Botanical spa and skincare company KAEĀ Skincare will launch its first branded spa at Switzerland's Villars Palace Hotel on 10 December 2022.

Inspired by New Zealand’s dramatic landscape, KAEĀ brings together botanical skincare and a passion for preserving the natural world.

The brand was founded by Suzan Craig, also the mastermind behind New Zealand's award-winning conservation-nature sanctuary Tahi.

Craig says KAEĀ was born from the heritage of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity, blending traditional plant wisdom together with Tahi’s biodiversity-positive, UMF™ 15+ Mānuka Honey and green science.

Crafted in small batches in New Zealand, the range of four products has been created to be both minimal and multifunctional, with each product designed to have multiple uses that can be tailored to the user’s skin and lifestyle.

The collection comprises:

• The Cleanser: gel balm.• The Vitaliser: face elixir.

• The Rejuvenator: moisture balm.• The Rescuer: multi-tasking SOS balm.

The sustainably-packaged products are powered by botanical ingredients and responsibly harvested both locally and internationally. All formulas are free from added water to ensure the highest concentration of actives.

Craig said: “KAEĀ and its rich inspiration of the Tahi reserve are being brought to life with a new range of innovative and restorative facial rituals at the Villars Palace Hotel.

“This is the first KAEĀ Spa globally and we’re delighted to be setting a new standard in sustainable luxury at this heritage property in this fantastic location.”

The KAEĀ spa treatments include:

• The Restorer, 60/90 minutes – KAEĀ’s signature facial designed to offer a deeply relaxing, restorative experience and leave clients with rejuvenated skin and a soothed mind

• The Sculptor, 60/90 minutes – An uplifting facial designed to sculpt and tone using natural sculpting techniques for visible and sustained results.• The Elements, 15 minutes – the post-slope pick-me-up facial add-on.

The KAEĀ Spa

Overlooking Mont Blanc and the Alps, Villars Palace Hotel and its spa have recently been fully renovated.

The new KAEĀ Spa features four single treatment rooms – each equipped with its own bathroom – two private spas with a Jacuzzi and two large Spa Suites equipped with their own massage room.

Guests can also access a Fitness and Water Trail complete with far-reaching views of the impressive surrounding natural landscape.

Like KAEĀ, the destination is committed to conservation and biodiversity protection so its team chose to partner with the skincare line to offer a more sustainable spa experience for guests looking to make conscious travel choices.

Léa Viel, spa manager at Villars Palace Hotel commented: “Beyond the KAEĀ story and unique mission which caught my attention, it’s the products that got me hooked. Giving them a proper home as part of our renovated palace and redesigned interiors have been an immense privilege, and a match made in heaven”.