Mr. Bedner

Spas, Health & Fitness

New Trends in Spa Design

By Michael Bedner, Chairman & CEO, Hirsch Bedner Associates

Spa design is about creating a sense of place, one that can be other worldly but also rooted in the location, the culture and customs. And one that promotes a sense of well being. Our belief is that people do come to the spa to change their outlook, so the spa must promote a sense of well being and calm so that guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. Working with a spa consultant, our goal is to create a long lasting design and d'ecor that's also highly functional and flexible and compliments and heightens the treatments offered and the guest experience.

In CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel in Chengdu, China, we were inspired by the 1933 novel Lost Horizon and Shangri-La, an idyllic, secluded mountain community that symbolizes utopia. Chi, the Chinese word used to describe the natural energy of the universe, is all about harmony and balance and all of the therapies used in the spa were based on Chinese and Himalayan wellbeing rituals and traditions. We also incorporated the brand's "spa within a spa" concept, where spa suites feature private bathing areas and herbal steam facilities and the use of aromatic herbs and fragrant oils.

Far from being a static entity, a spa is constantly evolving and changing, a sensual kaleidoscope of color, shapes, textures, materials, smells and treatments. While spa treatments may go in and out of fashion and ingredients for masks and body scrubs or teas are often seasonal in nature, the core design and d'ecor tenants remain the same.

1. Add value through long range planning.

Whether we're designing one spa at a resort or five urban hotels, we utilize the same design philosophy and a rigorous planning process. The design floor plan takes into account the guest experience from start to finish and insures that the treatment rooms contain the appropriate scale to handle the types of massages and treatments currently being offered as well as those that might be added in the future. Our planning process takes into account where the spa is now as well as one, three to eight years out. Obviously we want to make sure that the bones are strong, but we add value to our clients by making sure the design can withstand modification without a major investment into renovations.

2. Create a strong sense of place.

Rather than import Bali to Russia or Japan to Mexico, spa design is very much about creating a sense of place and incorporating the local customs, culture and treatments into the atmosphere. Our inspiration comes in many forms.

The treatments and design at the The Quan Spa in the JW Marriott Beijing, the third signature Quan Spa in China, were influenced by the country's water culture. Dramatic raindrop sculptures and modern ocean paintings adorn the walls and chandeliers float from the ceiling in a spiral of bubbles and iridescent azure curtains shimmer like rain. As water is a healing property and used in rebirth and renewal, many spas do incorporate it into the name, the treatments and the d'ecor. Following the Romans, who had the first known spas in history, we designed a luxurious and contemporary Roman bath in the Qua Baths & Spa at Caesar's Palace Las Vegas. In Club Olympus in the Hyatt Regency Istanbul's health and recreation center, a traditional marble "Hamam" or Turkish bath is a stunning showcase and popular retreat.

Sometimes it's the location that takes center stage. The 14,500 square foot Spa at the Mandarin Oriental New York offers views of the city's dramatic skyline so guests know they're in New York, but we also imbued the interior of the rooms with the exoticism of the Orient. At the Mandarin Oriental Miami Thai massage beds sit on a raised platform overlooking the bay. Even a brand must be modified to fit the specific city and country.

3. Use of natural and native materials.

Rather than use the same materials in spa after spa, we're looking for natural and native materials and furnishings built by local craftsmen. In lieu of all polished stone, we use fragrant and aromatic woods and Japanese tubs made out of a treated wood. Slate floors and a wall of indigenous stone with small candle ledges creates a peaceful ambience in The Spa at the Watermark Hotel in San Antonio, TX, while the treatment rooms at the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental New York are finished with bamboo floors and rice paper glass accents while the wet areas feature blue green quartzite. In addition, silver leafed ceilings and millwork is figured sycamore to surround the guest with a soft, soothing palette.

4. Engage all of the senses.<br

Whether it's a sense of touch from their spa attendant, the smells of scented oils or eucalyptus, a spectacular view or the sound of a bubbling fountain, we want guests to enjoy a complete total sensory experience. They key is to be subtle, not overwhelming and it can be as simple as using birch wood in the sauna. Candles and controlled lighting, where spa attendants can change the atmosphere of the room in an instant, is an effective tool, and sometimes even natural lighting must be contained. In the Shima Kanko Hotel on the Kashikojima Island, one wall is all glass offering breathtaking views of the Miki Moto pearl beds. But when I visited recently, there was too much light and glare coming into the room and I asked the attendant to lower the shades. Perhaps the solution would be to utilize a shade where there's a square cut out of the center to guests can still see the view but not be blinded by the light. Screens with the imagery of nature and rain forests heighten or compliment the atmosphere or the treatment, and music or chanting rhythms help set the mood.

5. Enhance the performance of spa attendants and guests.

As crucial as aesthetics are in creating the spa, we also incorporate many aspects into the design to make the spa attendants comfortable and effective in performing their jobs. The treatment rooms must be designed to accommodate the type of massage being offered, whether it's Shiatsu, Thai, Indonesian or Balinese massages.

We also want to make their work spaces as ergonomic as possible. Cushioned and heated floors (tile, stone, laminate and engineered wood floors) and radiant heating are more common as the temperature can be kept lower, making it more comfortable for the therapists to do their jobs and guests who are usually walking around in robe and slippers. All of these elements help the spa attendants provide better service, which ultimately that enhances the guest experience.

6. New treatments and innovations can heighten the guest experience.

In recent years, the spa suite has gained in popularity. All 60 of The Shima Kanko Hotel's guestrooms are spa suites, allowing guests to receive treatments in the privacy of their room. While a spa visit for some is a traditional solitary event, in some countries it's being expanded into a group entertainment venue for men and women. I was in Scandinavia for a friend's wedding and both a post bachelor party and a girl's night out were held at a local spa. There six or eight ladies take over a spa suite, where they can offer a series of treatments, utilize the sauna and steam room, For the gentleman, there were tubs of ice with beer, and large screen televisions. The spa was set up with more of a party atmosphere and a social experience like in Japan where strangers can pass one another, and men and women can co-mingle, in a controlled environment. I believe this is going to be more popular for the next generation.

We take our cues from Asia and Europe and we're always on the lookout for new treatments, too. The Qua Baths & Spa at Caesar's Palace Las Vegas offers the only Arctic Ice Room in the U.S. where faux snow descends through a mint-infused air chilled to 55 degrees. It's not so much about the flavor of the moment but to offer guests some alternative treatments to keep a visit to the spa fresh and fun.

As Chairman and CEO of Hirsch Bedner Associates, Michael Bedner leads the largest, hospitality design firm in the world. In 1964, Mr. Bedner and Howard Hirsch, revolutionized hospitality design by creating a new discipline. Mr. Bedner has expanded the discipline into an art form which continues to evolve. His design influence can be seen in hundreds of the finest hotels throughout the world. Mr. Bedner's 40 years of international hands-on experience have provided him with a singular understanding of the cultural, programmatic and financial aspects of a variety of projects. Mr. Bedner can be contacted at 310-829-9087 or MichaelB@HBAdesign.com Extended Bio...

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