas”

ith Asaya at the Chancery Rosewood, it was essential for us to remain exclusive and to protect the integrity of the brand. Our priority is ensuring that

Asaya is built on distinct pillars, each supporting a different wellness philosophy,

keeping the brand identity alive, relevant and forward-thinking. For us, staying ahead means constantly evolving while

We have created an exceptional wellness space with outstanding design, but design alone is not enough. Creativity is critical. Our strategy has focused on introducing distinctive brands – many of which have not previously appeared widely in the

approach because without innovation, our industry cannot grow. If you continue repeating the same formulas and working

with the same products, there comes a point where growth stalls.

A key part of our strategy is partnering with brands that have authenticity and a strong sense of place. When guests arrive at the Chancery Rosewood, they should feel unmistakeably that they are in London. That connection to place is fundamental to maintaining both exclusivity and relevance. Across the capital, there are many incredible spa operators, and I think we need to build on that, to make sure there is strong collaboration between the different brands and locations; this is very important. www.rosewoodhotels.com

“We

seek out brands that haven’t appeared widely elsewhere, because fresh thinking is essential for our industry to grow.”

Magdy Abdelaty Area director of wellness, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts

“Flexibility is key to future-proofing a responsive team”

In the past year across our hotels, we had more than 65,000 spa guests. Generally speaking, we find that guests are increasingly making very last-minute decisions and rarely in advance of arrival. Creating personalised wellness experiences for all of them is unrealistic. But what really matters to us is how we can broaden our reach to touch all of them. Sometimes we may have only a few hours to create a full wellness experience for multiple guests, so we need a nimble, responsive team that can adapt quickly.

I have a team aged from 18 to 65 and from 25 countries. Our younger workforce is increasingly asking for more flexibility.

“Our younger workforce is asking for more flexibility. They are also, in some cases, looking for growth, but not necessarily the additional responsibility of leading people. We need to think laterally.”

Maggie Derblay Area director of spa, wellness and recreation, Bürgenstock Collection

They are also, in some cases, looking for growth, but not necessarily additional responsibility. We need to think laterally on how we structure roles, introduce new hybrid positions, and create development pathways that meet them where they are.

In some cases, one ends up recruiting people who have certain skills that you never would have imagined nor initially searched for. For example, we have two therapists who came with backgrounds in the financial sector and hydrothermal specialism, so now we have expanded their roles to oversee stock management and lead the development of restorative wellness modalities, respectively.

I’m not saying this should be the case for every single position but I do think there is an opportunity for us to reconsider the traditional approach on how we model our teams. We should also think about our versatility, because not everyone wants to grow or move into leadership roles.

www.burgenstockcollection.com

“Personalisation, consistency and a clear concept are all essential cornerstones of spa success”

The core issue for most spa leaders is people, not product. The need for spa teams is greater and their roles are more sophisticated. Even with a brilliant concept and location, without a well-trained team you can’t deliver the desired experience. So a top priority should be training and retention. When it comes to looking at ways to meet guest demand, I think it is simple: you need a clear concept, consistency and a deep level of personalisation. Define your values and your purpose to help guests understand your ‘why?’. Consistency is directly related to the concept. By consistency, I mean everything in the spa should tell the same story. The treatments, the experiences, the cosmetics, design, fragrance and sound should be organised around the same concept. If you don’t do that, you

Patrick Saussay

can still have a nice treatment, but the experience will never be outstanding. And the consistency should also extend to the destination. If you’re in Japan or if you are in the Middle East, your guests want to feel a connection to their location. Finally, personalisation is key, especially in the spa market. Our guests see many different spas and try different experiences, but ultimately, they want to know that you understand why they are with you today and how you are going to to deliver whatever they need. www.globalspaadvisory.com

“Even with a brilliant concept and location, without a well trained team you can’t deliver the desired experience... a top priority should be training and retention.”

Patrick

Saussay Founder and CEO, GPSA Wellness Solutions

“Pivoting to meet guest demand is the best way for spa businesses to maintain membership numbers”

Guest expectations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and with that there’s a need for innovation and to keep moving forward. But this presents challenges as some of our members don’t like change.

Even introducing new high-tech fitness equipment can be met with resistance. So, for us, it is about finding the balance and then the communication piece to bring everyone along with us on the innovation journey. It’s about meeting the needs of external guest demand without alienating the heritage group of members.

One thing we have really had to adapt to at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is the change in laws regarding non-domicile taxation. We have a huge membership, and a lot of those people are not from the UK, and many shifted their homes abroad. We had to pivot and introduce an overseas membership to make sure that we could retain those members in some

way, and it’s been a great success for us. At the same time, our local members, living in the UK, now spend more time here. They come in to have somewhere under one roof where they can use the best facilities, swim, work out and access our lounge space.

They can socialise, network, have their business meetings, but then also bring their children for swimming lessons. They can also eat healthily and have intentional rest through our treatments. It’s about bringing everything to them so that they don’t feel like they need to go anywhere else.

www.jumeirah.com

“Our local members, living in the UK, now spend more time here. They come in to have somewhere they can use the best

facilities under one roof.”

Alice Lightfoot Director of spa and fitness, Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Five of the best spas for spring

Enjoy our spring selection of the new spas delivering wellness excellence across Europe

REPORT BY MARK SMITH

The global spa market continues to see significant investment in new hotels, resorts and destination spas. The sector is expected to grow by 7.7 per cent annually, according to the Global Wellness Institute. This is positive news for operators, brands and suppliers as more people visit wellness-focused properties to improve their personal health and wellbeing.

In this regular feature, European Spa shines a spotlight on some of the best new spas in Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway. With a sharp focus on the European market, we access some of the best properties, offering our readers a behind-the-scenes look at each project. We highlight the suppliers and the spa managers innovating in these spaces and how they are enhancing the guest experience.

The Longevity Spa at the Lake Como Edition, Italy

Opened in March 2026, the Lake Como Edition has transformed a restored 19th-century palazzo in Cadenabbia into a luxury lifestyle destination with 148 rooms, including 25 suites and two penthouses. Featuring several restaurants and bars with views of the Bellagio hills, this property is the second Italian hotel for the Edition group.

Part of the Marriot Bonvoy collection, the hotel boasts the Longevity Spa which brings its science led approach to wellbeing, combining advanced diagnostics with high-performance treatments designed to promote cellular regeneration, metabolic balance and mental clarity. The spa draws on the legacy of the Longevity Suite, Italy’s leading network of biohacking and anti-ageing urban clinics with 36 locations across Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Turkey.

“Lake Como has always been a place where people come to restore themselves,” says Anton Moore, general manager, the Lake Como Edition.

“With the Longevity Spa, we are bringing a new dimension of wellbeing to the destination – combining advanced longevity science with the tranquillity of the lake and mountains. It’s a space that is designed for both deep relaxation and meaningful renewal.”

INSIDE THE PROJECT

The Longevity Spa at the Lake Como Edition

www.longevityspathelakecomoedition.com

Spa size 650sqm

Product partners The Longevity Suite, Le Labo

Spa suppliers Lemi Group, Technogym, Book4Time, Myrtha Wellness, Dress Best, Frette

Inspired spa rituals

The spa features seven treatment rooms, including one couples’ room, and offers a range of specialised rituals and experiences. The treatment menu blends biohacking technology with holistic rituals designed to support longevity, energy and visible results. Signature rituals inspired by the Blue Zones, designed to reconnect the body and mind, complement longevity experiences that combine advanced technology with treatments.

Ultimate Biohacking is a regenerative offering combining dry float therapy, near infra-red light and hydrogen-oxygen therapy, designed to support sleep, boost immunity, reduce inflammation and improve collagen production and elasticity.

The spa menu also offers a range of face and

body treatments that combine high-performance activities with precise manual techniques, delivering visible results. For the face, guests can choose from a selection of effective treatments including the Cryofacial Hydrashine.

The Longevity Spa features Finnish and herbal saunas as well as separate steam and Turkish baths. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s expansive 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, designed to cater to strength training, cardio workouts and functional fitness routines.

The Lake Como Edition will also offer seasonal wellness programmes curated by expert trainers, offering sunrise lakeside yoga sessions, personal training classes and guided hikes through the surrounding mountains.

