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Shangri-La Hotels and
Resorts is to launch a new Spa brand, CHI, through its hotels around the
world. The first CHI spa is scheduled to open at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok in June
2004, with plans for 10 CHI spas to be introduced in various hotel locations over the next few years.
Designed to create a sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of 'Shangri-La,' CHI will feature some of the largest and most luxurious private spa
suites and villas. It will offer a range of specialised body, water, massage and
facial therapies based on the ancient healing traditions, philosophies and rituals
of China and the Himalayas.
"The essence of 'chi' symbolises Shangri-La's definition of a complete wellbeing
concept within an Asian context," says Ian Brewis, director of spa development. In
traditional Chinese philosophy, "chi" represents the universal life force that
governs wellbeing and personal vitality. To maintain good health, it is believed
that chi must flow freely within the body, and if blocked, illness will follow.
The CHI concept was developed in collaboration with a team of recognised specialists. Spa treatments and an exclusive product range have been designed
based on the Chinese philosophy of the Five Elements, in which metal, water,
wood, fire and earth are in balance with the positive Yang and negative Yin energy
within the body. Signature therapies like Chi Balance, Meridian Harmony, and Chi
Nei Tsang work to restore vitality, while therapies like the Himalayan Healing
Stone Massage and the Mountain Tsampa Scrub use indigenous ingredients and
techniques drawn from the ancient healing traditions of the mystical Himalayan
region.
The interiors
will reflect this concept, through the use of unique accents reflecting
local architecture and materials, as well as the subtle use of Himalayan art and
accessories. In the Shangri-La city hotels, CHI private spa suites will be
among the most spacious in the market - in Bangkok, the garden suite measures over 107 square
metres - offering a "spa within a spa" concept that provides each guest with their
own state-of-the-art bathing, sauna, shower, changing facilities, and lounge area
to indulge in the luxury of personal space and timelessness.
In resort
locations, like the CHI spa at Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort,
Cebu, scheduled for a late 2004 opening, an 8,000 square metre "spa village"
will offer private villas for couples, garden suites, unique "wet" spa facilities
(aromadome, vitality herbal tubs and a spa pool with "tropi-cabanas), and
one of Asia's first genuine watsu pools.
CHI spas scheduled
to open are:
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok June 2004
Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort, Cebu Late 2004
Shangri-La's Fijian Resort, Yanuca Late 2004
Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa, Villingili Island Early 2005
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman Mid 2005
Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai Mid 2005
Shangri-La's Sunny Bay Resort, Sanya Late 2005
Shangri-La Hotel & Spa, Haikou Late 2005
Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2006
Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin 2007 |
