“Many hotel operators who have invested time and money in developing their own spa brand, vision and design and construction standards appreciate the necessity for specialist spa design companies who can interpret their brief and provide all three components,” says Banks.
Spas may still be seen as silent sanctuaries or escapes from modern and busy lives, but Banks believes that technology can play an even bigger part within spa design. Interactive walls on which guests can customise the scene to their preference, or wearable gadgets, which can monitor and guide guests through the spa giving personal information to their therapist, will be incorporated in designs.
When developing a spa concept, Louise Pitt, marketing and CRM manager at Geberit, points out that it is crucial to consider every aspect of the visitor’s experience in the design — peace and serenity, relaxation and rejuvenation.
She says: “For this, acoustics need to be a top priority of the designer. The correct use and installation of acoustic materials ensures the visitor’s experience is not disturbed by unwanted airborne or solid borne sounds. In order to keep the spa fresh and up to date, the designer will also need to consider a long-lasting design theme that allows for flexibility for possible renovations and updates.”
Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of the Wellness shares the opinion that design should always follow function, but that nowadays many spas are designed without taking into consideration how they will work for guests and staff.
“When designing a spa, future expansions and ways of integrating upcoming treatments and technologies should be considered in order to keep a spa up-to-date with developments and trends. Also, it should be integrative with the hotel theme and spirit, it should not be an isolated island so it is not seen as an unreachable experience only available to a few. Finally, in this fast-paced society, it is tremendously important to think ahead,” explains Ibrahim.
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