REGIONAL FOCUS
The Spa at Conrad Koh Samui C
ascading down a lush, landscaped hillside on the south-western tip of Koh Samui, Conrad Hotels &
Resorts’ second property in Tailand intro- duced a new level of luxurious seclusion when it opened in September 2011. Com- manding vistas of the Gulf of Tailand and the legendary Five Islands dominate the 25-acre (10-hectare) resort. Te property has been meticulously planned and developed over a five-year period by a team includ- ing Hilton Worldwide’s senior management (sb11/3 p28) and owner Hillcrest Resorts. To integrate the new-build into the land-
scape while weaving in an ecological element, the development’s series of public spaces – including a picturesque lobby, Asian fine dining restaurant, all-day Mediterranean restaurant and poolside bar – are designed around four descending zones of rock, wood, lawn and water. Each one of the 80 guest vil- las benefits from floor to ceiling windows,
contemporary Tai décor and an outdoor, west-facing private plunge pool. “In translating Conrad’s brand culture
to Koh Samui, we felt it was imperative to offer a cutting-edge, beautifully designed spa with panoramic views,” says general manager Justin Phillips. As a destination that caters for sophisticated leisure trav- ellers – many of who spend the majority of their time onsite – Conrad Koh Samui features a 1,100sq m (11,840sq ſt), two-sto- rey spa perched in an elevated position. It houses 10 treatment rooms (three doubles, five single and two Tai suites), each with their own terrace; a wet zone of Finnish saunas, steamroom, plunge pools and rain shower; relaxation lounge; beauty salon; and retail boutique. Clean, uncluttered interiors blending earth hues, wooden floors and nat- uralistic artworks complement the building’s feature walls of natural rock and curved tim- ber shingles. Special one-way glass floods
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the facility in natural light. Te most cov- eted space, a sizeable VIP double suite, is distinguished by a stunning outdoor deck with infinity-edged plunge pool and hot tub overlooking the sea. A fitness centre, at the foot of the resort, is
equipped by Technogym and has an outdoor deck for pilates, t’ai chi and yoga. Vanessa Main, Hilton Worldwide’s direc-
tor of spa operations and development Asia Pacific, has overseen the spa concept in col- laboration with consultancy Salamander Lifestyle and Dr Buathon Tienarrom, a respected Tai-based holistic practitioner engaged to create therapeutic Asian treat- ments and deliver training. Spa manager Nicharee Palang, who leads 10 Tai ther- apists all with upscale hotel experience, notes that holistic treatments, such as the Zen Natai massage drawing on Chinese medicine, are proving popular with west- ern guests. Asian clients, meanwhile, tend
SPA BUSINESS 2 2012 ©Cybertrek 2012
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