More and more people are looking for unforgettable experiences when they travel. People are no longer simply looking for a place to sleep, but a place that offers a dream experience and leaves beautiful memories. Because of this, and because of the style and sophistication that distinguishes them and their respect for the environment, they are very popular with young customers, couples and the international jet-set.

What does the customer look for in this location? What are the characteristics? Which investment?
Let’s delve into that in this article.

What a Boutique SPA is

A Boutique Spa is an ‘exceptional’ place in terms of its location, concept, design, and the treatment protocol it offers. It is a place devoted to offering a totally customised and ‘tailor-made’ experience, just like a haute couture boutique that takes all the clients’ expectations and makes them a reality.
Clearly this is a special place that focuses on offering targeted, exclusive, and limited spa services and treatments to guarantee high quality standards and be consistent with the chosen spa concept.

What are the characteristics of a Boutique SPA

LeBoutique Spas are luxury environments, characterised by distinctive design, unique furnishings, refined atmospheres and, sometimes, located in very attractive locations.

LThe aim is to propose an experience that combines luxury, wellness, landscape, art, culture, and tradition. The term ’boutique’ indicates something small, intimate, exclusive, so Boutique Spas are not large, usually ranging from 250 to 750 square metres.

The concept behind it must be characterised by a strong personality, a clear brand identity. This must be communicated through targeted communication strategies capable of speaking to its target audience.

Unique design, enriched by exceptional pieces of furniture, refined atmospheres, and high-quality finishes. The presence of high craftsmanship certainly increases its prestige.

The atmosphere must be intimate and comfortable and able to pamper all the senses: the lights and colours must be well studied, the music as well, the entire spa circuit should be characterised by precise olfactory notes that help characterise the place and remain impressed in the memory.

Services must be highly customised, to meet the needs and habits of customers, even anticipating them before they manifest themselves. Signature treatments and high-end cosmetics are a must!

The entire team must be constantly trained to maintain a high quality of service, to be aligned with the concept: everyone must speak the language of the brand.

Stunning locations and ‘wow’ environments

Boutique Spas are often found within Boutique Hotels. Structures that have sprung up in truly enchanting locations, far from the destinations of mass tourism and precisely for this reason most appreciated by their clients.
Environments designed and created to allow customers to make the most of their stay both in discovering interesting places and in regenerating and taking care of themselves. Here the wellness programme is of a very high standard, as is the attention to design, art, restoration, and enhancement of historic or charming hotel environments.

High-end wellness and unusual proposal

The professionals who look after guests’ wellbeing in the Boutique Spas are of the highest rank, just as carefully selected and innovative are the activities and treatments: they range from metabolic medicine sessions to treatments with local spices, from open-air gyms for ‘wild fitness’ to yoga sessions surrounded by palm trees, from Irish meditation to treatments with mud and local herbs. Care in the design of the Spa menu is very important.

How to design a Boutique SPA

The ‘wow’ effect that the customer finds in a Boutique SPA is not the result of chance.

Every aspect is thought out, designed, verified and realised with the utmost attention to detail and care for the environment, the needs of investors and the trends appreciated by customers.
We asked Régis Boudon-Doris, Founder and CEO of bbspa_Group.

He explains: “Today more than ever working on a Boutique SPA project is an exciting and demanding challenge. It is exciting because you have to be daring, innovative, but at the same time you have to combine the concept with respect for the surrounding environment, art and culture. It is demanding because the balance between invested capital, end result and productivity must always be guaranteed. All this with the needs of today’s increasingly informed, demanding customers in mind. The energy to be spent on the retention of customers is ever greater”.

What are the investment costs to implement it

To build a Boutique SPA we have to assume a cost per square metre starting from 4,000€, then according to the spa concept and its Business Plan we define the specific budget for each structure

Some examples of Boutique Spas

“Among the latest projects that have already been completed that best sum up all these distinctive traits, we cannot fail to mention LA SPA Helvetia & Bristol in Florence and the Ambassade Biologique Recherche in Rome”,says Régis Boudon-Doris.

