Spa Fact Sheet updated February 2011

Thailand is the largest spa market in the Asia Pacific region.

New Zealand hosts the highest proportion of day spas.

Hotel, resort and destination retreat spas are in highest proportions in Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Australian spa industry generated the most revenue during 2007.

Total spa industry visits and employment were highest in Thailand.

Vietnam identified that this emerging market generated over US$9 million in revenue and delivered services to over 428,000 spa visitors during 2007.

Of the 95 authentic spa facilities operating in Vietnam, 38% of spas were stand-alone day spas and 62% were destination spas co-located with accommodation.

During 2007, the spa industry employed over 1,000 people.

The spa industry is forecast to grow by 11% between 2008 and 2010.

Spa industry in Mainland China and Hong Kong identified total revenue and employment have grown by over 1,000% since 2002; Revenue generated in 2007 was over US$185 million and spas employed more than 6,000 people.

The number of spas in Mainland China and Hong Kong has grown by over 500% since 2002, with 190 spas now open and operating and the industry forecast to grow by over 20% between 2008 and 2010.

65% of all spas operating in Mainland China we located in hotels or resorts. In comparison, just 16% of Hong Kong spas were operating in hotels or resorts.

Over 2,041,000 people visited spas in Mainland China and Hong Kong during 2007.

Spas in China are designed with the largest indoor space compared to other spa markets across the greater Asia Pacific region.

Source : Intelligent Spas

Alegria - non-alcoholic spa drink

Chef's Note

There's no miracle slimming drink, but there are vitamin-filled beverages that can make up for nutritional deficiencies in our diet... all without exceeding 100 calories per glass. They're delicious and easy to prepare.
We suggest placing ice in your food processor instead of water so that the drinks are chilled and ready to drink. You could also replace the ice with sparkling mineral water or club soda to make the drink even more refreshing on a hot day.

 

Ingredients

Ingredients for each serving

- 100 ml (6 tbsp.) Carrots

- 100 ml (6 tbsp.) Pineapple juice

- 50 ml (3 tbsp.) strawberries (Strawberry)

- Ice

- 1 tsp. sugar substitute

Source: www.theworldwidegourmet.com

Meditation Space, Tapos-Bogor, Indonesia

Meditation Space

Architect : Budi Pradono

Location : Tapos - Bogor Indonesia

 Source : Budi Pradono Architects, www.budipradono.com

Horai Onsen Bath House,

Horai Onsen Bath House

 
Architect : Kengo Kuma and Associates

Izusanhigashidani, Atami, Shizuoka
Extention of public bath

 

source : Kengo Kuma and Associates www.kkaa.co.jp

The Therme Vals, Switzerland

Built over the only thermal springs in the Graubunden Canton in Switzerland, The Therme Vals is a hotel and spa in one which combines a complete sensory experience designed by Peter Zumthor.

 Peter Zumthor designed the spa/baths which opened in 1996 to pre date the existing hotel complex. The idea was to create a form of cave or quarry like structure. Working with the natural surroundings the bath rooms lay below a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside. The Therme Vals is built from layer upon layer of locally quarried Valser Quarzite slabs. This stone became the driving inspiration for the design, and is used with great dignity and respect

Mountain, stone, water – building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain – how can the implications and the sensuality of the association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?” Peter Zumthor

 This space was designed for visitors to luxuriate and rediscover the ancient benefits of bathing. The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience. The underlying informal layout of the internal space is a carefully modelled path of circulation which leads bathers to certain predetermined points but lets them explore other areas for themselves. The perspective is always controlled. It either ensures or denies a view.

“The meander, as we call it, is a designed negative space between the blocks, a space that connects everything as it flows throughout the entire building, creating a peacefully pulsating rhythm. Moving around this space means making discoveries. You are walking as if in the woods. Everyone there is looking for a path of their own.” Peter Zumthor

The fascination for the mystic qualities of a world of stone within the mountain, for darkness and light, for light reflections on the water or in the steam saturated air, pleasure in the unique acoustics of the bubbling water in a world of stone, a feeling of warm stones and naked skin, the ritual of bathing – these notions guided the architect. Their intention to work with these elements, to implement them consciously and to lend them to a special form was there from the outset. The stone rooms were designed not to compete with the body, but to flatter the human form (young or old) and give it space…room in which to be.

Architects: Peter Zumthor, with Marc Loeliger, Thomas Durisch and Rainer Weitschies
Location: Graubunden Canton, Switzerland
Project completed: 1996

Source : www.archdaily.com

Underground Spa by Carmordy Groarke, Limerick - Ireland

Source : Architizer

The client’s brief was to create a place for exercise and relaxation beneath the a nineteenth century mansion, as part of an extensive renovation to create a new private family home. Their brief was clear – a space to be discovered underground, and of entirely different character to the house above. As its most fundamental principle the space, excavated from the bedrock of the site, seeks punches of daylight from wherever possible at ground level. Underground, the simple sculptural treatment of stone, plaster and water are given definition by a subtle mixture of natural and artificial light. The main stone-lined space contains a 17 metre long, stone-lined swimming pool and is surrounded by smaller stone blocks containing treatment rooms – sauna, spa and gymnasium.

Source : Architecture List

Source : Architecture List

Source : Architecture List

The undulating form of the plaster ceiling which hovers above the pool, conceals all the technical equipment for the pool-space environment, revealing only a halo affect of daylight and artificial lighting.

source : www.architecturelist.com

source : Architizer

Source : Architizer

Lemon Grass Ginger Tea...I call it LGG tea

Lemon Grass : It is eaten to speed up a slow digestive system; its oil is good for calming hot, perspiring feet. Burn the oil for an effective room deodorizers

Ginger : It is eaten cooked or infused raw into drinks, as remedy for stomach aches and menstrual pains. Myth says that ginger is key to assisting man's endurance in love making due to the phallic shape of the rhizome! Used externally, ginger is applied to the body relieve aching muscles and increase blood circulation.

Now I'm gonna mix those ingredients to make a healthy drink...I'm gonna simply call it Lemon Grass Ginger Tea....LGG tea! Let's give it a try..

picture 1 : taken from unfussy fare

1 tablespoon of ginger, left unpeeled & sliced
5 stalks of lemongrass, ends trimmed
6 c water
freshly squeezed lemon
honey (optional)

1. Rinse lemon grass and crush
2. add ginger, lemon grass & 5 cups of  water into a tea kettle, boil about 10 mins.
3. strain to remove whole herbs and spices

Pour into a tea pot. Ready to serve hot
you can add Lime & honey if you like

Picture 2 : taken from www.allthaifood.com

 or let it cool, about 30 mins. Pour into a pitcher and chill until cold. Pour it into glasses with ice.

Picture 3 : taken from www.find.myrecipe.com

Picture 4 : taken from www.cuisine.com.au

 It's super easy and very quick. Enjoy your healthy tea...