CNBC's Simon Hobbs reports on hotel rooms that are designed to make guests healthier, and discussing whether travelers will pay more to stay in them, with Scott Sibella, MGM Grand president & COO, and Morad Fareed, Delos co-founder.
Generational use of spas, the overall impact of spas on hotels and the increasing significance of the male spa-goer are among key topics discussed in "Emerging Global Spa Trends," a new Hilton Blue Paper released today by Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide. The report outlines insights from a collection of industry experts, including the Hilton Worldwide spa team, founders of top spa product brands and other thought leaders in this space. The Hilton Blue Paper also includes a survey of 6,000 respondents throughout the United States, Great Britain, Australia and China to offer additional global and regional insight. A key finding of the research is that nearly 50 percent of the respondents said the existence of a spa is an important factor in selecting a hotel, with Chinese travelers finding it most important followed by those from Australia.
Westin Hotels & Resorts announced today plans to continue the global expansion of its signature spa brand as it continues to enhance its footprint in the world's fastest growing markets. Propelled by a growing demand for luxury services, Westin will increase its robust portfolio of Heavenly Spas with 13 openings by 2014, with all but two located outside the United States. The brand's signature spa concept is currently in 28 Westin Hotels & Resorts around the world.
Scheduled to open in December 2012, The Alpina Gstaad is set in the heart of the Bernese Alps and will offer an intimate and discreet haven for discerning local and international guests in search of an authentic and indulgent Alpine experience. With 56 rooms and suites, numerous possibilities for dining, relaxation and cultural enrichment, this boutique hotel will deliver a new level of distinction, while nurturing the local mountain traditions.
Loyal guests and local devotees of Milan"s historic Four SeasonsHotel Milano will soon have to wait no longer as the Hotel opens its much-anticipated Spa this June. Incorporating a spa into a 15th century former convent clearly cannot be rushed or taken lightly.
eforea: spa at Hilton, the innovative global spa concept continues its rapid global expansion with the opening of its first location in the Middle East. Located at Hilton Doha in Qatar, the 600-square-meter eforea: spa at Hilton offers an exclusive treatment menu, innovative design features and carefully selected product partners that appeal to today’s savvy global travelers.
In 2012 Shine Spa will make its debut at Starwood's largest hotel in the world, Sheraton Macao Hotel, as well as Sheraton Xian North City Hotel, Sheraton Fuzhou Hotel, Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel, Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort and seven other properties across Asia.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts brings eforea: spa at Hilton, its innovative global spa concept, to China today with an opening at Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe. The spa is situated in the Tianhe district of China’s third-largest city, and is the first of two eforea: spa at Hilton locations scheduled to open in China this year.
New York, NY March 12, 2012 - The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS), the leading annual event for spa and wellness industry executives, today announced that John Kao, one of the world's thought leaders on innovation and enterprise transformation, will be a keynote presenter for the event being held in Aspen, Colorado from June 3-6, 2012. Kao, dubbed "Mr. Creativity" by The Economist, is the author of global bestsellers on innovation and business creativity, serves as an advisor to numerous Fortune 500 companies and governments, and is one of the most sought-after speakers on the topic of innovation in the world.
"We have a track record of delivering on hotel industry firsts, and we're doing it again by staking our claim on the wellness space within the mainstream lifestyle category," said Richard Solomons, chief executive officer, IHG. "We are so confident in the EVEN brand that we are committing a capital investment of up to $150 million over the next 3 years in order to deliver growth and profitability for EVEN Hotels."
"As more eforea: spa at Hilton locations open around the globe, our first location in Europe is another important milestone for us," said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "This location at Hilton Baku brings eforea: spa at Hilton to four continents and offers stunning city and sea views. This spa will deliver a world class relaxation environment for guests to refresh, rejuvenate and emerge brighter."
"The ISPA 2011 U.S. Spa Industry Study takes an in-depth look at how spas managed the recession, as well as providing information on the types of treatments offered, a breakdown by spa type and marketing tactics employed by spas," said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "We're excited to report positive growth in the data and look forward to sharing the information with spa professionals to help them strengthen their business."
"The key message from the survey is the spa industry in the U.S. is recovering from the worst recession to hit the country in living memory," said Colin McIlheney, Global Research Director at PwC. "The most positive takeaway from the study is that the health of the industry has stabilized after the declines recorded last year. 'Cautiously optimistic' would sum up the recurring theme from many respondents."
HVS Chief Operating Officer Stephen Rushmore, Jr. has just announced the firm's newest division, HVS Spa and Leisure Services. Through a collaboration with WTS International, HVS Spa & Leisure Services will provide feasibility studies, design consulting, pre-opening services and management for spas, fitness centers and leisure facilities at hotels, resorts, residential projects and real estate developments worldwide. HVS Spa and Leisure Services will offer exceptional customer service while maximizing revenue and net operating profit for clients.
Sheraton and Westin will open its in-house, signature spa concepts in existing and new hotels with a primary focus in Asia. Shine Spa for Sheraton will make its debut at the Sheraton Yantai Golden Beach Resort, Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel, Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, Sheraton Qinqyuan Resort and five other properties across Asia. Additionally, Shine Spa will open this year at the Sheraton Baku Airport Hotel in Azerbaijan. Heavenly Spa by Westin will open at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa and four hotels across China including The Westin Wuhan Wuchang.
Six Senses is delighted to announce the opening of a Six Senses Spa at Hotel Missoni Kuwait in early Summer 2011. The Six Senses Spa, on the second floor of the new five-star designer hotel, will have 13 treatment rooms including two Hammams, separate areas for men and ladies, and a bridal room including salon, pedicure and manicure areas. The 1,500-square metre spa will also house a fitness centre with a mixed and ladies-only gym, yoga studio, experience shower, sauna, steam rooms and luxurious relaxation areas.
Westin worked with New York-based advertising agency BBH to develop the $30 million campaign, which consists of six unique executions that are currently running in print, online, and in a variety of out-of-home placements. This marks the Westin brand's first new ad campaign to debut in more than five years.
Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos will close out the ISPA Conference during the Wednesday, November 9 General Session. He will speak to attendees about the different ingredients used by Zappos.com to build a long-lasting enduring brand, including the importance of customer service and company culture. Hsieh will talk about how focusing on delivering happiness to customers and employees has enabled the company to expand beyond selling shoes to clothing, bags and other product categories.
"As eforea joins these landmark hotels in Thailand and several more in 2011, we will continue to elevate the Hilton guest experience."
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Okura Hotels & Resorts marked their fifth year of successful partnership today in an event held in Singapore at Fullerton Hotel. In celebration of the milestone, both hotel groups organised an event showcasing a selection of their properties, attended by over a hundred clients and partners in Singapore.