In the world of travel, first impressions matter. When it comes to the intimate environment of a hotel spa, tangibles like the design and décor can be impressive, but the subtle nuances like the scent, the service attitude, and dress of the attendants can make a big difference. Half of the new spas found by our Luxe Lodgings correspondent Angela Fairhurst use uniforms from Noel Asmar, who also designs clothes for travel.
Naïa Resort & Spa
Within a private 200-acre reserve on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize is the Naïa Resort & Spa. The spa is set amid a series of lagoons, with each rustic treatment room a private retreat extending over lily-covered waters. Spa rituals and personalized wellness programs emphasize the use of native and organic botanicals to create a transformational experience. Local artisans and traditional healers craft products using indigenous ingredients, such as coconut, chocolate, and spices. The Mayan Cacao & Spice Wrap is a body scrub with a mix of cacao powder and coconut oil, layered under warm towels. Following a scalp massage using aromatic ylang-ylang, the natural heating and firming effects from the application of a cinnamon-infused lotion go to work on the skin.
Naum Spa at Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
The beachfront Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya officially debuted the 10,000-square-foot Naum Spa in early 2017. With six open and airy treatment cabins and two hydrotherapy areas, the spa is appropriately named after the Mayan God of consciousness and mind. The simple décor within the lush jungle setting exudes that mindset. ‘Naum Rituals’ are treatments based on native Mayan traditions reflective of the mind, body, and spirit. Every aspect of the treatment is customized to the individual guest’s needs and includes hand-selected products, many of which have been created with natural, locally-sourced ingredients.
The Merchant of Venice Spa at San Clemente Palace Kempinski
San Clemente Palace Kempinski, a luxury resort on its own private island in the Venetian lagoon, has opened a brand new spa. Surrounded by lush gardens, the two-story spa’s signature treatments and massages use The Merchant of Venice brand oils, which follow ancient recipes from the Orient, incorporating essential oils like sandalwood, jojoba, and bergamot. The spa has a wet area comprised of a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, and emotion shower, a relaxation lounge, fitness center, and four treatment rooms. A signature spa treatment is the Splendor Anti-Age mask, which features eleven 24-carat gold leaves, made by the Venetian craft workshop Mario Berta Battiloro.
Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary at Andaz Scotttsdale
The Palo Verde Spa is situated on the southern portion of the Andaz Scottsdale’s 23 acres. It has four treatment rooms, eucalyptus steam rooms, its own outdoor pool, and several outdoor gathering spaces. It’s a bright and airy space of mid-century modern design with clean lines allowing guests to enjoy the healing views of the serene desert, mountains, and expansive sky. Every service features native plants, centuries of holistic wisdom, and products curated by a Sedona botanist which use only indigenous ingredients. The True Essence Massage showcases the spa’s blending bar with its many essential oils.
Hawanawana Spa at Four Seasons Resort Lanai
The Four Seasons Resort Lanai opened its new Hawanawana Spa in January. The experience begins when guests enter the sanctuary and continues as therapists use innovative techniques to customize every treatment. Total body relaxation comes in the form of the Ocean Ritual treatment, which incorporates wild seaweed and undaria algae oil, while the Pineapple Citrus Body Polish—a secret family recipe—rejuvenates the skin and soul. Those looking for a romantic offering can relax at the spa’s new and noteworthy Couples’ Suites which elevates the typical couples’ spa experience by creating a soothing ambiance with natural light, rain showers, an intimate living and dining area, and side-by-side deluxe spa treatment beds.
The Cliveden Spa at Cliveden House
The Cliveden Spa is now open at the renowned Relais & Châteaux country house hotel Cliveden House in Berkshire, UK. The spa’s debut marks the final chapter of the property’s four-year, no-expense-spared refurbishment. The new Garden Spa has seven treatment rooms, relaxation areas, an indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, and a mani-pedi salon. The only historically listed swimming pool in England, the outdoor Profumo Pool is a focal point of the new Garden Spa, which is hidden behind mellow brick walls camouflaged by scented rose and jasmine. The products are all British, inspired by the flora of the surrounding gardens.
