Creating a successful spa is certainly a demanding challenge, and not only on an economic level It is like setting up a business, which ‘sells’ something that is not tangible but is nevertheless measurable from an economic point of view and in terms of customer satisfaction.
Modern spa environments are a fascinating and complex reality at the same time. They are places that satisfy, excite and urge us to make choices that also influence our lifestyle.

Let’s see together, step by step, how to proceed in order to best implement your own spa idea.

Tips for a good start

Before venturing into any undertaking, it is necessary to have:

1- creativity and knowledge of the wellness world.
2- awareness of the managerial and management commitment to be put in place.
3- determination to focus on a winning project and realise it to the best of one’s ability.

5 fundamental steps for a winning spa project

1 – Analysing thoroughly the target audience we intend to address (type of services, prices, protocols we would like to activate) and the customer segment we wish to ‘conquer’ (business, travel, local customers, etc.);

2 – Analysing and getting to know our competitors perfectly, both direct and indirect, to avoid proposing something that already exist in the area. It is also important to understand how they work and with what results, to have a useful parameter for our evaluation.

3 – Be familiar with the area, because the spa we are going to create must have a strong identity and be linked to the environment and culture that surrounds it;

4 – We need to clarify what type of investment we intend to make in order to understand how much the spa will have to yield and reach the break-even point between business costs and revenues.

5- Define clear objectives, defined in time and truly attainable.

The secret ingredient that makes the difference

If we want to be sure that the spa will be a success, the first winning secret is to create a well-structured and up-to-date menu of services. We will therefore have to decide what treatments to propose to customers, establish their price, identify quality standards, set working protocols, etc.

All this must be done before the design phase because the project will have to take these aspects into great consideration, as they will give character to the spa and make up its concept: this is the second secret ingredient!

In the design phase of a spa, it is essential to think about its identity, the ‘motivation for use’, analysing the reasons that should induce the customer to walk in and entrust his or her health/well-being to us.

It is about designing a space that responds to a need, where treatments, massages, experiences must be consistent with the spa mission and well-adapted to the location. We avoid experiences, rituals and design that are decontextualised and almost alien to the essence of the SPA.

Who to rely on when designing a SPA

It goes without saying that it is necessary to rely on experts who know how to guide in the development/conception of the SPA project, who accompany in its implementation and take care of its launch.

For 30 years, bbspa_Group team has been providing design services and professional advice for the spa world, with expertise in all areas of wellness: training, research, design, eco-sustainability, equipment, technological innovations, etc.

bbspa approach is therefore multidisciplinary and allows one or more services to be used, depending on the investor’s needs.

What services and advice can be useful

“Thirty years of work in the field have enabled us to create an innovative approach to the spa/wellness world,” explains Régis Boudon Doris, Founder and CEO of bbspa_Group. “We can assist the client in the full implementation of their spa project or work only in specific areas. The overriding goal must in any case be the well-being of the guest combined with the profitability of the investment”.

What are the areas of intervention of bbspa consultants and planners

• Initial professional advice to shape the SPA project/concept.
• Definition and mapping of everything that will make up the spa (spaces, environments, services) to make it available to professionals and the company that will build the structure.
• Optimisation of the organisation of spaces and detailed specifications, necessary for suppliers and professionals.
• Support in conception and design, finding suppliers and the best performing materials according to the different types of spa environments, quality control, green technologies, etc.
• Selection and training of staff (pre-opening and ongoing), management of protocols for reception and treatments, marketing for spa launch and communication.

How much does marketing influence the success of the SPA

“The marketing-oriented approach is very important for us today, because the factors at stake are different and must take into account the emotions and characteristics of the customer we intend to address. Lastly, it is fundamental to commercially promote the SPA both to the identified target and to local operators who might be interested in some form of collaboration and to other facilities in the area.

The communication/promotion of a wellness centre is a rather delicate and strategic aspect. This is why we believe it is important that communication is always in accordance with the investors’ objectives and concept, finding original solutions to attract new customers”.

Edit by Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo How to design a successful spa proviene da bbspa_Group.

