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International appeal

The spa industry is growing at 16% a year worldwide with investment fuelled by big corporate investors and private equity. There are approximately 96 million active spa-goers globally as, from Singapore to Spain, stress and an increased pace of life are driving more of us through spa doors.

Spa residential communities are one novel by-product, but gaining in popularity, since they appeal to all ages and complement the wider 21st century message about healthy living. Often their services are often just one aspect of a wider emphasis on recreational activities, natural surroundings and healthy eating.

Such is their size, or at least the size of the communities within which they are set, that they offer far more than your conventional steam rooms and saunas. There's often great emphasis placed on interior design to reflect the spa's theme and treatments available.

Developments tend to fall into three categories; stand-alone spas with added residential components, real estate developments that have added spas; and hotels with spas that have decided to latch on residential components, and tend to divide into equity communities - which are owned by the members - and non-equity communities, owned by the developer.

Whole ownership is self-explanatory, but many developments also offer fractional and condo ownership which typically restrict occupancy to 30 days a year.

Membership fees

The US is leading the development charge with projects such as the ultra-exclusive Miraval Resort in Arizona, which only has 16 villas for sale, and the Mammoth Private Resident Club in California which is carved into the eastern Sierra Mountains.

Another upscale project is The Wilderness Trail Golf Resort & Spa Community located near Banner Elk, which rises to over 4,500 feet. The separate community sports complex is designed to provide something for everyone in the family, including a complete fitness center, a 50-foot climbing wall, tennis, squash and racquetball courts, a full-service day spa and outdoor pool.

Buyers should be aware of fees associated with this deluxe lifestyle. Besides one-time charges at purchase, some of which may be refunded when the owner sells, there are charges for required memberships. For a wholly owned house at the Ritz-Carlton in Jupiter in Florida, for example, the one-time fee is US$60,000 for a spa and social membership, rising to US$210,000 with golf membership.

The UK's Woodhall Spa community, an inland resort set in Lincolnshire, combines leisure and history with two golf courses, an outdoor heated pool and several aviation heritage sites associated with 617 Squadron of Dambusters fame.

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