08-09 Apr 2024
St. Martins Spa & Lodge,
Frauenkirchen,
Austria
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14-15 Apr 2024
ExCel,
London,
United Kingdom
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22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort,
York,
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23-25 Apr 2024
Phoenix Convention Center,
Phoenix,
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28-30 Apr 2024
Radisson Blu Hotel,
Glasgow,
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08-08 May 2024
Hotel Melià ,
Milano ,
Italy
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10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex,
Guangzhou,
China
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13-16 May 2024
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia ,
Italy
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London’s River Thames set to welcome floating botanical wellness spa and hot springs |
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By Megan Whitby 02 Jul 2020 |
The pool has been designed to nestle into the barge’s existing cargo hold Credit: Water Cures Spa
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Planning permission has been submitted for a naturally filtered thermal experience and botanical spa and wellbeing hub on a dutch barge moored in West India Quay, London.
Conceptualised by bodywork therapist Nico Thoemmes, the Water Cures Spa project has received permission from the Canal and River Trust and has been submitted for planning permission with the local authority which should be determined by the end of July, working towards a soft launch for Q2/Q3 2022.
The 1,000sq m spa will be spread over two floors and include an open-air pool, with plans for two to six treatment rooms, dependent on final design.
The spa’s focal point will be a traditional finnish sauna and steam bath overlooking a 30m landscaped naturally filtered and landscaped pool with a cold plunge, swimming zone and heated hot spring style zone decorated with live flora and fauna.
These facilities will be built onto the top deck while the pool has been designed to nestle into the barge’s existing cargo hold.
On the ground floor, the wellbeing concept will include changing shower facilities, treatment rooms and a large event space destined to host a range of well-being events including yoga, meditation, talks, exhibitions and music events.
“We want to broaden the spa offer to include a social and cultural option as well as relaxation and recovery,” Thoemmes told Spa Business.
Water Cures will provide a range of traditional spa therapies such as body scrubs, venik, massage and bodywork, but Thoemmes has ambitions to incorporate complementary medicine treatments such as coaching, acupuncture and nutritional therapy once the concept takes off.
The initial inspiration came to Thoemmes after he took an outdoor bath on a freezing night in January.
“I didn’t have enough space on my boat to have an indoor bath, so I put it in the garden!” he explained. “The experience of being immersed in a warm body of water with views to the sky enclosed by frosty air was incredibly relaxing, curative and exhilarating.
“It started a passionate interest in the sauna and cold plunge practice and in particular how it can improve mental wellbeing.”
Thoemmes launched a previous wellbeing venture in 2015 when he co-founded ‘Morning Gloryville’ – an immersive and sober wellness rave experience that took place on Wednesday mornings before work.
In order to realise his new spa concept, Thoemmes has collaborated with the help of a Venezuelan architect and visual, along with feedback from a naval architect and marine engineer.
When the project moves into the detailed design phase, he will look to appoint a scheme architect and a series of specialist contractors.
“Delivering the pool and services remain our biggest challenges,” he explained, “so at the moment we’re exploring options and speaking to a couple of firms, but haven’t made any decisions yet.
“While there are a few floating pools peppered around Europe we’d be the first to deliver one on a large barge and as far as we’re aware the facility would be the first naturally filtered pool for public use.”
The long-term goal is to successfully deliver the facility in London, prove the business model and then utilise the expertise and ambition to expand the concept in the UK and other suitable locations.
“I’m passionate about establishing the spa as a practical, accessible, well being and social institution providing an antidote to our modern ‘techified’ lifestyles,” concluded Thoemmes, “I believe there is a symbiotic relationship between the spa and the water space to help deliver this.”
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News |
1 to 12 of 8682 news stories |
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28 Mar 2024
Swiss medical wellness and longevity brand Clinique La Prairie has unveiled its highly-anticipated health resort in Anji, China. The opening marks the brand's debut in China and its first international Health Resort outside of Switzerland. ... More
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28 Mar 2024
A new urban city centre in Gothenburg, Sweden is in development with the aim of accelerating health innovation. Next Step Group and Vectura Fastigheter joined forces to create GoCo Health Innovation City, with over US$400 ... More
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28 Mar 2024
Reservations are now open for Rosewood Hotels and Resorts' second Austrian property in Salzburger Land, called Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. Launching on 1 July, the luxury lakeside property is situated on the banks of Lake Fuschl ... More
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27 Mar 2024
The Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Coalition (APSWC) recently marked another year of industry achievement with a prestigious awards ceremony held during the 2024 APSWC Round Table event in Bangkok, Thailand. Among the distinguished guests ... More
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26 Mar 2024
Luxury hospitality group Aman Resorts and Hotels has announced plans to debut in the UAE with an all-suite hotel and spa in Dubai. Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, Aman Dubai will have a prime coastal ... More
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25 Mar 2024
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22 Mar 2024
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is the latest brand to join the collection of luxury hospitality partners at Saudi Arabia's upcoming regenerative tourism destination Amaala. Positioned as the premier global integrated family wellness destination, Amaala ... More
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21 Mar 2024
The Covery, a lifestyle optimisation wellness brand, has announced a new licensing partnership with Aura Spa, solidifying its commitment to broadening access to recovery and wellness therapies throughout the US. This strategic partnership will introduce ... More
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20 Mar 2024
The International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation has released the 2024 edition of its Consumer Snapshot research initiative, shedding light on the behaviours and preferences of regular spa-goers in the US. This research series, commissioned by ... More
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19 Mar 2024
The team behind TRIB3 has launched a reformer Pilates studio concept called PILAT3S, which will be available either as a standalone franchise, or as a club-in-club concept, aiming to take the exercise modality into the ... More
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19 Mar 2024
Wello Works, a new concept which mixes a wellness centre and a co-working office, has launched its first site in Sydney. The brainchild of wellness veteran, Tony de Leede, Wello Works has been designed to ... More
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18 Mar 2024
The International Sauna Association's (ISA) Sauna Aid initiative is asking for donations to establish a sauna complex in Ukraine to provide a sanctuary for Ukrainians amid the conflict with Russia. The organisation wants to realise ... More
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Booker by Mindbody |
Booker by Mindbody is the industry’s leading cloud-based spa and salon management platform. Its
[more] |
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Book4Time unveils enhanced day and resort pass functionality
With an increasing number of luxury hotels and resorts offering day and resort passes to
drive staycation business, Book4Time, a leader in innovative spa and wellness solutions, is
thrilled to announce the launch of Day & Resort Passes on its award-winning platform. ... more
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