by James Ruggia
Last updated: 11:01 AM ET, Thu June 12, 2014
PHOTO: If Ponce DeLeon had gone to Padua's Abano Grand Hotel spa instead of Florida he might still be young. (Courtesy of Abano Grand Hotel)
In a few short decades, the concept of spa has grown from the hospital-like institutions represented in Federico Fellini's 8½ to the world it is today, a Crayola box with enough colors to make a peacock jealous. The product offerings of spas continue to evolve as the market has gotten large enough to command really fine niche diversification. The following tour of new developments in wellness goes from Padua to London and throughout the 20 destinations where Hard Rock Hotels are located.
Unwind in Padua
Padua is one of Italy's most enjoyable cities. The old university there was a home to both Galileo and Petrarch, and not far off Giotto painted his masterpiece on the interiors of the Scrovegni Chapel. In April Padua's Abano Grand Hotel added the Venezia Spa and Aqua Water Center to its Anti-Aging Thermal Spa extending the sanctuary with a grotto, more thermal baths, saunas and showers.
The new 4,950-square foot Aqua Center is a new fitness area with scenic views of the hotel's parkland and thermal pools. This wellness space will be dedicated to personal training and fitness consultations with a medical approach from a highly trained team of experts including a sports doctor, coach, nutritionist and spa physician. The Abano Grand is best known for its Baroque spa and the natural thermal water and mud therapy treatments.
The Anti-Aging Thermal Spa now has more than 26,000 square feet of space. The Venezia Spa uses red and gold colors, natural stone pillars and open-air spaces to conjure up a Venetian spirit. The Venezia Spa features quartzite floors and stone-wall showers to emit energy, light and heat for healing.
Venezia Spa has four distinct areas: Campo d'Argilla (Clay Field), Corte del Vapore (Steam Courtyard), Isola della Sauna (Sauna Island) and Calle del Freddo (Cold Alley). The Campo d'Argilla has an ancient Roman feel using wet treatments, rooms equipped with different temperatures and humidity levels, including a dry heat room and another wet room with increased humidity and heat.
The Corte del Vapore uses Arab steam rooms to revitalize the skin's elasticity. It also opens the respiratory system and reduces stress in a relaxing environment to strengthen guests' body and spirit.
The Isola della Sauna uses Finnish-style dry sauna practicing salt therapy. The Sauna is structured with blocks of pink rock salt walls and filled with fragrances of eucalyptus, fir and pine.
The Calle del Freddo is the spa's Cold Alley used to awaken the body and benefit the skin. Within the Cold Alley are Nebbia della Laguna (Mist Lagoon) and Pioggia d'Inverno (Winter Rain). Guests are encouraged to dive into each of these three elements for two short 30-second cycles during this final process. Abano Grand Hotel's Anti-Aging Thermal Spa is equipped with aqua therapy, rehabilitation plans, Ayurveda and thermal mud treatments. Complete with a medically sanctioned mud farm, fitness center, beauty salon and three thermal pools with natural water sourced from underground springs.
Week of Sleek in Cabo
Getting healthy can't get much better than when it requires a week in Mexico's San Jose del Cabo. The Hotel El Ganzo, Cabo's newest hotel, will host what it calls "a first-of-its-kind fitness and wellness week for guests" this coming Oct. 1 to 7.
The hotel puts a lot of emphasis on the connection between spiritual well-being and physical well-being. Its wellness center is called the Mind-Body-Spirit Retreat. At the retreat, guests receive "nutritional, physical and spiritual guidance" from experts who host workshops and activities in fitness, nutrition and yoga.
Group workouts and fitness classes; yoga, meditation and transformational breathing sessions; cooking classes and healthy food demonstrations; healthy meals prepared by a professional nutritionist; and one-on-one consultations make this a rejuvenating experience all around. Priced from $3,200 per-person double, the all-inclusive, six-day/five-night package includes lodging, meals and all activities and sessions during the weeklong retreat.
Fitness First on Hyde Park
In London, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park's new wellbeing facility, including a 17-meter indoor swimming pool and fitness center. The Fitness Center has the latest cardio and resistance training by Technogym. This includes a Kinesis Vision Unit that is programmed with structured workouts for time-efficient and results-orientated training for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. The InBody Analyzer measures overall fitness including water retention, mineral levels, body strength and balance.
The center has teamed up with Sculpt, an exclusive health and fitness consultancy, to offer a complete menu of wellness services and bespoke packages. Sculpt's team, under the guidance of former international swimmer David Jones, provide personal training, nutrition, swimming coaching, physiotherapy, Pilates, and yoga services in the new fitness facility.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London is also offering a new range of detox and slimming treatments, including a 2 hour and 50 minute Detoxification Ritual. This complete ritual leaves guests' energized with an overall feeling of wellbeing, and includes a Caviar Salt Scrub, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Detoxifying Body Wrap, Express Facial (including facial reflexology) as well as dietary and lifestyle advice.
The hotel also offers a Wellness Gastronomy breakfast that uses a balanced mix of healthy dishes created using whole, natural ingredients, abundant in anti-oxidants, and served raw or lightly cooked to preserve their nutritional values. Throughout the summer season breakfast can be served alfresco on the tranquil terrace.
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