Two de Savary hotels adding boutique, intimate spas

Lana de Savary and her husband, international entrepreneurial businessman Peter de Savary, are building bespoke, intimate new spas at two of their quintessentially English countryside hotels.

“The whole idea is to be completely different than a large spa,” Peter de Savary told Spa Opportunities. “We think small is better than big, and less is more.”

The de Savarays are building a £1m (US$1.5m, €1.3m) spa at The Old Swan & Minster Mill in the picturesque Cotswolds, set to open in June 2016 and available only to hotel guests.

“The concept is a spa boutique, with a very artistic, creative, attractive vibe,” said de Savary. “It’s all about an overall lifestyle experience, where you can enjoy the whole ambiance.”

De Savary said having a private spa only for guests is a way to keep things less busy, and less crowded. He wants the experience to be “charming, user-friendly, not intimidating – and not just for women.”

The spa will be connected to the main building, and open through two glass doors into an oval room with a domed ceiling lit with starlight lights. At the other end of the domed room is a swimming pool with a granite waterfall tumbling from the ceiling to the pool, and a glass panel that leads to the riverfront gardens and terrace.

The pool will feature deep blue mosaic tile with black grout, and a mosaic swan at the bottom. Palm trees and orchids provide a mixture of green and colour.

“It’s a very mystical look,” said de Savary.

The spa will include both indoor and outdoor components, with five indoor treatment rooms and two to three gazebo tents on the terrace for treatments when the weather is nice. It will also feature a refreshment area with custom-blended juices and spa lunches.

“The spa is very much on a relaxation theme,” said de Savary. “This is not just about treatments, this is about lolling around, where the spa treatments are part of the experience.”

The hotel had several spa treatment rooms in the past, but did not have a dedicated spa. The de Savarys have been using Yon-ka products, and have been pleased with them, but de Savary said he will take the opportunity to look at additional brands.

“It’s kind of a fashion business, and there are new things on the market all the time,” he said. “We’ve got time on our side to make that decision.”

The de Savarays are also planning a new spa at their hotel in Devon, England, The Cary Arms, which is currently undergoing a £1.5m (€2m, US$2.3m) expansion – also adding six chic beach huts and three Riviera villas, all on the water’s edge with views across Lyme Bay.

The Cary Spa will consist of a glass-fronted pool, sunbathing deck with sea views, treatment rooms, experience shower, mood lighting, aromatherapy jets, sauna, steamroom and mini-gym, and is set to open in May 2016.