Posts Tagged ‘hotel spas’

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New spa opens at Grand Hotel de Bordeaux

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Francophiles rejoice – a brand new luxury spa has opened at the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux in France’s famous wine region. Named ‘Les Bains de Léa’, the spa is run by French organic beauty brand Nuxe – and is open to members of the public as well as to hotel guests. Bath robes at the ready…

Inspired by the architecture of Ancient Roman baths, the spa features an outdoor terrace complete with pool, rooftop bar and spectacular views across Bordeaux. For those able to tear themselves away from the scenery, there are ten treatment rooms, an indoor counter-current swimming pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath – everything you need to really relax on holiday.

All the treatments at Les Bains de Léa are supplied by Nuxe, and the signature treatment is a 90 minute Olympe massage, exclusively designed for the spa. We don’t know about you, but we think it sounds like the perfect pampering treat…

Fancy a weekend away but not sure what you’ve done with your passport? Why not have a browse of our UK spa breaks to see if anything tickles your fancy. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a Eurostar train to catch…

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Medium-sized spas suffer in recession

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Feeling the pinch? You’re not the only one. The Trends in the Hotel Spa Industry 2011 report by PKF Hopsitality Research has shown that people are thinking twice before splashing their cash – with hotel spa revenue experiencing, on average, a 10.5% decline in 2010. With mid-market and medium-sized spas feeling the squeeze the most, it looks like it could be time for businesses to consider different marketing tactics…

According to the report, urban hotel spas have been affected the least, with a drop in revenue of only 1.2 per cent – while the spas at resort hotels have been hit the hardest, experiencing a fall of 13.6%. One of the reasons for the overall decline could, the report suggests, be over saturation of the middle market:

‘A possible reason for the significant decline in the medium-size spa group is overbuilding.

‘Medium-sized spas are often found in hotels that likely should have a spa as a guest amenity, but the property is not specifically known for its spa facility or experience. Therefore, it is neither an intimate, boutique spa nor is it a grand showcase spa for the property’s marketing and reputation.

‘Additionally, the spa facilities may have been built as a ratio of spa treatment rooms to total guest rooms, rather than built to an actual projection of hotel spa demand and capture. Either individually or combined, these factors result in a greater potential negative impact on spa revenues during recession and early recovery periods.’ Hopefully the spas will soon be able to get back on an even keel…

Of course, treating yourself doesn’t have to break the bank. In need of some serious relaxation? Why not check out our deals and offers on spa breaks for savings that could save the day.

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Maldives spa ban overturned

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Earlier in January, we blogged about the Maldives government’s decision to close the islands’ massage parlours and spas – a major blow to the tourism industry and to spa lovers worldwide. Luckily, the ban has since been lifted – allowing hotels and resorts to continue operating as usual. We love it when a story has a happy ending…

Unfortunately, however, the ban has only been temporarily overturned. Fans of the Maldives will have to wait for the Supreme Court to officially adjudicate the matter and decide the fate of the nation’s spas – but until then, it looks as though honeymooners and holidaymakers will be able to enjoy massages and spa treatments to their hearts’ content. Best organise a break to the islands quickly, in case things are set to change forever…

Has all this talk of holidaying got you daydreaming? Browse our overseas spas or treat yourself to a spa break in the UK.

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Blue Harbour Spa reopens

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Looking for a bit of luxury to cheer you up this January? Fans of Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour will be glad to know that the hotel has recently reopened its Blue Harbour Spa to guests and non-resident club members. Race you to the massage table…

Visitors to the refurbished spa will be able to enjoy use of the steam room, sauna and 17ft swimming pool (complete with waterfalls), as well as the fitness centre, hair salon and nail bar. However, it’s the brand new range of Voya treatments and rituals that’s got us really excited – and we think you’ll like the sound of it, too…

Ireland-based brand Voya joins Susan Molyneux and Aromatherapy Associates in offering products at the spa – adding a touch of the ocean to the mix with its nourishing seaweed extracts. With all Voya treatments inspired by the brand’s organic philosophy, you can ensure there’ll be no synthetic nasties lurking  here – only gentle, natural ingredients designed to relax, replenish and rejuvenate. What better way to kickstart a cleansing detox?

Fancy setting the tone for your New Year’s beauty and wellbeing regime with a Voya experience at the Blue Harbour Spa? Why not start as you mean to go on by visiting our dedicated Blue Harbour Spa page for more information.