BEST FOR MINDFUL MOVEMENT

Wellness at the Newman, London, UK

The Newman, the first hotel by global hospitality management company Kinsfolk & Co, opened in London’s Fitzrovia in February 2026. Designed by Lind + Almond, it combines Nordic simplicity and the Swedish Grace movement of the 1920s.

The hotel’s 320sqm wellness floor includes a medical-grade halotherapy room that also functions as a relaxation area with heated benches. Also available are an ice lounge with backlit translucent ice effect, a Finnish sauna and a steam room for a complete contrast therapy ritual, multi-sensory experience showers and a hydrotherapy plunge pool. There are four treatments rooms, a 78sqm gym and a holistic salt-walled movement studio offering yoga, mat Pilates, sound yoga and sound baths.

With earthy, welcoming, tactile interiors and unique curved walls, the spa showcases hand-crafted artwork that nods to celebrated

textile designer Märta Maas-Fjetterström, and bespoke tapestries from London born artist Christabel Balfour. Using a neutral colour palette, spa consultancy Raison d’Etre has created a flowing journey from hotel to spa.

“Our purpose was to create an antidote to the busy life of a Londoner,” says spa manager, Winni Shimray. “Any spa can offer a treatment; this is a full journey to recovery designed to offer exploration, engagement and revival. We’re combining contrast therapy with mindful movement and cutting-edge recovery tools. The focus is on small details that make a big impact.”

Clean beauty and considered hospitality

Marking its first UK spa presence, Scandinavian clean beauty brand Nuori has devised treatments exclusively for the Newman, as has wellness brand Moss of the Isles and science-led CBD label Kloris. “These brands are unique in the London market

and worked with Raison d’Etre to devise exclusive treatments that are aligned to the Newman’s Nordic wellness philosophy,” says Shimray.

Despite having a whole floor dedicated to spa, the Newman is integrating wellness throughout the hotel. “Wellness permeates every corner,” says head of rooms, Sandia Scott. “We have a wellness-focused mini bar and in-room yoga mats, plus recovery products by Hyperice and Déesee PRO are available in the suites and can be sent up to rooms on request.

“The penthouse has a six-person sauna and a Brass Monkey plunge pool overlooking Fitzrovia, which we’ll use for holistic yoga contrast therapy experiences when it’s not occupied. We’ve also ensured every alcohol curation in the bar comes with a non-alcoholic counterpart.”

INSIDE THE PROJECT

Wellness at the Newman, London www.thenewman.com

Spa size 320sqm

Product partners Nuori, Moss of the Isles, Kloris, Anatome Spa suppliers KLAFS, Guncast, Book4Time, Gharieni, Ellisons, Observ 520, BC Softwear, Hyperice, Déesse PRO, HigherDose, Yogi Bare, Tissum, Technogym, Brass Monkey,

Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, Spain

Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa is situated at El Vendrell, Catalonia on the Costa Daurada, near Barcelona in Spain.

The 144-room luxury Marriott Bonvoy property – operating under the Le Méridien brand since 2004 – features a mix of premium rooms and suites, many with sea views, in addition to its new Explore Spa.

The site has a rich history as one of the first sanctuaries built specifically for healing in Spain. Since the 1920s, guests have taken advantage of the fresh sea air, natural light and mineral-rich seawater to strengthen their bodies and minds. Its recently unveiled spa is located in a building originally constructed in 1929 as a children’s hospital.

At 7,200sqm and with 35 treatment rooms,

Explore Spa is one of the largest in Spain. Facilities include four rooftop thalasso pools, supplied by Bosch Pascual, that harness the benefits of the Mediterranean Sea.

The spa experience has been redesigned and refurbished by Core Essence, with Bosch Pascual appointed contractors. A bio-sauna, ice room and hammam were supplied by Inbeca. There is also an aromatherapy steam room, salt wall tepidarium with heated stone loungers and a 900sqm hydrotherapy terrace.

“Our philosophy is rooted in the essence of thalasso – harnessing the power of the sea for wellbeing and renewal,” says Mercè Llorià Montner, spa director at Le Méridien Ra. “We offer truly unique treatments that provide exceptional sensory and therapeutic experiences.”

Synching circadian rhythms

The spa’s programming has been designed to nurture guests’ circadian rhythms, aligning their energies to natural solar and lunar cycles. The menu offers thalassotherapy bathing circuits as well as personalised, energising, balancing or grounding face and body treatments using Natura Bissé, SeaSkin Life and Alqvimia products. Signature offerings include the Oceanic Renewal by SeaSkin Life, a deep massage on a quartz crystal bed paired with 30 minutes of salt inhalation and crystal bowl sound healing. Other facilities include a fitness suite that is flooded with natural light and equipped by Technogym, while Explore Spa has also launched a two-night sleep retreat in partnership with the Sleep Project, a UK and European-based company specialising in sleep education and solutions.

INSIDE THE PROJECT

Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/reumd-lemeridien-ra-beach-hotel-and-spa/overview/ Spa size 7,200sqm

Product partners Natura Bissé, Alqvimia, SeaSkin Life

Spa suppliers Bosch Pascual, Inbeca, Core Essence, Technogym, La Maison, Inline London, Enraf-Nonius, Book4Time

Oysana Spa at Van Oys Maastricht Retreat, The Netherlands

Van Oys Maastricht Retreat, a five-star hotel situated in the 13th-century Kasteel Oost, has revealed its new Oysana Spa. With 81 beautiful rooms and suites spread across three different buildings, the property, set in serene countryside, is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Inspired by Blue Zone research and rooted in the local traditions of South Limburg, Oysana Spa is guided by LifeFulness, a modern approach to living a long, vibrant and meaningful life.

Claudia Reichenberger was spa consultant on the project, helping to curate a concept that is rooted in Cittaslow philosophy. This focuses on deceleration, authenticity, cultural heritage, warm hospitality and respect for nature.

“With Oysana, we are taking our Cittaslow philosophy to a new level,” says Marc Alofs, general manager, Van Oys Maastricht Retreat. “This spa embodies our commitment to sustainable, nature-connected wellbeing for body, mind, soul and the environment. Oysana captures

the essence of the region in every detail.”

Created by Architects SATIJNplus from the Netherlands, alongside Austrian firm MACH Bau Kitzbühel, the spa features interiors by Rosenthal Interiors & Partners, with curved walls, oval forms and rounded seating areas creating a soft, flowing impression.

INSIDE THE PROJECT

Oysana Spa at Van Oys Maastricht Retreat www.vanoys.com

Spa size 800sqm

Product houses woods_copenhagen, Pune Maastricht, Permsal Magnesium Suppliers Gharieni and MetaWell, Wolf Zobel Construction, KLAFS, Technogym, Meubili, Suitsupply, De Witte Lietaer, New Eco, Blycolin, Book4Time, Europlaid, BMN Dimplex, NKZ, Media Service

Slow journeys

Oysana Spa has been designed to offer a sanctuary of conscious deceleration, where guests can release stress, regenerate their natural energy and reconnect with their inner balance. This pathway is based around the SlowSync principle, which represents the art of bringing inner rhythms into harmony with those of nature.

Facilities include nine treatment rooms, a thermal spa circuit with a Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam cabin and cold-water plunge pool. There is also a spring-fed plunge pool and experience showers, a yoga and group training area, and the Spa Bar for refreshments.

Under the direction of spa manager Maureen Smeets, the spa offers touchless biohacks including infrared, magnesium, weightlessness, sound and vibration therapy to promote better sleep, metabolism, stress reduction and mental resilience. It features Gharieni and MetaWell technologies including MLX iDome and RLX BrainGym.

Oysana Spa is the first in Benelux to work with the Nordic skincare brand woods_copenhagen, integrating the brand’s clinically proven formulations with traditional techniques to create a sensory wellbeing concept.

Skostredet Hotel & Spa, Bergen, Norway

Skostredet Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel in the middle of Bergen’s historic bar and restaurant quarter. The area boasts a lively cultural scene and the hotel hosts a Michelin-starred restaurant, Omakase by Sergey Pak, as well as the highly regarded Izakaya Skostredet.

Designed by renowned architects Claesson Koivisto Rune, the 96-room hotel has been created with a strong focus on sustainability and quality. The architecture and interiors feature a natural combination of Japanese elegance and Scandinavian simplicity. This concept has been extended to the recently opened spa space.

Lasse Eriksen, development manager at FarrisBad and board member of the ISA and the Norwegian Sauna Association, was the consultant on the project and mentored the team.

