| The need for regeneration, exacerbated by the pandemic, has redefined the importance of spa architecture in recent years. According to Hotel Executive Magazine (July 2023), guests are seeking „green time” to counterbalance constant digital stress and „screen time.” Additionally, studies examining concepts such as Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, in Japan, show that experiences in nature reduce stress hormones, stabilize blood pressure, and promote mental balance. Architecturally, this longing for nature is reflected in open floor plans, large windows, roof terraces, and treatment rooms with direct access to the outdoors.
The modern spa experience is increasingly designed as a multisensory journey. Natural materials, delicate wooden structures, and changing lighting create visual appeal. Sounds of water and birdsong, as well as sound baths with gongs and crystal singing bowls, foster deep relaxation and harmony. Aromas of cedar and pine essential oils connect you to nature, and regional herbal teas awaken your sense of taste. The textures of wood, stone, and water surfaces soothe your sense of touch. This finely tuned interplay leaves a lasting impression, deepening the experience far beyond the moment. |
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Sustainability as a Core Principle
The ecological footprint of hotels and spas is becoming increasingly important and is now on the radar of many guests. Responsible concepts integrate energy-efficient technology, sustainable building materials, and mindful water usage with renewable energy sources, locally sourced materials, and recycling. Lively facades and roof gardens blend the hotel into the surrounding environment, reducing its impact on the planet and its guests. Studies show that using healthy building materials can reduce the long-term risk of chronic diseases among guests and employees. Therefore, sustainability is the basis of future-proof wellness architecture, which combines aesthetic quality, well-being, and ecological and social responsibility. |
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From Theory to Realized Vision
Several forward-thinking hotels are demonstrating how these new principles work in practice, not only implementing sustainable architecture but also taking it a step further. They show that today’s spas are much more than places to relax. These spaces are designed to merge nature, design, and responsibility into a sensual, regenerative experience. |
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Océano Health Spa Hotel: The Power of the Atlantic Ocean
In Tenerife, for example, the ocean itself is a central design element. At the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, seawater is piped directly to the hotel, forming the basis of its thalassotherapy treatments. The salty water and mild sea climate stimulate circulation and metabolism, alleviating ailments. Therapeutic exercise in the warm thalassotherapy pool strengthens muscles and joints further. The wellness area’s architecture picks up on this theme, bringing the Atlantic inside with floor-to-ceiling glass fronts and open terraces that offer unobstructed sea views. Light-filled relaxation areas and wind-protected sun terraces invite guests to linger. OCÉANO’s philosophy is clear: The architecture should expand horizons and make the energy of the Atlantic tangible everywhere. |
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Hotel Bella Vista, Zermatt: Panorama Sauna instead of a Whirlpool
One of the greatest challenges facing the modern hotel industry is operating a spa area in an environmentally friendly manner. In recent years, the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt has consistently geared its wellness area towards sustainability. The new Panorama Sauna, which replaced the energy-intensive whirlpool, is made from local wood and blends in perfectly with the alpine landscape. Large glass fronts offer guests unobstructed views of the Matterhorn, providing a unique place of power. The hotel focuses on gentle warmth, spacious relaxation areas—some of which are made of Swiss stone pine—and a soothing indoor climate that prioritizes relaxation. |
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