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Leisure Management -
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| Samui spotlight
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The arrival of global hotel brands is contributing to the evolution of Thailand’s third largest island into a luxury lifestyle destination. We visit Koh Samui’s new resorts and their respective spas.
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Blessed with palm-lined beaches and verdant hills, Koh Samui has steadily been shrugging off its reputation as a backpacker’s haven to position itself as a sophisticated yet laid-back tropical retreat. Several international hospitality groups have identified the opportunity presented by Thailand’s second most popular island, opening five-star resorts. Naturally these include spas that must measure up to the award-winning facilities associated with south-east Asia. “Koh Samui is known for its holistic and yoga offering,” says a five-star hotelier. “But the challenge for my colleagues and I – in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand – is to raise awareness of the island as an upscale spa destination.”
Koh Samui registered visitor numbers of 859,501 in 2011, a rise of 8 per cent on the previous year, according to consultancy C9 Hotelworks. While Germany, Thailand and the UK continued to represent the three most important source countries, China and Korea became key emerging markets. Other positive indicators included a 6 per cent increase in hotel occupancy to 60 per cent, as well as a 16 per cent surge in average room rate to over us$150 (€113, £92). “Growth in luxury and upscale properties is spurring the cyclical pendulum of volume and average rates forwards,” explains Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks. “New direct flights on SilkAir from Singapore and on Bangkok Airways from Kuala Lumpur are aiding the cause. This reflects a wider shift in guest profile from long-haul to regional visitors, driven by the escalating prominence of Asian economies and continuing recession in Europe.”
Still, compared to Thailand’s most popular island, Phuket, which attracts millions of tourists annually, Koh Samui’s relatively modest numbers can be attributed in part to accessibility issues caused by its modestly-sized airport. While some islanders are against expansion – environmental concerns combine with a desire to keep Koh Samui protected from mega-sized development – there is no doubting the call for improved transportation links go hand in hand with hotel growth. Although the pipeline is flattening out – only a 3 per cent increase in the existing supply of over 17,000 rooms is expected in the next two years – Koh Samui’s midscale and budget sectors in particular are reliant on low-cost carrier uplift.
In the meantime, the current crop of new high-end hotels is already having an impact, creating media buzz and drawing in affluent travellers. World-class spas, meanwhile, are integral to an island that now aims to cater for a style-conscious breed of sybarite.
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Away Spa at W Retreat Koh Samui
Making the hot lists of consumer magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler, Starwood Hotel’s first W-branded destination in south-east Asia debuted in November 2010. Developed by Amburaya and Istithmar World at a cost of thb3bn (us$98m, €74m, £60m), the 26-acre (11-hectare) beachfront property is one of four global retreats operated by Starwood’s design-led lifestyle brand. Positioned as an ‘island within an island’ in line with its peninsula setting on Koh Samui’s northern shore, W Retreat maintains a Zen-like calm during the day while at night a touch of Manhattan attitude comes into play.
“W bridges the gap between an idyllic villa-based escape and a more interactive, urban experience,” observes general manager Nicholas Downing. “This is not your typical five-star Thai hotel – W’s passion points of design, music and fashion are represented with a laid-back energy that suits the Koh Samui vibe and as a retreat we are open to other island visitors.”
Interiors by P49 Deesign and architecture by MAPS Design Studio, adhere to clean lines, flowing indoor/outdoor spaces and a sculptural use of warm materials lifted by colour pops, inventive artwork and oversized lighting. This is exemplified in the W Lounge where terrazzo stone and bleached veneer panels, akin to driftwood, lead the way to a panoramic open-air platform that is home to the WOOBA (bar) and an infinity-edged, lotus-shaped water pond. Found beneath the lounge, the Kitchen Table serves made-to-order cuisine while beachfront dining options include Japanese restaurant Namu and SIP lounge. All 73 guest villas boast their own pools and patios.
In a retreat that promises escape, the 1,000sq m (10,764sq ft) Away Spa and Energy complex (W’s own brand) is considered an essential ingredient. Positioned on the second floor of a centrally located building that also houses the Sweat fitness centre and Wet swimming pool, the spa reception welcomes visitors to a setting of bleached oak wood and cream terrazzo augmented by playful furniture, such as custom-design leather pods inspired by Zen rock gardens and woven rattan and leather rockers. The Style Lab, with its two circular, fabric-fringed stations for manicures, pedicures and Paul Mitchell hair treatments, adjoins reception. From here visitors can also access Tonic Bar, a soothing space where vitamin-rich juices, herbal infusions and healthy versions of Thai dishes are served. All spa clients are brought here after treatments but Downing explains that marketing efforts are being made to increase awareness of Tonic as a resort venue in its own right.
