The World Health Organization (WHO) has released two global reports calling on governments around the world to raise additional funds for preventative health interventions by boosting taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks.
The call for these taxes is part of a campaign WHO launched last year, called 3 by 35. This is a global initiative to increase the real prices of three “harmful products” – tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks – by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through tax increases.
WHO expects this to raise an additional US$1 trillion (€0.92 trillion, £0.79 trillion) in public revenue globally over the next decade.
The organisation’s hope is for these funds to be used to support health systems that are facing financial
pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries.
“Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO directorgeneral. "By increasing taxes on
products such as tobacco, sugary drinks and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services.”
Wellness operators could apply for funds raised to offer healthy eating and exercise programmes.
Dawn Mussallem leaves Mayo Clinic for Fountain Life
Mussallem becomes Chief Medical Officer ■ Operators that offer low-sugar and zero-alcohol menus could benefit
spa business people
Yoshiharu Hoshino of Hoshino Resort shares plans to develop onsen ryokan globally
Japanese hotel owner and operator Hoshino Resort's CEO, Yoshiharu Hoshino, has shared his ambition to develop onsen ryokan globally in an exclusive interview with Spa Business.
Hoshino Resorts now operates 70 properties across Japan, Bali, Taiwan, Guam and soon the US.
These sites fall under a portfolio of brands, including Kai, the company’s contemporary take on the traditional ryokan.
“We want to become a hotel company that can develop onsen ryokan globally – wherever there are hot springs resources and opportunities,” said Hoshino.
One of the most anticipated openings for the Kai brand this
Fivelements is a brand we have long admired for its authenticity and its deep respect for local traditions
Ingo Schweder
We want to become a hotel company that can develop onsen ryokan globally
Yoshiharu Hoshino
year will be the Kai Kusatsu, in the renowned hot springs town, and another in Miyajima, an island in Hiroshima Prefecture.
Kai Kusatsu will be a 94-key property with thermal waters at the onsen heated by the region’s active volcanoes.
Hoshino said: “The aim is to offer a peaceful stay surrounded by nature, but with easy access to the vibrant town centre and its famous hot spring attractions via a unique private tunnel reserved for guests.”
The company’s first US resort will open in New York in 2028. Hoshino said: “We’re still working on how we’ll prepare such an offering for our guests in the US."
GOCO Hospitality has acquired Fivelements Retreat in Bali, Indonesia, which it plans to relaunch in late 2026. The brand will also be scaled globally, with locations in Thailand, Montenegro and Spain already in design development.
GOCO acquired Fivelements from health group Evolution Wellness. Fivelements is a privately held company.
The relaunched concept will incorporate diagnostics, longevity tools and regenerative design.
Sustainability will also be a key focus for the brand, from energy optimisation and wastewater reduction to community empowerment.
Ingo Schweder, GOCO’s founder and CEO, told Spa Business: “Fivelements is a brand we have long admired for its authenticity and deep respect for local traditions. Our goal is to redefine what wellness hospitality means at scale – something deeply human, future-facing and globally resonant.”
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/q5B6A_B
HOSHINO
The goal is simple and bold: to make world-class prevention accessible and ultimately democratise wellness
Dawn Mussallem
Dawn Mussallem leaves Mayo Clinic for Fountain Life
After 25 years at non-profit academic medical group practice, Mayo Clinic, Dawn Mussallem has become chief medical officer at US longevity clinic company, Fountain Life.
Mussallem is a specialist in oncology and haematology and an assistant professor of medicine. She has also been a diagnostic breast specialist at Mayo Clinic’s Robert and Monica Jacoby Centre for Breast Health.
She told Spa Business, “Mayo Clinic represents the pinnacle of medicine. It is an institution built to solve rare, complex diseases and save lives at the highest level, including my own.”
Mussallem looked forward to a new chapter: “In my role as chief medical officer at Fountain Life I have the opportunity to help build that future at scale by integrating advanced diagnostics, precision biomarkers and AI-enabled longitudinal care with evidence-based lifestyle medicine.”
