Spa & wellness
Into I
immersion
Hotels are always looking for the latest trends to entice new travellers or returning guests back into their spas, be it holistic or medical treatments. One trend set to take the industry by storm is immersive experiences, with an incredible 566% increase in searches online in the past year. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Andrea Quadrio Curzio, CEO and founder of QC Terme spa and resorts, Jess Sanchez, spa director at St Regis, and Anne Scott, general manager, One&Only Cape Town, South Africa, to fi nd out how they offer a truly immersive spa experience.
t is hard to believe that, despite the incredible leaps and bounds in technology, immersive spas are still something of a novelty as far as experiences go. Though not for a lack of interest from hopeful guests, however, with over 1.6bn views on TikTok from waterfalls to thunder and lightning the immersive experience offers the guest the opportunity to relax and promote well-being like never before. Propelling guests into multisensory experiences made up of light, sounds and smells perfected for guest well-being and treatments, it is no wonder that the demand for immersive spas is steadily increasing. Imagine a tranquil morning of yoga at the beach or a massage in a forest, and it seems inevitable, as technology – along with hotels and spas – continue to adapt and innovate. The road to immersive spas has been a long one though, as the industry continuously shaped itself to meet the well-being needs and desires of its patrons,
Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
originating as a place of rest and relaxation for Roman soldiers before its slow evolution over the centuries to the luxury we recognise now. “In the last century, spa, and especially thermal baths, were mainly focused on treating physical illness and now I believe that it’s more focused on emotional recovery,” explains Andrea Quadrio Curzio, CEO and founder of QC Terme spa and resorts. In the light of the pandemic the industry has shifted back to its roots to focus on health and relaxation. “After the pandemic, where moments of relaxation were few and far between, the ability to relax in such a manner is more desired than ever. Touch and connection being essential elements of this industry, it suffered greatly during the pandemic,” adds Anne Scott, general manager at One&Only Cape Town. The spa industry, Jess Sanchez agrees, has become “more of a lifestyle, offering a range of treatments and services that focus on promoting self-care, wellness,
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