“Bergen is surrounded by untouched landscapes, fjords and spectacular glaciers,” says general manager Yngve Hansen. “Combined with Skostredet Hotel & Spa you get the perfect getaway to recharge. The Spa at Skostredet is typically Japandi – it merges Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality and warmth.”

Tranquil spa spaces

Skostredet Hotel & Spa, under the direction of spa manager, Tor Henrik Mjos, offers a multi-zone spa, where Nordic tranquillity and natural materials

INSIDE THE PROJECT

Skostredet Hotel & Spa

www.debergenske.no/bergen/hotellovernatting/skostredet-hotel

Spa size 160sqm

Product house RÅ Skincare

Spa suppliers Tylo, EOS, TechnoAlpin, Technogym, GastroPlanner, Hotsoft

create a seamless journey from hot to cold and back to silent contemplation.

Skostredet Spa combines a pure aesthetic with the elements of nature – snow, steam, heat and silence in perfect balance. The materials used are bright and clean, the sound is subdued and the pace is slow. Everything is designed to make the body relax and clear the mind. The team executes its belief in simplicity by delivering quality in every detail: precise temperatures, good seating surfaces, clean scents and well thought-out rituals.

The spa’s therapists are trained in elevated techniques by one of Norway’s leading massage

therapist companies, MTT Bergen, which has therapists working with Olympic sports athletes.

Guests are welcomed into an authentic, atmospheric spa experience guided by skilled sauna masters, offering curated steam and sauna sessions, aufguss rituals, a TechnoAlpin snow room experience and a full thermal journey with both warm and cold baths.

The spa space boasts a 12-seat steam room by Tylo and a 20-seat sauna supplied by EOS. There are two treatment rooms offering therapies by local brand, RÅ Skincare. The spa also features a compact, modern 24-hour fitness suite equipped by Technogym.

BUYERS’

GUIDE

TREATMENT COUCHES

The treatment room is the beating heart of a spa and the couch at its centre is one of the most significant investments every spa business makes. Get it right and your purchase will support therapists, enhance guest comfort, improve your overall treatment offer and contribute to smooth operational flow.

This core piece of spa equipment can also boost room turnover and contribute to your bottom line, as how guests feel after a treatment remains a standout driver of repeat business.

Our Buyers' Guide brings together the best suppliers in the business, whose products go beyond comfort to deliver superior adjustability, extra padded high-tech surfaces and in-built vibroacoustic therapy, as

well as integrated options such as chromotherapy and guided meditations. Making the right choice for your space, treatments and budget requires careful consideration, so our Buyers’ Guide cuts through the noise to bring you the latest innovations. Our invaluable insight into these technological advancements aims to help you make a purchase you can be confident in for years to come.

Spa would like to thank the following companies for their contribution to this

BUYERS’ GUIDE

KEY FEATURES TO CONSIDER

PROTECT YOUR THERAPISTS

Look for an ergonomic option that fully adjusts to your therapists rather than the other way around. This will improve their access to the guest and help reduce any long-term physical strain.

ENHANCED CUSTOMISATION

Additional features such as integrated charging points, wireless controls, in-built warming drawers and app connectivity will all give your team greater flexibility and allow them to deliver a more seamlessly personalised guest experience.

GO LUXE

Generous cushioning, pressure relieving foam, consistent and fast heating, and silent mechanics are some of the small details your guests may not notice consciously but will remember long after they leave.

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE

Durability is a vital consideration when making such a considerable investment, so look for quality construction and high-performance surfaces that can be cleaned quickly and easily, as well as solid aftercare.

ONE COUCH, MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS

Prioritise a flexible, multi-functional design, especially if space is restricted. With today’s advanced models, a single couch should be able to work across your full treatment menu.

RAISE THE SENSORY BAR

The latest couches go well beyond just being comfy. Enhance your menu with vibration therapy, sound, infrared heat, light and guided breathwork options, to turn a standard treatment into something more memorable.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Gharieni Group

A leader in the wellness technology space for more than three decades, the German manufacturer is renowned for the design integrity, ergonomic detail and luxurious comfort of its high-end spa furniture

What makes Gharieni’s treatment beds unique?

A treatment couch is often the first physical connection a guest has with your wellness experience. It sets the tone, defines the atmosphere and quietly influences how the entire treatment unfolds – both experientially and operationally.

At Gharieni, we view the treatment couch as the centrepiece of the therapy room; a signature piece that anchors the identity of a space. Made in Germany, our iconic Gharieni treatment bed has shaped our brand’s legacy and is recognised for its refined detailing, exceptional comfort and enduring design. Every component is developed with intention, using premium materials and impeccable upholstery, with seamless, quiet movement and a construction quality designed to withstand the realities of daily use.

From above: the RLX BrainGym encourages relaxation to improve guests' sleep and focus; Gharieni's high-tech Augmented Massage bed

Building on this foundation, Gharieni pioneered the integration of advanced wellness technologies into treatment beds more than 15 years ago, when wellness outcomes such as longevity and recovery were rarely mentioned. What began as a bold step to elevate the traditional treatment table has since evolved into Metawell, a brand dedicated to mind/body wellness technologies.

Metawell couches and loungers represent a strategic response to a market increasingly driven by preventative health, recovery and immersive, outcome-focused experiences. By integrating modalities such as vibroacoustics, far infrared

RECENT SPA PARTNERSHIPS

Guerlain Wellness Spa at Waldorf Astoria, New York, USA

The Spa Longevity at Palace Downtown, Address Hotels, Dubai, UAE

Meraki Wellness, Grand Cayman Islands

Hotel Costes, Paris, France

Shebara Hotel, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

heat and light therapy directly into the treatment bed, Metawell supports both hands-on therapies and technology-driven wellness concepts within the same footprint.

Tell us about your latest developments.

A key milestone has been our progress in sustainability, including recognition through EcoVadis, alongside the introduction of a lifetime warranty on all metal parts and frames; reinforcing our commitment to durability and long-term operator confidence.

Gharieni has also formed a new partnership with FC Schalke 04, one of Germany’s largest football clubs, supporting its athletes in recovery. This aligns with a broader shift we’re driving – expanding wellness into performance and preventative health. We have an exciting pipeline of new and innovative developments that we’re excited to share in 2026.

What recent product are you most excited about?

RLX BrainGym has a new design and a new name. Formerly known as RLX Satori, our newly christened zero-gravity lounger uses evidence based technology to train the brain to relax for clarity, focus and deep restoration. Its voice-guided modules now also include multiple languages beyond English, including German and Chinese.

RLX BrainGym can function as a standalone wellness experience, a preparatory or closing ritual before facials or body treatments, or as mental wellbeing-focused enhancement alongside massage and aesthetic services.

What trends do you see shaping the future?

Operators remain focused on maximising revenue and ROI from every square metre of treatment space. This is why multi-functional couches will continue to be essential, as they enable multiple treatments to be offered on the same bed, unlocking greater revenue potential from a single room.

www.gharieni.com | www.metawell.io

REASONS TO INVEST

n OUTCOME-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT

Metawell’s mind/body wellness technologies go beyond relaxation, delivering evidence-based, measurable outcomes in mental wellbeing, sleep optimisation, recovery and longevity.

n REVENUE MULTIPLICATION

Gharieni’s multi-functional and technology-integrated treatment couches enable higher-value services, extended treatment pathways and increased room productivity, thereby unlocking greater revenue potential from treatment spaces.

n EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT AND ERGONOMICS

Decades of hands-on collaboration with clients and therapists have shaped features that actively reduce therapist strain and support correct body mechanics, even over long working hours.

n LONG-TERM INVESTMENT SECURITY

Engineered for sustainable longevity, Gharieni treatment couches are known to perform for more than 15 years, backed by warranties of up to a lifetime on key components.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Lemi Group

The Italian brand has been engineering luxurious treatment room furniture for more than 35 years, and is renowned for its unique designs and superior technologies

What makes Lemi’s treatment bed offering unique?

The balance between technological innovation and a fully integrated manufacturing process defines Lemi’s treatment beds. Every component – from internal mechanics to the luxury upholstery – is designed and produced in-house in Italy, allowing us to maintain a consistent focus on ergonomics, performance and durability. This approach enables us to respond more effectively to the evolving needs of modern spas, where treatment flexibility and guest comfort are increasingly interconnected. Over time, spa operators have shown growing interest in integrated features supporting immersive experiences. Technologies such as thermal heating, chromotherapy and vibroacoustics can now be incorporated into our treatment beds, helping to enhance guests relaxation without altering the treatment flow. Combined with a high level of aesthetic and material customisation, this allows each piece of Lemi equipment to adapt to both operational requirements and the design identity of the spa.

