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SPA Destinations-February 2010

 The Spa Experience
A business traveler wants to minimize jet lag. A group of
the Spa experience
friends plans a birthday celebration. A man with back pain
seeks relief. A weekend warrior is sore from overexertion. A
man decides to stop smoking. A busy executive wants to redis-
cover spirituality. An obese man needs help controlling his
weight. A couple wants to reconnect. Where can all these peo-
ple go for help? A spa.
Today's spa is a center for healing and nourishing mind, body,
and spirit. People go to spas for fitness, stress management,
peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and health and well-
ness. Spas offer a wide variety of techniques and services -
traditional and modern, from the East and from the West - to
meet the diverse needs of their clients: Swedish, Japanese
Shiatsu, and Thai massage, European facials, acupuncture,
Dead Sea salt scrubs, Moor mud wraps, thalassotherapy, aro-
matherapy, reflexology, microdermabrasion, endermologie,
reiki, aura imaging, watsu, rasul, hypnotherapy, classes in
nutrition, meditation, journaling, yoga and Tai Chi, state-of-
the-art fitness centers with personal trainers, and much more.
To understand and organize this overwhelming variety of spa
offerings, the International Spa Association (ISPA) has defined
the "ten domains of SPA" or segments of the industry as:
1. "The Waters"
2. Food, Nourishment, Diet and Nutrition
3. Movement, Exercise and Fitness
4. Touch, Massage, and Bodywork
5. Mind/Body/Spirit
6. Aesthetics, Skin Care, Natural Beauty Agents
7. Physical Space, Climatology, Global Ecology
8. Social/Cultural Arts and Values, Spa Culture
9. Management, Marketing, and Operations
10. Time, Rhythm, and Cycles
Not every spa includes every domain. Spas come in many
shapes, sizes, and focuses - from day spas where you can get
a single treatment to destination spas where you can stay for
a week or more to medical spas that treat cosmetic and chron-
ic health problems.
Although spas seem to have sprung up overnight, that's not
the case. "The Waters" can be traced back to early civiliza-
tions. Like water, spa popularity has come in waves throughout
history. Spas has accompanied cultures with leisure time.
Social bathing was an important cultural process practiced by
Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Minoans, Greeks, and Romans
whenever they sought health and relief from their pain and
diseases.
Katikies - Santorini
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Homer and other Greek writers tell us the Greeks favored a
variety of baths as early as 500 BC, from hot water tubs to
hot-air baths, or laconica. From the small Greek laconica grew
the Roman balneum and finally the extravagant Roman ther-
mae (Greek word for "heat"). Before Emperor Agrippa
designed and created the first thermae in 25 BC, the smaller,
more numerous balneum had been enjoyed by Roman citizens
for more than 200 years. Each subsequent emperor created
thermae more spacious and splendid than his predecessor. The
Diocletian bath could hold 6,000 bathers.
They were built all over the Roman Empire from Africa to
England. The thermae later became a central entertainment
complex offering sports, restaurants, and various types of
baths. A typical routine might begin with a workout in the
palestra, followed by a visit to three progressively warmer
rooms starting in the tepidarium, the largest and most luxuri-
ous room in the thermae. Here the bather would stay for an
hour or so while being anointed with oils. This would be fol-
lowed by a visit to the caldarium with small private bathing
stalls offering a choice of hot or cold water. A visit to the
hottest chamber, the laconicum, would follow. Here the body
was vigorously massaged and the dead skin scraped off with a
curved metal tool called a strigil. The bathing ritual would end
with a cool dip in the pool of the frigidarium. Refreshed and
clean, the bather then retired to the outer areas of the ther-
mae to relax in the library or assembly room.
As the Roman Empire fell, the Roman thermae fell into disre-
pair and disuse. The bath gained and lost popularity in differ-
ent parts of the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, and North
America - through the present day. Baths were often built near
natural hot or mineral springs.
In the Renaissance era, Paracelsus' mountain mineral springs
at Paeffers, Switzerland, and towns like Spa, Belgium, Baden-
Baden, Germany, and Bath, England, grew up around natural
thermal waters considered to have healing properties. The use
of saunas and steam baths also emerged.
As these springs and spas were discovered, forgotten, and
rediscovered, the healing power of the water was often
enhanced and formalized. In 1522, the first scientific book on
the Czech Karlovy Vary treatment for disease was published in
which a regimen of baths and drinking the waters of the
springs was recommended. In the 1890s, Father Sebastian
Kneipp developed holistic herbal and water therapy in the
German spa village of Bad Worishofen.
With the medical discoveries of the early 20th
century, scientific clinics and public hospitals
replaced the spa. Existing spas responded by
offering luxury accommodations, and many even-
tually turned into vacation locations or clinics that
concentrated on weight loss, catering to the
wealthy, with the spa origins obscured. In recent
years, the value of prevention, healthy lifestyles,
and relaxation has been rediscovered and the spa
is again finding its place in modern society as a
place uniquely qualified to address these needs.
The wealthy no longer have exclusive use of spas.
Spas now appeal to and are accessible to a much
broader population.
 The Atlantis-Dubai
Set ov
ov er two magnificent floors wthin the Ro
Ro y al Tower
Tower of Atlantis,
Atlantis,
the Spa provides
provides a sublime range
range of treatments, bathing options, traditional
traditional and water
water therapies.
therapies.
Exclusiv
Exclusive
e to Dubai, the six Laconium thrones in his quarters will stimulate circulation
and the body's defense system.
+ 971 4 426 1000
www.atlantisthepalm.com

