Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, announced its foray into the growing spa market with the launch of its new brand, CHI…
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, announced its foray into the growing spa market with the launch of its new brand, CHI. The first CHI spa opened at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok in July 2004. There are 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 features some of the largest and most luxurious private spa suites and villas. It offers 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 Rub use indigenous ingredients and techniques drawn from the ancient healing traditions of the mystical Himalayan region.
The interiors 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 the most spacious on 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 offers private villas for couples, garden suites, unique wet spa facilities (aromadome, vitality herbal tubs and a spa pool with tropi-cabanas), and Asia`s first genuine watsu pool.
Each CHI spa will play an integral role in the positioning and marketing of its host Shangri-La hotel, to target and attract new business and market segments. While CHI`s primary source for customers will be its hotel`s guests and spa members, there is great potential to attract local residents and tourists. CHI spas scheduled to open are:
- Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok – July 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, Beijing – 2006
- Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin – 2007
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