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Maldives government orders spas to close

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

The Maldives have long been a buzzing travel destination, popular with holiday makers and honeymooners looking to enjoy the sun, sea, sand and – until recently – spas. However, this December saw the government issue an order to close all massage parlours and spas – a move that may be set to dramatically alter the islands’ reputation for luxury. Looks like spa lovers might have to go elsewhere for that holiday of a lifetime…

Despite the impact that the closure of the nation’s spas is likely to have on tourism, the government has placed a ban on spas and massage centres after opposition members argued that these venues were being run as brothels. Needless to say, it’s a move that hasn’t been welcomed by the many hotels and island resorts offering beauty treatments and massage therapies to customers – not to mention by outraged consumers across the world.

But don’t worry just yet if the Maldives is your favourite leisure destination – the decision isn’t set in stone. The islands’ Supreme Court is due to rule on the matter shortly, meaning that there may still be hope for the country’s health and beauty centres. Many think that the government may retract the ban due to the impact it could have on tourism, whilst others argue that such a strict ban was not what protestors were calling for in the first place. Keep your fingers crossed, spa fanatics…

Fancy an exotic spa break but worried that the Maldives might not be quite the catch it used to be? Whilst we all await a verdict, why not browse our top overseas spa destinations, or stay a little closer to home with a UK spa break.

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Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Limerick, shows support for ‘Living in a Window’

Monday, November 28th, 2011

We love to see people coming together to help a worthy cause – so we were very impressed by the efforts of the staff at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Limerick. The staff, along with leisure centre members and guests, recently completed a sponsored treadmill challenge as part of Limerick’s Live 95FM ‘Living in a Window’ project. We’ve got to admit, we admire their stamina…

This year’s fundraising saw hotel and spa staff take it in turns to complete 30 minute workouts on a treadmill in the lobby area. With over €800 raised for ‘Living in a Window’, we reckon the dedicated team members must be feeling pretty proud of themselves – not to mention nice and fit.

‘Living in a Window’ is an annual project, which helps to raise funds for CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) and the Children’s Ark Unit at the Midwestern Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle. The project is right up the Radisson Blu Hotel’s street, as the hotel and spa have had an Active Responsible Business programme in place since 2002. A leisure venue that gets involved in community projects, environmental work and health and safety? We like their style…

Fancy a bit of a break? Why not visit the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa for some perfect pampering. We promise you won’t have to hop on the treadmill (unless you want to!)

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Macdonald Hotels introduces new Spa Collection

Friday, November 11th, 2011

At Wahanda, we think there’s no such thing as too many spas – so we’re always pleased to hear of a new launch or opening. When we learned that Macdonald Hotels & Resorts were planning to expand its group of spa hotels, we were so excited that we nearly fell off our chairs…

The introduction of the new Spa Collection will see the company focussing on the growth of its spa hotels, beginning with an exciting £4 million refurbishment of its flagship hotel. The Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, set in an old Scottish manor house, will undergo extensive work – turning it into the ultimate destination for a relaxing weekend away.

With eight treatment rooms planned, in addition to a rock sauna, an ice fountain, a massage shower and rasul, the new Inchyra Hotel spa experience looks set to be innovative, exciting and refreshing. We can’t wait to see what other tricks Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has got up its sleeve…

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Six new hotels to join Marriott’s Autograph Collection

Friday, July 29th, 2011

It’s time to travel in style. We’re delighted to hear that Marriott International is set to add six Boscolo Hotels to its exclusive Autograph Collection, taking the overall number in the portfolio to an impressive 26. Good news for globetrotters…

Boscolo Palace Roma and Boscolo Venezia, Italy, Boscolo Prague, Czech Republic and Boscolo Budapest, Hungary will join the Autograph Collection in September. They will be joined by Boscolo Exedra Roma and Boscolo Milano, Italy next year. Like all the hotels in the Autograph Collection, the new additions have been chosen for their originality and style – making them an ideal destination for discerning travellers.

The best part? All six hotels incorporate wellness facilities and spas to help tired jet setters relax, unwind and rejuvenate. Who said business trips had to be a chore?

Amy McPherson, European president and managing director of Marriott International, says, ‘We strongly believe that Autograph Collection will continue to be a huge growth platform for us and a key component of our European expansion strategy as we seek to reach 80,000 rooms in Europe by 2015.’

Passports at the ready, everyone…

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