spa opportunities news


Former Playboy CEO Christie Hefner joins Canyon Ranch


Tom wALKER


Christie Hefner, daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, has joined Tucson, US-based wellness group Canyon Ranch. Hefner was until 2009 chair and CEO of


Playboy Enterprises and since her depar- ture from Playboy has acted as a consultant to Canyon Ranch. She has been named executive chair of


Canyon Ranch Enterprises, a new division that has been established to extend the company’s activities beyond the on-prop- erty activities of its resorts and SpaClub facilities. Under Hefner, the new division will


focus on creating a branded media pres- ence and other new business ventures. She said: “I’m very excited to be working


with Canyon Ranch in this new capacity. “Te interest in health and wellbeing is


great and growing.” Canyon Ranch has destination health


resorts in Tucson, Arizona; Lenox, Massachusett; and recently opened Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach.


Daily news, Jobs, Training & TenDers www.spaopportunities.com Waikiki Edition owner files lawsuit PETE hAYmAn


Law firm Bickel and Brewer has confirmed that M Waikiki LLC – the owner of the Waikiki Edition Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii – has filed a lawsuit against Marriott and hotelier Ian Schrager. Te action relates to claims


that the 353-room hotel had been a “failure” on the grounds of gross mis-management and Marriott’s inability to launch the Edition brand. At the launch of the Edition brand in 2007, it had been anticipated that nine properties would have opened in the first year. However, there are currently just two Edition hotels worldwide. M Waikiki LLC is now seeking tens of millions of US dollars worth of damages, as well as the removal of Marriott from a management agree- ment for the Waikiki Edition Hotel. William A Brewer III of Bickel and Brewer said: “We believe that promises made over the


Te Waikiki Edition Hotel is located in Honolulu, Hawaii


launch of Edition were broken – leaving our client with significant damages which have been compounded by Marriott’s inability to effectively manage this property.” Te claim against Ian Schrager alleges that he


was not involved with the development of the Waikiki Edition Hotel project – despite con- tractual obligations to the contrary. Schrager had been working in partnership with Marriott to roll out the Edition brand.


First ESPA Life spa to debut at Corinthia Tom wALKER


Spa management and skin- care company ESPA is set to unveil its first ESPA Life wellness concept spa at the 294-bedroom Corinthia Hotel London, UK. Spread over four floors and


Te Chapter Hotel spa has four treatment rooms


Montpellier Chapter Hotel launches luxury day spa


Tom wALKER


Chapter Hotels has opened a day spa at its Grade II-listed Montpellier Chapter Hotel in Cheltenham, UK. Te spa boasts four treatment rooms with all treatments being supplied by Aromatherapy Associates. The spa’s signature treatment is the


Chapter & Verse, a 170-minute ‘top-to- toe’ experience which includes a full body massage and facial. Chapter Hotels are part of Swire Hotels,


which owns and operates the House Collection portfolio of hotels – including Opposite House in mainland China and Te Upper House and EAST in Hong Kong.


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covering 3,300sq m (35,500sq ſt), the spa is hailed by the company as “a leading voice in the next generation of spa”. It will boast a fully inte-


grated wellness approach – including revolutionary life- style programmes delivered by holistic health professionals and influential specialists – along- side a luxury spa experience. ESPA Life has been designed by GA Design


Te spa will offer comprehensive lifestyle programmes for its guests Te thermal floor, with Klafs equipment,


and boasts 15 treatment ‘pods’, a private spa suite, a thermal floor, a spa lounge serving healthy food and a gym.


includes a 9m swimming pool; vitality pool with air and water massage jets; sauna; steam- room; an ice fountain; experience showers and heated relaxation beds. Tere will also be a Daniel Galvin-branded hair salon and a dedicated nail salon.


NH Hotels secures deal with HNA Group PETE hAYmAn


NH Hotels has entered into a “major stra- tegic agreement” with China-based HNA Group, which the Spain-based operator said would strengthen its “financial solvency”. HNA Group has acquired a 20 per cent stake and two


Read Spa Opportunities online: www.spaopportunities.com/digital


members on the board of NH Hotels as part of the €431.6m (£386.2m) deal. It was also revealed that the two companies


could establish a hotel management company in China, which would see NH Hotels manage some of HNA Group’s existing properties.


Twitter: @spaopps © CYBERTREK 2011


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