25-27 Jun 2022
Las Vegas Convention Center,
Las Vegas,
United States
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25-27 Jun 2022
Las Vegas Convention Center,
Las Vegas,
United States
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27-28 Jun 2022
St. Martins Spa & Lodge,
Frauenkirchen,
Austria
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12-13 Sep 2022
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs® Resort,
Lake Buena Vista,
United States
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12-14 Sep 2022
Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort ,
Ballymena,
Ireland
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20-23 Sep 2022
Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort,
Quarteira,
Portugal
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25-26 Sep 2022
Bespoke,
San Francisco,
United States
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26-28 Sep 2022
Gwel an Mor,
United Kingdom
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Aidia Studio reveals plans for desert safari lodges with retractable shell inspired by cacti |
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By Megan Whitby 18 Aug 2020 |
Called the Oculus, the pods consist of a double-glazed dome encasing a luxury hotel room, which is shrouded by a collapsible shell Credit: AIDIASTUDIO
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Mexican design firm, Aidia Studio, has unveiled plans for a complex of 25 luxury hotel pods with collapsible shells, located in the Rub’ al Khali Desert in Abu Dhabi.
Called the Oculus, the pod consists of a double-glazed dome encasing a luxury hotel room, which is shrouded by a collapsible shell for shading, temperature control, camouflage and privacy.
The outer shell is made up of 60 shading panels which create a dense lattice to shelter the cabin, drawing inspiration from several desert cacti species which feature thick outer skins, foldings and fins to control heat and solar radiation.
The panels densify towards the crown, to adapt to the curvature of the pod, and in doing so, protect the pod by reflecting the harsh vertical sun radiation.
This outer layer can morph into different configurations depending on the time of the day, climate and needs of users, and also folds downwards to reveal a frameless acrylic dome for stargazing.
During daytime, the skin retracts sideways opening the front of the pod and unveiling the doors to the front deck.
When the shell is fully deployed, it camouflages the pod among the desert scenery to allow guests to go wildlife spotting from the comfort of their own cabin.
Aidia designers Rolando Rodriguez-Leal and Natalia Wrzask acted as lead architects for the project which is currently under concept design stages.
The complex is planned to include both standard (50sq m) or VIP (80sq m) size pods.
According to Aidia Studio, the main goal behind Oculus' design is to improve the environmental performance of the building through self-shading.
The proposed design also includes eco-friendly features such as incorporating technology to harness solar energy to power the pods, as well as water tanks to filter and recycle greywater.
The Oculus complex is envisioned to be built in the middle of a gravel plane backed by a tall sand dune, with the 25 cabins spread around the site in the shape of a constellation.
Aidia Studio is also planning to create a central hub of four pods with the same design as the cabins but on a larger scale.
The buildings will house a reception and guest toilets, reception lounge, restaurant and kitchen and staff functions, and all be interconnected via transition sleeves and held together by an elevated outdoor deck.
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24 Jun 2022
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has kicked off the sixth season of its wellness podcast which has recently been renamed Global Wellness Conversations (GWC). First recorded at the 2019 GWS in Singapore, GWC has grown ... More
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23 Jun 2022
A new report by Deloitte, outlining the social and economic value of the global health and fitness industry, has been released by The Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA), in collaboration with IHRSA. The 418-page ... More
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23 Jun 2022
Industry veteran Jacqueline Berry has been appointed group director of spa and wellbeing at Miraval. She will oversee the company's Life in Balance spas at Miraval Arizona, Miraval Austin and Miraval Berkshires. Berry was previously ... More
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23 Jun 2022
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is continuing its strategic global growth plan and will open its first property in Venice, Italy, in 2025. Rosewood announced it has been selected to manage the Hotel Bauer in Venice, ... More
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22 Jun 2022
A new spa and wellness retreat has launched at The Fontanelle Estate in Tuscany, a countryside property nestled among the rolling hills and vineyards of Italy’s Chianti wine region. Completed with the help of Lahra ... More
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21 Jun 2022
The winners of the 13th annual Good Spa Guide Awards were announced last night (20 June) at industry conference Spa Life UK taking place this year in the Cotswolds. The awards celebrate the best in ... More
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16 Jun 2022
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) has signed a long term management agreement with Attestor Limited to rebrand and manage Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Currently operated by Marriott International within its Luxury Collection, the ... More
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16 Jun 2022
Newly-formed industry body The Great Spa Towns of Europe association has appointed Stefan Szirucsek as its new board chair. As of July 2021, The Great Spa Towns of Europe was established as a UNESCO World ... More
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15 Jun 2022
On 24 June 2022, skincare specialist and therapist trainer Jennifer Young will launch a new training course called Hormonal Wellness Touch Therapies. The new qualification is designed to enable spa therapists to help guests address ... More
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13 Jun 2022
Hotels with wellness revenues exceeding US$1m generated 126 per cent more in total revenue per available room (TRevPAR) in 2021 than those with wellness revenues of less than US$1m, according to the latest Wellness Real ... More
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10 Jun 2022
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 14th annual HOTel&SPA event returned last week, bringing together top hospitality and spa executives from across Europe and beyond for a day of talks and networking. ... More
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09 Jun 2022
Global lifestyle brand Nobu Hospitality, founded by Robert De Niro, Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper, has announced plans to open its fifth Spanish destination in Madrid. Centrally positioned in the heart of the Spanish capital’s ... More
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