Dawn Mussallem
Dawn Mussallem has joined Fountain Life as its chief medical officer
Swire Hotels
Upper House Shenzhen by Swire Hotels will open in 2027 in a mixed-use development
Desa Potato Head Bali
Balinese eco village resort Desa Potato Head Bali introduces "gentle" Ayurvedic rituals
SPA BUSINESS INSIGHTS
Dynamic pricing
Spas need to embrace dynamic pricing or risk losing opportunities to generate revenue, says Sara Young
Sacred sun spirit
Kala Design Group reveals spa concept for Dominican Republic property by Marriott International
Longevity model
Liz Terry reports from FIBO and RX Germany's event dedicated to longevity in hospitality
Supplier news
The latest in products and innovation from Phytomer, Lucibel.le, Trybe, Nayad and Knesko
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spa business news
Lore Bathing Club opens in New York for social experiences
A social third space called Lore Bathing Club has opened in New York City’s NoHo neighbourhood, offering a contrast bathing membership model.
The business has been set up by two co-founders: entrepreneur James O’Reilly, who is a co-founder of the co-working membership club NeueHouse, a company that has now been bought by Convene Hospitality Group after filing for bankruptcy late last year.
Lore’s second co-founder is hospitality concept creator and operator Adam Elzer. Elzer was the co-founder and CEO of Everyday
DEVELOPMENT
Hospitality, a group that specialised in restaurant businesses, before he sold it. He developed a personal interest in wellness during his time working on an Ayurvedic restaurant called Divya’s Kitchen.
The 6,200sq ft site has two floors of contrast therapy facilities and a range of membership options. The contemporary reinterpretation of traditional bathing facilities does not have a gym.
Prestige Wellness Group supplied a custom cold plunge, an infrared lounge and a communal dry sauna that seats more than 75 people.
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/v8p6z_B
Swire Hotels plans Upper House Shenzhen for 2027
We are driving community and allowing guests to tailor-make their day
Kristina Snaith-Lense
Upper House Shenzhen will be the first new hotel to be operated by Swire Hotels in nine years when it opens in 2027, in China.
The property will be located in the Greater Bay Area, which is a mega economic zone project to link Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong province, including Shenzhen.
The Upper House Shenzen will form part of the mixed-use Houhai Hybrid Campus.
The property will be helmed by Kristina Snaith-Lense, who has
Living in the city, it’s easy to become disconnected. Lore is designed to be a place to reconnect
Adam Elzer, co-founder, Lore
a dual role as GM of the Upper House Shenzhen and head of wellness for Swire Hotels.
Snaith-Lense has been part of Swire Hotels for almost 14 years, most recently as GM of Upper House Hong Kong.
MORE >>> http://lei.sr/v7M9Y_B
■ Prestige Wellness Group is a supplier
■ The campus is being designed by Büro Ole Scheeren
Québec
spa-goers become less
Québec spa-goers prefer to visit several spas or chains, rather than remaining loyal to a single establishment, according to a study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Québec Spa Association (AQS).
The fourth edition of the annual research found spa-goers prefer to visit several spas or chains they already know (42 per cent) or to discover different facilities (25 per cent).
The data highlighted that spa guests are looking for new experiences that offer inspiration.
PROGRAMMING
Desa Potato Head Bali adds "gentle" Ayurvedic rituals
The boutique eco-friendly village resort Desa Potato Head Bali has introduced a series of gentle wellness activations.
The site’s philosophy is known as Merasa, which means “to feel” in Indonesian and is linked to the Ayurvedic practices that anchor the brand’s holistic approach.
The new rituals are designed to provide realignment, in keeping with Ayurvedic traditions and in contrast to wellness programming that sees wellness as an escape from daily life.
A new Ayurvedic protocol has been created in consultation with a leading educator in Ayurvedic
loyal
Spas can better respond to a generation who associate wellbeing with social bonds
Véronyque Tremblay, CEO, AQS
While guests continue to seek relaxation, rejuvenation and to treat themselves by attending a spa, pricing and promotions are the top concern when it comes to selecting a facility to visit (49 per cent).
medicine and the medical director of Arogya Nepal, Dr Binod Ghimire.
Guests will receive a oneto-one consultation, followed by lifestyle guidance, natural remedies, mindfulness practices and a dosha discovery test.
