Spa design

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Spa designers become more in tune with consumer needs.

Spas have become an integral part of just about every new four- and five-star resort, as people expect pampering as part of a holiday purchase, or just a one-off spa indulgence. They are also being added to existing properties, including private clubs, or commercial buildings such as hotel apartments, designed to keep them competitive and growing in market share.

The critical first step to any spa’s success is to create an environment, through building structure, traffic flow and décor not only allows guests to relax and rejuvenate, but is also functional and flexible enough for expansions or changes to come at a later date.

“Practicality and user-friendliness is a key consideration when conceptualising the design for a spa,” said Dharmali Kusumadi, vice president of design services, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

“The design for a spa must be tailored to its operations concept, and treatment menus. The design needs to be practical for operational use and effective in achieveing the ideal ambience. A spa design need not always follow the conventional serene and calm style; it may be designed in a vibrant and active style to enhance the concept of the treatments offered.”

Over all, the sauna and steam rooms are the most used applications. The traditions behind these forms of bathing go back 2000 years and are very established, such as the sauna in Scandinavia, Hamam in Turkey, and Banja in Russia, for example.

Themed fashion

Stemming from traditions thousands of years old - themed spas have been a very successful trend in the Middle East region.

“Speaking of themes - when the spa business started in Dubai a decade ago, an Asian theme used to be the most common. One of our recent projects, the Amrita Spa at Raffles was created with this concept in mind,” said Daniella Russell, director of Wafi Health & Leisure Group.

“Another spa design style that is growing in popularity, is the Arabian style, bringing the flavour of the region into the spa concept. Our main project, replicating Arabian style blended into a modern spa’s is Cleopatra’s Spa at Wafi (1998).

“However, we are now seeing clients’ need for spa refurbishment where the latest trends are more futuristic and minimalist. Ecological green spas are also another interesting trend, where natural materials are the most widely used,” she added.

Inspired by nature

According to Kusumadi of the Banyan Tree resorts, the latest trends in spa designs, “involve the use of natural materials to create a more dramatic effect. Modern spa design is no longer just about designing a beautiful treatment room that’s typically quiet and serene, but involves more design elements to enhance the visitors’ mood through creating a stronger sense of place.”

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