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 Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Zales
Spa and Welness Center
the Spa experience

The up-scale Zalez Spa & Wellness center represents unique

space for anybody who revels in luxury, relaxation and harmo-
ny at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains.
The center is divided into three areas for a complete beauty,
well-being and revitalizing satisfaction.
In the common area guests enjoy two indoor and two outdoor
swimming pools, heated throughout the year, and an outdoor
Jacuzzi.
Large windows overlook the mountains and open a stunning
view, which inspires admiration of the natural beauty.
In the Wellness area one feels like the most important person
in the world and all senses are soothed. Here every detail is
designed to give complete relaxation and luxury.

The treatment area is where miracles happen - isolated from

main zone, guests are greeted at a separated reception and
offered best body, beauty and health care.
Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena, Bansko
96, Pirin Str., 2770 Bansko BULGARIA
Tel: +359 (0)749 88888 Fax: +359 (0)749 88560

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 Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa
Escape to a gentler pace at The Fairplay Spa, part of The
Leading spas of the World where the constant presence of
the sierra inspires renewal. All 13 treatment rooms within
this totally relaxing Andalucian spa are bathed in soft hues
of aqua and beige and tranquil water features, adding to
the overall sensory experience. Indulge in a variety of
state-of -art beauty treatments such as the ¨M6 Anti
Cellulite Slimming treatment / and the ¨Lift Defense Anti
Age facial¨, showcased in light and airy spa rooms. Also ,
we offer special treatments for golfers who are now realis-
ing how it will benefit their fitness levels and mental alert-
ness for the next game.

All therapies are authentically designed to nurture body

and mind, enliven the spirit, and uncover nature's beauty
- providing a blissful return to balance.

High-style locker rooms, public spaces, and saunas ensure

a soothing aura throughout this luxury spa in Benalup,
Andalucia - set to the ever-present rhythm of the nature.
Calle La Torre S/N,
11190 Benalup-Casas Viejas,
Espana
info@fairplaygolfhotel.com
Tel: (+34-956) 42 91 00
Fax: (+34-956) 42 91 19

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the Spa experience

La Reserve, Geneva Hotel

Each day, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., in more than 2000 sqm, the
Spa of La Reserve will offer you a personalised service.

With 17 treatment rooms, all dedicated to massage, person-

alised treatments and facials, the time has come at last for
you unwind and to reinvigorate in beautifull surroundings.

Here, everything has been planned for your absolute well-

being: state of art gym, indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, ham-
mam, sun bed, hair salon... A heavenly retreat to relax and
forget your daily woes.
301, route de Lausanne
1293 Bellevue, Geneve, Suisse
tel. + 41 22 9595959
info@lareserve.ch

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The new ADLON SPA-Berlin latest of treatment techniques establish a harmonious overall
concept.
Relax and indulge yourself in an ambience of peace and tran-
quility – the new ADLON SPA provides a unique atmosphere of
Enjoy your stay at the ADLON SPA with all your senses and
well-being and promotes the renewal of body, mind and soul.
immerse yourself in an absolutely fabulous spa environment
featuring pool, yacuzzi, saunas, steam baths as well as cuddly
Immerse yourself in the world of the ADLON SPA and escape
soft bathrobes, extensive beauty and massage treatments and
from the hectic pace of daily life for a few moments of total
last but not least impeccable service.
bliss.
tel. +49 (0)30 2261 1220. www.hotel-adlon.de
Enjoy the SPA’s breathtaking architectural design extending
over 900 sqm and experience how first-rate service and tradi-
tional beauty treatment philosophies in conjunction with the

Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six
Senses Spa, Jordan
Lying 264-meters below sea level, Ma’In Hot Springs is the
inspired site for the well appointed Evason Ma’In Hot Springs.
Set like an oasis in the dramatic terrain, the location is easily
accessible and defines the resort and spa experience in the
Middle East - making it a destination of choice for those seek-
ing the perfect retreat to relax and be pampered whilst enjoy-
ing the therapeutic benefits of Ma’In hot spring waterfalls.
Tel: +962 5 324 5500

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