“Spas are much like swimming pools used to be.
They make the properties more marketable, and when managed well, they contribute to the hotel’s bottom line,” says Tracy Lord, spa manager, InterContinental, Dubai Festival City.
“Customers have come to expect spa facilities within five star hotels, whether it be the business traveller looking for a relaxing massage after a long flight to get ready for an important meeting, or the leisure guest looking to indulge and spend on themselves.
Also now, the trend of business travellers to be accompanied by their partners and families creates an additional need and demand for leisure facilities such as spas even within a more corporate focused property.”
She believes spas have increased in popularity due to the general public’s increasing awareness of environmental influences, which have a negative effect on the body internally and externally, as well as the ever increased focus on self image.
“In response, spas have dramatically increased their offerings becoming aware of the different target markets. For example, spas have created packages for girlfriends to enjoy as a group, self-indulgent rituals for those with the income and time to treat themselves as well as catering more for the growing men’s market offering jet lag relief treatments for the business traveller.
The target audience has generally widened.”
Three properties feed into the Spa InterContinental, which is mostly for house guests containing about 70 per cent business and 30 per cent leisure travellers. There are also special packages for airline staff staying at the hotel.
The Spa InterContinental blends local warmth with Eastern hospitality in both its décor and treatments. It has 10 treatment rooms including a deluxe couples suite with a jacuzzi bath, and one VIP couples spa suite including private jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.