Spread across five external pavilions, reached through a short network of landscaped pathways and stairs, the seven treatment rooms (four single and three doubles) are equipped with individual changing facilities and rain showers. The doubles also have soaking tubs, relaxation zones and in one case an additional steamroom integrated into sheltered outdoor platforms.
Consultancy Spa Synergy – part of the AW Lake group – partnered with W Hotels in developing the facility around the ideas of detoxing and refuelling, as well as ensuring the implementation of brand standards and signature treatments with destination-specific twists. So the Away Massage incorporates a Thai detoxifying technique, lanna tok sen, which removes negative energy through the vibration of wooden instruments. Organic spa brand Pañpuri provides the oils and products for body treatments, including a signature line conceived for Koh Samui, while Dermalogica facials are featured alongside spa packages starting at 180-minutes and costing thb6,900 (us$225, €169, £138).
Giving Away a unique point of difference is the Thaimazcal, inspired by traditional Mexican temazcal sweat lodges that used natural heat for purification. Set in its own domed structure, with heated rock seating, the thermal facility allows for small groups to self apply body scrubs made from natural ingredients before sweating in volcanic rock-generated steam and then cooling down under a mosaic-lined water wall. “To bring a Thai touch to the social experience, our therapists show clients how to make the most of the steam through yoga breathing,” adds spa manager Pornsawan Limphapayom.
There is also a wide range of Energy-based activities – sunset yoga, aqua aerobics, Thai boxing and water sports – taking place regularly around the resort. Limphapayom and her team of six therapists take a personalised approach to promoting wellbeing, visiting the beach and meetings during coffee breaks to offer free massages and build awareness of their approach at Away Spa.
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The beachfront property is one of four W retreats and has been created as an ‘island within an island’ |
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| The laid-back villa vibe is complemented by a mix of energy-based activities |
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| Landscaped pathways link Away Spa’s seven treatment rooms |
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| The resort’s WOOBA (bar) is set on an open-air platform leading to
a lotus-shaped pond |
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| A touch of Manhattan-attitude comes into play at night in the SIP lounge |
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| The Style Lab has two stations for manicures, pedicures and Paul Mitchell hair treatments |
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| A unique feature is the Thaimazcal, inspired by Mexican sweat lodges |
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The Spa at Conrad Koh Samui
Cascading down a lush, landscaped hillside on the south-western tip of Koh Samui, Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ second property in Thailand introduced a new level of luxurious seclusion when it opened in September 2011. Commanding vistas of the Gulf of Thailand and the legendary Five Islands dominate the 25-acre (10-hectare) resort. The property has been meticulously planned and developed over a five-year period by a team including Hilton Worldwide’s senior management (sb11/3 p28) and owner Hillcrest Resorts.
To integrate the new-build into the landscape while weaving in an ecological element, the development’s series of public spaces – including a picturesque lobby, Asian fine dining restaurant, all-day Mediterranean restaurant and poolside bar – are designed around four descending zones of rock, wood, lawn and water. Each one of the 80 guest villas benefits from floor to ceiling windows, contemporary Thai décor and an outdoor, west-facing private plunge pool.
“In translating Conrad’s brand culture to Koh Samui, we felt it was imperative to offer a cutting-edge, beautifully designed spa with panoramic views,” says general manager Justin Phillips. As a destination that caters for sophisticated leisure travellers – many of who spend the majority of their time onsite – Conrad Koh Samui features a 1,100sq m (11,840sq ft), two-storey spa perched in an elevated position. It houses 10 treatment rooms (three doubles, five single and two Thai suites), each with their own terrace; a wet zone of Finnish saunas, steamroom, plunge pools and rain shower; relaxation lounge; beauty salon; and retail boutique. Clean, uncluttered interiors blending earth hues, wooden floors and naturalistic artworks complement the building’s feature walls of natural rock and curved timber shingles. Special one-way glass floods the facility in natural light. The most coveted space, a sizeable VIP double suite, is distinguished by a stunning outdoor deck with infinity-edged plunge pool and hot tub overlooking the sea.
A fitness centre, at the foot of the resort, is equipped by Technogym and has an outdoor deck for pilates, t’ai chi and yoga.
Vanessa Main, Hilton Worldwide’s director of spa operations and development Asia Pacific, has overseen the spa concept in collaboration with consultancy Salamander Lifestyle and Dr Buathon Thienarrom, a respected Thai-based holistic practitioner engaged to create therapeutic Asian treatments and deliver training. Spa manager Nicharee Palang, who leads 10 Thai therapists all with upscale hotel experience, notes that holistic treatments, such as the Zen Natai massage drawing on Chinese medicine, are proving popular with western guests. Asian clients, meanwhile, tend to favour the results-oriented western facials that also form part of the menu. Massages, such as the one-hour De-Stress Muscle Release priced at thb3,300 (us$107, €81, £66), remain universal in their appeal.