Thinking and behaving in a ‘green’ manner requires a profound paradigm shift, and the beauty, spa and wellness sector in many cases is already a protagonist of this transformation, but there is still much to be done.

Green Attitude in the Beauty, SPA and Wellness Industry

Scientific research and the development of new technologies now make it possible to offer the market extremely innovative products, equipment and services with a low environmental impact, for an ethical approach to beauty and body care.

The cosmetics industry in particular, which has always been in the eye of the storm for packing and packaging that are not always ‘green’, actually boasts many cases of virtuous companies, right from the beginning of the supply chain.

Formulations, packaging and entire production systems are constantly evolving to create a clear and transparent path of responsibility towards the consumer and the environment.

The same applies to the SPA and Wellness sector, where research and innovation characterise the new environments, treatments and services. From water treatments, to energy saving, to the use of low-polluting materials, everything is studied and designed with great care.

Eco-sustainable SPA: what it is and what the paradigms are

We asked Régis Boudon-Doris Founder & CEO of bbspa_Group, who has been involved for years in designing spas that are cutting-edge in terms of concept, profitability and eco-sustainability.

“Many spas around the world are located in beautiful places. We all love the environment but you have to treat it well in every situation. How many people wonder what happens to chlorine in swimming pools? What happens to the cosmetic containers, to the slippers offered to customers, to the products used for washing, to the disposable material? The mission of bbspa_Group is to implement Wellness & SPA projects at 360° which results in facilities that combine for example energy saving, use of recyclable or zero-impact materials, architectural choices that respect the surrounding environment and enhance it..

We have recently activated a partnership with Sibor SPA Certification precisely to give strength to this GREEN approach of ours. Recently bbspa_Group has also launched 100%YOU a professional clothing line that is not only safe, beautiful and comfortable but also 100% recyclable and environmentally sustainable”.

GREEN SPA: a concrete example

One example to mention is Starpool, which has been developing innovative spa environments such as saunas and steam baths for 45 years.

“bbspa_Group, stresses Régis Boudon-Doris, has been working with Starpool for some time, sharing its green approach.All production takes place with a low environmental impact: low energy consumption, from clean and renewable sources and external emissions close to zero, with the goal of zero emissions by 2030. All products are manufactured from materials that are more than 75% recyclable by weight. The wood in the saunas is 100% natural and untreated.
30.4% of raw material purchases are zero food miles and 48.7% are within 100 km.
In addition, all products are equipped with software functions that make it possible to control, optimise and reduce energy consumption with a significant improvement in management performance and profitability“.

What consumers think

Never before have so many people started talking about their imperfections or wellbeing expectations as in this post-COVID period. Body Positivity thinking is extremely topical and generates changes that affect the entire Beauty, Cosmetics, Wellness and SPA world.

From China to India, via Europe and the United States, it can be seen that the effects of the pandemic have changed consumer priorities: not only are they focusing more on essential, value-for-money products, but there is also a focus on environmental sustainability and safety.

The economic push of e-commerce, the sustainable evolution of the cosmetics & wellness industry and the spread of increasingly influential social and cultural movements are important factors to consider when exploring new business and development opportunities in this market.

by Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo Green SPA: trend or awareness? proviene da bbspa_Group.

Today, tourist hospitality is also aligning itself with this need and evolving into “open-air” stays and activities, using nature as a wellness tool as well as a place of experience.

At last, an important concept has spread widely: tradition, innovation and the enhancement of environmental and cultural resources become the way forward in formulating an offer capable of capturing the interest of customers. This applies irrespective of whether we are talking about accommodation facilities or SPA environments, spa treatments, cosmetics, etc.

What SPA clients look for

In avant-garde spas and wellness centres, the architectural layouts, treatments, activities, style choices, and culinary proposals all dialogue with nature and the surrounding environment in new ways. It is a symbiotic and reversible relationship, capable of welcoming and satisfying increasingly demanding customers. The Zen Generation, i.e. the customers of today and especially of tomorrow, demand a strong interconnection between the surrounding space and the digital sphere.