The Desa’s apothecary called the (Farm)acy will create teas, oils and tinctures for long-term wellbeing using Indonesian herbs and plants, such as togu kola, pandan and moringa.
spa business opinion
True dynamic pricing, where prices flex intelligently with demand, remains practically non-existent in spas
Sara Young, founder, Spa Well
Dynamic pricing for spas
Sara Young says spas should stop leaving money and opportunities on the table
Walk into almost any spa today and you’ll find pricing that hasn’t evolved much in the last decade. Fixed-price treatment menus still exist, with a now more common nod to “variable” weekday versus weekend prices. But true dynamic pricing, where prices flex intelligently with demand, remains practically non-existent. And that’s a questionable approach when you consider that hotels, airlines – and even Uber – mastered it years ago.
Dynamic pricing works
Dynamic pricing isn’t about charging more for the sake of it. It’s about aligning value, demand and profitability. It recognises that the longerlead-time bookings, when demand is low, don’t hold the same value as when your diary is full.
Yet most spas charge the same price for both scenarios – and in doing so, they leave money (and opportunity) on the table.
I often hear resistance: “Guests won’t accept it,” or “It’s too complicated.” But the truth is, guests already do accept it, every time they book a hotel room or a flight. The technology to support dynamic pricing already exists in our booking systems. What’s missing is mindset and confidence.
Part of the issue is cultural. As an industry, we’ve never been trained in revenue management or yield strategy the way our hotel counterparts have. Many spa managers are promoted from operational roles without ever being shown how to link pricing to demand data, so pricing decisions default to habit rather than strategy.
SARA YOUNG
■ Dynamic pricing models can create better-balanced schedules for therapists
The solution
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we just need to apply the same commercial principles that other hospitality sectors already rely on. Imagine using demand forecasting to price treatment time more efficiently, incentivising guests to visit during quieter periods and rewarding therapists with better-balanced schedules.
With the right mindset and tools, you can yield your diary just like a hotel, boosting utilisation in advance, instead of reacting once the day has already started.
With so many spa managers under pressure to hit stretching budgets, dynamic pricing offers a smarter way to make more from what you already have – the same time, space and team – simply used more strategically.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we just need to apply the same commercial principles that other hospitality sectors already rely on
Evolution
Dynamic pricing is coming; the question is whether you’ll lead or follow. The spas that embrace it early will not only strengthen their profitability but also gain a sharper understanding of their true demand patterns. And in a world where every hour counts, that’s not just smart, it’s essential. ●
Sara Young is the founder of Spa Well, an online educational community platform with an app designed to nurture spa industry talent
spa business insights
Alpine architecture
Austria's Hotel Lürzerhof is expanding upwards with two new floors designed by interior architects Köck and Bachler
Family-owned Alpine resort Hotel Lürzerhof in Austria’s SalzburgerLand has revealed plans for a €10 million (US$10.9 million, £8.5 million) expansion.
The resort will be closed for four months from April before reopening in July 2026 with two new floors and a redesigned spa.
The new floors will rise from the existing main building, with design by architects Köck and Bachler.
The first new floor, now the fourth floor, will house eight different units of accommodation (suites and luxury rooms). Some of the suites will feature private saunas, southfacing terraces, whirlpools, fitness corners and a private cinema.
Top floor spa
The new top floor will be an adultsonly wellness level, measuring 900sq m. It will have a 19-metre cantilevered heated outdoor
infinity pool, designed to look as though it is suspended above the landscape. The pool, which projects beyond the building’s footprint, will be accessible year-round.
The owners, Christina and Harald Habersatter, see this pool as part of the resort’s renewed draw for consumers seeking architecturally distinguished wellness destinations.
Harald told Spa Business exclusively: “Köck and Bachler understood immediately that
we wanted to create something architecturally bold while maintaining the tranquillity essential to a world-class wellness experience.”
In addition, a cylindrical glass atrium will sit in the centre of the new wellness floor, with living plants inside it under a circular skylight. Relaxation lounges will be located around this focal point, including a tea lounge.
The thermal experiences at the spa include a Finnish sauna,
The cantilevered infinity pool required engineering expertise beyond the ordinary
Habersatter, owner, Hotel Lürzerhof
■ The property's total wellness facilities will measure 4,500sq m following the expansion
an organic sauna, an infrared salt dome, an aroma steambath and two relaxation rooms.