What recent products are you most excited about?

The Venice Head Spa meets growing demand for scalp-focused wellness rituals and water-based relaxation

RECENT SPA PARTNERSHIPS

Bvlgari Hôtel, Paris, France

JOALI Maldives

Casa Cipriani, Milan, Italy

Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Indonesia

From above: the ergonomically designed Harmony Lounge from Lemi; ThermoSoft-V delivers touchless treatments featuring heat, sound and vibration

treatments. A multifunctional solution, it brings together massage, manicure and pedicure with immersive head spa experiences. Its integrated wet treatment capabilities allow therapists to move between different protocols in a fluid manner.

A key differentiator is the opportunity to combine dry and water-based services within one workstation.

Hygienic hydromassage systems, ergonomic electric adjustments and programmable positioning contribute to treatment consistency, while

supporting therapist comfort during longer sessions.

How does Lemi help spa operators to maximise treatment experiences?

The multifunctionality of our Venice Head Spa, for example, allows spa operators to introduce new rituals without fundamentally changing the layout of the treatment room. Its ergonomic structure helps support therapist posture, while integrated heating and water-based functionalities contribute to a more immersive sensory environment.

This allows spas to expand the treatment menu in a way that feels both operationally seamless and experientially meaningful, all within an existing cabin setup.

What trends do you see shaping the future of treatment couch design?

There is a shift in demand towards more multifunctional treatment equipment, as spas look to diversify their offering and so need increasingly flexible treatment environments.

Equipment is now expected to adapt to a range of rituals that may combine manual techniques, water-based elements and sensory stimulation.

At the same time, there’s growing demand for immersive, mindfulness driven treatments. Integrated technologies such as vibroacoustics and chromotherapy are sought for experiences that promote deep relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Finally, we’re seeing a surge in demand for spa concepts in residential wellness spaces, reflecting a broader move towards bringing professional level comfort into the home.

https://bit.ly/lemi_EuropeanSpa

REASONS TO INVEST

n 100 PER CENT ITALIAN MANUFACTURING

Since 1989 Lemi has designed, manufactured and controlled the entire production cycle from our factory in Italy, guaranteeing quality, function and style.

n EXTENDED WARRANTY

Lemi offers one of the longest warranties on the market, ensuring peace of mind for every operator.

n BESPOKE SERVICE

We can meet any customisation demand, from unique colours and sizing to bespoke finishes to suit every spa’s design.

n UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE

With three decades of industry knowledge and experience, Lemi guarantees benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

n LEMI LIFETIME ASSISTANCE

We can provide spare parts and offer proper technical solutions until the end of your product’s life cycle, caring for your equipment over many years.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Nilo Spa Design

Specialising in premium multifunctional treatment beds for high-end spas, Nilo’s products are highly benchmarked on both aesthetics and ergonomics

What makes Nilo treatment beds unique in the industry?

What sets Nilo beds apart is the perfect balance between Italian design, ergonomic engineering and wellness space design culture. We don’t just make equipment, we craft real working tools designed to become an integral part of the spa experience.

Each Nilo bed is created to meet three fundamental needs: absolute comfort for the guest; ergonomic protection for the therapist; and aesthetics that are consistent with high-end environments.

At Nilo, we collaborate with designers and architects in the wellness sector to integrate materials and technology in a sophisticated balance. Our goal is to transform every treatment into a ritual, where the bed is not just a technical support, but a central element of the sensory experience.

This page: Shirobody integrates massage and therapeutic hair-washing in an ergonomic and environmentally conscious evolution of the head spa concept

Tell us about some recent developments at Nilo.

In recent years, Nilo has consolidated our presence in the luxury, hospitality and wellness segments, recording significant growth in custom projects for international hotels and resorts.

At the same time, we have invested in technological innovation, with a particular focus on head spa concepts and multisensory treatments.

We’re also strengthening our distribution network in North America, the Middle East and Asia, developing strategic partnerships with spa operators and wellness architecture firms. The goal is to position Nilo as not only a manufacturer but a 360-degree

RECENT SPA PARTNERSHIPS

Four Seasons Hotels

Aman Hotels

Kempinski Hotels

Comfort Zone FACE SPAce concept

Omorfia Group, United Arab Emirates

design partner, capable of supporting businesses right through from concept phase to final realisation.

What recent products are you most excited about?

Shirobody is an innovative treatment bed that offers a contemporary evolution of the head spa concept.

Shirobody was developed thanks to the know-how of Maletti, our founding company and an international leader in professional hairdressing furniture. A multifunctional system, it integrates massage and therapeutic hair-washing, allowing therapists to perform advanced scalp treatments with precision and maximum operational fluidity.

Its distinctive features include an ergonomic system, designed to minimise postural stress for the therapist, and a water recycling system, beneficial both for the environment and optimising operating

costs. With an elegant design, Shirobody has an integrated massage and heating system and offers an enhanced combination of washing and manual treatment phases.

Shirobody’s strength lies in its ability to transform a technical service into a ritual with high perceived value, enhancing both the customer experience and spa profitability. It allows spas to offer a highly differentiated premium service and therefore increase average spending, reduces transition times between treatments and improves overall operational efficiency.

What do you think will influence the future development of spa beds?

We believe longevity and recovery will become the new design pillars. We’ll see increased integration between advanced technology and manual rituals, as well as more modularity for flexibility. The future will require treatment beds that can adapt to hybrid protocols and multifunctional environments, while maintaining comfort, efficiency and a strong aesthetic identity.

www.nilospadesign.com

REASONS TO INVEST

n MEETING OPERATORS’ NEEDS

Every Nilo treatment bed provides complete comfort for the client, ergonomic protection for therapists and aesthetic consistency.

n GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION

Nilo’s distribution network now spans Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

n A 360-DEGREE DESIGN PARTNER

As well as manufacturing treatment beds, Nilo’s dedicated team can support customers from the initial concept and design phase to the final realisation.

n FOCUSED ON THERAPIST WELLBEING

Therapist comfort is central to all of our designs. Nilo’s massage tables offer optimal accessibility and reduce physical stress and the risk of injury in the long term.

n ON-TREND OFFERINGS

In a market increasingly focused on longevity and targeted wellbeing, Shirobody offers a specialised treatment with strong emotional appeal and distinctive positioning.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Living Earth Crafts

The US-based brand, part of Earthlite, has been manufacturing high-quality, handcrafted, sustainable spa equipment since 1973

Tell us about the latest developments at Living Earth Crafts (LEC). At LEC, innovation is not an initiative, it’s our whole trajectory. We are one of the world’s most recognised manufacturers of premium spa and wellness equipment. We help operators evolve their treatment environments by engineering equipment that supports measurable outcomes and enhances guest recovery, all while sustaining therapist performance.

LEC is redefining what a treatment bed can deliver through strategic partnerships with leading technology driven wellness brands such as Sonas, Celluma and Hyperice. These collaborations allow us to integrate performance-based experiences directly into our equipment. This transforms our tables from simple spa furnishings into multifunctional wellness systems. With more exciting partnerships to come, we’re building a future where design, technology and therapeutic innovation seamlessly converge, positioning ourselves at the forefront of performance-driven, experience-led wellness.

How can your new products maximise the therapy experience?

By combining integrated technology and multifunctional design, our products allow a single treatment room to deliver a broad range of services more efficiently, elevating the treatment experience and strengthening operational performance. Premium enhancements like LED pulsed light therapy and Mind-Sync brain entrainment, create measurable

Clockwise from top: the Alhambra has been designed specifically for the EMEA market; the technologically advanced Mind-Sync 2.0 Reset Lounger; the Club LE mani-pedi chair

RECENT SPA PARTNERSHIPS

JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Scottsdale Arizona, USA

Fairmont Orchid, Waimea, Hawaii

Grand Hyatt Los Cabos, Mexico

Rosewood Crete, Greece

St Regis, New Delhi, India

wellness outcomes without the need to expand square footage. The result is an elevated guest journey and meaningful opportunities for incremental revenue.

