Tag Archives: Greenhouse

Professional Spa Conference: Day One

100292 738295 Professional Spa Conference: Day OneEnjoyed day one of the spa conference I am attending here in London. The day’s focus was on innovation and implementation. We had speakers from France, the US, the UK, Switzerland, Russia, Bulgaria, and the Maldives. That’s what I like about this gathering – it is very international.

Today’s most fortuitous encounter was with Nina Tsymbal from St. Petersburg, the owner of a consulting company called Endeli Limited, who spoke on medical spas in Russia. Since I willnina 703637 Professional Spa Conference: Day One be at the Virtuoso Winter Symposium in St. Petersburg this weekend, I was thrilled to be able to get her advice on which spas to visit while I’m there. I had been trying to get some suggestions for weeks with almost no luck. (Moscow has some renowned spas, but it seems St. Petersburg doesn’t have any of note yet.) Well, Nina invited me to experience a special medical-massage treatment at her facility, the International Medem Clinic and Hospital. And, of course, I said yes. The topics at these conferences are instructive – but Nina’s offer reminded me that the connections with other spa professionals are the real treasures.

Dubai SPAspitality

gallery31 728579 Dubai SPAspitalityMy spa touring continues. Grand Hyatt is next on my list, where I find a fairly traditional spa facility very much like the spas I see in the US health clubs, but with gracious hospitality a la Dubai from Steven, the spa director, and Peter, the regional GM. Note to self: Showing enthusiasm when someone is visiting (even unannounced) is very impressive.

Over to Emirates Towers and a peak at their brand new H²0 Spa – the first all-male spa in Dubai. I’m curious to see how this concept works – a very large hotel with a spa only for men? After meeting with Anthony Lawrence, the group director of marketing (and a very busy man with the telephone), I head down to the all-male spa for a tour. Cecelia Larson, the stunningly gorgeous Swedish, blonde spa manager, greets me (I know instantly at least one reason why this spa would be popular with men!). She shows me around – lovely ambiance, minimalist décor, blacks and woods, very small (just a few treatment rooms). The hotel is 80% male business travelers. Females are relegated to the day spa in the attached shopping center. This hotel does, however, offer the “Chopard Floor,” which has guest rooms for women only, with an all-female staff. The women don’t get a spa – but they do get a floor.

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Hello, Dubai: A Spa Excursion

After a very pleasant 12-hour trip on Emirates Airlines from New York to Dubai, I’m at the airport awaiting my luggage. With me is my identical twin sister, Katrine, and we are both giddy with excitement to see what this scene is all about. I have tours of spas planned, plus I will be attending the Middle East Spa and Wellness Expo, and my sister insists that we not only visit but participate in Ski Dubai. (Indoor snow skiing, that is.)
50 798831 Hello, Dubai: A Spa Excursion
Katrine just reminded me that I should mention that our seats on the plane had massage options. With five body-area settings and choice of pulse, wave, steady, and zigzag, one could vibrate for the entire 12 hours. Alas, hours of mechanical massage can’t match the effects of even a few minutes of a skilled human touch.

Well, I’m off to the hotel! It’s 9:00 pm here, and more adventures await. We are staying at the famous Burj al Arab (pictured at right).

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