Aromatherapy Associates, the main supplier, has formulated a small line of products with native ingredients, such as organic coffee and coconut, for signature therapies that are unique to the resort, including Samui Enriched, a rejuvenating two-hour body scrub, soak and massage. Traditional Thai massage is also available, as are bespoke programmes booked in time blocks.
Summing up The Spa’s philosophy, which is primarily focused on in-resort clients, Phillips adds: “We want to take guests on a transformative journey incorporating the healing scent and effect of aromatherapy oils, the therapeutic benefits of intuitive touch and the sound of tranquil music, set in luxurious surroundings.”
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Five years in the making, the resort is designed around zones of rock, wood, lawn and water |
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| The 80 villas benefit from floor to ceiling windows and contemporary Thai décor |
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| The two-storey spa features special one-way glass to flood it with light |
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InterContinental debuts
InterContinental’s third Thai property, the us$25m (€19m, £15m) InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort opened in February on a 22-acre (9-hectare) site on the island’s west coast. Owned by Serenity Asset Company, the renowned development has been under the management of various hotel companies including Mandarin Oriental.
As a result of a 10-month renovation a new 600sq m (6,458sq ft) has been added. Designed by P49, the Baan Thai Spa has been conceived as a traditional Thai house, with teak wood interiors accented by cool indigo blue. It features one treatment suite with a soaking tub, four double rooms, one Thai massage room, a beauty salon, an ayurvedic consultation room and a yoga studio with ocean views. Asia Pacific Leisure Consulting has delivered the spa concept, menu, training and wellness programmes.
Thai, western and ayurvedic therapies incorporating Harnn, Sothys and Esthederm brands underpin the menu but each treatment begins with foot bathing and ends with an Asian tea ceremony using Harnn’s Tichaa collection of herbal infusions.
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The resort reopened in February following a 10-month renovation |
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Le Méridien returns
Starwood reinstated its Le Méridien brand to Koh Samui in the third quarter of 2011, taking over the former Langham Place. Owned by GuRich Company, the 77-bedroom beachfront property originally opened in November 2009 with a feng shui-oriented design by Bangkok firm Begray. Starwood closed the original Le Royal Méridien Baan Taling Ngam, which was situated on the site of the new InterContinental, in 2006.
Embracing Chinese, Thai and Balinese cultures through architecture and artwork, Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort features a 580sq m (1,903sq ft) Le Spa consisting of five double treatment rooms, relaxation lounge and welcome area. Pachchanya Worrasednorragorn, who previously worked at Outrigger Koh Samui, has just been appointed as spa manager. The treatment menu has a strong Asian influence and includes therapies such as a chakra-based crystal ritual, tamarind body cleanse and herbal hot compress.
Guests enter through salvaged Chinese mansion doors from the 1700s and are guided by therapists carrying lanterns to a basement spa that offers views out to water walls and landscaped gardens. Antique wood, natural stone and brass fixtures feed into the resort’s overall construction around the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Starwood is set to further strengthen its island presence when the Vana Belle Samui Resort & Spa, which is part of The Luxury Collection, opens this October.
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The resort’s ‘lightway arrival’ sets the tone for the feng shui design inside |
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Akaryn ups the ante
Owned and operated by Akaryn Hospitality Management Services, an independent Thai company, the five-star Akaryn opened in March on little known Hanuman Bay in Koh Samui’s north-eastern corner. The thb400m (us$13m, €10m, £8m) boutique resort venture, featuring 34 pool suites, embraces nature through integrated outdoor living spaces. With contributions from The Beaumont Partnership and Paisarn Krusong, the retreat’s Asian-influenced design revolves around an ancient almond tree where a black lava rock swimming pool has been installed.
The group’s Spa IV brand has been given a twist with each of the four treatment rooms themed around a crystal, its colour and powers. The spa uses its own line of organic products. Yoga, meditation, t’ai chi and qigong are offered on Spa IV’s rooftop.
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Mövenpick moves in
Slated to open by the third quarter of 2012, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Mae Nam Beach will represent the Swiss company’s third property in Thailand, with another three hotels due in the country by 2014. Developed by Samui Seaview, the 81-villa resort is situated on the northern shore of Koh Samui with design by local firm, Noppadon. A signature spa will comprise eight single treatment rooms, eight double treatment suites, a fitness centre, yoga pavilion and retail shop. “We will promote it as a destination wellness centre offering spiritual tranquility,” says general manager Roland Svensson. “Built as an ancient teak house village set around a garden style courtyard with a lotus pond, the spa concept is based on rejuvenating Thai therapies and personalised packages.”
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| Originally published in Spa Business 2012 issue 2
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