Here is some weekend inspiration that just crossed our desk. We all know that luxury hotels aren’t complete without a standout spa, and who better to highlight and draw inspiration from than architect Jean-Michel Gathy. The creative genius behind some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, he is an authority on ultimate spa architecture and has been creating gorgeous spaces for more than 30 years. Gathy remains faithful to his elegant style without a hint of ostentation. Here, some of his veritable temples to wellbeing which have become destinations in themselves.
Chedi Andermatt & Residences in the Swiss Alps
Situated in the authentic Andermatt resort in the midst of regeneration, Chedi Andermatt is preparing to celebrate its second birthday. The development pays homage to traditional Swiss architecture with a whiff of contemporary elegance, and it has become the new chic chalet emblem. The magnificent spa extends over 25,833 square feet and contains a 115-foot indoor swimming-pool, a huge outdoor heated pool, thermal baths, Finnish saunas, and hammams, as well as a state-of-the-art gym. The spa also offers yoga courses and offers 10 massage rooms for pampering with top-of-the-range natural and organic SpaRitual, ila, REN and Alpienne products (traditional local remedies).
Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro
Aman Sveti Stefan is an exceptional jewel welcoming guests to its 50 rooms on the island and eight unique suites in Villa Milocer. Set back in a niche between the Villa and la Reine beach, the new spa was inaugurated in May 2014.
The treatments like the spa itself are extraordinary, using completely natural exclusive Aman products. Among the facilities, four 700 square-feet therapy cabins each with a fireplace for those winter months, four relaxation terraces, three saunas, hammam showers, and three cold-water pools in the hydrotherapy cabins promise complete relaxation. The heated indoor swimming-pool is 79-feet long with an outdoor extension of 26 feet. Surrounded almost entirely with bay windows, it gives marvelous views of the Adriatic and the surrounding countryside.
Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives
For this establishment managed by LVMH Hotel Management Jean-Michel Gathy focused on conceiving an intimate “house,” the perfect holiday residence beside the sea, which yet is in harmony with the island landscape, its luxuriant vegetation, and its views over the blue lagoon. Entirely dedicated to wellbeing and relaxation, the Cheval Blanc Spa, in exclusive collaboration with Guerlain, is accessible on board a dhoni, the traditional boat of the Maldives. It offer its guests six massage cabins and two Orchidée Villas open to the horizon, two hammams, yoga, pilates and meditation pavilions, and an overflow pool with restaurant. At last a Leonor Greyl Hair Spa completes this beauty stopover with innovative organic hair treatments.
Amanoi in Vietnam
In the heart of Nui Chua national park, which boasts 71,660 acres of shoreline and virtually intact marine habitats, Amanoi occupies the hills and sea front of one of the most picturesque bays in Vietnam, enabling you to explore the country far from the beaten track. There are 31 individual pavilions and five villas designed to melt into the landscape while imitating traditional Vietnamese architecture. Descending towards the bay, guests discover Aman Spa and the Yoga Pavilion, which are located beside a lake strewn with lotus flowers. Guests can savour five double treatment rooms and two hydrotherapy suites and choose between treatments based on aromatic herbs, rice, and coffee.