Ground floor spa facilities
On the ground floor of the building, the existing spa reception will be redeveloped to create a generous light-filled space to welcome guests. Two new treatment rooms will be created on the ground floor, taking the spa’s total number of treatment rooms to seven. ●
spa business insights
My role was to create a sanctuary where architecture, nature and indigenous inspiration converge, creating an awe-inspiring and enchanting journey
Ana Ramirez, founder, Kala Design Group
Sacred sun spirit
Tropical destination resort spa inspired by a sun god to debut in the Dominican Republic in 2026
Marriott International will debut The Luxury Collection Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic in Q4 2026 with a tropical destination spa called Playa Serena Spa. The property is owned by Grupo Puntacana and the 1,200sq m spa has been designed by Ana Ramirez of Kala Design Group.
Other collaborators on the project include Lynn Curry of Curry Spa Consulting; interior design by Susurrus and landscape architecture by Maat Handasa.
Concept and design
Ramirez spoke exclusively to Spa Business about the spa’s design, saying: “My role was to create a sanctuary where architecture,
■ Rammed-earth walls in terracotta tones echo the Caribbean soil in order to ground the senses in warmth and texture
Skylights channel sunlight from above, recalling Taíno caves once believed to bridge the human and spiritual worlds
nature and indigenous inspiration converge in to create an aweinspiring and enchanting journey.
“Conceived as a curated retreat and apothecary, the spa translates the spirit of the Caribbean into a space where filtered light, cascading water and tactile materials awaken the senses and celebrate the land’s healing power,” continued Ramirez.
She described Playa Serena Spa as a living sanctuary sculpted from the earth, inspired by the Taíno sun god Yúcahu Bagua Maorocotí, a symbol of vitality, light and life. The architecture merges biophilia, sacred geometry and contemporary wellness design.
Spa facilities
The spa will have seven treatment bungalows, five of which will be singles with private shower gardens.
The other two will be double suites, with private steamrooms, a shower garden and a plunge pool – designed for hours of relaxation and jungle immersion.
There will be a social thermal area with a herbal sauna, hot and cold plunge pools and experience showers, while the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit will have a Watsu pool and other water-focused rituals.
An apothecary will provide herbal mixology and custom-made skincare.
A full-service beauty salon will also feature at the spa, with equipment by Welonda and Gamma and Bross.
Living Earthcrafts has supplied treatment beds and spa equipment.
Other spaces include a retail boutique, yoga pavilion, movement garden, relaxation lounge and an open-air relaxation terrace. ●
■ The spa will have seven treatment bungalows for therapies using the on-site apothecary's skincare line
■ Kala Design Group worked with Curry Spa Consulting on the project
KALA DESIGN GROUP
KALA DESIGN GROUP
Longevity
■ The event was held at La Fondation, a recently-opened wellness hotel in Paris, France
Longevity model
A day-long event organised by FIBO and parent company RX saw hospitality and design experts discuss longevity-focused business models, as Liz Terry reports
FIBO and its parent company RX recently convened a high-level seminar in Paris, France, called Longevity in Hospitality. The event was held at La Fondation, a recentlyopened purpose-built wellness hotel in Paris, which has a climbing wall, gym, pool and spa and state-of-the-art co-working and seminar spaces.
The day, held in December, was hosted by Anke Brendt, project manager at FIBO and Michael Köhler, CEO of RX Germany and presented by consultants Andrew Gibson and Franz Linser.
Longevity
Gibson said delivering longevity in hotels is a complex matter, but that nailing the essentials – such as clean air, good sleeping conditions and access to green
spaces and the support of experts should be the basis of any approach.
His definition of longevity is based on three foundations – community, agility and nourishment.
“The best wellness or longevity retreats have 12-month waiting lists, because people book and rebook. That’s community,” he said.
“Agility is part of what you would call fitness,” he continued.
“But we need to take it to the next level – it isn’t just about cardio and strength, it’s also about things such as cognition and reaction time.
“Food is an important part of nourishment, but it also includes the restoration of the body – recharge, refresh, relax, recuperate.
“Nourishment is also about curiosity,” said Gibson. “Hotels need
to be designed to inspire people to explore and to pique their curiosity. It’s about nourishing the brain, it’s about education, contributing to community, agility and nourishment.” Gibson called on developers to consider building wellness and longevity elements into their projects from the start, rather than trying to back-fit them shortly before opening.
