Spa hotels allow you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a weekend and completely relax. Such a vacation will be a caring gift on March 8 for yourself, mom, grandmother or a loved one. And for travel industry professionals, this is a great opportunity to boost sales before the holidays. But there are nuances. Let’s analyze them and the concept of spa services in hotels together with the Islet B2B service.
Content
- What is a spa hotel
- Categories
- Examples of spa hotels in Russia and the world
- Sales features
What is a spa hotel
Definition
In Russia, the spa market is regulated by GOST R 55321-2023. Although there is no direct definition of a spa hotel in the standard, the document describes the rules for providing such services and their types: for example, massages, scrubbing, baths or thalassotherapy. Similar procedures can be seen in salons, fitness centers, spa rooms and, of course, hotels.
Rest in such a hotel is aimed at improving the physical and mental state of the guests. Therefore, despite the absence of the term in the guest, any accommodation facility that offers guests a wide range of spa and wellness services that promote overall wellness and relaxation can be considered a spa hotel.
Any accommodation facility that offers guests a wide range of spa and wellness services can be considered a spa hotel. Photo: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com
What is the difference from a sanatorium
Some of these hotels have their own medical centers, but they should not be confused with sanatoriums: although vacationers can go for wellness treatments, treatment here is not the main goal. The wellness concept is more about a healthy lifestyle, where good mood, activity and proper nutrition are important. These hotels have swimming pools, yoga or meditation classes, and dietary nutrition programs. And medical services as part of comprehensive detox or anti-stress programs serve as an additional bonus. Sanatoriums, on the contrary, are focused on the prevention of diseases or rehabilitation after illnesses and rarely offer vouchers without treatment.
- Sanatoriums and boarding houses: features, subtleties of sales and the best resorts
How to find spa hotels in the Ostrovok B2B service
The Ostrovok B2B service for travel agents and tour operators helps you plan the perfect spa vacation: to sort hotels with wellness treatments, use the Spa services filter when searching.
Where did the word spa come from
The origin of the term spa has several versions. One connects it with the Latin expression sanitas pro aqua — health through water, the other — with the phrase sauna pool area (translated from English — sauna with pool).
According to the third version, the word comes from the name of the Belgian city of Spa in the Ardennes Mountains, where the famous thermal baths in Europe are located. In the 17th century, complexes appeared on the site with mineral springs rich in iron and carbon dioxide, which offered accommodation and access to healing waters — the prototypes of modern spa hotels. Representatives of the European bourgeoisie and the Russian monarchs Peter I, Paul I and Alexander I rested here. Spa is still one of the top 11 resort cities in Europe according to UNESCO.
The origin of the term spa has several versions, one connects it with the Latin expression sanitas pro aqua — health through water. Photo: BGStock72/Shutterstock.com
Categories of spa hotels
There are many classifications of spa centers, including those in hotels. Such complexes may differ in concept, location, target audience, and procedures.
Types of spa centers according to the International Spa Association:
- One day spa. Urban and rural spas with relaxing treatments, where you cannot stay for the purpose of living.
- Targeted. Long-stay complexes with fitness programs and plans to get rid of stress or improve appearance.
- Hotel and resort facilities. The category includes hotels and resorts with spa complexes. Some services (such as a swimming pool or sauna) are provided free of charge to clients staying at the hotel.
- Thermal. This includes resorts with mineral or mud springs.
- Club rooms.Spa in fitness centers, where treatments are combined with sports and wellness programs.
- Cruise ships. Spa salons on board ships.
- Medical.Facilities where wellness is complemented by relaxing massages, therapeutic baths and other services.
Thermal resorts — these include resorts with mineral or mud springs. Photo: biletskiyevgeniy.com/Shutterstock.com
The classification of the European Spa Association (ESPA) is popular in Europe. She identifies the following categories:
- Wellness. Retreats with an anti-age approach (translated from English as anti—aging).
- Medical. Accommodation with diagnosis, medical consultations and treatment.
