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| Wed 08 Oct 2008 |
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Tag: Spa
These items have all been tagged with the tag "Spa", You can see other tags in the Tag Cloud| Les Bains des Docks |
| 2008-07-30 11:57:46 |
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The aquatic complex Les Bains des Docks (animation here), designed by the 2008 Prtizker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel has just opened in the historical Port of Le Havre. Inspired by the Roman thermal baths, the 5,000-square-metre complex offers an eerily beautiful atmosphere of tranquility with the fantastic play of natural light soothing the eyes, the masterful acoustics pleasing the ears, and the pools and treatment areas taking care of the rest of the body. Although the main “colour” of the complex is white, each section’s distinct atmosphere and hue is created by flowing water curtains, colour walls, and various textures and surface treatments. Each pool – lap-pool, children’s pool, whirlpools – is designed, shaped and lit to create a unique “private space” for its specific users. These seemingly enclosed areas help minimize echoing and sound carriage – an annoying aspect of most aquatic centres - as do the varying-height floors and ceilings, and the acoustic false ceilings. Saunas, a hammam, cold and hot baths, and a spa area with hydro-massage and aquagym areas complete the atmosphere of pampering and care. An external lagoon makes the summer use of the complex even more appealing. The Docks in the south end of the ancient port city of Le Havre are the oldest docks in France. The area is under massive revitalization with the goal of making this a leisure, culture and shopping neighborhood. When completed, the area will include residences, a large park, a tropical greenhouse, cinemas, bowling alleys and a shopping center, plus a Nouvel-designed Sea and Sustainable Development Centre to be completed in 2011. The Sea Centre will be a showcase of shipping and sailing – exploring their economic and industrial significance as well as their environmental impact on coasts and estuaries. It will be a 120-meter-high metallic structure dominating the port and it will include exhibit areas, an aquarium, a meteorological station and a restaurant with panoramic, 360-degree views of Port of Le Havre. Nouvel’s well-known public buildings literally span the world from New York to Reykjavik, Dubai, Soul and Tangiers. Recent interesting buildings include the bright-red research center for the maker of brakes for luxury cars, Brembo, in Italy. NouveI's masterpiece for La Philharmonie de Paris will open in 2012. - Tuija Seipell |
| Thermal Bad Aibling |
| 2008-02-19 06:21:41 |
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Cool Spas are popping up everywhere as if they had just been invented, but in the Bavaria region of Germany — as in many parts of the world with healing, thermal or mineral springs — baths are part of ancient history. Bad Aibling, located some 35 miles southeast of Munich, has held the official title of a Bad (German for bath, spa, springs) since 1895 but the thermal spas have bubbled up there much, much longer. It is particularly refreshing to see one of the older facilities, Thermal Bad Aibling, receive a complete overhaul and emerge as a viable competitor in the world of spoiled and pampered spa goers. The most striking new feature at Bad Aibling are the large white domes, placed seemingly randomly in the hilly landscape, letting the alpine scenery dictate their placement. Each dome is dedicated to its own treatment, temperature, ambiance and experience. In addition to the fairly standard fare, such as a wide selection of massages, beauty treatments, saunas and different-temperature baths and pools, Thermal Bad Aibling offers a beautifully lit Turkish haman plus something no other spa has — so far. It is an immersive film experience by LivingGlobe where the guests can enjoy a special 360-degree film projection and light show produced specifically for Thermal Bad Aibling. The main outdoor swimming pool areas will open in May 2008, but hot pools are functional, creating the atmosphere of time-tested pleasure of soaking in hot water in cold air and enjoying the view. By Tuija Seipell |
| Glowing Beauty - Skin, Florence |
| 2007-11-12 05:49:23 |
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Recent collaboration between the industrious designer Michael Young and his wife, Icelandic graphic artist Katrin Olina Petursdottir, resulted in SKIN. It is an exquisite Florentine cosmetic surgery clinic commissioned by Dr. Jorgos Foukis, guru to the rich and (determined-to-remain) beautiful. SKIN is befittingly located in central Florence in Borgo San Jacopo, an area known already in 1050 for a hospital for the pilgrims on their way to Rome. SKIN’s 250-square-metre space includes state-of-the-art operating theaters, meeting rooms, massage rooms, offices and a reception. In SKIN, the Hong-Kong-based Young and Olina have managed to fuse sterile medical with sexy boudoir. The overall feeling of lightness and illumination is achieved by applying a translucent laminate glazing DuPont on not only walls, windows and mirrors but on floors as well, allowing Olina’s beautiful, light-pastel imagery to glow through. By Tuija Seipell |
| SPA STRUCK (Yi Spa - Berlin) |
| 2007-08-15 04:41:30 |