A growing trend: retreats or wellness retreats surrounded by nature

Recent surveys show that many of those travelling or planning a period of rest and relaxation are tend to prefer retreats in secluded, quiet places, far from the hustle and bustle. In short, there is a greater desire for nature (+31%) and tranquillity (+29%). One example: in the first four months of 2022, sites dedicated to outdoor tourism recorded a 150% increase in the flow of searches compared to 2021 and an 8% increase compared to 2019.

The new hospitality and wellness venues must enter into symbiosis with nature through intelligent architectural solutions. Attentive customers prefer facilities that are perfectly integrated into the natural environment and connected to digital ecosystems powered by renewable sources. In this case, the difference is no longer the price of the offer but rather the zero impact on the territory.

How to design a SPA in the in nature

Specialised architects and designers who are attentive to the new tourism/wellness trends are oriented towards redesigning gardens and open-air spaces that can be used for sports and wellness activities. Design and new style proposals therefore conquer green spaces and often create an absolutely harmonious and relaxing connection between indoors and outdoors.

Certainly, the secret to a successful spa project in nature is to have a unique and innovative concept in mind that is characterising for that spa and becomes the common thread of the entire customer experience.

by Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo SPA and Nature: a winning combination proviene da bbspa_Group.

Undoubtedly united by the idea of having a private and exclusive space in which to pamper oneself and unwind, Private Spas and Spa Suites generally feature elegance, sophistication and a touch of technology that allows all the senses to be involved in a unique wellness experience.

An offer that is now more popular than ever in hotels and in wellness and spa centres. Many companies in the field are promoting specially designed products and services, which aim to satisfy a demanding clientele from the business and luxury world, but also ‘Family and Friends’.

What is a Spa Suite

It is a hotel suite in which a wellness and well-being area has been designed inside. The Spa Suite rooms are very exclusive and equipped to provide a unique experience of wellness and intimacy, allowing you to go from the bed to the wellness area without leaving the room: the spa is inside, in the utmost privacy and intimacy.

These mini spas can be equipped with a sauna, steam bath or Jacuzzi, depending on their size, which can range from 30 to 100 square metres, embodying technology, innovation, design and meticulous project planning.

What the Spa Suite experience includes

The cost of the suite already includes the use of the spa inside, while any massages and treatments requested by the customer will be counted as extras. Generally, inside the suite we can find a steam bath for scrubs, a sauna, a shower and 2 massage beds for couples.

When to give a night in a Spa Suite

A favorite gift for couples, one or more nights in a Spa Suite can be a romantic idea to celebrate a honeymoon, a romantic weekend, or to surprise your partner not only on Valentine’s Day but whenever elegance, intimacy and privacy are desired.

What is a Private Spa

The term Private Spa, identifies a privatised use of a spa circuit for a defined time and number of people. It is usually requested by a public that wishes to have and personalise the spa experience in a reserved space, designed for couples or small groups of people.

It is a new concept of relaxation, much more intimate and authentic, typical of a target that is attentive to the refinement of environments, technological innovation and is looking for “signature” treatments, comfort and exclusivity.

What is the ideal circuit to take in a Private Spa

Generally, the main areas are the welcome area, the treatments and massage area, the humid and/or the hot area, sauna, hammam, the water area with swimming-pool and its Jacuzzi, sensory showers tunnel and relaxation areas with a small buffet.

The ideal circuit starts with purifying treatments such as scrub or soaping and then move on to the hot/humid area or to the water areas, such as Jacuzzi, sensory showers or snow showers. You can continue with a massage and then finish, in complete relaxation in the comfort zone.

On what occasions to book a Private Spa

These are perfect settings for celebrating special occasions with a group of friends or relatives, such as anniversaries, birthdays, hen parties, or for organizing alternative team building experiences or corporate events.

Private Spas at home: how to design them

There is a growing demand for the design of Private Spas for private homes, shaped around the individual wishes of the family and the social life of the owners. In this case, it is a real spa for exclusively private use, which becomes a hideaway to escape from the working day or to organize parties with friends.

Needless to say, in each case it is necessary to rely on experts capable of optimising space and investment and implementing a unique wellness experience, because in some realities, even these become true Spas with a wide range of services.

By Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo SPA Suite e Private SPA: differences and features proviene da bbspa_Group.