YTL opens Monkey Island Estate's hotel and floating spa
By Tom Walker 01 May 2019
The spa is located on a bespoke crafted barge, moored on the banks of the island
Malaysian hotel group YTL Hotels has opened the Monkey Island Estate resort in Bray-on-Thames, UK.
Set across seven acres, the resort will include a 41-bedroom luxury hotel – designed by New York-based Champalimaud Design – and a floating spa.
The spa is located on a bespoke crafted barge moored on the banks of the island and houses three treatment rooms, a themed wheelhouse reception and an Elixir Bar.
Inspired by the monks who once inhabited the island, the treatments and spa experiences have been choreographed to fit the setting and concept.
Each spa treatment will begin with a sensory ritual and ‘Elixir Tasting’ of one of the monk-brewed ancient herbal tonics.
The spa is also peppered with touch points that celebrate the power of water, taking guests on holistic voyages through the history of the island and the River Thames.
The spa team has partnered with British spa brand Moss of the Isles to create the bespoke treatments.
"The spa will bring to life the spirit of adventure on this great river," said Melissa Mettler, responsible for spa planning and development at YTL Hotels.
"Poems, stories and the power of the river will feed our offering...and it all happens on a bespoke wide-beam river boat."
Monkey Island Estate is the latest addition to YTL Hotels’ growing UK portfolio, a collection of hotels which already includes The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Threadneedles, The Glasshouse, and The Academy.
Champalimaud carried out a full restoration of the hotel
17th Century, Grade 1 listed frescoes have been restored
The bedrooms have a country house feel and look out over the River Thames
The Monkey Bar has a garden terrace overlooking the river
All interiors are by Champalimaud Designs
The island is near the village of Bray, a foodie haven, with restaurants boasting seven Michelin stars between them
The spa's Elixir bar, which serves monk-brewed ancient herbal tonics
Treatments rooms have portholes giving views of the river
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YTL opens Monkey Island Estate's hotel and floating spa
POSTED 01 May 2019 . BY Tom Walker
The spa is located on a bespoke crafted barge, moored on the banks of the island
It was through this project and others like it, that we learned that sustainable design can take many forms and doesn’t have to be explored through conventional definitions – Ed Bakos, MD, Champalimaud Designs
Malaysian hotel group YTL Hotels has opened the Monkey Island Estate resort in Bray-on-Thames, UK.
Set across seven acres, the resort will include a 41-bedroom luxury hotel – designed by New York-based Champalimaud Design – and a floating spa.
The spa is located on a bespoke crafted barge moored on the banks of the island and houses three treatment rooms, a themed wheelhouse reception and an Elixir Bar.
Inspired by the monks who once inhabited the island, the treatments and spa experiences have been choreographed to fit the setting and concept.
Each spa treatment will begin with a sensory ritual and ‘Elixir Tasting’ of one of the monk-brewed ancient herbal tonics.
The spa is also peppered with touch points that celebrate the power of water, taking guests on holistic voyages through the history of the island and the River Thames.
The spa team has partnered with British spa brand Moss of the Isles to create the bespoke treatments.
"The spa will bring to life the spirit of adventure on this great river," said Melissa Mettler, responsible for spa planning and development at YTL Hotels.
"Poems, stories and the power of the river will feed our offering...and it all happens on a bespoke wide-beam river boat."
Monkey Island Estate is the latest addition to YTL Hotels’ growing UK portfolio, a collection of hotels which already includes The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Threadneedles, The Glasshouse, and The Academy.
Champalimaud carried out a full restoration of the hotel
17th Century, Grade 1 listed frescoes have been restored
The bedrooms have a country house feel and look out over the River Thames
The Monkey Bar has a garden terrace overlooking the river
All interiors are by Champalimaud Designs
The island is near the village of Bray, a foodie haven, with restaurants boasting seven Michelin stars between them
The spa's Elixir bar, which serves monk-brewed ancient herbal tonics
Treatments rooms have portholes giving views of the river
FEATURE: Top Team: YTL Hotels POSTED 22 Aug 2018. Katie Barnes talks to the three key people behind the Spa Village brand
YTL expands Asian spa resort portfolio with Ritz-Carlton on Koh Samui POSTED 04 Oct 2017. BY Tom Walker Malaysian conglomerate YTL Hotels has expanded its presence in the Asian wellness resort
market with the opening of a luxury property on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand.
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
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