Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans to open more than 40 new hotel spas over the next five years.

Speaking to Spa Business, Hyatt's vice president of international spa operations Niamh O'Connell said the majority of new sites would be in Asia - with India and China particularly identified as growth markets.

As part of Hyatt's strategy of not having an inhouse spa brand, each spa will be tailored to the needs of each individual hotel.

O'Connell said: "Our core philosophy is that each spa will have a unique concept and represent the location it's in.

"We're sensitive to the fact that we're coming into a new environment and we don't want to say 'this is what we do and you should spa our way'".

At least 16 of the 40 new properties will open by the end of 2012 - including one of the largest, the Shamana Spa at Grand Hyatt Goa in India.

Housing 19 treatment rooms, the 35,000sq ft (3.252sq m) Shamana Spa will feature a yoga studio, a 25m lap pool, a separate outdoor pool and a health and fitness are supplied by Life Fitness.

The treatment menu will consists of a range of Balinese, Thai and ayurvedic rituals supplied by Natura Bisse, Voya, Puri Alchemy and Iraya.

To read the full interview and Hyatt's plans, click here for Spa Business Issue 4 2011, p.32

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