Spa Business issue 2 2012 - Leisure Opportunities

REGIONAL FOCUS
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ascading down a lush, landscaped
hillside on the south-western tip
of Koh Samui, Conrad Hotels &
Resorts’ second property in Thailand introduced
a new level of luxurious seclusion
when it opened in September 2011. Commanding
vistas of the Gulf of Thailand and
the legendary Five Islands dominate the
25-acre (10-hectare) resort. The property has
been meticulously planned and developed
over a five-year period by a team including
Hilton Worldwide’s senior management
(sb11/3 p28) and owner Hillcrest Resorts.
To integrate the new-build into the landscape
while weaving in an ecological element,
the development’s series of public spaces –
including a picturesque lobby, Asian fine
dining restaurant, all-day Mediterranean
restaurant and poolside bar – are designed
around four descending zones of rock, wood,
lawn and water. Each one of the 80 guest villas
benefits from floor to ceiling windows,
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contemporary Thai décor and an outdoor,
west-facing private plunge pool.
“In translating Conrad’s brand culture
to Koh Samui, we felt it was imperative to
offer a cutting-edge, beautifully designed
spa with panoramic views,” says general
manager Justin Phillips. As a destination
that caters for sophisticated leisure travellers
– many of who spend the majority
of their time onsite – Conrad Koh Samui
features a 1,100sq m (11,840sq ft), two-storey
spa perched in an elevated position. It
houses 10 treatment rooms (three doubles,
five single and two Thai suites), each with
their own terrace; a wet zone of Finnish
saunas, steamroom, plunge pools and rain
shower; relaxation lounge; beauty salon; and
retail boutique. Clean, uncluttered interiors
blending earth hues, wooden floors and naturalistic
artworks complement the building’s
feature walls of natural rock and curved timber
shingles. Special one-way glass floods
the facility in natural light. The most coveted
space, a sizeable VIP double suite, is
distinguished by a stunning outdoor deck
with infinity-edged plunge pool and hot tub
overlooking the sea.
A fitness centre, at the foot of the resort, is
equipped by Technogym and has an outdoor
deck for pilates, t’ai chi and yoga.
Vanessa Main, Hilton Worldwide’s director
of spa operations and development Asia
Pacific, has overseen the spa concept in collaboration
with consultancy Salamander
Lifestyle and Dr Buathon Thienarrom, a
respected Thai-based holistic practitioner
engaged to create therapeutic Asian treatments
and deliver training. Spa manager
Nicharee Palang, who leads 10 Thai therapists
all with upscale hotel experience,
notes that holistic treatments, such as the
Zen Natai massage drawing on Chinese
medicine, are proving popular with western
guests. Asian clients, meanwhile, tend
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