L'articolo Boutique SPA: top-class wellness for a “WOW” effect proviene da bbspa_Group.

The bbspa team of We Design redesigned a 250 square metre space, working with Italian craftsmen who remodelled the existing furniture to adapt it to the requirements of Biologique Recherche’s technologies and protocols, taking the historical materials and embellishing them with Corian and alabaster.

The Roman Embassy is located on Via Frattina, number 7, in the beating heart of the Eternal City. An exclusive project born thanks to the collaboration between Biologique Recherche, a leading company in the cosmetics sector, and bbspa_Group (specifically with its branch bbspa_France).

A glamorous environment steeped in history, opened last 20 December, which will be inaugurated shortly, dedicated to a clientele of connoisseurs and wellness enthusiasts, both Roman and international.

A chat with Regis Boudon-Doris (CEO and Founder of bbspa_Group) immersed us in this intriguing project that combines history, innovation and well-being.

A network of embassies in Italy and around the world. What is the mission?

“As part of its development projects, Biologique Recherche is creating its own network of “embassies” around the world to guarantee customers a brand experience. For this reason, the collaboration with bbspa_Group will continue with the opening of 2 more “Ambassade” in 2023 and 2024,” Regis emphasises. “We are also creating a collaboration that goes beyond Italy thanks to projects that Biologique Recherche would like to realise with its clients worldwide.

What was the most fascinating or curious aspect of this job?

“Ambassade Roma is located on the site of a very famous lingerie shop from the 1950s that boasted a VIP clientele, including all the famous actresses linked to Cinecittà as well as famous women from all over the world passing through Rome. Also, for this reason – adds Regis Boudon-Doris – we wanted to respect what already existed. The challenge was to transform a shop into a wellness centre and this was possible thanks to the collaboration of architect Joanne De Lepinay, who adapted ‘retro’ environments to the specific needs of Biologique Recherche for 2023″.

Technology, design and well-being: a perfect mix

Works started in July 2022. They were planned, organised and realised by bbspa_Group and a team specially structured for such a specific project.

A 250 m2 space (including 50 m2 on the ground floor with reception, shop, waiting room and product testing room) with 6 treatment cabins, 4 for individuals, 2 for couples and a team area.
Skillful Italian craftsmen have remodelled the existing furnishings to adapt them to the needs of Biologique Recherche’s technologies and protocols. How? By taking historical materials and embellishing them with Corian and alabaster.

In addition to Joanne De Lepinay, bbspa_Group specialists worked on the project: Federico Dottorini (Project Manager), Hande Yildiz (Interior Designer) and Andrea Francia for project procurement.

Refined and intimate wellness centre with innovative treatments

An intimate, cozy and muffled atmosphere as well as the organization of the spaces, specially designed to experience each treatment to the fullest. The design and furnishings are in blue, white and champagne (the signature colours of Biologique Recherche) enhanced by the mahogany and copper of the historical structure.
The ambience is permeated with touches of refinement combined with the lively personality of the Roman Dolce Vita. Distributed on the first floor, single and double treatment cabins welcome guests for a rejuvenating moment. There is also a lounge for personalised consultations.

A bien-être experience signed by Biologique Recherche

L’équipe dell’Ambassade Roma è formata secondo protocolli e tecnologie The Ambassade Roma team is trained according to Biologique Recherche protocols and technologies and is at the service of those who wish to enjoy an effective and different beauty experience. The first step is an in-depth assessment of the skin’s condition. The results of this analysis determine the customised treatment protocol to be applied, which will then be spelled out in the various face/body treatments.

What has been bbspa_Group’s trump card?