Hospitality
Linser said the core of hospitality –empathy, ensuring guests eat well, sleep well and socialise well – can be the core of a longevity strategy. If a guest can see experts who can help them – doctors and psychiatrists etc – this can be very di erent from the way they live at home, ensuring real value is added to the stay.
Delivery
Linser added that delivery depends on resources. Operators might have millions to spend on medical equipment and this might work for one audience. Another might be to take a more holistic approach, with guests spending more time in nature.
Ambition is also important, according to Linser: “It isn’t enough anymore to meet minimum standards for things such as in-room humidity and air quality.”
Investment
Régis Boudon, SVP of creative development for bbspa Group gave a presentation warning investors to carefully evaluate the longevity concept they want to adopt. Medical
Longevity is an opportunity for the sector but tread carefully to make the right investments
Régis Boudon, bbspa Group
wellness sta can command far higher salaries, increasing the payback time and operating costs. He presented a number of business models, saying there’s a sweet spot for investment for hotels, suggesting an investment of
€250-€700k, a break-even of 12-18 months and an area of 350sq m.
Operations
The event wrapped up with a panel discussion about longevity hospitality operations, led by FIBO’s Emily Whigham. Speakers included Andrew Gibson, Marion Gérent – general manager at La Fondation Hotel and Dr Katharina Sepp, medical doctor at Alpinresort Sacher, which has a very high-level wellness o ering called The Academy for Better Ageing. They covered getting sta to use facilities to better promote services to guests and billing for medical services separately, so guests can reclaim a proportion of their stay from health insurance companies. ●
■ The venue, La Fondation, Paris, is a wellness hotel
ANDREW GIBSON
■ Franz Linser (Left) and Andrew Gibson (Right) co-presented the day-long Longevity in Hospitality conference in Paris
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SUPPLIER NEWS
Suppliers tell Spa Business insider about their latest product, design and technology launches
■ The new serum uses exosomes to stimulate antixodiant molecule thioredoxin, which activates cells' repair systems
Phytomer introduces Oligoperformance serum to combat stressed skin
French marine skincare and spa brand Phytomer has released a serum called Oligoperformance that features marine exosomes, or “messenger cells”, which the brand says fight against oxidative stress suffered by the skin.
The new Oligoperformance serum uses exosomes from an ancient blue microalgae called Phormidium persicinum to stimulate antioxidant molecule thioredoxin, which activates cells’ repair systems.
According to the brand, the marine exosomes help to protect
collagen and elastin fibres, and they also reduce carbonylation, the oxidation of skin proteins as a result of exposure to UV rays.
The formula also includes a firming ingredient of red coral that is said to revitalise fibroblasts within the skin.
Sea lily and Vitamin B are also present in the serum to target dark spots for a more even complexion.
Dr Céline Laperdrix, research and innovation director, Phytomer, told Spa Business: “Today, our skin is subjected to unprecedented stress from environmental factors such as pollution, UV radiation,
■ Dr Céline Laperdrix, research and innovation director, Phytomer
screen exposure, sleep deprivation and lifestyle-related stress.
“We wanted to create a formula that doesn’t just care for the skin on the surface, but supports it in defending itself every single day."
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PHYTOMER
Where Holistic Wellbeing Meets Luxurious Spa Rituals
At Elemental Herbology, our philosophy is rooted in the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine - wood, fire, earth, metal and water. We believe true wellbeing comes from harmony, and our mission is to help every guest achieve balance in skin, body and mind.
Our expertly crafted treatments blend the power of natural actives with therapeutic techniques to deliver transformative spa experiences. From revitalising body rituals to tailored facial therapies, each treatment is designed to restore energy, nurture the senses and reveal healthy, radiant skin.
Partnered with leading luxury hotels, wellness retreats and spas around the world, we bring a holistic approach to modern wellbeing- one treatment at a time.
Discover Our Spas at elementalherbology.com/spas
SUPPLIER NEWS
Lucibel.le launches red light hair mask Hair Ove Light Pro to stimulate regrowth
Lucibel.le, a subsidiary of French new-generation lighting specialists the Lucibel Group, is launching a red light hair mask.
The brand already made a name for itself by exclusively supplying Dior with its Ove Pro face masks, which it’s now rolling out globally.
