INVESTMENT: PEDRAS SALGADAS


SPA CONSULTANT’S PERSPECTIVE


Helen Merchant, a UK-based spa consultant oversaw the fi nal phase of development and pre-opening of the Vidago spa. Although she’s


been involved in a number of international projects, the Portuguese spa – and working with Siza Vieira – is a highlight. She says: “Vidago Palace is a truly unique property. Its modern, minimalist spa sits in complete contrast to the historic palace yet blends in beautifully… In homage to the location’s natural springs, the spa’s therapeutic water treatments are a signature offer.”


pool, plus an indoor and outdoor pool; and a gym with Matrix equipment. While the emphasis at Vidago is on relax-


ation and pampering, the focus at Pedras Salgadas is very much on being outdoors. There are cycling, walking and nature trails and the thermal waters are there to revive guests as a complement to the physical activity. The renovated thermal baths are much starker. Architectural details such as the art nouveau doors and original signage remain intact, while modern light wells added by Siza Vieira ensure healthy amounts of light are projected into the spa spaces. The spa has 14 treatment rooms (including


fi ve for hydrotherapy). Other facilities include a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, sauna, hammam and two relaxation areas.


FACTS & FIGURES Vidago Palace Hotel


Room rate: E200 for two people (B&B) Annual occupancy: 40 per cent Type of guest: 70 per cent leisure, 30 per cent MICE


Pedras Salgadas Spa and Nature Park


Room rate: E200 for four guests (B&B) Annual occupancy: 50 per cent Type of guest: 98 per cent leisure, 2 per cent MICE


Water wellness Gonçalves says that extensive wellbeing pro- grammes (with themes such as Purifying, In Balance and Keep Moving) are offered at both spas, with seven- or 14-day packages both being popular. Programme prices start from around E2,600 (US$3,240, £2,060). A ty00-pical package would include medical and nutritional consultations, a biometric eval- uation, personalised spa cuisine, facials and massages, water treatments and traditional therapies like shiatsu, as well as fi tness activ- ities such as PT sessions, yoga and walking. Gonçalves adds: “Our guests also like to experience our waters even when they have shorter stays with us and the most popular is the Vichy scrub [treatment] and the person- alised relaxing massage.” Currently both spas average the same amount of treatments per month. At Vidago,


CLADmag 2015 ISSUE 1


Spa capture rates are 20 and 25 per cent says spa manager Gonçalves. She’s confi dent these will increase as the reputation of the resorts grow


20 per cent of hotel guests have spas treat- ments, but the capture rate at Pedras Salgadas is slightly higher at 25 per cent. Combined overall revenues for the Vidago


and Pedras Salgadas spas was E250,000 (US$311,060, £197,860) in 2013, with expec- tations for 2014 being around E325,000 (US$404,370, £257,220). The two parks may have started out as an incidental business for Unicer, but in a world where wellness tourism is growing year on year, they’re holding their own. The mix of history, luxury, nature, therapeutic waters and eco-consciousness has created a twin centre that’s sure to attract an increasingly interna- tional and affl uent group of health tourists. As Gonçalves concludes: “We want to


present to the world the quality and effects of our waters and help the maximum number of people achieve a healthy lifestyle without using medication and to obtain immedi- ate effects on their health with the help of nature…and our reputation is growing.” ●


Julie Cramer worked as news editor for BBC New Online for more than 10 years. She is now a freelance design, health and travel writer


CLADGLOBAL.COM 109


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132