What trends do you see shaping the future of spa treatment couches?

Meaningful technology integration and smarter, revenue-driven design will shape the future. Treatment beds are evolving from static furnishings into multifunctional platforms that directly

incorporate wellness technologies. At the same time, innovative design is enabling spas to maximise room utilisation, expand treatment offerings and introduce premium add-ons that drive incremental revenue. The treatment couch is no longer just a support surface; it’s a strategic asset within the spa business model.

Tell us about one of your recent product launches.

The Alhambra, designed specifically for the EMEA market, includes a patented chest comfort system and self-adjusting headrest. It also integrates electronic drop arms with comfort channels for petite clients. A five-layer, 14cm mattress system is fitted with patent-pending EarthConnect technology, which helps to balance both the client’s and therapist’s natural bioelectric charge, shielding from ambient EMFs.

How else do your treatment beds contribute to therapist wellbeing? With extended and ultra-low height ranges, our couches allow therapists to work with optimal body mechanics. Wireless hand and foot controls allow for seamless in-treatment adjustments, so therapists can reposition clients while preserving flow and minimising repetitive strain. www.livingearthcrafts.com

Vice-president

REASONS TO INVEST

n HIGH-LEVEL FUNCTIONALITY

LEC engineers advanced, configurable designs centred around therapist performance and operational efficiency.

n CONSTANT INNOVATION

As nine-time ISPA Innovate Award winners, we are pioneers in technology integration and continually research and develop.

n GLOBAL REACH

LEC maintains a strong international presence. Our global footprint enables us to serve diverse markets while delivering quality, service and brand integrity across continents.

n WINNING PRODUCTS

Our commitment to craftsmanship, durability and performance has earned widespread recognition, including being named Favourite Treatment Table 13 times by American Spa readers.

n REVENUE-ENHANCING

Our integrated technologies meet evolving guest expectations while creating revenue opportunities, enabling spas to introduce premium enhancements, increase treatment value and drive meaningful incremental profitability.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

AKT Group

The brand behind C.O.D.E and SKYY couches creates Italian-made treatment beds and loungers equipped with unique biotechnologies, as part of its commitment to conscious wellness

What makes AKT Group’s treatment beds unique?

AKT Group is distinctive in that we approach the treatment bed not simply as a passive, standalone piece of equipment, but as a vital part of a wider wellness architecture.

Through our portfolio of brands, AKT Group brings together different but complementary strengths: design heritage, operational performance, customisation and future-facing wellness innovation. This creates a more complete offer for spas and wellness destinations looking for more than a standard couch.

Our treatment beds are developed with a strong focus on ergonomics, material quality and long-term relevance. Features such as highly developed comfort systems and therapist-conscious engineering are paired with a refined Italian design language that supports the overall identity of the treatment space.

Tell us about your newest innovations. AKT Group is expanding its vision beyond product creation to incorporate a broader ecosystem where treatment beds, sensory technologies and wellness intelligence are designed to work in a dialogue.

This move towards becoming a wellness platform rather than a conventional manufacturer is reflected in the introduction of EVE, the Evolving Wellness Ecosystem by Life WellTech in-house R&D division, which signals a more integrated approach to the guest experience, therapist support and bio-technological innovation.

Clockwise from top: La Spa by Sisley at Romeo Rome, Italy; a treatment on board a Giorgio Armani-designed Admiral superyacht; Cosentino City Dubai, UAE

RECENT SPA PARTNERSHIPS

Orient Express La Minerva, Rome, Italy

W Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

METT Barcelona, Spain

Conrad The Ilisian, Athens, Greece

Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux, France

La Certosa di Maggiano, Siena, Italy

At the same time, AKT Group is continuing to consolidate the identity of its brands, each addressing a specific dimension of the market. Our multi-brand structure gives us versatility; we can respond to premium hospitality, spa design and bespoke project needs with greater precision than a single-brand player.

What are the key features of EVE?

EVE is an evolving ecosystem that brings together multiple wellness enhancing technologies within one treatment environment.

Rather than layering disconnected add-ons into the spa room, EVE creates an integrated platform for elements such as immersive sound, far-infrared support and bio-feedback to deliver a more complete, resonant treatment experience.

EVE’s USPs are both emotional and operational. It offers a deeper sensory journey while allowing operators to create greater differention and a compelling narrative around treatment value. In a market increasingly interested in meaningful innovation rather than novelty, EVE stands out as aligned with the real future of spa: connected, intentional but still deeply human.

What trends do you see shaping the future of spa treatment couches?

Investments will be shaped by a greater understanding of performance. Comfort remains essential, but the market is moving towards solutions that support guest wellbeing and therapist longevity, and offer measurable value. As well as ergonomics and ecological credibility, treatment beds will increasingly need to offer integrated experiences incorporating sensory, responsive and upgradeable technologies without compromising simplicity of use. www.aktgroup.io

Angelica Maran and Laurent Malbert

Co-founders, AKT Group

REASONS TO INVEST

n A MULTI-BRAND VISION OF WELLNESS

AKT Group offers a combination of design heritage, innovation, customisation and operational performance within one coherent and future-oriented ecosystem.

n 100 PER CENT MADE IN ITALY Our treatment solutions are designed for guests, therapists and operators alike, balancing comfort, ergonomics, aesthetics and long-term commercial relevance in equal measure.

n GREATER FLEXIBILITY

With brands serving different project needs, AKT Group gives spas and hospitality partners limitless versatility across premium, luxury and bespoke wellness concepts.

n INNOVATIVE EDGE

Integrated biotechnologies strengthen our offering, focusing on treatment experiences that are immersive, scalable, intelligent and human-centred.

n PREMIUM QUALITY

A strong quality culture helps create superior treatment environments that feel responsible and aligned with modern wellness expectations.

Delivering wellness without walls

Emma Darby, global vice president spa and wellness, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, discusses the evolving approach to guest wellbeing across the brand’s portfolio

The constant evolution of the luxury hospitality landscape is being driven by shifts in guest expectation and a growing global consciousness of wellbeing. For years now, wellness has been the buzzword in luxury hotels and resorts, with a proliferation of deluxe spas, state-of-the-art fitness centres, meticulously crafted menus and green juice bars.

While these elements remain valued by guests, the conversation is broadening, deepening and maturing at pace. The singular pursuit of guest wellness is giving way to a more profound and interconnected concept in the luxe hotel sector relating to the physical, mental and actual health of guests: their overall and long-term wellbeing.

At Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, we are not just observing this shift, we are actively leading the charge; redefining the guest experience to embrace wellbeing in its most comprehensive form.

Making ‘special’ happen

In its traditional sense, wellness refers to the active, conscious pursuit of health, primarily focusing on physical vitality. It’s about ‘doing’ – engaging in exercise, eating nutritiously, getting regular check-ups; a series of practices and activities aimed at improving health overall.

Hotels emphasising guest wellness may offer an impressive gym, a spa, the

latest on-trend yoga classes; these all undoubtedly contribute to a guest’s sense of physical health. But those we’ll increasingly host in 2026 and beyond know more and expect more. This isn’t simply a shift towards seeking more wellness-focused activites; it’s a fundamental change in human wants and needs.

In response, Fairmont has shifted focus to address the total wellbeing of our guests. Our wellbeing philosophy is linked to focusing on time well spent, and our brand belief – to ‘Make Special Happen’ for all our guests. It is not based on a one-size-fits-all philosophy, rather it’s a belief that wellbeing is an ongoing journey that integrates physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental health.

Feeling as well as doing Wellbeing at Fairmont isn’t just about what guests do, but how they feel – their sense of purpose, connection and contentment. It’s about creating an environment and experiences that nurture an individual’s full self. For example, the recently opened Fairmont Tokyo in Japan offers a holistic wellness journey with signature oils and premium Japanese wellness products that nurture a deep sense of relaxation and inner renewal by connecting the body, mind and spirit to the city’s pulse.

At Basin Glacial Waters in Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Canada, which opened in September 2025, we embody wellness with the chance to experience the rejuvenating power of glacial-fed thermal waters overlooking the iconic Lake Louise.

Experiences such as these enable our guests to live better, travel smarter,

“We are redefining the guest experience to embrace wellbeing in its most comprehensive form.”

