trends

Take a look at the bold design elements at the Atomic Spa Suisse, or “bubble spa,” in the Boscolo Milano hotel (Italy), where wild, LED-illuminated mirror bubbles rise to the top of the interiors of the treatment rooms, sauna and baths, like a frothing glass of champagne.

Another new study[10] finds that of the 41 million Americans that use mind-body therapies like yoga or tai chi, 6.4 million are now doing them because they were “prescribed” by their medical provider.

The coaching trend is a serious and welcome one for the global spa industry, and could ultimately prove the key to making the spa that true “third place” for many.

Kid-specific spas are on the rise, whether it’s the “Scoops Kids Spas” at ten Great Wolf resort locations, Florida’s “Nickelodeon Suites” and Keylime Cove, or numerous day spas like Connecticut’s “Sundae Spa”.

Spas have traditionally been all about hot: saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, hot rock massages, etc. “Hot” is the spa world’s age-old weapon to help people relax, sweat, detoxify and draw blood to the surface. But now spas are bravely stepping out into the cold. We’ll see more icy therapies and cold design experiences in 2012, […]

The human foot is a delicate, complex structure of 33 joints and 26 bones, wrapped in a web of 126 muscles, ligaments and nerves. The most utilized part of our bodies, the average person spends four hours (pounding out 8,000 to 10,000 steps) on their feet every day. We exert a force equivalent to several […]

For many years, most people probably thought that one hotel or day spa sure seems a whole lot like any other: the same beige, Zen look, the same menu of treatments and homogenized experiences. But now spas are really piling on the “wow” factors, serving up both big and small wows (and true surprises) in […]

With the launch of the new website SpaEvidence.com this year — the world’s first portal to the aggregated medical studies that exists for 21 common spa/ wellness approaches — that trend was literally embodied. Launched by the Global Spa Summit in mid-2011 (an advocacy group for the worldwide spa/ wellness industries), and shaped by doctors […]

So many hotels and resorts now boast award-winning celebrity chefs and award-winning spas, and the trend is about “tasting” and appreciating both. One example: The Hotel Metropole of Monte Carlo’s (Monaco) restaurant Joël Robuchon (featuring a chef with more Michelin stars than any other in the world) can be combined with the hotel’s incredible ESPA […]

Gaming is not just about zapping virtual enemies or for Farmville residents anymore. With everything-themed games now, millions of people worldwide have played dozens of spa-focused games, including Sallie Spa, Sara’s Super Spa or Spa Mania. And French beauty powerhouse Clarins just took the spa-themed game to a new level with its “Spa Life” on […]

The headlines in the spa industry these last few years have been all about wellness. But now beauty and grooming is seriously booming…being driven by a new trend we call “glambition.” The intensity, frequency (and often sheer whimsicality) with which people are getting “glammed up,” groomed, bedizened and beautified is exploding worldwide. And, given economic […]

First, the serious. While “coaching” seems to be a term that can get wantonly slapped onto any professional or personal goal, the concept is especially applicable and packed with potential for the spa sector. Integrative medicine leader Dr. Ken Pelletier recently noted that the spa industry is actually in a better position (than the medical […]

Spas have traditionally spoken to our sense of touch (via massage, etc.), and to a lesser degree, our sense of smell (aromatherapy). Now, more spas will impact our eyes, ears and bodies with an explosion of “good vibrations.” We already know how deeply these forces impact us: how sounds of nature can help relax us; […]

Jonah Lehrer came under media scrutiny for including quotes in his book attributed to Bob Dylan that turned out not to be actual quotes.

Everyone is born creative. However, for many of us – whether it is from a fear of failure or from past criticisms – our innate creativity goes dormant.

True innovation, rather than progressive improvement, in spa/wellness has been stagnant since 1957 when Harold Zinkin patented his “Universal Equipment.”

Thomas Steinhauer of Four Seasons answers our questions on the state of Spa in the U.S. and around the world.

Innovation: it’s just as important to countries as it is to businesses and organizations. For countries around the world, innovation can be a central driver of economic growth, development and jobs. Did you know each country has as an “innovation” score? The World Economic Forum’s 500+ page “Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012” ranks 142 countries according […]

In the Philippines, Medical tourism is likely to take a backseat to health and wellness programs.

Guests of Miraval Resort are feeling the good vibrations: The spa’s Taiz Sensorium treatment packs a punch with its rich cascade of vibrational medicine, music therapy, human touch and aromatic oils to engage all senses.