Tag Archives: destination spa

Latest Spa News from Germany and Austria

Impressed with…Surprised by…Suggestions for…

I thought it might be fun to review my whirlwind trip to Austria & Germany in the next few blogs with the above headlines in mind. Here are the stops I made:

The famous Lanserhof Health and Medical Centre in Austria

The New Schloss Elmau Luxury Resort and Cultural Hideaway in the German Alps

Klafs in Austria, the proud manufacturer of sauna, wellness and spa products

Toskanaworld, Bad Orb in Germany, a new spa with warm thermal salt water

The AHGZ German Wellness Conference I attended and at which I spoke

First stop Lanserhof located in a little community called Lans near Innsbruck.

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH… the famous Lanserhof program and especially its founder and visionary, Andreas Wieser. This successful property (that I would label a destination spa with medical components) has been around for 27 years. They require a minimum two week stay, and have had an impressive occupancy rate of over 95% for decades. The food I experienced at lunch was magnificent – and their new cookbook, Energy Cuisine, just came out.

Their mantra is “medicine of the future” and they describe themselves as Europe’s leading health center for regeneration and preventative medicine. I noticed some predictable offerings such as detox, movement therapies, executive health, sleep medicine, aesthetics, nutrition and such and then some novel terms such as Body Memory, Burn Out Program, Vital Aging, and Alzheimer Prevention.

I was impressed with how much time Andreas spent with me as he had just returned from a three week vacation hiking through the Alps by himself. While I would have probably been a crazy person getting back into work mode, here was someone clearly in a state of mindfulness. Andreas had remarkable vision when he started the Lanserhof program almost three decades ago, but he seems to have maintained his ability to think ahead – maybe even way ahead. His discussions regarding Body Memory, Fluid Dancing and Energy in general reminded me that he may be one of the most important visionaries in our industry – yet he is “understated” in his approach and manner so it isn’t as obvious. It was very helpful for me to spend some time getting to know him on this visit and at the subsequent Wellness Conference we both attended the next day. It gave me a better sense of his pulse on the future.

I WAS SURPRISED BY… Lanserhof’s stunning setting with picture-postcard-views of the Alps from almost every room! Did I miss this when I went to their website? I don’t remember seeing this in any of their brochures – in fact checking their main brochure I realized that most of their photos were taken on a cloudy day. A pity.

There are some spas where I get a clear picture in my mind of their setting because they have successfully used one fantastic image (sometimes with what looks like a bit of “color enhancement”) over and over again – in some cases for decades! Examples include: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa with that turquoise pool in front of some very red rock (we even used it for the cover of one of our SpaFinder Directories), Six Senses Soneva Gili with a waiter appearing to walk on water between a pool and the brilliant color of the ocean water in the Maldives, or the natural rock cave of Grotta Giusti in Italy.

I really had no idea what to expect at Lanserhof so when I found a drop dead gorgeous view of the Alps as a major centerpiece, it was definitely a surprise.

I was also surprised (and thrilled actually) to learn that Andreas is going to be opening two more Lanserhof properties with a similar program in the next couple of years – one near Tegelsee that will be another destination spa and another near Hamburg that will be their first day spa. Interesting that this brand extension comes now…after 27 years. It reminds me that our 2011 SpaFinder Spa Trend forecast that included “The Spa Brandwagon” was really right on.

I was also surprised at how similar much of their program seemed to be to the many destination spas I am familiar with in the U.S. And then came an even greater surprise (although it explained the former one) – before Andreas opened Lanserhof all those years ago, he visited North America and stayed at the Golden Door, Canyon Ranch, Rancho La Puerta, The Oaks, the Cooper Clinic and the Greenhouse! It was heartening to know that he speaks of this fondly and with great gratitude for the hospitality and openness shown him while he was doing his research.

I HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR… the future based on my experience seeing the lifecycle of destination spas in the U.S. I remember the years when the destination spas Andreas visited also had very high occupancy rates. At that time they did almost no advertising. They lived off of PR which was plentiful back then. However the landscape began to change in the 80’s and 90’s as competition heated up with many new spas coming to market and people’s busy schedules shortening the time they would spend away at a spa. As a result, all the destination properties that had such high occupancy rates in the early years began to invest in advertising. The Greenhouse in Dallas even had to close.

With two new Lanserhof spas on the drawing board, it is likely that there will be some cannibalism of current guests from the established location at the same time the competitive landscape could increase. It is also more challenging to run three operations than it is to run one – and the day spa is an animal of a different kind from the destination spa. Planning to invest in a strategy for marketing and advertising now might be a good idea for the long term.

