Spa Trends for 2009

Hotel Luxury Spas and Plant-Based Therapies

Jan 13, 2009 Elaine Moore

Several premier hotels have newly opened or revamped their luxury spas, and overall spas are offering their guests a plethora of innovative therapies grounded in nature.

With competition keen and the economy faltering, luxury hotels have found that their spa facilities are often the deciding factor when hotel guests are choosing accommodations for events or vacations. 2009 brings a plethora of new hotel spa therapies, hotel spa packages and discounts for hotel guests using spa services. In addition, spas worldwide have introduced a spectacular array of new plant-based holistic therapies.

New Spas

In New York City, the remodeled Plaza Hotel recently opened the first stateside branch of the European-based Caudalie spas. Until now, the Caudalie founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas’s renowned Vinotherapie products and treatments were only available in vineyards located in France, Spain and Italy. Their introduction into the Plaza Hotel represents the Plaza's goal of offering its patrons the finest amenities available.

Designed by Yves Collet, the Plaza’s Caudalie Spa was created with natural materials that celebrate the environment. New treatments include a Crushed-Cabernet Scrub, a Merlot Wrap, and signature Caudalie facial treatments. The spa also boasts a wine lunge with an on-site sommelier serving some of Caudalie’s best wines rich in antioxidant nutrients.

Also in New York City, Sense, a Rosewood Spa, recently opened at the Carlyle Hotel. Sense offers a sense of privacy and tranquility in its five client rooms and haute couture salon. New treatments include a two-hour anti-aging facial, using products from Sisley, an aristocratic French beauty product company that relies on botanical extracts.

New Therapies

The trend in 2009 is for organic and plant-based therapies that take advantage of the anti-aging properties of natural plant chemicals. Phytochemicals in plants, herbs, soil, and spices along with a variety of essential plant oils are the basis of these new holistic therapies.

In Toronto, students of the Transformational Arts College are learning to design new spa therapies using plant and herbal extracts. The course curriculum also includes classes devoted to the spiritual element of spa therapies.

The Terranova Spa in Berkeley California has created two new therapies based on marine-based ingredients. These ingredients include a Vital Sea Mineral Complex™ that consists of seven active sea nutrients that balance the whole body and provide intense nourishment to the skin. The Terranova Spa Line is used in many North American spas.

Shopping Around

Whether scouting out a day spa during travels, arranging spa facilities for a wedding party, or choosing a hotel for your next journey, it’s important to inquire about spa facilities and treatments, product lines, new therapies, discount offers and special packages. The spa trends for 2009 are rooted in natural therapies that support the body and soul, and natural Zen-like surroundings that enhance the spa experience. Today’s spa consumer has many new choices to look forward to in 2009.

The copyright of the article Spa Trends for 2009 in Spas is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Spa Trends for 2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.