Tag Archives: hydrotherapy

Spa Trend Bingo

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Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

Just received an email this morning announcing the brand new book by Mark Hyman, M.D. It is called The UltraMind Solution. You may know Dr. Hyman from his time at Canyon Ranch in Lenox or perhaps you know his other books, UltraPrevention and UltraLongevity.

It put a smile on my face. Why you ask? Well, because in our recently released top 10 spa trend predictions for 2009, brain health was one of them! (And no, I didn’t know he was writing this book!)

While it is an encouragement to know that we have a pretty good pulse on what is going on out there and I wanted to brag a little (ok, I know it isn’t flattering), I also wanted to encourage you to buy the book so you can really be ahead of the trend curve.

Dr. Hyman describes the UltraMind Solution as “The Simple Plan to Sharpen Your Mind; Boost Your Mood; Increase Your Memory; and Even Reverse Autism, ADD, Depression, Alzheimer’s and More…”

I think this is the beginning of a conversation which will be going on for quite some time in the spa industry. How exciting!

P.S. If you missed our top ten spa trends for 2009 that I posted in a previous blog, I’ve added a quick summary for you below and you can read the full report here.

SpaFinder’s Top 10 Spa Trends for 2009
Energy Medicine – People are more open to alternative medicine, and there is more scientific evidence lending credibiity to the field.
Casinos & Spas – The combination of gaming and relaxation is quite complementary, and casino hotels have the money and creativity to build unique and exciting spas.
The Medical and Spa Tourism Shuffle – Traveling for health is happening for many different reasons and in many different ways, all over the globe.
Eco-Embedded Spas: A Deeper Shade of Green – It’s the most relaxing way for spa-goers to enjoy and feel good about their spa experiences.
Trains, Boats & Planes: In-Transit Spa-Going – The presence of de-stressing outlets during travel helps to make trips much more enjoyable.
Brain Health and ‘Mind’ Gyms – As people age they recognize that their minds need to be healthy also. Exercise your body, exercise your mind.
Stress – the 2009 Buzzword – As the entire global population is seeing unprecedented stress levels, and the number-one reason people go to spas is to reduce stress.
Mindful Spending – Discounts, bargains, and added values are expected in almost every transaction, and spas will be no exception.
Move Over Baby Boomers: Gen X & Y Are Spa-ing Their Own Way – The younger generation has unique spa-going habits, such as starting at a younger age, spa-ing with friends, and using technology 24/7.
Brands, Brands, Brands – There are so many spas to chose from, and brands help consumers distinguish one from another.
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As Promised, Baby Spas on Nightline

On Friday night, the segment on spas for babies ran on Nightline. You can watch the piece here. I thought that the cutest parts were the mention of Baby Chakra Chi and the babies playing in the noodles.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the piece, which you can share by clicking the “Comments” link below.

Clinique La Prairie Spa Lifestyle Living Residences: White-Gloved Service Anyone?

Impressive. Clinique La Prairie Spa will be opening a 50-story residential tower in Miami next year called Ten Museum Park, which they term “a revolutionary evolution of spa living.” I may have to agree with them. If they execute their plan according to current available information, I think it will be very appealing for a very specific audience.

What I like about this concept is that it seems as though they really know their customer. The famous Swiss company, known for its spa and its beauty products, is endeavoring to create a haven for that luxury, spa loving, beauty-oriented consumer. After 75 years of pampering kings, queens, heads of state, and movie stars at their spa in Switzerland, they shouldp5 781726 Clinique La Prairie Spa Lifestyle Living Residences: White Gloved Service Anyone? be able to satisfy those who purchase residences at this address. Here are the highlights:

  • Sensational water views
  • Opposite the new Miami Art Museum
  • Famous Clinique La Prairie amenities in all condos, penthouses, and suites
  • State-of-the-art Wellness Center on eighth and ninth floors
  • Six pools including infinity-edge sunrise and sunset pools
  • Forward-thinking Oppenheim Architecture + Design firm
  • 25,000-square-foot sky garden with fruit trees and tropical vegetation
  • Water water everywhere – views, pools, sounds
  • 10,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant for residents and neighboring performing arts devotees
  • Beauty-related businesses on lower floors
  • Exclusive nightclub and lounge
  • Massage, beauty care, thalasso, VIP cabins
  • Hammam, Vichy shower and myriad electro, micro, and chromo treatments
  • Proprietary beauty and health technology
  • “Endless pampering, Swiss perfection, and service”

In typical European fashion they didn’t mention anything about fitness in their press release, but thankfully I found a mention of cardio and fitness facilities on their website. Clearly, beauty is the focus here.

In This Case a White Spa is the Ultimate Luxury

In This Case a White Spa is the Ultimate Luxury“Wow, that spa is so clean!” Those were the first words my brother-in-law, Bill Formby, said when I asked him how his massage was at the new Mayflower Spa this weekend. I had to laugh because there are so many extraordinary aspects of this new spa that could be mentioned (the setting, the artwork, the spaciousness, the quality of treatments), but he reminded me that for many people cleanliness is still the ultimate measure of spa quality. And this one gets an A+ for cleanliness.

My husband and I did our annual trek to the country this weekend to see the color change. We usually drive up to the Mayflower Inn in Washington, Connecticut for lunch during the peak color season, but this year we decided to stay overnight since my twin sister and her husband, Bill, were there for a five-day spa vacation.

Part of the reason why this spa is super clean is: Because it has to be. Adriana Mnuchin and her daughter, Lisa Hedley, who are the proprieters, were brave enough to select white as their dominant color – with accents of the most beautiful eggshell, pale blue, yellow, and celedon. When entering the 20,000-square-foot facility, everyone is asked to take off their shoes and put on slippers. Dining room chairs are in plush white fabric (can you believe such a thing?), lounge chairs are in creme and white upholstery with white chenille throws, etc. Draperies are of various white sheer fabrics, the tiles are pale mosaics in very light colors with a hint of shimmer, and the entire pool and Jacuzzi are tiled so that while you are swimming light dances on the water. Even the book coverings in the library are mostly white!
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This kind of detail is what makes the Mayflower Inn and Spa so extraordinary and why it has already garnered praise (such as Good Morning America naming it the No. 1 Spa in America after it was opened only a few months), and why it made the cover of a recent issue of Luxury SpaFinder Magazine.

I would love to hear feedback from those who read my blog! Please post a comment by clicking on the link below that reads “Comments.”

Husband at Spa (Spa, Belgium that is)

piscineexterieur2 735685 Husband at Spa (Spa, Belgium that is)Just got this email from hubby who is in Brussels for a global internet conference. I reminded him that he was close to the city of Spa and that it might be worth a drive to see it. He found out it was only 90 minutes away, so off he went. Here is his email to me from Spa, Belgium:

“There are many places here with thermes but they are really mineral pools at a property…terme is spa kind of like Italy. I got lucky …took a tram from center town for about 100 yards up a hill to the real spa in town. Termes de Spa is the name…no hotel as you stay in hotels around the town…Friedrichbad in Baden-Baden comes close except much of the facility is pretty new…especially the treatment areas…nice wood floors and cabins as they call ‘em…with views of the surrounding tree-lined countryside. Many pools, whirlpools, high-pressure fountains like fire hoses…they do have steam and saunas and there is one section for au naturel and another for swimsuits. Full-service spa with many treatments, including beauty. Big here are these copper bath tubs with warm natural gas or carbonated water…as you sit in the tub you look out at nature….all the pools reminded me of Fonteverde…oh…they also do Watsu but I could not book a time. Hot place worth a visit.”

I’m anxious to hear feedback from you on my blog! Please add a comment by clicking on the link below that reads “Comments.”