The spa and wellness industry is positioned to continue to innovate and grow in 2024. Here are four new spa openings from around the world that are setting the tone for the spa and wellness industry.
Related: 5 Rejuvenating Wellness Offerings Across Hilton Resorts
1. Privai Spa + Fitness Center
Arch Amenities Group has announced the opening of its first Privai Spa + Fitness Center in the 411-room, luxury Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami.
The 13,000-square-foot, newly renovated facility incorporates a 5,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center and features a full range of innovative and restorative spa treatments, Technogym fitness equipment, group and private classes, a wellness lounge and programs designed to deliver world-class experiences and unique products for the mind, body and soul. The new Privai Spa + Fitness space incorporates Privai product and treatment modalities that reflect the brand's holistic approach to well-being and personalized experiences.
Currently featured in its wellness lounge are Somadome technology-enabled meditation pods, which offer color light therapy and energy medicine that derives benefits from magnets and crystal strips. The pods also include sound therapy, designed to promote consciousness. Another of the spa's signature technologies is PureWave Technologies VEMI, which couples vibration and electromagnetic therapy with infrared heat and sound to create a holistic approach to rejuvenation, relaxation and energy restoration.
The spa also offers waxing and other Privai signature body treatments, including restorative sleep rituals, detox treatments and essential balance. Facial treatments include Glo2Facial by Geneo, Dr. Babor Prescription Facial, Powered by Green Science Facial and Privai Bespoke Facial.
The fitness center's Technogym equipment includes the Excite Live Run treadmill, Selectorized strength machines and free weights. Classes include high-intensity interval training, cardiovascular and strength training, meditation and movement, yoga, sound bath meditation, dance, group Reiki and Yogalates, a blend of yoga and Pilates. There is also a co-ed communal sauna facility.
"Our intent is to feature new technology therapies in the Wellness Lounge every six months or so," Charlotte Prescott, Privai Spa + Fitness Center director, said.
2. Fairmont Mayakoba
Fairmont Mayakoba has reopened its spa after an extensive renovation that seamlessly merges ancient Mayan traditions with contemporary luxury. Formerly known as Willow Stream Spa, the newly rebranded Fairmont Spa invites guests to embark on a transformative journey that transcends conventional notions of relaxation.
Nestled within the lush landscapes of Mayakoba, the Fairmont Spa is a celebration of holistic well-being and draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Mayan culture. Expansive windows bathe the space in soft natural light, illuminating tranquil indoor gardens and setting the stage for an immersive and rejuvenating experience.
The spa's Signature Moon-Based Experiences are uniquely tailored to harness the energy of the lunar cycle, including a massage with earth-based ingredients and the Waxing Moon's full-body massage incorporating Mayan shawls and the warmth of wax and candles. Complementing these lunar-inspired treatments are Classic and Specialty Facials that utilize natural extracts and earth- and sea-sourced ingredients.
Beyond individualized treatments, the Fairmont Spa offers an array of experiences, including Couples Treatments, Holistic Experiences and Quartz Sand Experiences that infuse the body with the earth's energy. Physical Wellness Experiences, featuring classes like mobility flow and yoga, cater to those seeking a more active approach to meditation.
Enhance any spa treatment with a selection of 30-minute services at the Wellness Bar or indulge in a full range of beauty services at the salon. Guests are encouraged to visit the spa boutique and juice bar, where sustainably sourced products from brands such as Osea, Barker Wellness, Comfort Zone, and more are showcased.
New to the spa is the temazcal ceremony in a prehispanic sweat lodge crafted from stones for a unique spiritual and physical journey. Guided by a skilled temazcalero, each ceremony is a personalized, 60-minute exploration within the intimate space heated by volcanic stones, over which a cold infusion of herbs is poured by candlelight. Chants create an atmosphere conducive to a trance-like state, as guests are enveloped in incense or mud. The temazcal's shape, reminiscent of a mother’s womb, ensures a retreat from external discomforts, offering participants a profound experience of introspection and a symbolic rebirth.
"At Fairmont Mayakoba, we believe in curating authentic and immersive experiences. The reimagined Fairmont Spa is not just a place of relaxation; it's an embodiment of our commitment to providing guests with a sanctuary where Mayan traditions and modern luxury converge," shared Jacco van Teeffelen, general manager of Fairmont Mayakoba. "As we unveil this exquisite space, we invite our guests to rediscover well-being, culture, and luxury in a way that is truly distinctive and unforgettable."
