TrendLines: Spas

In today’s world of tight spending, the spa experience can seem inappropriate to some, thanks in part to the now-infamous AIG getaway. But this is a mistake, since much of today’s spa experience is about wellness, rejuvenation and a rebalance of life—the perfect medicine for a down time.

“Many spas have turned to the combination of medical and wellness with a focus on nutrition, fitness and meditation because of the demand for guests to incorporate their annual check-up into their vacation,” says Jeanie Klueter, senior associate and director of spa and wellness design for WATG.

Elements that help create this wellness feel are more thermal amenities such as a laconium, inhalation room, experience shower, ice machine, vitality pool, rock sauna, crystal steam room, hammam and rasul treatments, Klueter says.

And as the spa’s various amenities rebalance the guest, the spa amenities must also be balanced. The design needs a logical progression of elements. Service areas and more social treatment areas should be separated from the quieter areas; cool down areas should be opposite saunas; and co-ed lounges should be located in appropriate sight lines to other rooms.

“Understand the flow of the spa,” says Michael Crosby, design director for Wilson Associates. “From the moment you enter, the most complex part is the locker room in a space planning way. There are a lot of parts and pieces—sight lines, lighting, privacy and guests’ personal comfort. When they’re walking in robes, they don’t want other people to be too close.”

One area gaining popularity is the spa playground. The idea started in Europe, and it’s a generously sized area for a self-service spa experience, with both wet and dry areas, that is more social and less intimidating for a spa novice.

“A playground has [saunas, whirlpools, etc.] but a little bit more grandiose, with music piped in, flat-screen TVs, iPod stations, specialty showers, product bars for bowls of mud or body polish, salt or exfoliation treatment,” says Judy Singer, president & co-owner of Health Fitness Dynamics.

A spa playground can be fun for a guest and often more cost effective for the hotelier because there is only a need for one or two passive attendants for the entire area, Singer says.

Overall, today’s spa needs a serene feel conveyed through aromas, sounds and colors.

“Materials are key,” Crosby says. “Softer palettes, more natural materials where possible, and spend your money in areas where [guests’] eyes are open.”

Floors and ceilings should be clean and interesting as guests are often looking up or down.
“Mechanical vents, sprinkler heads and lights should be placed on the ceiling with much design consideration,” Klueter says.