Another suggestion I have is a result of a funny moment that happened during my visit. I was getting ready to present Andreas with the award I had brought along that announced Lanserhof as this year’s SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite Spa in Austria. I asked him where would be the most picturesque spot for our photograph of me handing him the award’s plague. To my surprise, he didn’t know! It dawned on me that when you don’t do a lot of promotion or advertising, and have lived in these surroundings for so long, perhaps you aren’t even aware of the best photo opportunities at your property. So I looked out at the magnificent view and suggested, well how about we do a photo with the Alps in the background. Duh!

Cal-a-Vie Spa Guests’ Refrain, “Lucky Me”

It’s a rare phenomenon. If you have experienced it, you don’t soon forget it. It’s like putting a dollar into the candy machine and getting two dollars worth of candy out – every time. The point is you get much more than you pay for and you can’t help but be a bit giddy. It’s a real ‘lucky me’ feeling.

Well, after Peter and I visited the exquisite destination spa, Cal-a-Vie, in southern California last week, we think there is now a spa where one can experience this phenomenon. It is truly to the benefit of guests who come to Cal-a-Vie that Terri and John Havens, who purchased the property about 10 years ago, have poured their heart, soul and a fortune into creating a very magical place with unparalleled facilities and programming.

Peter and I had a chance to visit Cal-a-Vie on Thanksgiving Day because we were on our way to Peter’s mom’s (she lives nearby) to celebrate the holiday. I hadn’t been to Cal-a-Vie in so many years that I was really excited to see all of the changes I had been hearing about. It was also fortunate for us that Terri and John were in-residence which enabled us to see the property through their eyes. We had a chance to learn about the background of so many of the improvements as well as get a glimpse of their plans for its future.

What began as a refurbishment and upgrading of their 26 guest rooms with Terri adding some special antique furniture and furnishings grew to become a huge creative work of art that both Terry and John seem to really enjoy doing together. While raising their three young children, they have also been growing and improving what was already a pretty wonderful destination spa. Along the way they added red clay tennis courts, a labyrinth, and turned the former fitness center into a gorgeous avant garde boutique; they spent millions building what must be the most beautiful gym in the world with chandeliers, beautiful woods, exquisite views; they added small conference capabilities with an amazing great room and a meeting room that would impress the most discerning industry magnates (and can be used at any time by guests as an office away from home).

They decided the lovely pool which was the centerpiece of the property was not big enough for swimming laps so they built an Olympic sized pool nearby. On one of their trips abroad, they came across a lovely chapel that was over 400 years old and decided to give it a new home – at Cal-a-Vie. They had it painstakingly dismantled and shipped over and it was placed on a pinnacle point that has a stunning view. It is perfect for meditation classes, yoga and evening musical performances. John also mentioned that they have been amazed at how many people use it during their stay as simply a place for private reflection.

After placing the Chapel, they realized it was ideal for weddings and recommitment ceremonies but felt it would need an adjacent ballroom and kitchen. So they built a magnificent building they call L’Orangerie with antique walls from a French castle, and a new kitchen which was designed to also serve as a place to film and create TV shows with their star celebrity spa chef, Jason Graham. An antique wishing well and lovely windmill later, everything was perfect for a variety of gatherings – a recent one that even included a former President.

When the golf course next to their property went on the market, they decided to buy it so that their spa’s peace and quiet would forever be preserved. And just recently they decided to plant a vineyard which will not only eventually produce some Cal-a-Vie wine, but in the mean time provides an attractive hillside view .

While we toured the property, we couldn’t help but notice some construction so we inquired, “What’s next?” Well, they are adding a hydrotherapy aquatic center and a two story building to create a larger Morning Room. There will eventually be a new kitchen and in the works near the front of the property – a large retail store – for antiques. Wow! They have truly created a haven (pun intended) to accommodate their growing list of regular clientele which often includes celebrities and others who want a safe place to get away, recharge and reenergize.

How to sum it up? I do believe that Cal-a-Vie has set a new standard. The Havens seem to be motivated by their passion for this place and the transformation it provides more than any kind of financial return – at least in the short term. Those who are fortunate (and smart) enough to join them on this adventure must surely experience that “lucky me” feeling you get when you put one dollar in the candy machine and get two dollars worth of candy back. Sign me up.

PS: Interesting article on John Havens in Forbes called “From Wells to Wellness.”

My twitter address: @susieellis

During times of grief, can there be help at a spa?

This is one blog I have not looked forward to writing. It is September 10th – the first anniversary of the day one of my best friends, Debbie Simon, took her own life. It is still so unbelievable to me. It was a tremendous loss to her family, the many friends (there were over 1,000 at her funeral), and others whose lives she had touched.