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The plush amenities of a celebrity rehabilitation centres can be yours, without the lawyer fees of a public DUI. Though its not the "rehab" you may be thinking, Yi Spa in Berlin will have your mind and body rejuvenated in no time, leaving your stress addictions behind. The site opens with a cryptic passage from writer Khalil Gibran, "I had a second birth when my soul and my body loved one another and were married." Though we're not entirely sure how this relates to facial exfoliation and full-body massages, the feel-good vibe is there, and we'll follow it. Yi-Spa continues down its unconventional path with eye-opening architecture and interior design. Instead of puritanical white, designers infused bright color (hot pink no less) into the spa's interior - a refreshing change from the stark, minimalist-inspired interiors that characterize most spas. Hard wood floors and white walls contrast with hot pink screens and curtains and dome shaped lighting. For the high-strung Berliner in your life, you can purchase a "Feel-Good-Schien" loosely translated as a "license to feel good," or as we say in Australia, a gift certificate. By L.Harper |
| Aqua Dome - Austria |
| 2007-05-22 10:22:09 |
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Aqua Dome is a 140-room, four-star-plus hotel and spa complex in Tirol Therme Längenfeld, the Tyrolean Alps in Austria. The altitude must have had an effect on the planners and designers because the place is out-of-this world heavenly. The services are impressive and the facilities absolutely beautiful although somewhat counterproductively named with words too difficult to pronounce unless you speak German. The dome-ceilinged, glass-walled thermal spring hall Ursprung (Origins) is the main indoor area with two pools and a huge waterfall. From there, you swim via two canal pools to the amazing outdoor area, Talfrische (Freshness Valley). With its illuminated structures and steaming vessels it resembles the potion-making lab of a gigantic but friendly sorcerer. The two canals lead to a cone-shaped illuminated tower. From there you proceed to the three bowl pools that look like gigantic martini glasses. Bobbing in one of these eight-metre-high bowls that are 12 to 16 meters in diameter, you can gaze upon the Alps and contemplate your good fortune. The beauty center and spa are known as Morgentau (Morning Dew), the rest room (not a bathroom but a room for rest) is called Besinnung (Reflection) and the view terrace is called Umsicht (View). Gletscherglühen (Glowing Glacier) is the impressive “sauna world” with various Finnish saunas from earth lodge and hay sauna to a loft sauna, a steam cathedral, a salt water (they call it brine) grotto, herbal bath, ice pool and a panorama whirlpool. The fitness center called Gipfelsturm (Peak Push), the kids’ area called Alpen Arche Noah (Alpine Noah’s Ark), the medical center (Medalp 4health) plus several restaurants ensure that everyone’s needs are met. Aqua Dome is one of the six VAMED Vitality World resorts, all located in Austria. What also impressed us about Aqua Dome are its architecture and its surroundings. Aqua Dome is located about 70 kilometers from Innsbruck and 180 kilometers from Munich in Längenfeld in the heart of the beautiful 67-kilometre-long Tirolean Ötztal valley known as a thermal springs area since the 16th century. Aqua Dome’s 3000-year-old, 40-degree Celsius sodium-chloride-sulphate-sulphur thermal waters flow from this ancient valley. The Aqua Dome is Austria’s largest tourism project of recent years. It has revitalized tourism in the entire area, long known for fabulous hiking, skiing, mountaineering and white water rafting. We don’t know about you, but we’ll climb a mountain or two any day if the reward is a warm evening spent in one of Aqua Dome’s misty martini glasses. By Tuija Seipell |
| SPA OUT - Hot Spa's to chill out in |
| 2006-11-15 07:51:19 |
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From Mexico to Maldives, we want to feature the most incredible spas the world has to offer. As part of the Cool Hunter community, we want to hear from you (as you guys love to contribute) with any cool spa tips you may have for us for a feature story that will appear in magazine print. We already have spas covering the UK, Italy, Iceland, Brazil, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Switzerland, Chile, Budapest & Quebec. Simply send us an email with a link, pic or rundown on your cool spa discovery and we will feature the best of them. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Check out this beauty of a spa (below) which, Matias Reusch, a daily reader of the Cool Hunter, submitted. One of the most talked-about spa retreats in recent years. (below) A luxury boutique spa on a roof-top One more final teaser - this brand new spa opens in Switzerland on the 1st December |
| THERME SPA - Switzerland |
| 2006-09-05 00:17:10 |
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Forget city spas - head to Therme Spa in Switzerland for the real thing. The thermal spring is a national Swiss landmark built from 60,000 stone slabs of Valser quarzite. The bath house is constructed from the local stone, gneisis, formed from the same heat that warms the water of the baths. The spa is a popular destination that draws Swiss and international tourists with the promise of six thermal pools (which contains calcium, sulpher, hydrogen and iron) full of minerals thought to heal and restore the skin and the body. by Lisa Evans |
| SLEEPING BEAUTY - OWN YOUR PIECE OF EXOTICA |
| 2006-05-31 23:58:28 |
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| BANYAN TREE SPA - PHUKET |
