PHOTO: Aman's Sveti Stefan Resort is extending the eastern shores of the Adriatic south for travelers.(Courtesy of Sveit Stefan Resort)
A fully matured wellness market compels resorts to define themselves by destination or, as is often the case in cities, by treatments. Resorts and spas located in cities face different competitive challenges than spas located along the sea or in the country. Like restaurants, spas need to affirm a strong identity and in rural or oceanfront settings they can do that by identifying strongly with the destination's local traditions. Urban hotel spas have a completely different challenge.
Just as urban chefs trend toward fusion to exploit the different cultures that come together in their cities, country kitchens trend toward the traditional roots of the destination's cooking. Country spas, like country kitchens, also go vertical into tradition while urban spas counter with treatments focused on the specific health needs of urban life.
Beginning with two classic spas in two majestic rural destinations, a new one on the sea in Montenegro and another one in the hills of Tuscany and concluding with urban spas in London and Paris, the following story hopes to trace the fault lines in these segmentations.
Etruscan Vapors in Tuscany
In the hills of Tuscany there's a spot that was sacred to Etruscans long before there was even a Rome. Today, those hot spring vapors rise among medieval towers and flow into the Adler Thermae Spa and Resort (www.adler-thermae.com), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The hotel is owned by the same Sanoner family who have since 1810 owned the Adler Wellness & Sport Resort in the Dolomites. In the late '90s the family discovered the thermal site in Tuscany and in 2004, after years of research, the Sanoners opened the new Adler Thermae Spa and Resort.
The family built the Adler as an antique rural villa surrounded by gardens, and only a few hundred yards from the village of Bagno Vignoni. The warm waters are the basis for many treatments such as Argillae, the Etruscan Clay Bath, with roots dating back to ancient ceremonial traditions and the Grotta Salina, the underground salt bath where lights and perfumes lead to a sense of wellbeing and strengthen the healing effect of the salt water.
The spa administers 120 different treatments using natural products and modern equipment. The fitness regimens were designed for men, women, mothers-to-be, honeymooners, and families. Programs also include yoga, Pilates, Zen Stretching, cardio and power training, hiking, and biking through the countryside. When guests are not soaking in the spa, they can wander the Tuscan hills visiting the villages, shops and restaurants where they can sample fresh regional cuisine
A 10th anniversary special, priced from €920 ($1,276) includes four nights with breakfast and dinner, a bottle of champagne and the Best of Adler Wellness package which includes one massage, one facial, one body scrub with Brunello, a visit to the Grotta Salina and 20 percent off any additional treatments.
Serenity in Ancient Montenegro
The Aman Sveti Stefan Resort is transforming Montenegro from an off-path former Yugoslavian state into the insider's seacoast choice south on the eastern shores of the Adriatic. Coastal Montenegro lies south of Croatia's Dalmatian Coast and is still undiscovered by mainstream tourism. Isolated stretches of beach punctuated by outcroppings of rock spread out from the UNESCO-protected region of Kotor with its medieval towns and villages stretching back to Roman occupation.
The exclusive resort just unveiled its new Aman Spa, a full service spa plus six spa cottages, a gym and two pools on the Sveti Stefan island, a former fortified village which is connected by isthmus to the mainland's Villa Milocer, a one-time summer residence of Yugoslav Queen Marija Karadjordjevic. Altogether the resort has 50 completely unique rooms, cottages and suites on the island and eight suites at Villa Milocer.
The Aman Spa, surrounded on three sides by forest, offers signature treatment packages using chemical-free products. The spa has four 700-square-foot treatment suites, four private relaxation terraces and three hydrotherapy rooms each with a sauna, steam shower, hot bath and cold plunge pool. The indoor heated swimming pool, housed in glass, is 80 feet long and extends outdoors for an additional 25 feet, where it is surrounded by two 540-square-foot terraces with sun loungers. There is also a 600-square-foot Finishing Salon offering manicures and pedicures along with hair treatments, cuts and styling.
Sleeping Well at the Corinthia
The Corinthia Hotel London has developed a Sleep Menu and a Sleep Ritual for its signature ESPA Life Spa. These service products were developed with the help of medically trained sleep experts and now the hotel is putting a creative twist on how to market these resources in a new package beginning May 13 called the 'Sumptuous Sleep Retreat.' The program educates guests on the concept of quality sleep using its own luxury facilities with advice from Physiologist and sleep expert Dr .Guy Meadows who uses 'mindfulness technique,' and UK Nutritionist Jeannette Hyde who has designed a Sleep Menu, along with hotel chef Garry Hollihead, based on a Functional Medicine approach.
The Sleep Menu was designed by Hyde in conjunction with Executive Chef Garry Hollihead. The menu can be found in the bedrooms, The Northall Bar, The Lobby Lounge and the spa. The Sleep Spa's Sleep Ritual includes a cleansing foot ritual and such treatments as Balinese massage, Ayurvedic pouring of oil on the forehead, acupuncture, osteopathy, and more.
The retreat includes a luxurious bedroom or suite; a light lunch from the Sleep Menu in the Spa Lounge at ESPA Life at Corinthia; a two hour sleep ritual at ESPA Life at Corinthia; dinner from the Sleep Menu in The Northall restaurant at the hotel; time to unwind in one of the hotel's Sleep Pods at ESPA Life at Corinthia; a turndown of valerian tea or warm milk and pumpkin seed cookies; a light breakfast from the Sleep Menu served in the guest's room; and a choice of a personalized Osteopathy consultation, personalized Acupuncture session or Ancient Indian Shirodhara treatment at ESPA Life at Corinthia. A one-to-one session with Dr. Guy Meadows and/or Jeannette Hyde is available at an additional fee.
Prices start from £758 ($1,280) based on single occupancy, or from £1,198 ($2,200) for double occupancy.
Relaxation in Paris at the Mandarin Oriental
In Paris the Mandarin Oriental Spa's new Oriental Wellness program will allow guests to combine relaxation with a healthy culinary experience. The program starts with a one hour yoga lesson, given by a specialist in three different types of yoga: Hatha (relaxing), Ashtanga Vinyasa (endurance) and Iyengar (therapeutic). Then two 50-minute treatments for both the face and body. The treatments are tailored to each guest and have been developed with Aromatherapy Associates products. Guerlain make-up products are available to female guests. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Paris features private spa suites, a 14-metre indoor pool and more.
After the pampering comes a healthy lunch at Bar 8 or on the garden terrace. Thierry Marx, a specialist in healthy cuisine, has especially created and adapted recipes like Thai Beef Salad and a selection of steamed Dim Sum. As a light dessert guests can choose from the low sugar pastries selection, such as the Mandarin or le Saint-Honoré cakes by Pastry Chef Pierre Mathieu, Guests can also have a non-alcoholic cocktail TM 4 L'Eau Furieuse made from ginger, sugar, lime, lemon, anise and tonic.
The Oriental Wellness program is valid until the end of the year, and is priced at €430 ($597) per person. Room rates begin at €845 ($1,172) for one night in a Superior Room
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