Portuguese operator Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is to launch three more Banyan Tree spas at its properties in Portugal and Brazil. The openings will build on the existing partnership between the companies and double the number of Banyan Tree-operated spas at Tivoli hotels.

The first new spa was initially scheduled to open at Tivoli Hotel Lisboa in Lisbon in 2011, but the development was delayed due to the economic turbulence experienced in the Portuguese economy. The two others will be based in Brazil, according to Ravi Chandran, managing director of Banyan Tree’s spa operations (see sb11/2 p26).

He says: “We signed a contract to open a spa in Lisbon a few years ago. Construction hasn’t began yet but we do hope we will be able to start on it very soon.”

He added, however, that the hold up has led to some improvements. “The planned location of the spa has been changed from the basement level to the top of the hotel. This move will enable guests to enjoy superb views overlooking the city.”

The two other sites are still in planning, but are likely to come on line by 2014. “We’re exploring openings [with Tivoli] in Brazil and talks are in progress,” says Chandran.” There are a possible two new spa projects – one at [the existing] Tivoli Hotel in Bahia, located in the north-eastern region on the Atlantic coast, and another [in a new-build hotel] in Campinas in the coastal interior of the state of São Paulo. We are hoping to have these signed and open within the next two to three years.”

Banyan Tree spas at Tivoli hotels are operated on management contracts. Banyan Tree operates the spas for a period of time, which is fee-based in terms of revenue and profits. Each spa runs independently in terms of its protocol, policies, operational procedures, training and treatment techniques and menu. The spas also works closely with the Tivoli team on the sales and marketing initiatives on-site to better promote the spa brand in synergy with the Tivoli brand.

Banyan Tree is the only spa brand that Tivoli works with. Its only non-Banyan Tree spa is currently the Thalasso Spa at the Bahia, resort – one of the Brazilian resorts planned to include a Banyan Tree spa in the future.

The three existing Banyan Tree spas at Tivoli hotels – one each in Lisbon and Vilamoura in Portugal and another in São Paulo in Brazil – were Banyan Tree’s debut sites in Europe and South America.

The first one to open, in 2008, was the Angsana-branded spa at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura in the Algarve, Portugal. It was followed by two more in 2009 – Elements Spa By Banyan Tree Tivoli Victoria (also in Vilamoura) and Elements Spa By Banyan Tree at Tivoli São Paulo.

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts opened its first hotel, Tivoli Lisboa, in 1933. It’s currently owned by Luxembourg-based investment company Espirito Santo Group.