3. Fort George Hotel & Spa
Fort George Hotel & Spa has officially opened in the Fort George neighborhood of Belize City. The hotel brings a new, contemporary hospitality experience for discerning travelers to Belize City, one that aims to revitalize the historic Fort George area, a hub for tourists, business travelers and cruise passengers.
The hotel features 34 Courtyard Deluxe Rooms and Suites with a contemporary design concept utilizing natural woods and a light color palette throughout. The Penthouse Suites feature a full kitchen and living room with views of the Caribbean Sea.
The Treehouse, a full-service restaurant, bar and lounge, serves dishes and drinks that blend bold international flavors and local tastes with organic ingredients. The tapas menu features healthy options such as fresh-caught seafood and all-natural juices and smoothies named after local hot spots like Blue Hole and Caye Caulker. Three distinctive private dining spaces are available, including an intimate, glass-enclosed private dining room for 12 guests, main dining room with seating for 20, and indoor lounge where towering trees create an ambiance reminiscent of a whimsical treehouse seating 30 guests.
K’IN Spa offers facials, body polishes, wraps, massages and nail services and a healthy snack and drink menu tailored to meet wellness needs. Signature treatments inspired by the surrounding locale include the Seaside Symphony Facial, featuring a high-potency marine mask and the Revitalizing Sea and Sun Recovery Body Wrap. The Fort George Serenity Package includes the Serene Flow Massage, Seaside Symphony Facial and Exfoliating Coco-Coastal Wrap.
“Belize City is known as a business center and serves as a hub for travelers on their way to explore other areas of Belize,” notes Edison Trapp, general manager of Fort George Hotel & Spa. “However, the city is transforming where visitors are finding that Belize City has much more to offer with great dining, culture, and access to nearby activities. Fort George Hotel & Spa is poised to be at the center of this revitalization and we want to showcase Belize City as a destination, not only as a stopover, but for those who want to stay and develop a deeper connection to the country and the Fort George area.”
4. Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences
This new hotel in Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica, features nine expansive residences, an exclusive rooftop pool, bar and lounge, luxury fitness studio, elevated family-friendly amenities and a studio space set to host curated classes, wellness sessions and a speaker series.
The property’s design combines inspiration from locally-based teams like Salagnac Arquitectos and Totem Constructora along with interior design by Cola Blanca Studio. The team minimized environmental impact by utilizing high-quality Costa Rican building materials, along with energy-efficient systems.
Each grand luxury residence offers multi-room layouts catered to groups and families featuring kitchens with natural stone floors and aged brass details; indoor/outdoor living spaces with teak wood furniture; motion-sensor lighting; cold plunges and saunas in select accommodations; Le Labo amenities; washer/dryers and more. The rooms feature local artwork and unique surfboard wall decor crafted by Marbella-based shaper Douglas Evan.
The Rooftop Bar & Lounge highlights the region’s rich agriculture and showcases support to local purveyors and farmers, using more than 25 local purveyors on their menus. Breakfast offerings include fresh, light bites like smoothie bowls, avocado toast, fruit smoothies, locally sourced coffee with creative latte art and more. The beverage menu will offer seasonal cocktails made with fresh locally grown herbs and fruits, in addition to a list of local beers and wines.
Silvestre Nosara has committed to local eco efforts through donations and partnerships with several local non-profit organizations including Costas Verdes to support coastal ecosystem restoration through reforestation projects, where guests can help plant trees, and Bomberos de Nosara, Nosara’s volunteer fire department, which provides emergency services and response to fires, floods, accidents and wildlife relocation. They are also currently building the world’s longest continuous monkey path, connecting the nature reserve in front of the property with the protected land at the back, which enables monkeys to easily move about without being in danger of stepping on the electric power lines in the area.
Chris Ingham Brooke, co-founder of Silvestre Nosara, said, “We built our hotel around the needs of families and friend groups seeking luxury, longer stays by the beach, which fills a real need in Nosara. Every single detail was meticulously crafted to create a sanctuary where guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of Nosara, forge genuine connections, and experience the perfect synergy of laid-back opulence and functional luxury in an extraordinary corner of Costa Rica. ”