What to say? Well, frankly I don’t know.

I could tell you what a wonderful person Debbie was –beautiful inside and out. I could tell you that she was a model for “living life to the full.” I could tell you how she relentlessly stayed at her son Scottie’s side during the months he was in a coma, what an amazing job she did raising her talented daughter Lauren and exceptional son David. I could tell you about the wonderful times we had together or I could share some of the incredible tragedies that led her into a deep depression, ultimately causing her to end her life in a horrific way.

Instead I have decided to share a positive that has stemmed from this heartbreak. About six months ago, her daughter, Lauren, phoned me. She said that while attending support group sessions for those whose lives have been inflicted by suicide, she felt there was a need for something more. Lauren wanted to gather with other fellow survivors in a supportive retreat setting. Was there a spa somewhere that dealt with this topic? And if not, could I recommend a place that might work with her to put together such a retreat that would honor her mother while at the same time help others?

I immediately thought of Miraval. Michael Tompkins, the GM at this award winning spa, was very responsive and together they created what will become the first annual Touched by an Angel, Sisterhood of Survivors Spa Retreat (open to both men and women).

The first retreat will take place Thursday, Feb 3 – Sunday, Feb 6, 2011. Judy Collins, a Grammy Award winning actress and author whose son committed suicide, will be one of the attendees and speakers. There will be grief experts. I will be there.

I cannot predict how I will feel during the retreat or what will come of it. I do know that getting together with others who have gone through similar experiences is a healthy thing to do. And I know that a destination spa setting is the most healing environment to facilitate such a gathering. So I trust it will be a positive in my life.
Today my heart aches. I really miss Debbie.

My twitter address: @susieellis

That Famous Spa in Switzerland, Clinique La Prairie and the Product Line, La Prairie – Sorting it All Out

That Famous Spa in Switzerland, Clinique La Prairie and the Product Line, La Prairie – Sorting it All Out
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

(Note, if you aren’t seeing any photos in this blog post, then please read the blog at http://www.blog.spafinder.com/ as the photos will be a big help in following this timeline!)

By now I have probably lost a few of my blog readers, but I promise that this is my last post on the story of Clinique La Prairie! After many hours of research to figure out how Clinique La Prairie and La Prairie skin care products are related (they aren’t anymore), I thought I would share the timeline I created. Who knows, maybe there is one other person out there who finds this sort of thing fascinating. Also, there are a few more pieces of the puzzle to complete – like how much the skin care line was initially sold for – so I welcome any additions or corrections to this timeline.

Here is the bottom line: To keep things straight you have to be conscious of the fact that Clinique La Prairie, which refers to the famous medical spa in Switzerland, sold their product line, La Prairie, in 1982. Since that time the companies have been totally separate. Always check if the word “Clinique” is being used – if so, that means the reference is to the facility in Switzerland. If the word “Clinique” does not appear, then you can assume the affiliation is with the skin care company. Except (and, of course, this adds to the confusion), the URL for Clinique La Prairie is http://www.laprairie.ch/ and the URL for La Prairie the skin care product company is http://www.laprairie/.

Here is a snapshot of what I have found to be a fascinating story:

1931: Clinique La Prairie opens in Montreux, Switzerland. Professor Niehans begins fresh fetal ovine (sheep) liver cell injections as a method to slow down the aging process. Over half a century later, the product became known as “CLP Extract” which is used in the clinic’s signature “Revitalization” injections today.

1953: Professor Niehans treats Pope Pius XII. Clinique La Prairie becomes word famous.

1971: Professor Niehans dies.

1976: Armin Mattli, a Swiss banker, purchases Clinique La Prairie.

1978: Mattli creates La Prairie Cosmetics, a range of skin products based on the clinic’s expertise in cellular revitalization.

1982: Mattli sells his skin care line Laboratories La Prairie, Switzerland to the American-based Cyanamid Company (a large, diversified, American chemical manufacturer) for a reportedly huge sum of money which he used to finance new buildings and medical programs. (I find it absolutely fascinating that he created and sold this line so quickly and so successfully!)

1987: American Cyanamid Company sells two of their product lines, La Prairie and Jacqueline Cochran, for $54 million to Sanofi.

1987: Sanofi, very shortly after purchasing La Prairie, turns around and sells it for a $20 million profit to Georgette Mosbacher for around $30 million. La Prairie has $20 million in worldwide wholesale volume.

1991: Georgette Mosbacher globalized the La Prairie line, doubled its sales (impressive!) and then sold the company for an estimated $45 million to Beiersdorf Group of Hamburg, Germany. Mosbacher is now CEO of Borghese.

