How’s the rollout of the Quan concept going so far?
We rolled out our first Quan Spa at the Sanya Marriott Resort in China about 20 months ago.
Since then, Quan Spa has also been introduced to two Marriott hotels in Thailand and India. The market response is just phenomenal.
Where did the Quan spa concept originate from?
The word “Quan” is derived from the Chinese character that means “a source of pure water”, be it a spring, fountain or spa. Symbolically, water in the Chinese culture is often associated with good luck.
“Quan” is also a synonym to another Chinese character that means “completeness” or “sufficiency”.
Since Quan Spa made its debut in China, we believe it is very appropriate to associate the name with the Chinese culture.
[The] spas are tranquillity zones where the guest is taken on a relaxing sensory journey.
This is achieved through interior design, lighting, architecture, treatments and therapies, staff service, retail and home care, together with careful integration of equipment and the hands-on approach that provides a connection between the spa and our guests.
What’s the Quan concept’s USP?
Our Quan Spas strive to offer treatments with authenticity. We draw experience from local cultures, their traditional healing and wellness rituals, then modify and deliver this wealth of know-how in style.
[The] spas offer treatments that work and avoid fads. One has to appreciate that not all treatments and therapies can be backed by scientific evidence, but techniques for body scrubbing, body wrapping, massaging, bathing and steaming have been handed down in all cultures across the world, and this is where we draw inspiration from.
A guest will leave our spa feeling that they have had a positive change in either the way they look, the way they feel, or the way they respond to everyday situations.
Our treatments support the quest that all people have, which is to feel alive and vital and to present their very best self to the world.
[Also] our spas appeal to both men and women. We have made a deliberate choice to “de-feminise” our spas. The spa supports the hotel that it is located in [and] this means catering to the large portion of male guests that visit Marriott properties.
How do you tailor the Quan Spas to suit their specific locations?
Development of each Quan Spa centres upon the distinctiveness of its location, giving them the ability to draw on the architecture, healing traditions, fashions and way of life for inspiration in their spa design, treatments, uniforms and colour palettes.
All our spas also have a core menu that does not change between locations. This uses skincare products from Thalgo, Algotherm and Pevonia.
There is then a local section to the menu and this draws on local healing traditions. In Sanya, we have a derivative of a Tui Na Massage, for example, and our Spice Body Wraps. In Thailand we have Coconut Banana Body Scrubs and Thai Massage, and in Mumbai we have treatments based on Ayurveda. We even localise the signature spa beverage, which is given to guests arriving for treatments.
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