4 mins
FIRE and ICE
With consumers looking for both nature and a wow factor in their spa visits, Lollie Hancock finds out how leading spas are updating their thermal experiences to provide both
With consumer research showing that spa guests are increasingly seeking both a return to nature and Instagrammable experiences that offer a sense of theatre within their visits, more spas are investing in thermal zones that bring the outside in and create a fun, social space.
From snow rooms and igloos to rasul mud chambers and herbal saunas, there are several ways you can implement a nature-based thermal element into your spa’s offering, helping your clients to take their experience to the next level.
Discover how four leading spas have upgraded their thermal offering to meet evolving trends.
Thermal Spa Village – Galgorm
With a snow cabin, experience shower, The Orangery and The Palm House, Galgorm’s Thermal Spa Village in Northern Ireland is a prime example of how thermal features can elevate the spa experience.
“The introduction of the Thermal Spa Village has added another dimension to the guest journey,” explains Tara Moore, head of spa operations.
With so much on offer, it was important for Galgorm to have a clear journey for guests, with experiences grouped together by theme for a cohesive feel. To achieve this the Thermal Spa Village was divided into three gardens: the Riverside Garden, home to Elements Spa Eatery, housed in a halidome structure of which there are only five in the world; the Walled Garden, with bespoke water features and serenity bathing pods; and the Alpine Garden, which features a 10m vitality pool overlooking the River Maine.
“As the Thermal Spa Village has grown, we have made a conscious effort that each garden has developed its identity with experiences to match,” explains Moore. “For example, guests enjoying the Alpine Garden are very much immersed in the natural setting and encouraged to disconnect and truly relax, with cabanas, saunas and the showstopping vitality pool perched along the edge of the River Maine.”
Speaking on the other parts of the village, Moore explains that each garden offers a different energy, adding, “The Walled Garden has a laid-back luxurious vibe, with its ornate Palm House relaxation space and sophisticated cocktail menu with a playlist to match the vibe. The Riverside Garden offers something for everyone with experiences unique to Galgorm such as the Celtic Sauna Infusion and River House relaxation space.”
Breedon Priory’s herbal sauna
The Spa at Breedon Priory in Derbyshire installed an herbal sauna last year to add another variation to its thermal suite. “The herbal sauna is a beautifully aromatic room and is more intimate than the other sauna,” explains spa director Jemma Whitney.
Situated alongside the other thermal experiences, the design mimics that of the Himalayan Salt Sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the spa garden. “While it is smaller, it still offers the fantastic views of the garden and creates a focus for those relaxing in there,” explains Whitney.
Supplied by Anapos, the installation cost £40,000 and was implemented to give guests more options to explore, as well as for its health benefits.
“Due to the medicinal benefits of herbs, this facility is great for respiratory and nasal clearing,” explains Whitney, adding, “It also has a beautiful sensual aroma. Its popular among male guests as well as females, due to it being slightly earthier.”
Tepidarium – The Spa at Carden
The Spa at Carden in Cheshire is home to a tepidarium, or a warm room which traditionally served as a transition from the cold frigidarium to a hot caldarium in Roman baths.
Installed as part of the spa’s original £10 million build, the tepidarium has seen upgrades since its original opening to adapt to clients’ needs, as spa director Emma Pridding explains.
“Over time it has been improved to aid guests’ experience. Initially it started with a table in the centre, but now it’s home to a higher tiled plinth holding a structural globe, which was made bespoke for the spa,” she says.
“It creates beautifully lit shapes in the tepidarium, making it really tranquil, and it also brings a bit of the hotel’s sculpture garden into the spa.”
As for how it adds to the guest journey, Pridding explains, “We love to direct customers to the tepidarium at the start of their spa journey, as it is a fantastic facility to prepare the body ahead of treatments, or at the end as a transitional place to relax.
“The lighting from the bespoke globe in the tepidarium acts as a sensory aid, creating different shapes, and reflects the mosaic.”
Titanic Spa’s plunge pool
Huddersfield’s Titanic Spa is home to a Heat and Ice experience, first installed in 2005, with refurbishments every three years. It has been designed as a circular journey, guiding the guests to each facility in order to promote the best benefits for wellbeing.
The area features a herbal infusion room, saunarium, aromatherapy room, crystal steam bath, sauna cabin, foot baths, cooling experience, ice room, plunge pool, experience shower, rest and relaxation room, outdoor spa terrace and hot tub, and a private rasul mud chamber.
Speaking on the plunge pool, spa director Warrick Burton explains, “The plunge pool is situated within this journey and used in conjunction with the other facilities to complement and enhance its wellbeing results.
“It is one of the more extreme facilities which is braved by many of our guests who want to feel the benefits.”
The experience uses cold therapy, which has become an increasingly popular wellness practice, and is scientifically proven to improve health, aid recovery and gain clarity, practised by body builders and elite athletes.
“Exposing the body to cold temperatures on a regular basis is linked and proven to result in increased energy, better sleep, improved metabolism, concentration and even a stronger immune system,” explains Burton. “Encouraging guests to brave the cold when visiting Titanic Spa enhances the effects of the thermal journey.”