| Keeping up with the demand of consumers, spa | | | | Europe has long been known for its elaborate |
| services, like any other consumable good, continue | | | | "sauna worlds" where guests can experience a |
| to grown and change with the times. Here, | | | | Balinese mutli-steam bath, Finnish Sauna, Greek |
| according to the International SPA Association | | | | Herbal Bath, Indian Blosom Steam Room, |
| (ISPA), are several of the trends making headlines | | | | Japanese Salt Steam Bath, Turkish Hammam, and |
| in 2008: | | | | a Zen garden - all in one place. America's newest |
| Feng Shui Your Gym | | | | high-profile resort and day spas, guests are |
| Forget stark lighting and full-length vanity mirrors. | | | | starting to be treated to more than just a steam |
| Hello waterfalls and fine art. Led by ambitious gym | | | | room, sauna and Jacuzzi. |
| projects, more gym-goers will happily embrace | | | | Branded |
| the "Fend Shiu'd" gym. Projects such as | | | | Brands such as Armani and Versace, known for |
| Gwinganna in Austrailia and Clay in New York are | | | | their chic designs, are opening over-the-top spas |
| prime examples of this trend, which reconfigures | | | | around the world. Guests can indulge at the first |
| the gym environment as a place to not only tone | | | | Armani-branded spa in Tokyo, Versace Group's |
| the body, but also to elevate the mind and spirit. | | | | spa at its Austrailian resort, and Prada Beauty's |
| Wellness | | | | line exclusively at Ritz-Carlton properties. |
| Wellness is sweeping the globe, supported by | | | | The Next Generation of Spa-goer |
| scientific breakthroughs and the realization that | | | | Always trendsetters, teens are making their |
| the medical industry has been based on a | | | | presence felt in the spa industry. Nearly four |
| "sickness" model. With consumers desiring to be | | | | million have been to a spa where they learn how |
| healthier, more vital, and youthful in appearance, | | | | to deal with stress, eat nutritiously, and care for |
| alternative practices and an emphasis on nutrition | | | | their skin. Thirty-four percent of spas offer teen |
| are becoming important aspects of spa-going. | | | | packages and 16 percent have teen programs. |
| Forget the deprivation | | | | Spa Life Lifestyle |
| Want to lose weight? Forge the deprivation long | | | | Working to educate spa-goers, spas are teaching |
| associated with detox programs and weight-loss | | | | the basics that lead to a healthy lifestyle: eating |
| boot camps. Instead, spa-goers are indulging | | | | nutritious food, exercising and relieving stress. In |
| themselves in high thread-count sheets, | | | | the U.S., 51 percent offer educational programs |
| well-appointed rooms, spa treatments, and a | | | | and nutritional consultations, 40 percent offer |
| nurturing environment as they live it up while | | | | healthy eating classes, 26 percent have |
| detoxing and losing weight. | | | | educational offerings on obesity and weight-gain |
| Spa Real Estate | | | | issues, and 17 percent offer exercise programs |
| With health-focused baby boomers entering the | | | | for children and teens. |
| real estate market to downsize or purchase | | | | Plugged In for Time Out |
| vacation homes, a continuing trend for 2008 is a | | | | As stress relieving a spa treatment is supposed |
| growing number of mixed-use developments with | | | | to be, some people still need to be plugged in to |
| a strong spa focus. From spas adding residences, | | | | take time out. Spas are incorporating technology |
| to developers adding spas, to hotels/resorts with | | | | such as WiFi in relaxation rooms. They are also |
| spas adding condo units, the spa real estate mania | | | | developing treatments that combine biofeedback |
| is on. | | | | technology, guidance from wellness professionals, |
| Taking Sleep Seriously | | | | and light therapy to those suffering from |
| Recent medical studies stress the importance of | | | | depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and |
| sleep for improved productivity at work, | | | | insomnia. |
| cardiovascular health, and even weight loss. In | | | | Growing Green |
| 2008, look for more hotel spas to bring in sleep | | | | A full 76 percent of U.S. spas say they're applying |
| directors, more destination spas to offer | | | | environmentally sustainable practices, such as |
| "snoozing zones" and massage scheduling that | | | | using green building tactics, planting organic |
| allows the therapist to say, "Stay on the table as | | | | gardens, using products made from locally-grown |
| long as you like" (finally!) | | | | fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants, or selling |
| Hydro and Thermal Super-Experiences | | | | mineral essential makeup. |