Emma Darby Global vice-president spa and wellness, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

EMMA DARBY EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

An inspiring leader in the wellness space, Emma Darby brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to her role as global vice-president, spa and wellness for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, after senior roles at Rosewood and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group. Driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of wellness, an ethos that aligns closely with Fairmont’s commitment to making guests feel truly cared for, Darby has consistently delivered strategic growth, operational excellence and elevated guest experiences. Most recently, as COO at Resense Spas, she led a global portfolio of luxury spas, overseeing business expansion, spearheading new openings and renovations, and embedding a consistently high standard of holistic wellness across all touchpoints. www.fairmont.com

A new era of restorative travel

Emma Darby’s five essentials for enriching the travel experience beyond typical tourism and into an overall restorative stay that aids continued health and wellbeing:

n A deeper connection to the destination guests are visiting – an integration of local elements into the wellness offering.

n High-tech wellness options such as bespoke fitness plans.

n Social and restorative experiences, such as

social sauna experiences, as opposed to exclusively individual treatments.

n Immersive experiences like glacial water therapies and aufguss ceremonies.

n A holistic approach that includes movement, nourishment, rest, sleep and connection.

explore with energy and feel their best; physically recharged, but also mentally clearer and more emotionally balanced.

Striving for personal health

Guests are no longer simply seeking a temporary reprieve from daily life. They desire restoration, connection, opportunities to recalibrate and experiences that support long-term health and personal growth. Our new approach is built on the understanding that true luxury now lies in facilitating genuine wellbeing, which goes far beyond providing a massage table and a relaxing soundtrack.

At Fairmont, wellness is seamlessly integrated into every experience, with touchpoints that enable our guests to sleep, eat and move better. Many locations, such as Fairmont Windsor Park in the UK, with its Greens Café, feature dedicated wellness cafés offering fresh, healthy meals, pressed juices and smoothies.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in California, US, offers specialised Rest and Recovery suites with features including intelligent mattresses, air purifiers and light simulation lamps to enhance sleep quality.

Our Fairmont Fit programme provides access to an exclusive in-room wellness programme designed by Three Sages,

including yoga mats and resistance bands, so guests can exercise when it suits their schedule.

Creating a well environment

Considering the physical environment, we leverage biophilic design principles to connect guests with nature’s restorative power. Natural light, curated greenery and a sense of spaciousness are not just aesthetic choices; they are integral to promoting calm and reducing stress in our bodies.

Each Fairmont spa offers a reflective wellness experience. In the Czech Republic, Fairmont Golden Prague’s

1. In Los Angeles, Fairmont Century Plaza takes self-care to new heights with its Red-Light Therapy Signature Package, an 11-session journey proven to boost collagen production, rejuvenate skin and accelerate muscle recovery.

2. In Canada, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s new Glacial Wellness experience invites guests to reconnect with their surroundings and embrace resilience through a guided lakeside sauna and invigorating plunge into Lac Beauvert, fully immersed in the serene wilderness.

3. On Hawaii’s Big Island, Fairmont Orchid’s award-winning Spa Without Walls is a sanctuary of thatched hale, oceanfront cabanas and open-air

1,400sqm spa combines luxury, nature and state-of-the art technology. A tranquil spa garden and an L-shaped pool provide an immersive experience in Prague’s city centre. There is a designer sauna (TAO Conti) and steam cabin (TAO Indi), a Ziegra ice-maker and experience showers. A unisex infrared sauna is available by the pool.

Japanese-inspired bathing at Fairmont Tokyo offers iconic city views, while the new Fairmont Mumbai in India introduces a hyperbaric

treatments using ingredients from the surrounding landscape such as coconut oil, passionfruit and volcanic lava rocks.

4. Wellness at Fairmont Mayakoba in Mexico’s Riviera Maya draws on ancient Mayan traditions from the sacred Temazcal Experience – a purifying sweat lodge ceremony guided by heat, steam and sacred herbs – to spa treatments inspired by the lunar cycle, reflecting the Mayans’ deep connection to the sun, stars and moon.

5. Fairmont Hanoi introduced a transformative urban sanctuary in 2025, which celebrates the spirit of Vietnam through locally-inspired ingredients, traditional healing rituals and bio-innovation.

oxygen chamber at the Blu Xone spa, delivering purified oxygen under increased pressure to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation and support mental clarity.

Nurturing emotional equilibrium

Beyond the physical, Fairmont is introducing curated experiences and mindful practices that nurture mental and emotional equilibrium. This means guided meditation sessions, curated sleep programmes featuring specialised bedding, and intuitive, unobtrusive service that respects guests’ need for peace. Culinary offerings have become nourishing experiences in settings that foster connection and enjoyment.

Social and cultural wellbeing are also deeply embedded, with many Fairmont hotels offering opportunities to engage with local artisans, history and traditions, fostering a sense of authentic connection and belonging.

Ultimately, Fairmont’s focus is on offering inclusive wellbeing experiences ‘without walls’, which are accessible to all. Wellbeing is a deeply personal and multi-faceted concept. Our commitment is to provide the space, the experiences and the genuine care to contribute meaningfully to a guest’s lasting sense of wellbeing well beyond check-out.

WellnessTrends

TRENDS AND NEWS

Edited by Mark Smith

Auberge brings joy through wellness programming

Auberge Collection, which is set to debut in London in 2026, has rolled out a new Joy of Wellness concept across its portfolio of unique luxury hotels, resorts and residences. The initiative will help guests rediscover the everyday vitality that comes from being present, connected and joyful.

To bring the plan to life, Auberge has incorporated the expertise of Gabby Bernstein, a leader in wellbeing and personal growth, whose coaching and meditation app will guide guests on their journey.

The joy of life

Emphasising joy as more than a feeling, but a way of living well, Auberge highlights studies showing that joy releases feel-good neurochemicals, lowers stress hormones,

strengthens immunity and may even boost longevity. The app’s seven-day custom-content series includes guided affirmations, connection rituals and exercises for cultivating more joy. Bernstein also helped create a new pre-treatment ritual with a guided breathing mantra, and a nightly turndown ritual. www.auberge.com

“The

Joy of Wellbeing offers guests what they are truly seeking when they travel: wellbeing that feels deeply personal, uplifting and rooted in the way they want to feel.”

Vivianne

Garcia-Tunon Vice-president of wellbeing, Auberge Collection

Music as medicine

As the wellness industry gains a greater understanding of the power of music, Mark Smith speaks to leading experts about how it can influence health and what it means for spas

The scientific community is only just beginning to appreciate the healing power of music. It can be transformational in many settings and recent research has revealed its potent effect on the brain. As well as reducing stress and enhancing cognitive function, music is also associated with positive responses in people with neurodegenerative diseases.

For spas, music can be incorporated into wellbeing rituals in a multitude of ways. From sound baths to vibracoustic beds and aural soundscapes in the treatment room, spa soundtracks have moved beyond bland ‘whale music’ and now have the power to truly transform.

The science of sound

Neuroscientist and musician Professor Daniel Levitin shares his expertise in his 2025 book, Music as Medicine. From explaining how ‘rhythmic auditory stimulation’ can fight multiple sclerosis, to examining why certain songs may help ease PTSD, Levitin offers insights into the emerging science of music as medicine.

He also explores how we can use music to calm our thoughts, repair our memories and even help to heal deep psychological wounds.

“We figured out that when you listen to music you like, it releases dopamine and opioids in your brain in the so-called reward circuit,” says Levitin. “Those opioids can help relieve pain. The dopamine can help motivate you to get through an exercise workout or just get up out of

bed if you’re depressed. Just listening to or playing music seems to have a substantial and statistically significant effect.”

Wellbeing and flow

The wellness industry has been an innovator in this space. Brands such as Myndstream and Musicstyling, and sound artists such as Justin Wiggan of Internal Garden and Brian D’Souza from Swell, have applied this knowledge to spa treatments and beyond.

“Music has been used across the world to tap deep into our nervous systems to induce altered states,” says D’Souza, “Correctly used it can be powerful in

“We figured out that when you listen to music you like, it releases dopamine and opioids in your brain in the so-called reward circuit. Those opioids can help relieve pain.”

activating positive emotions in our brain and body.”

D’Souza’s work with spa soundtrack curator Swell uses music to activate the parasympathetic system, reducing cortisol levels relating to stress and anxiety. It also works to encourages a flow state within the listener, defined as “an optimal state of being”.

