The wellness industry continues to be one of the most crucial segments of global tourism. As consumers are increasingly turning to new lifestyle trends promoting balance in mind, body and soul, wellness resorts and spas are putting their efforts towards creating holistic consumer experiences, grounded in sustainability, minimalism and body-consciousness.
So, what does integrated wellness look like in a lush tropical island? We are sharing top insights from Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand, gathered during one of our Executive MBA program fieldtrip.
Integrated Wellness Starts in the Guest Room
Wellbeing starts with a good sleep. Handmade mattress from organic lamb’s wool, ultra-smooth linen, and the legendary pillow menu is provided to all guests (more than ten different pillows to choose from for the perfect neck and back support).
Nourishing bathroom products are at one’s fingertips to indulge on an energizing or relaxing shower experience.
Integrated wellness also takes life in carefully designed nutrition plans. Daily menus are created in cooperation with nutrition experts and chefs to suit for cleansing, losing weight, sleeping better or achieving full potential in parallel with a customized fitness and wellness program.
Stress-Free and Quirky
Quirkiness is one of the main pillars of all Six Senses resorts. At Yao Noi, quirkiness is connected wellness by creating a fun and stress-free environment.
A specific area, called the “stress-free zone” is dedicated to domesticated animals such as baby goats and chicken. They are kept free range, and even pampered by their caretakers, who play music to them at different times during the day. Guests are free to enter and cuddle them. Guests are also invited to pick eggs and collect milk that can be cooked for their breakfasts.
Image credits: Aniko Kada
Personalized Wellness Program – from Pampering to Complex Body-Screening
A customized pre-screening process is created for each guest by a team of professional medical experts and Six Senses’ consultants. The guests are free to combine ancient healing traditions with alternative therapies and holistic treatments. Based on the screening results, they can build up a personalized nutrition, training and spa program to get in shape, detox, recover or perform better.
READ: Future Spa Manager - all you need to know to be successful
Image credits: Aniko Kada
Visiting Practitioners
Recognized visiting practitioners in holistic medicine, Ayurveda, reflexology, fitness, and massage therapy are circulating within the resort. With their calendar available, guests can make the inquiries and bookings, therefore building up a continuous healing program.
Wellness & Spa Village
Four interconnected spaces representing the earth, the water, the fire, and the air are offering traditional Thai healing therapies. Homemade coconut oil and scrubs are produced on-site. A gym and a floating yoga room with a view on the greens provide space for the perfect relaxing and energy training.
Image credits: Aniko Kada
Active Wellness Experiences and Adventures
After a calming spa experience, adrenalin seekers are invited to discover the pristine island by bike or climbing through the rubber trees. A Thai boxing ring is situated on the private beach, where Muay Thai trainers introduce guests to martial art techniques. Day trips are organized, such as kayak tours through the channels of the mangrove forests, diving and snorkeling to observe the fish-life and the natural coral reefs.
Download the Wellness-Themed vs. Wellness Hospitality industry report
About Six Senses Hotel and Resorts
Concept and Development:
Since its foundation in 1995, Six Senses Resorts’ mission has been to reconnect consumers with themselves, others and the world around them. Grounded in "integrated wellness", each property within its portfolio of 16 hotels in 14 countries strives to develop curated hotels stays, starting not only with the comfort of the rooms themselves, but also expanding through health and body screenings (fitness, nutrition, and relaxation plans are offered to guests). At the core of the brand’s values, sustainability and emotional hospitality. Further establishing their foothold in wellness, the brand is ambitiously aiming at doubling the size of the portfolio within the next 24 months, with resorts in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Eco-Conscious Design and Sustainaibility
The Six Senses Yao Noi property in Thailand is located on a small island 45 minutes away from Phuket, and accessible via the resort’s private boat only. Its villas are carefully scattered across the hillside and sustainability is at the heart of the hotel’s operations. The resort bottles its own drinking water and follows a “zero-waste” policy, where all materials are recycled and have a new purpose (e.g. candles are formed with wax leftovers wax, empty beverage glasses are recycled and milled to create small pots and construction materials).
The property was voted the number one resort hotel of Southeast Asia by the readers of Travel + Leisure in 2018
