Tag Archives: Bangkok

How Did They Decide on the Name “Canyon Ranch”?

logocanyonranch 776046 How Did They Decide on the Name Canyon Ranch?In a previous blog entry, I mentioned how much I enjoy learning about the history of various spa brands. I love finding out whose idea it was to build the spa, why they built it, how the spa got its name, how much it cost, how the brand developed, etc. So as I began my research into the various brands for the Spafinder.com branding page, it seemed appropriate to begin with the one that stands apart from the rest: Canyon Ranch.

Many people know the story of the Zuckermans who founded Canyon Ranch, but few are familiar with the origins of the name “Canyon Ranch.” Someone at the company said he would ask Mel Zuckerman himself for the story. Here is a quick synopsis:

More than 27 years ago Mel Zuckerman had an experience that changed his life and sparked the creation of the world-acclaimed Canyon Ranch. At the time Mel was overweight and dealing with various health problems. So he went to a California spa for help. During this visit he had what he calls an A-ha moment when he realized how great he could feel simply by staying active, eating right, and living healthfully. He and his wife Enid, who was already a health enthusiast, soon made a commitment to build a haven for wellness and “living younger longer.”

They would build a revolutionary health-oriented resort in Tucson, Arizona. In 1977, they found the spot, the grounds of the old Double U Ranch. As soon as they saw this 70-acre oasis in the Sonoran Desert, they knew they’d found the place where their dream would come to life. Naming their baby took a little longer.

The property was just down the road from spectacular Sabino Canyon, in the Catalina Mountains. Mel had developed various properties in Tucson and always used “Sabino” in his subdivision names. They went with tradition at first, and the original legal papers referred to “Sabino Health & Fitness Resort, Inc.” A consultant was hired, and logos were being developed with that name. Enid, however, had grown tired of “Sabino,” and Mel agreed with her. Besides, this exciting new venture deserved a name of its own. After many hours of discussion, they simply joined the last words of Sabino Canyon and Double U Ranch to create Canyon Ranch.

Who knew then that the name would become a brand synonymous with life enhancement (currently encompassing two destination spas, three SpaClubs, and three Canyon Ranch Living communities). And, I hear, there’s more on the drawing board!

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Mayflower Inn and Spa on Good Morning America

garden1 lg 792688 Mayflower Inn and Spa on Good Morning AmericaJust received this email from Adriana Mnuchin, who is the proprietor of the new Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington, Connecticut (see this entry from a few weeks ago). Looks like we weren’t the only ones who felt that the Mayflower will set a new standard. I am hoping that Good Morning America will stress the “all-you-can-spa” philosophy, which gives the destination spa participants unlimited spa treatments. It’s such a point of differentiation. And then of course there’s the art, the staff, the decor, the cuisine, the details, the beauty….Oh my, I hope GMA gives this enough time! Tune in.

Susie,
We have some exciting news to share. Good Morning America will air a piece about Mayflower Spa on Thursday, July 20. They were told by Travel + Leisure that we were number 1 in country, and we are thrilled. They tell us it will be near the 8am segment . Best, Adriana


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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Another New York Spa Closes

Interesting industry news this week: Lather Spa, an L.A.-based skincare company (with a great name in my opinion), opened in Manhattan. What is even more interesting is that it opened in the same space that used to be the Greenhouse Day Spa. That took me by surprise, as the Greenhouse closing was not on my radar.

I’ve noticed a slight increase in the number of day spas throughout the U.S. that have been sold or have closed in the past few months – we keep track because of our need to keep Spafinder.com current. This comes just a few months after the Avon spa – in the same neighborhood – announced that they were closing down. Perhaps some fresher spa concepts – such as the well publicized Cornelia Day Resort – have lured much of the Upper East Side business away from Avon and Greenhouse. I don’t tend to believe what press releases say about why spas close or sell; most of the time it has everything to do with the balance sheet.

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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!