When YTL Hotels, the hospitality division of a Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate, opened its first wellness facility in 2002, it also opened the eyes of the global spa industry at the same time. Not only was Spa Village at the Pangkor Laut Resort a formidable spa in a spectacular setting – treatment pavilions, healing huts, bath houses, spa huts, nap gazebos and a spa boutique are sprawled over four acres of beachfront on the Malaysian island – its philosophy of honouring local healing cultures and spa traditions was ahead of its time.
Fifteen years on and the Spa Village concept is going strong with a portfolio boasting one destination spa and nine others, including one outside of Asia in the UK and the newly-opened Spa Village at Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, Thailand. As spas launch in new locales, the company remains true to its roots by seeking out local healers, authentic wellness practices and other traditions which guests can experience in everything from beauty and health treatments to bathing, fitness, food, music and decor. Aside from this, there are luxury spas at a handful of other YTL Hotels properties (see p53).
The three women behind the successful Spa Village brand and additional spas have been working together for eight years. They tell Spa Business about their group dynamics, what makes a winning spa formula and reveal details about four intriguing new spas in the pipeline.
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