“We create synergies that amplify the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions to maximise the profitability of each project. Our one-of-a-kind character is represented by a philosophy that allows us to organically approach the entirety of a Wellness&Spa project by optimising processes without ever neglecting attention to detail and the peculiarities of our clients’ projects. A vision born where the expression of Italian design and the culture of pleasure typical of the French art de vivre meet,” says Regis Boudon-Doris.

The history of Maison Biologique Recherche

Biologique Recherche was founded at the end of the 1970s by Yvan and Josette Allouche, a biologist and physiotherapist respectively and experts in cosmetic treatments with an artisanal flavour. Their savoir-faire and visionary approach to the world of cosmetics are behind the brand’s success for the effectiveness of its exclusive products.
Indeed, the founders have conceived an exclusive methodology of personalised cosmetic treatments adapted to each ‘Skin Instant^©‘, based on products with a high concentration of active ingredients.

Regis, who would you like to thank for the success of the project?

All professionals who have worked very intensely and in very short times. Especially:

Chiara Ferrari, administrator of Biologique Recherche Italia
Paolo Ruggeri, CRT Group together with Giorgio Gotti who did an incredible job with carpentry and finishes
Maurizio Mei of Green Edil for managing a construction site in a complex location
Alessio Leoci who allowed us to make the project a reality in the historic centre of Rome with all the bureaucratic difficulties that this entails.

Ambassade Rome, watch the video.

By Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo Biologique Recherche wellness center in the heart of the Roman Dolce Vita proviene da bbspa_Group.

What is Kundamiri

A steam bed enriched with oxygen and essential oils, it is one of the treatments par excellence for an optimal detox and deep cleansing and purification of the skin, which is immediately radiant, supple and soft. The technology of the Kundamiri lounger promotes muscle relaxation, helps get rid of tiredness and is a technique for relaxing psychological tensions as well.

How Kundamiri works

The heat of the steam causes sweating, which eliminates toxic substances and helps relax the muscles The moist heat softens the stratum corneum of the skin, sebum, fatty substances and impurities, which can thus be eliminated more easily. In addition, the heat acts to promote the release of tension.

To these beneficial actions of the steam bath, Kundamiri combines the action of oxygen, which triggers a detoxifying and draining action through the enlarged pores. What it entails

What it entails

The treatment involves a Finnish birch bed, with a built-in sanitising system, which creates a microclimate similar to a real Turkish bath, with added oxygen. In this way, the body is enveloped in a cloud of oxygen-saturated micro-steam that penetrates the dilated skin and stimulates its regeneration and defence processes against oxidants and free radicals. The next step is a deep peeling and a relaxing massage with customised essential oils. Chromo, aroma, music therapy amplifies the effectiveness of the treatment. Aromatherapy steam baths are far preferable to the dry heat of saunas as they do not irritate the capillaries and do not stress the venous circulation.

Less toxins, more relaxation

Kundamiri is a typical technique used in spa and thermal baths that, thanks to steam, creates a personal moment in which to pamper oneself, to treat oneself to well-being, relaxation and tranquillity.

The temperature and humidity produced by this particular thermal bed stimulate blood vasodilation and sweating, resulting in increased body metabolism and a detox effect.

The benefits of this SPA treatment

You remain inside the bed for a minimum of 30 minutes.

This is to achieve different results, all aimed at aesthetics and well-being:

• Expulsion of toxins produced by our body and those caused by external factors (drugs, cigarettes, pollution, etc.)

• Deep purification of the skin, which immediately shows a firmer, more elastic and radiant texture.

• Stimulation of cellular turnover, stimulated by the steam and temperature of the thermal bed, which encourages rapid detachment of dead cells from the stratum corneum.

• Sebum, fatty substances and impurities are fluidised.

• Counteracts and improves cellulite-related imperfections.

• The enveloping steam helps release contractures and muscle tensions, relaxing body and mind, promoting a state of well-being that is not only aesthetic but also psycho-physical.

by Elisabetta Farneti

L'articolo Kundamiri: a detoxifying and relaxing steam bath 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.