Farris Bad is launching a series of 75-minute treatments, exclusively and individually designed by the resort’s highly experienced massage therapists.

The unique identity of each therapist will be demonstrated during the treatments, moving away from industry norms of standardised treatments and putting the guest experience directly into the Spa team’s hands.

Lasse Eriksen, development manager at the property told Spa Business "Farris Bad is making this change in order to honour massage therapists’ individuality and to support specialisation.

"Fostering a culture of recognition and respect for therapists’ work, is expected to boost job satisfaction and sustain long-term retention".

Treatments at the resort, in Larvik, Norway, include:

• A ceremony called ‘Queens and Kings hammam’, developed by massage therapist Georgi – who has 30 years’ experience. The ceremony includes an exfoliation ritual, a body mask, plus a relaxing soap foam massage and scalp massage. The treatment ends with Turkish tea or coffee and delicacies.

• Yoga therapist Denitsa has created an ‘Osteo Thai’ treatment to combine the energy of Thai yoga massage with osteopathic techniques. Guests will lie on a mattress on the floor in comfortable clothes as Denitsa guides their limbs through fluid movements to increase flexibility and release tension. Denitsa has 30 years’ experience as a yoga therapist.

• Viktoria, a massage therapist with six years under her belt has mastered a technique called IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation). She will use specially-designed instruments to treat tight muscles, tendons and ligaments in order to promote blood circulation and reduce inflammation. This will be followed by a massage and customised stretches for flexibility and function.

There are three more specialist treatments on offer at the resort.

Each treatment costs NOK2,045 (€175, US$199, £149). This price includes an extra cost for clients of €20 (US$23, £17) that goes directly to the therapists, acknowledging the value of their expertise and rewarding their commitment to excellence.

Eriksen said these new treatments will mean therapists receive the recognition they deserve, “These are not treatments written in a manual – they are deeply personal journeys, shaped by each therapist’s unique training, philosophy and passion.”

If the therapist is not available, Eriksen says this promotes the irreplaceability of the experience, “This evolution mirrors what we see in disciplines such as yoga, where clients seek out specific instructors – not just for a class – but for their unique knowledge, energy, insight and presence.”

Guests will still be able to choose classic treatments at the resort.

Farris Bad’s massage therapists’ skills were recognised most recently by the International Massage Association (IMA) when the spa received the IMA Spa of the Year award in 2023.