Transformative power

The founders of Myndstream believe that music can positively transform every facet of society, from hospitality to healthcare. When used intentionally, they say it can support health, recovery and wellbeing at scale.

“Music’s effects are subtle and often unspoken, but profoundly powerful,” says founder Freddie Moross. “It shapes emotional states by engaging

multiple systems in the brain at once; from emotion and memory to core physiological responses.

“Tempo, rhythm and frequency can influence heart rate and breathing, while melody and harmony stimulate emotional and reward pathways. Crucially, these effects are often rapid too, as the brain processes sound faster than any other sense.”

Music for therapy

The use of sound comes into its own in the spa treatment room. Well curated,

it can help therapists find rhythm and flow during treatments, improving the experience for both practitioner and client. Myndstream has partnered with leading wellness brands including 111SKIN, Hyperice and TechnoAlpin to curate signature soundscapes to complement treatments and create immersive, multi-sensory journeys. Collaborations are key in this sector and Justin Wiggan has worked with Six Senses and also curated a soundscape for Wildsmith Skin, using sounds from the Wildsmith arboretum on the Heckfield Estate.

Swell has collaborated with ishga, Kimpton Charlotte Square and Coworth Park in the UK. D’Souza has also recorded sounds of the Hebrides for the ishga sound experience app, which is available to download and is used during spa therapies.

www.myndstream.com | www.musicstyling.com | www.internalgarden.info www.swellstudio.io | www.111skin.com | www.hyperice.com | technoalpin.com www.sixsenses.com | www.wildsmithskin.com | www.ishga.com www.kimptoncharlottesquare.com | www.coworthpark.com

Avalon offers transformational plant-based medicine retreats in Spain

Five-star boutique hotels in Barcelona and Ibiza are to host plant medicine retreats by Avalon, offering guests space for reflection and inner work. The immersive experiences, based on ancestral ceremonies, are designed to engender lasting change rather than fleeting insight.

Avalon views plant medicine not as a cure or a quick fix but as a catalyst – an experience that can bring unconscious patterns, emotional blocks and personal truths into awareness. What follows is equally important: integration, reflection and conscious behavioural change.

The multi-day retreats will combine ingested plant medicine ceremonies with support including psychological screening, professional care and structured integration before, during and after.

Alongside its core programmes, Avalon also offers specialised experiences, including men-only retreats and non-ingestive modalities such as holotropic breathwork for those seeking expanded states of consciousness without plant medicine. www.weareavalon.love

Barons Eden launches spa and wellness immersions guided by astrology

Barons Eden, the hospitality group that operates Hoar Cross Hall Spa & Hotel and Eden Hall Day Spa in the UK, has unveiled Your Spa Future 2026 – an astrologically inspired wellness campaign created with leading astrologer and author Emma Howarth.

Combining celestial insight with restorative wellbeing, the concept invites guests to discover which spa treatments, rituals and facilities are most suited to them according to the stars. Whether they seek grounding, clarity, energy or release, every zodiac sign is matched with a curated spa experience for 2026.

Drawing on the zodiac elements of earth, air, fire and water, Your Spa Future dictates specific tailored spa rituals. The campaign launches with a spa horoscope for Capricorns, featuring treatments crafted around the distinct characteristics and elemental needs of the sign. Insights for Capricorn include sleep optimisation and transformative facials to support their goal-driven mindset. The campaign aims to help guests of all signs take thoughtful action towards their 2026 wellbeing goals. www.baronseden.com

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair introduces floating sound therapy sessions

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair has partnered with wellness expert Laura Dodd, founder of the Yoga Class, to launch a pioneering holistic wellness programme within its spa, aimed at resetting the body and mind as one.

The collaboration weaves together movement, meditation, sound and spa therapies through private sessions, signature yoga and Pilates classes, immersive rituals and in-room digital content.

At the core of the programme is the Art of Reset, a deeply restorative floating sound bath hosted in what is said to be Mayfair’s longest pool. Guests float weightlessly on warm water as live sound frequencies, gentle vibrations and guided breathwork calm the nervous system and encourage emotional release.

Using crystal bowls, gongs and therapeutic instruments, the experience blends ancient sound-healing traditions with modern science to deliver a multi-sensory journey that restores clarity and balance, and encourages deep renewal. www.mandarinoriental.com

Surrenne stages wellbeing retreats at the Maybourne Riviera in France

Expanding its reach beyond private membership and UK hotel guests, London-based longevity and wellbeing club Surrenne is taking its transformative philosophy to France for new retreats at the Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur.

Created to echo the brand’s philosophy in a concentrated period of self-restoration, Surrenne Retreats are built around the seamless integration of science, nature and connection. The four-night, guided retreats are led by an expert team that includes specialist guest practitioners who provide one-to-one consultations and support throughout.

Personalised treatments and therapies, movement practices, breathwork and rituals celebrate both self and environment. To support gut health, energy release and deep rest, a menu has been created by nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner Rose Ferguson. The retreats unfold in three stages, encouraging guests to ground, recharge and regenerate. The first Spring Equinox retreat was led by Ferguson supported by astrology and meditation practitioner, Belinda Matwali. www.surrenne.com | www.maybourne.com

Datu Wellness to hold ayurvedic retreats at an Italian palazzo

Datu Wellness has announced that its 2026 residency will take place at a 17th-century palazzo overlooking the Amalfi coast, south of Salerno. The new location will bring together the company’s 20 practitioners, doctors and chefs to deliver authentic ayurvedic retreats in a European setting.

Also new for this year is a residency by Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist Lama, whose teachings combine humour and human connection with reference to ancient lineage.

Rinpoche is the latest in Datu’s line of distinguished special guests, following residencies by Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen and celebrated Swiss psychiatrist Dr Therese Augsburger.

He will teach the tummo fire-breathing technique, a once-secret inner heat practice to clear energy blockages. Participants will also learn dzogchen meditation, where the mind is allowed to simply perceive itself without judgment, leading to a direct, quiet understanding of one’s own nature. www.datuwellness.com

László Puczkó, founder of HTWW, explores the concept of joyspan

Identified as a spa trend to watch this year in the European Spa Leaders’ Resource 2026, joyspan is a concept that László Puczkó, founder of Health Tourism Worldwide Life (HTWW), has explored in some depth.

“Joyspan is a relatively new term referring to the breadth and longevity of joy or happiness experiences in life – like a parallel to ‘lifespan’ but focused on positive emotional wellbeing,” says Puczkó.

“Joyspan is a phenomenon that spas can contribute to relatively easily as spa visits have traditionally been considered as relaxing, pampering and soothing. The next level contribution to joyspan suggests the conscious curation and orchestration of these joyous moments. The key is to keep these joy impulses coming on a regular basis.

“Spas should consult experienced ateliers to gain better understanding of how the flow of joy can be improved and enhanced.” www.htww.life

20 — 22 April 2026

Galgorm Resort, Ballymena, Northern Ireland

www.lemispa.com

info@lemigroup.it

SpaStyle

SHOWCASING STYLISH EQUIPMENT AND LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR SPA

Edited by Wendy Golledge

Myrtha and Apostoli create modular WellGate designs

Designed by Alberto Apostoli for Myrtha Wellness, WellGate is a versatile, wellness system with integrable technologies including a sauna, steam bath, frigidarium and caldarium.

Tailored to suit existing spaces and layouts, each component incorporates modular stainless-steel structures, exclusively designed by Myrtha, which are adaptable to any aesthetic or technological requirement. The designs’ sculptural circular and curved elements, including showerheads and ice fountains, reflect the language of water.

“With WellGate, Italian design meets Myrtha’s engineering expertise to

redefine wellness architecture,” says Apostoli, founder of Apostoli Design. “We have created a harmonious ecosystem in which water, steam and light elevate the sensory journey.

“Our collaboration with Myrtha has resulted in an advanced engineering system that is also sustainable,

“WellGate sets a new benchmark for contemporary spa architecture.”

Stefano Cattaneo Director, Myrtha Wellness

generating a reduced carbon footprint.”

WellGate offers three distinctive ‘atmospheres’. Luxury has rich natural woods and tactile stone textures; Elegance displays refined perforated patterns and harmonious gold or black accents; and Design features bold, minimalistic monochrome expressions.