According to Russian GOST, spa services are classified according to their functional purpose, type of exposure, performing object, and other characteristics. Although there are spa hotels on the list, the types of such accommodations are not described in the standard.
Analysts of the Association of Wellness Tourism and Corporate Health in 2019 identified the following types of spa hotels:
- Resorts. Complexes focused on seasonal beach or ski holidays. Example: Forestis in the Alps.
- Urban or suburban spa hotels. Residential properties in or outside a large metropolitan area that are less susceptible to seasonality. Example: Four Seasons in Kyoto.
- Spa hotels and sanatoriums. Health resorts that have sprung up on the site of health resorts. Example: Swissotel Resort Sochi Kamelia in Sochi.
- Mini-spa hotels. Small complexes with an area not exceeding 1,000 m2 (about 15 rooms). Example: “Great Country Club” in Odintsovo.
Four Seasons in Kyoto.
Examples of spa hotels in Russia and the world
According to market research by the American company Data Insights Market, the number of spa hotels in the world is growing by 6.4% annually. By 2033, the volume of the industry could reach almost five billion dollars. At the same time, the largest number of such hotels is concentrated in the island countries of Asia.
Among the reasons for the segment’s popularity are the increased interest in health and the trend towards spa treatments (in hotels and individual wellness complexes). Online booking platforms simplify the search for such accommodations, for example, the Ostrovok B2B service has filters based on star rating, location, pool availability and other services.
At the same time, the largest number of spa hotels is concentrated in the island countries of Asia. Photo: one photo/Shutterstock.com
Let’s talk about famous spa hotels in Russia and around the world, marked by relevant associations.
Russia
The richRussia’s natural resources create excellent conditions for the development of spa and wellness hotels: there are more than 600 accommodations with pools and spa services in the vicinity of Sochi alone. We will look at several domestic hotels that have been awarded Ostrovok Guests’ Choice or Russian Hospitality Awards.
- Crystal House Suite Hotel&SPA in Kaliningrad. Five Star hotel with rooms equipped with terraces overlooking the lake. The complex has an extensive spa menu with massages, peels, Balinese care and programs for two. There is a sauna, an indoor swimming pool and a modern gym.
- Green Flow in Sochi. A detox or anti-stress program can be completed at the Rosa Khutor Mountain Healing Hotel. The accommodation includes a spa complex with a Finnish sauna, hammam, hot and cold baths, an experience shower and a grotto with a cool waterfall. Other advantages include an outdoor year-round infinity pool.
- Polyana 1389 Hotel and Spa in Sochi. The best spa hotel according to the National Hotel Award, where you can relax with Thai massages with yoga elements. There is an outdoor swimming pool with beautiful mountain views. The complex is located on the territory of the Gazprom resort.
- Kraft Nevsky hotel and spa in Saint Petersburg. Four-star hotel with a full-fledged spa stay in the city center. There is a spacious swimming pool with hydro massage, saunas, an experience shower, a snow room and a cave chamber with Himalayan salt.
- Luciano Residence in Kazan. One of the most luxurious spa hotels in the city offers fitness and detox programs under the supervision of doctors. There are swimming and oxygen pools, Jacuzzis, saltwater bowls, as well as an extensive aquatic area with geysers, waterfalls and countercurrents.
Crystal House Suite Hotel&SPA in Kaliningrad.
Spring retreat in Russia
A Russian sauna in a historic mansion in Pushkin or detox programs at the modern Rosa Khutor healing hotel will surprise tourists with an extensive geography of hotels for spring reboot.
Asia
- Joale Being in Maldives atoll Raa. Specialists in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and naturopathy work here. There are standard massage treatments and unusual ones, such as sound therapy or the archipelago’s first cryocamera.