■ Frédéric Granotier, CEO and founder, Lucibel Group
Lucibel.le is now set to launch Hair Ove Light Pro, a capillary photobiomodulation device which diffuses red light using 50 highpower LEDs and patented energetic mapping for targeted distribution over the scalp. It's designed to act directly on the follicles to stimulate regrowth, slow down hair loss and improve hair density. Unlike other devices, it can be directly connected to a power outlet for more powerful and effective results, says Lucibel.le.
Sessions start at 12 minutes, with a recommended cost of €39 (US$45, £34), or they can last 20 minutes when combined with an Ove hair boost serum treatment, for €49 (US$56, £43). A course
Trybe integrates with TablePath platform
Software company Trybe has integrated with restaurant booking and table management platform TablePath for streamlined dining, spa, leisure and hotel stays.
Consumers using the TablePath Guest Portal can now book services and experiences throughout a hotel from this one platform. Spa appointments and availability will be visible as well as times for dining experiences.
Trybe sees this as a way to reduce friction from the guest journey and simplify the booking process for hotel and spa stays.
Ricky Daniels, co-founder of Trybe, said: “This industry-leading integration streamlines
■ The new mask is designed to slow hair loss and improve hair density
of four, eight or 12 sessions starts at €147 (US$170, £129).
“Hair Ove Light Pro is transforming haircare,” said Frédéric Granotier, CEO and founder, Lucibel Group.
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■ Guests using TablePath can now book spa slots too
essential hotel and spa operations, enabling properties to deliver an even more elevated guest experience. Everything guests need is now available in one easy-to-access platform.”
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LUCIBEL.LE LUCIBEL.LE
TRYBE
■ Ricky Daniels
Knesko rebrands Black Pearl Mask to reformulated Pearl Renew
Knesko has reformulated its Black Pearl Detox Mask and rebranded it as Pearl Renew.
The upgraded treatment combines Knesko’s Gemclinical technology (using hydrolysed black pearls with a collagen hydrogel) but the mask now has a shimmering blue hue.
Described by the brand as “Instagrammable”, the blue mask uses a duo of mandelic acid and lactobionic acid to deliver a “glass-skin” finish.
Mandelic acid is an AHA derived from bitter almonds. It is known as a refining acid that is used to offer visible results with minimal irritation, according to the brand.
Lactobionic acid is an advanced PHA for sensitive, reactive or post-procedure skin.
The AHA/PHA blend is used to smooth skin texture and is designed to support natural renewal for all skin types and ages.
Knesko says the newly formulated serum improves moisture retention.
The new formula has mandelic and lactobionic acids
The mask is designed to be left on the skin for 15 minutes. Knesko says the formula is Reikicharged and Root Chakra-balancing. The retail mask comes with a grounding meditation that is guided by Knesko’s founder and president, Lejla Cas.
MORE ON spa-kit.net
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Nayad Wellbeing introduces turnkey bathing ritual in a box
Amsterdam-based wellness consultancy Nayad Wellbeing has teamed up with professor Jonathan Paul de Vierville, head of the Balneology Association of North America, to create a self-guided, turnkey bathing experience for spas,
hotels and retreats to retail or offer as an add-on service.
The Nayad Bathing Ritual is a kit which “merges ancient rituals and electromagnetic field restoration”. It includes a thorough step-by-step bathing guide, a mineral-rich bathing salt blend, a tourmaline crystal, a wooden incense stick, a dried-flower intention card, a dream journal notebook and access to a 45-minute exercise and meditation audio track.
The kit includes materials for four sessions and retails for €119 (US$137, £105).
MORE ON spa-kit.net
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■ The bathing kit provides a nervous system reset, according to the brand
■
■ Ellen van der Linde, founder, Nayad Wellbeing
KNESKO
Tech-powered recovery
Tech-powered recovery
Tech-powered recovery
The new brand in the Gharieni Group portfolio – Metawell – is delivering what today’s wellness clients are seeking most – deep recovery and mind-body renewal
The new brand in the Gharieni Group portfolio – Metawell – is delivering what today’s wellness clients are seeking most – deep recovery and mind-body renewal
Recovery has become a front-and-centre topic across the wellness scene – from elite sporting facilities to corporate wellbeing, and from spas to wellness resorts.
In a world defined by speed and constant demands, the deepest luxury today goes beyond indulgence: it’s the ability to recover and reset both body and mind.