| 2006-05-31 23:45:28 |
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The hotel spa is no longer just a place to grab a quick massage to alleviate your jet lag. The best hotels in the world have taken the spa concept to a whole new level, transforming their spas into little utopias of relaxation, rejuvenation and pure pampering. The modern spa is a ultra exclusive hideaway, a place where you can retreat from the outside world. Leaders in the new spa concept include the new Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia, Kara Spa at the Park Hyatt in Los Angeles and Plateau in the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The Banyan Tree resort in Phuket Thailand houses one of the world's most luxurious Spas. Instead of one big area with treatment rooms, Banyan Tree's Spa is actually 14 beautiful villas - four Royal Pavilions and eight slightly smaller Garden Pavilions set along one side of the pool. Each one has a miniature walled garden containing two massage beds, for couples who like to take treatments at the same time. Aside from being beautiful the villas afford guests total privacy and absolute one-on-one attention. Coolhunter's spa experience (the Lomi Lomi massage) certainly lived up to expectations. It was bliss with a capital B and relaxation with a capital R. Afterwards, as I sat in the steam room while my massuer was preparing the shower, I realised I had absolutely no idea what day it was. Needless to say that night I slept the best I have ever slepted in my life. by Billy T |
| BANYAN TREE PHUKET - REVIEW |
| 2006-05-30 19:30:59 |
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Forget Europe's hot spots, if you're aching for a moment of pure, indulgent, unashamedly hedonistic bliss you MUST put a stay at Phuket's exclusive Banyan Tree resort on the top of your to-do-before-i-die-list. The gods were smiling upon me this week when I got to sample this slice of super-luxe-heaven myself. My real-life fantasy began like this: The Banyan Limo awaits at the airport, a gentle smiling chauffeur greets me. Within 30 minutes I arrive, greeted by a barrage of staff bowing to me as if I am some kind of Buddha, one of whom hands me a bracelet made out of Jasmine flowers (very Fantasy Island). They form a phalanx around me like protective body guards, escorting me through the grand foyer. So this is how Mick Jagger feels, I think to myself. But the star treatment is no act, it's sincere and endearingly polite - so humbling to be on the receiving end. A golf buggy awaits, the resort is so big that they require the buggies to ferry guests to their villas. I arrive at Villa 205. The Pool Villa (pic above). Sonthaya, my private host welcomes me. I'm completely blown away. The bed, ever so inviting, faces out to the pool. I've stayed in numerous 5 star resorts in my time but this one is exceptional. Sonthaya explains where everything is, a beach bag with a towel and sunscreen is prepared for me, a fruit bowl with some exceptional fruit sits on the table, my own toiletry bag with everything in it. They have thought of everything, even an outdoor bath to soak in later. After Sonthaya leaves I decide, like a scene out of Porky's, I strip naked and jump right into the pool. It's extremely private and not only can nobody else see in, it feels as if I have the resort to myself. But then I've barely left the villa, it's that kind of place. On the second day, I head out to the beach just a two minute walk away. I spot a French couple enjoying an $8 per/1 hr foot massage on their lounge chairs. By the end of the day I have a golden tan. Later I spot the Presidential suite, or what I've dubbed The rockstars VILLA. It has its own private drive-away entrance so paparazzi shy-celebs can glide straight in from the airport. I'm told Liz Hurley, Olivia Newton John and Pierce Brosnon have stayed there recently. The following morning as I head out for breakfast walking pass numerous staff who, bow after bow, greet me in Thai 'Sawatdi Kha'. Their smiles contagious and its then I realize what makes this place so special. It's the exceptional service. The Banyan Tree more than deserves its perpetual place on Conde Nast Traveller's HOT LIST. It's the service, those gently sincere smiling faces, are like nothing I've ever experienced before. At the extraordinary breakfast buffet I mouth the words OH MY GOD over and over as I swallow bite after bite of the perfectly made omelette, poppy seed pancakes, the fruit, the yoghurt, washed down with pineapple and mint juice. The waitress asks if I would like a copy of the paper, another one passes asking if I would like champagne, "coffee or tea Mr Bill". I order peppermint, I pour a cup, spilling a drop on the plate and it's replaced a second later. The attention to detail by the staff is incredible. I'm not surprised The Banyan Tree Phuket is one of the most traveled destinations in Asia. The privacy of one of the 127 private walled villas creates the feeling of utter seclusion. I'm told it's a favorite amongst celebrities, royalty, and other VIPs because it's so paparazzi-proof. It's difficult to avoid hyperbole when talking about the Banyan Tree. It has earned its reputation through its indulgent service, radiant beauty and spectacular setting. We have hunted cool before and will again, however my stay at the Bayan exceeds the word cool and encompasses something brighter, deeper and stronger which resonates within you long after you have parted ways. by Billy T |
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