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REFLEXOLOGY STATION, BARR + WRAY

The station: Launched in January 2012, the Reflexology Station provides the bather with a stimulating all over body massage in the water. The user sits within the massage enclosure and air is injected into the base unit and water is pumped through jets in the seat, enclosure walls, foot plate and back plate. The station delivers a vigorous air massage and stimulating hydro massage to the lower legs and torso.

What makes it stand out? The unit combines three popular Barr + Wray products – the Body Massage Station, Foot Massage Jets and the Air Tub – in one to help combat pain, tension, sore muscles and aching joints.

Other key features: Using the principles of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and water temperature, the Reflexology Station is designed to improve circulation, stimulate the body and induce sound, restful sleep after use.

Company background: Barr + Wray supplies small independent and large hotel groups, including Sofitel, Hyatt, Taj Hotels and Four Seasons. It has offices in Glasgow, Dubai and Hong Kong and distributes its products worldwide. It has completed projects in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US.

What’s next? Barr + Wray’s pool range, which includes underwater a selection of air recliners and water massage stations, is currently being redeveloped with different materials.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Barr + Wray

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HEALING LIQUID, INVIION

The pool: The Healing Liquid Pool combines herb-infused water (or healing liquids) with heliotherapy and sound wave therapy, allowing the guest to relax in a clean, sterile freshwater bath and enjoy the full benefits of the bathing experience.

What makes it stand out? The hygienic environment and water vibrations are generated by sophisticated sound wave technology, meaning that pipes and nozzles, which can be prone to bacterial growth, are not needed. Nor is chlorine or disinfectant and dirt from the body is removed through an efficient circulatory system built into underfloor drainage.

Other key features: The pool has been created to use significantly less energy than conventional whirlpools, which require pumps and fans and constant water heating.

Company background: Inviion distributes its products globally and has offices in Europe, Moscow, Cairo, Dubai and Hong Kong. It supplies luxury hotels including Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol, Austria; Hotel Andreus Golf and Spa Resort, Italy; Mohr Life Resort, Austria; and the Panorama Resort and Spa, in Switzerland.

What’s next? Inviion is developing new relaxation equipment for 2012.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: inviion

The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy

The pool mixes herb-infused water with light and sound therapy

TOP PROJECT: ESPACE HENRI CHENOT

CARACALLA MASSAGE BATH AND JOUVENCE DRY FLOAT, UNBESCHEIDEN

The project: The five-star Palace Merano hotel, Italy, has had 18 of its 24 new treatment cabins fitted with an adapted version of the Caracalla massage bath, as well as a Jouvence dry float bed, as part of an extensive renovation to its Espace Henri Chenot spa this year (see p16).

The equipment: With its curves and deep ergonomically designed tub, the Caracalla is a quiet, simple to use experience bath with a range of intensive health massage programmes. Its 278 nozzles can massage 20 body zones in 10 sequences, from the stimulating energy massage to the smooth relaxing massage.

The Jouvence dry floatation bed is designed for body wraps.

What makes it stand out? Unbescheiden has adapted its baths to the biontologia method used at the spa which specialises in mind body programmes. Based on the principles of Chinese medicine, biontologia follows a three-phase hydro-energetic cure – a powerful underwater massage with beneficial bath additives followed by a relaxing body wrap, enhanced by the Jouvence bed, and then a stimulating jet shower.

Other key features: Unbescheiden offers spa design services and operational advice as part of its strategic partnership with global spa consultancy GeoSpa.

What’s next? The baths will be installed in Thalazur Spa, Cabourg, France, during the next 12 months.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: Unbescheiden

18 new rooms all feature the Caracalla and Jouvence

SHOWCASE

SHOWER CORRIDOR, THERMARIUM

The shower: The Shower Corridor creates a walking experience for guests. After a sauna or steamroom the bather can walk through the shower into a thunderstorm atmosphere created by music, sounds and flashing lights, while water refreshes their body.

What makes it stand out? The combination of special light and sound effects plus shower design and water creates a striking effect. Thermarium says customers new to the attraction are often surprised and stunned from the experiences.

Other key features: Because guests move through the corridor as part of the experience, the showers don’t get blocked with people waiting to use the attraction.