For spa operators, this rising demand is both a challenge and an opportunity. Guests expect more than relaxation; they want offerings that accelerate and amplify wellness outcomes in tangible ways. This is where Metawell steps in – a new brand from leading spa equipment manufacturer Gharieni, which is designed to deliver its mind-body wellness technologies exclusively to the global market.
With a portfolio of 10 cutting-edge technologies, Metawell delivers evidence-based, touchless and hybrid treatments designed to address recovery across body and mind — from calming the nervous system and reducing inflammation to boosting immunity and supporting mental fitness.
Metawell’s approach empowers operators to offer variety and measurable results. This not only satisfies the growing appetite for recovery but also enables operators to future-proof their businesses with scalable, ROI-driven wellness experiences.
Sammy Gharieni, founder and CEO of Gharieni Group, says: “True recovery addresses inflammation, improved immune function and the stress response – outcomes that matter deeply to today’s consumer.
“Metawell supports the delivery of these results consistently – and in ‘touchless’ formats, making it a big value proposition for customer wants and needs, while providing great returns.
“Recovery is not a trend – it’s a shift to the foundation of wellbeing, and Metawell is there to support and guide that shift,” he says.
Relaxation to recovery
Today’s consumers know that recovery is more than unwinding after a busy day and are seeking treatments to help them achieve a physiological and psychological reset.
Metawell’s mind-body wellness technologies are designed with this in mind. Touchless and fully-automated, they offer consistent experiences for guests while optimising staff resources. Some integrate seamlessly with traditional spa services, complementing the human touch and allowing operators to expand their menus with innovative, evidence-based options.
The physical benefits of recovery technologies are well-documented. Modalities such as far-infrared
The Welnamis bed is part of the next generation of touchless treatments
(MLX i3Dome), Intermittent Vacuum Therapy (G-Vac), and sound or hydrotherapy (Zestós DryFloat) can reduce muscular tension, support lymphatic drainage and assist detoxification. These processes are vital in lowering inflammation – a key contributor to fatigue, pain and accelerated ageing. When inflammation is managed and circulation improves, the immune system is strengthened. People ‘bounce back’ faster, with more energy and resilience after stress, exercise or travel. By offering technologies that directly support immune function, spas align with one of today’s top wellness priorities.
Recovery requires shifting into the parasympathetic state, where the nervous system rests and restores balance. Binaural Vibroacoustic technologies, such as the RLX Satori Mental Fitness lounger or Welnamis, trigger this response in a single treatment.
Gharieni’s MLX i3Dome does not require a therapist in attendance
Recovery is not a trend – it’s a shift to the foundation of wellbeing
Sammy Gharieni, Founder and CEO, Gharieni Group
Evidence and ROI
For operators, the key question is not “Does this work?” But “How does this work for my business?” Metawell’s touchless technologies require little additional staff time, enabling greater throughput and efficiency. These automated experiences can be offered as standalone treatments, bundled with traditional spa services, or integrated into personalised journeys. Guests value the accessibility and their experience remains effortless: they simply relax into the technology and allow the reset to unfold. Meanwhile operators benefit from repeatable outcomes, reduced labour challenges and stronger profitability.
Metawell’s most powerful quality is its grounding in evidence. Spa professionals and their clients want assurance that technologies are effective. By emphasising the beneficial outcomes operators can confidently position these treatments as integral parts of wellness strategies. l
More: www.gharieni.com
The Zestós DryFloat is a treatment that benefits both mind and body
PHOTO:
WEB ADDRESS BOOK
Connect with spa organisations from around the world. We welcome your entries – write to spateam@leisuremedia.com
Asia-Pacific Spa & Wellness
Coalition (APSWC)
■ www.apswc.org
Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA)
■ www.amspa.org.my
Australian Hot and Mineral Springs Alliance
■ www.bathing.org
Bali Spa and Wellness Association
■ www.balispaandwellnessassociation.id
Bulgarian Union for Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBSPA)
■ www.bubspa.org
Association of Spas of the Czech Republic
■ www.jedemedolazni.cz
Day Spa Association
■ https://dayspaassociation.com
Estonian Spa Association
■ www.estonianspas.eu
European Historic Thermal Towns Association
■ www.historicthermaltowns.eu
European Spas Association
■ www.europeanspas.eu
Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
■ www.fht.org.uk
Federterme
■ www.federterme.it
FEMTEC (the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy)