- One&Only Reethi Rah awarded by the ESPA Association on North Male Atoll. A spa resort with a holistic (integrated) approach to the body: guests relieve stress with sound therapy and breathing exercises or relax in the infinity pool with watsu massages (from English water — water and Japanese atsu — massage). And all this on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
- Four Seasons Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan. The complex is surrounded by picturesque mountains on one side, and ancient temples on the other. The hotel is known for the largest spa in the city: here you can steam in the ofuro (Japanese sauna) and try bamboo massage.
Joale Being in the Maldives atoll of Raa.
Europe
In Europe, there is a separate website for searching for spa hotels awarded with EuropeSpa med or EuropeSpa wellness certificates (ESPA projects). The association’s experts evaluate the infrastructure, quality and safety of procedures, professionalism of staff, cuisine and service. Only those complexes that meet the basic criteria by 80% can boast of a certificate. Most of the accommodation facilities marked by the association are available for booking in the Islet B2B service.
- Du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes. A luxurious hotel with gardens on the French Riviera with an impressive spa complex shaded by pine trees, the interior of which is inspired by the surrounding cliffs. The menu includes hydrotherapy in an onyx room, an ice fountain and a Japanese detox capsule with infrared rays.
- Forestis in northern Italy. Formerly a sanatorium of the Austrian royal family, it is now a modern alpine resort with a two—storey spa center. There is a font with ice water directly from the top of the mountain, four types of saunas, an outdoor pool and Celtic yoga classes.
- Le Grand Spa at La Grand Bellevue in Switzerland. A historic hotel with wooden Alpine-style chalets in the heart of the mountain village of Gstaad. The complex has the largest spa center in the region with an ice fountain, a salt grotto, a Turkish hammam and several saunas.
Forestis in northern Italy.
Sales features
When communicating with potential clients, it is important to emphasize the nuances of relaxing at a spa hotel.
Relaxation all year round
You can visit such complexes out of season, when the tourist flow is decreasing and prices are falling: the average booking depth of accommodation facilities in the Caucasian Mineral Waters in 2023-2024 was 6-9 months. Some spa hotels have heated pools, which will allow you to swim regardless of the weather conditions.
Versatility
Spa hotels are popular with different groups of tourists, so they will suit many guests. Skiers will enjoy relaxing massages and a sauna after an active day on the slopes. The newlyweds will appreciate romantic offers for two and beauty treatments: a set of care measures will relieve tension and help prepare for an important day. And a vacation with self-care will be a pleasant surprise for a loved one, mother or grandmother on her birthday or March 8th.
Exclusivity
In some accommodation facilities, you can try unusual treatments, such as antler baths (Cosmos Collection Altay Resort in Altai) or sound therapy (previously mentioned One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives). The location of the building can also be unique — hotels hide on the slopes of mountains, in the thickets of national parks or occupy entire islands.
Cosmos Collection Altay Resort in Altai.
High-quality service
In accordance with the regulations on the classification of hotels in Russia, spa services are a privilege of four— or five-star hotels. This means that friendly staff and excellent service are waiting for tourists.
High prices
Such tours are suitable for guests who are not inclined to save money on vacation, because the prices for accommodation in spa hotels are higher than in regular ones: for example, a stop at the five stars near Moscow with a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and wellness services at the end of March will cost 17 000 – 20 000 rub. for two people/night. This is because the room rate often includes access to steam rooms and a swimming pool.
It is easier to select hotels with the “Selections” tool
Thanks to the “Selections” tool, you can create hotel lists based on individual customer preferences. It is easy to add a discount to the selection — this may encourage the customer to book. And the received offer is convenient to view from any device. Let the choice of your dream hotel become easier along with the Islet B2B service for travel agents and tour operators.
Additional requests
When booking a spa hotel, be prepared for the fact that clients will ask questions about the procedures and possible contraindications, as well as ask to reserve a massage for a specific date. It will take additional time to process such requests.
The spa hotel industry is diverse and offers many options for those who want to spend a romantic weekend on March 8th or just relax and unwind. B2B search tools will help you find the right hotel: thematic collections, flexible filters for pool or spa services, and the most informative hotel cards among online booking services on the Russian market.
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