“WellGate is not simply a thermal product, it’s a next-generation wellness ecosystem that sets a new benchmark for contemporary spa architecture,” says Stefano Cattaneo, director at Myrtha Wellness. www.myrthapools.com www.albertoapostoli.com

Mood Board

Mood Board Engineering

A new immersive experience from Budapest-based Mood Board Engineering, Mood Board synchronises light, sound, aroma and atmospheric elements to turn existing thermal areas into theatrical experiences.

In automatic mode, scheduled programmes run throughout the day, creating an ever-changing ambiance. In Aufguss mode, sauna masters can launch fully synchronised rituals where every element works to shape the emotional atmosphere of each session.

Additional sensory layers – called modules – include misting, fog, rain, steam and gentle warm or refreshing cool air, recreating everything from an atmospheric thunderstorm to a calm beach scene. The system can be controlled by voice, touch screen or remotely.

The system’s plug-and-play modules connect to existing utilities to offer guests deeper emotional engagement. Mood Board technology is installed at SPAtisan in Budapest and in the aufguss sauna at Aqua Land Villapark Ráckeve in Hungary. www.mood-board.eu

Finnish and Soft saunas

Starpool

SLS Barcelona, the brand’s first European outpost, has revealed its new Halcyon Spa, designed by Rockwell Group and Wellness Consulting with a circuit of Starpool sauna and steam experiences.

Focused around a circular marble centrepiece, the thermal zone and central platform anchor the guest journey beneath an illuminated ceiling. Starpool has installed a Sweet Collection steam room, designed by Cristiano Mino, a Finnish sauna and a Soft sauna in Savu Black fir, both from its Classic Collection.

Drawing inspiration from the way light dances across water, with architecture by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Halcyon Spa draws guests in through a bright, luminous arrival space into moodier, more immersive interiors.

Swimmers in a cenote-like pool can experience an atmospheric rain feature and a cinematic digital backdrop that is billed as: ‘less about retreating from the spotlight and more about stepping back into it’. www.starpool.com

Reimagining what’s possible for spas…

Ellisons showcases Metawell’s RLX BrainGym at its new UK Gharieni wellness suite

Chelsea Foyle

Gharieni Group has announced the next evolution of its RLX Satori lounger – the RLX BrainGym – which delivers evidence-based mental fitness, a deep neural reset and brain-body optimisation.

Aiming to provide users with a science-driven cognitive retune, RLX BrainGym helps with emotional regulation and focus, and aids deep recovery. Its 40 programmes span meditation, sleep, cognitive sharpening, behavioural wellness and stress regulation. Offering UK-based operators a new way to experience Gharieni’s therapy beds and Metawell touchless technologies in person, Ellisons has opened a dedicated suite at its showroom. The

new space offers spa operators, consultants and project managers an alternative to travelling to Germany to experience Gharieni’s products.

“We’re proud to open our new UK showroom with Ellisons, bringing the world of Gharieni’s mind-body wellness technologies to life,” says Gharieni Group’s sales director, Johnny Gorter. “The UK is a key market for us and this space gives clients a hands-on experience of transformative wellness.”

Ellisons’ new addition provides an immersive environment in which to explore the equipment with no time pressure. “Our strengthened partnership with Gharieni has enabled us to bring a world-class wellness suite to the Midlands,” says Chelsea Foyle, spa and college sales manager at Ellisons. “It’s a space designed to inspire confident decision-making and support an operators’ vision for their future wellness offerings.” www.gharieni.com | www.ellisons.co.uk

BC Softwear reveals new Aspen robe that offers comfort and style

The luxurious bathrobe has a soft, fleecy inner and crease-resistant outer layer

UK-based spa textiles supplier BC Softwear has unveiled a new luxury bathrobe, specifically developed for high-end hotels and spas. The Aspen robe combines an inner fleece lining with a smooth, crease-resistant outer layer, providing cosy warmth without compromising on style.

The fleece inner ensures the robe is warm enough for use in post-treatment lounge areas or outdoor spa gardens, even during cooler months, while the outer material ensures the robe always looks smart enough for luxurious properties.

Performance and quality

“We’ve designed the Aspen to meet the needs of hotels and spas seeking elevated comfort and superior warmth, but with an easy-care outer layer for a high-end look,” says Barbara Cooke, CEO and founder of BC Softwear. “The Aspen robe was born from client feedback and our customers’ ideas. We explored performance-driven textiles and offer bespoke colour and embroidery options.”

Climate-conscious materials

Also new from the brand, SilkSoft is a lightweight range of spa linens designed for breathability. Ideal for spas located in warmer climates, SilkSoft is crafted from a smooth synthetic blend. The brushed top surface has a soft, matte appearance while the underside feels cool and silky against guests’ skin. Unlike 100 per cent-cotton linens, SilkSoft easily releases oils, meaning it washes well, dries faster than traditional cotton and doesn’t need pressing before use.

“SilkSoft has been devised for climate-conscious spas seeking solutions that combine luxury with practicality,” says Cooke. “As the name suggests, it feels and looks like silk, but offers a much more practical alternative.” SilkSoft is available with or without a head hole in pristine white. www.bcsoftwear.com

SOMRA wellness lounger uses haptic technology to control heat

The latest innovation from KLAFS aims to prolong the health benefits of sauna sessions

Designed by Sebastian Herkner (pictured right with KLAFS CEO Philip Rock), the SOMRA wellness lounger with side table has an optional integrated full-surface heating function that is designed to offer peace, comfort and wellbeing to spa guests.

Blending haptics, aesthetics and function, the lounger has been created to help prolong the regenerative effects of a sauna session.

“Periods of relaxation are an integral part of the sauna experience,” explains Sebastian Herkner. “The aim of our collaboration was to develop a product that harmonises universally with the aesthetics of different saunas. It’s a spacious lounger that won’t dominate a room and can also be used for warming up before a sauna session.”

Available with an oiled oak or oiled walnut frame and upholstery in sand or graphite grey, the lounger has intuitive temperature control through a haptic button on the side, with three heat

intensities and an automatic 60-minute cut off. A tilt function relieves pressure on the body during rest, improves blood circulation and facilitates blood returning to the heart. www.klafs.co.uk

beverley@sparcstudio.co.uk

www.sparcstudio.co.uk

info@kemitron.com

www.kemitron.com

My Stream

Myndstream

A new in-room wellness music platform, My Stream is a digital solution that gives hotel guests the freedom to choose from a curated suite of functional music and soundscapes on their own device. Developed by wellness audio creator Myndstream, the intention is to make the guest room a personal wellness sanctuary.

Options include a restorative sleep turndown ritual, targeted sound for in-room recovery and a ritual created to boost energy after a long flight.

Myndstream will collaborate with individual properties to define a custom library of soundscapes, which guests then access through a QR code or link, directing them to a web-based platform. The solution can be integrated during check-in or as part of the wi-fi set-up, with no apps or downloads required.

“The spa has traditionally been the beating heart of wellness in luxury hospitality, but with My Stream we’re extending that sense of intention, giving guests access to functional music whenever they need it,” says Myndstream founder, Freddie Moross. www.myndstream.com

Azur Lounger

Coco Wolf

The Royal Mansour, Tamuda Bay in Morocco has completed its new spa relaxation spaces with two collections from Coco Wolf – Azur loungers and Coronet armchairs. Designed for comfort and longevity in high-humidity environments, the pieces were handmade in the UK and tailored with bespoke finishes, spa-grade fabrics and subtle detailing that complements the spa’s architecture and atmosphere.

Featured in the striking poolside area, the Azur Lounger Duo (pictured) is shaped around deep cushions. Its flowing modular form has a double cushion and two self-regulating backs for individual adjustment. Fully upholstered using traditional British craftsmanship, it is available in 11 wood finishes in matte and high-gloss colours, with the choice of more than 200 performance fabrics.

At Royal Mansour, Azur was selected for its sculptural form and ability to blend seamlessly within the wellness-focused environment, inviting guests to relax, linger and settle in. www.cocowolf.co.uk

European Spa selects the best styles and equipment launches for spas. Contact: wendy.golledge@spapublishing.com

Created by architect Alberto Apostoli for Myrtha Wellness, WellGate blends refined materials, luminous surfaces and precision-engineered structure into a sculptural, above-ground thermal system. Available in exquisite finishes and fully customisable to the project and the architect’s vision, it transforms wellness into true contemporary architecture. WellGate. Tailored wellbeing. Redefined.

www.myrthawellness.com

www.myrthawellness.com

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