Company background: Thermarium distributes globally and customers include Steiner Leisure, Six Senses Spas and ESPA.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORD: thermarium

The corridor creates a walking experience

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EXPERIENCE SHOWER, BRADFORD PRODUCTS

The shower: Bradford’s Experience Shower combines water with relaxing chromatherapy, soothing acoustics and rejuvenating aroma. The bather can choose from experiences – Arctic mist, body spray, tropical rain, drench shower and island storm – on a touch screen.

What makes it stand out? The shower is fully custom-designed and personalised to fit any spa concept.

Other products: The next level Experience Shower is the Private Heaven for VIP suites. This incorporates all the functions of the shower as well as features of Bradford’s SteamRoom, including steam and a heated bench. It is large enough for two people.

Company background: Experience Showers have been installed in Northern Quest Casino, US and Four Seasons Baltimore, US.

What’s next? A more compact version of the Experience Shower is being developed for homes, smaller wellness suites and destination spa guestrooms.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs Bradford Products

Shower experiences include Arctic mist, tropical rain and island storm

touch screen controls

SHOWCASE

THE CUBE, KLAFS

The whirlpool: The Cube has been created to match bathing pleasure with elegant design and modern technology. It can be used in both private and public settings and can accommodate up to five users. It was introduced in 2010 by swimming pool specialists SSF, part of the KLAFS group, and won the Schwimmbad & Sauna magazine innovative whirlpools Golden Wave Award in 2011. It has a unique air bubble system and the nozzles are ergonomically designed and placed in hollows for seating comfort.

What makes it stand out? The round whirlpool sits within a square border and a steel cubic construction. The outside cladding and other surfaces can be designed with materials and colours to match an existing wellness area.

Other key features: The water overflow channel is hidden and integrated within the structure. It can either be installed at floor level or free standing.

What's next? SSF intends to launch a new swimming pool safety cover this year.

Company background: SSF supplies, designs and builds private and public spas mostly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with plans to expand globally. It has worked on the spas at Hotel Eden Roc in Switzerland and the Kameha Grand Hotel, in Germany.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: KLAFS

Outside cladding and other surfaces can be individually designed

SHOWCASE

TREMILLIMETRI SHOWER COLUMN, GESSI

The shower: This sleek multi-functional shower is made from a 3mm thin strip of reflective steel, which contains the thermostatic mixer handles, a hand shower and an LED light. Different height nozzles produce flat hydro jets and rainfall, and there is an atomizer and a free fall spout for hydro massage.

What makes it stand out? The flat lines and two-dimensional design of the shower are designed to offer minimalist elegance and are different from traditional showers. Launched in September 2011, Tremillimetri has already won awards globally for its innovative design.

Other key features: The shower is designed to be lightweight and easy to install and to use water efficiently. The LED light is self powered and doesn’t need connecting to the mains or a battery.

What’s next? Next month, Gessi is launching its iSpa bathroom and wellness fixtures collection, which is simply designed with naturally rounded, soft edges.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Gessi

The flat design of the shower creates a minimalist elegance

TOP PROJECT: RELAIS SAN MAURIZIO

KNEIPP PATHWAY, HAPPY SAUNA

The pathway: The 8m-long Kneipp pathway created by Happy Sauna is a part of the Via del Sale salt, medical and beauty spa which opened in 2009 at Relais San Maurizio – a rejuvenated 17th century monastery – in Santo Stefano Belbo, Italy.

What makes it stand out? The salt-water pathway is said to be excellent for improving blood circulation as well as stimulating the skin. Happy Sauna excavated the pathway deep inside the rock around the monastery, along with two salt pool caves, creating a unique natural ravine.

Other key features: The pathway and salt pools have chromatherapy.

What’s next? Happy Sauna, which designs and supplies spas, is creating a 4,500sq m (48,400sq ft) spa in Moscow, and is also working on another project in Slovakia which is set to open towards the end of 2012.

Company background: Happy Sauna’s goal is to create unique spaces to suit the natural environment of the spa site. It has worked across Europe on cruise ships and luxury hotels, including the Grand Hotel Molino Stucky Hilton, Italy; Terme di Saturnia, Italy and the Grand Hotel Donat, Slovenia.

SPA-KIT.NET KEYWORDs: Happy Sauna

The salt-water paths feature chromatherapy