1991: Clinique La Prairie adds a new Medical Center on their property in Switzerland. It is a hospital and has a surgical theater with specialties in myriad of areas, radiology, dentistry, plastic surgery, etc.

1992: Mattli launches Prestige Products of Switzerland from which he developed a new skin care line, Swiss Perfection. It is based on Iris flower cells. Apparently his son now runs this part of the business.

2002: The World of ResidenSea – a resort community circumnavigating the globe which has private apartment residences available – launches with the first Clinique La Prairie Spa.

2002: The first spa in the United States with the La Prairie name opens in New York, called La Prairie at the Ritz-Carlton Spa.

2004: La Prairie opens its first California spa at the Beverly Hills Hotel, now called the Beverly Hills Hotel Spa by La Prairie.

2004: A La Prairie Boutique spa opens at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin.

2005: Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland adds a health spa to its facilities. They added wellness rooms, thalassotherapy, a salt water pool, etc.

2006: The Ritz-Carlton Silver Rain La Prairie Spa opens in Grand Cayman.

2006: A spa-inspired condominium project in Miami is announced. It is a new project by Armin Mattli as he spends his time between Switzerland and Miami. He is calling it Clinique La Prairie Lifestyle Residences at Te
n Museum Park. This will have a Clinique La Prairie spa without the medical aspect.

2007: Clinique La Prairie sues Ritz-Carlton over the use of the name La Prairie in New York.

2007: Banyan Tree Spa replaces Clinique la Prairie as operator of the spa on the World ResidenSea.

2009: Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage is to open a $25 million La Prairie Spa.

Final comments:
Re La Prairie Skin Care: I have tried some of their products and really like them – especially the subtle fragrance and the clean feel. Many people swear by them. However, I haven’t tried the entire range or used them long enough to give a thorough analysis.

Re Clinique La Prairie: After visiting, I give it a thumbs up. What I saw was impressive. To me, they appear to be a superb medical spa, possibly one of the most advanced in the world. They have a first-rate hospital. The staff is professional. They are in a fantastic location right on Lake Geneva. Lovely rooms, tastefully designed dining room, and I am thrilled to see that they now do have a very nice spa. I think that the popularity of spa around the world necessitated that recent addition and upgrade. Good for them.

So…as we left, my husband suggested I come back sometime for an “in-patient” visit. Not sure if he was referring to my need for plastic surgery or testing to see if I would try the “Revitalization therapy.” But after giving it some thought, I had to admit that the idea of coming here for a total tune-up, inside and out, was appealing. And yes, I would probably give that “Revitalization therapy” a go – in the interest of spa research of course. (Yeah, right.)
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Spa at Gwinganna in Australia Shows Innovation in Massage, Facials and Body work – and it works

Spa at Gwinganna in Australia Shows Innovation in Massage, Facials and Body work – and it works
By Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

What a novel idea. Instead of creating a spa menu and then hiring therapists to perform the various massages, body scrubs and facials offered, how about hiring the practitioners first and then creating the spa menu to include unique treatments that they have created and perfected?

That’s what Sharon Kolkka, the general manager here at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Queensland, Australia decided to do, and it works beautifully. I think it might be a glimpse into the future actually.

I have never seen this done so extensively before. It isn’t just a matter of offering a few unique treatments. This is a core part of their philosophy.

You would wonder then, what if a therapist leaves? Well let me tell you, they don’t have many leaving because these therapists are so happy doing what they feel called to do and doing it largely the way their healing hands and hearts work best.

The spa menu is printed in a “Kinko’s” kind of way, bound with a white spiral so that it can be reprinted quite easily when necessary. And yes there are some generic/standard offerings such as Thai massage, shiatsu, hot stones and a Hydrating Facial, however the “Specialty” section of the spa menu is extensive.

Here are some of the amazing treatments offered:

Music to My Muscles
Heavenessence
Soul Search
Sound and Stone
Annoint Chakratherapy

So far I had one therapist who included some chanting in her starting ritual for a Ka Huna Hawaiian massage, with beautiful oils, indigenous dance music, and a dark room with multiple candle clusters. Last evening I joined the group on the floor in the quaint old church, which they had saved from destruction and moved from somewhere in the area to the Gwinganna property. With cushions and blankets, we relaxed on the floor while the practitioner took us through a “Garden of Sound” which included a combination of vibrational music and gongs and singing bowls and drums.

I won’t easily forget these magnificent and unique experiences.

Kudos to Sharon who oversees this approach and assures that all of these specialties are done by seasoned practitioners at a “wow” level and the owner Tony de Leede, who has encouraged this novel direction.

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