Marriott has made its debut in Cyprus, with one of the first international
branded resorts in the country. The seasoned director of lifestyle of the
hotly anticipated property tells Lauren Heath-Jones about its standout spa
By Lauren Heath-Jones | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 2
Cyprus has commanded much industry attention with the arrival of Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in the characterful city of Limassol. Launched in March, the property sees Marriott venturing into new territory and it’s one of the first international branded luxury hotels in the country. It’s perhaps most well known in the spa arena, however, as the previous home to Le Méridien Limassol (see p88).
A hallmark experience of the resort, both in size and significance, is its Kalloni Spa. Named after the muse of beauty in Greek mythology, Kalloni was created by Harrods Interiors – the design studio of the world-famous department store. It occupies a 3000sq m (32,292sq ft) duplex, making it one of the largest spas in Cyprus, complete with 12 treatment rooms, three suites – including two with Russian banyas – and five thalassotherapy pools. Seawater therapies, inspired by the Mediterranean shore setting, form the basis of the treatment menu and complement personalised therapies developed in partnership with international brands.
Paris Kounoudis, Parklane’s director of lifestyle, knows the local spa market well having overseen facilities in Greece and Cyprus for more than 12 years and once served as president of the Cyprus Spa Association. He talks to Lauren Heath-Jones about what makes the new spa so special.
What’s the philosophy behind Kalloni? To offer bespoke, luxury experiences – giving our customers something truly personalised while staying true to the roots of the spa. That’s why thalassotherapy is such an integral part of our offering. We’re a Luxury Collection resort. Luxury Collection is all about getting the local feeling, the local elements and incorporating them into the services and culture of the resort and spa.
What makes the offering so personalised? Everything, absolutely everything, can be tailored. We can play with the lighting, the music and adjust them accordingly. We specifically chose Biologique Recherche as a new product brand because it’s very, very effective and customisable – guests can tailor these luxury treatments, practically creating their own experience. We’ve added an operational concept too where guests in our three treatment suites can pick and choose their own á la carte packages. Similarly, the banya can be rented by the hour for individualised treatment bundles.
What’s your favourite part of the new spa? I like the decor, it’s serene and beautiful and our treatment rooms are very spacious, much more calming.
What impact did you have on the project? I wasn’t involved in the design stage as I was living and working in Abu Dhabi. I came on board as a finisher, so my input was to recruit the staff and choose the treatment beds [by Gharieni], the products, the linen by RKF, things like that.
What are you most proud of? My team! We’re a small team – only 13 therapists – but I’m really happy with what we’ve created so far, and how well they’ve coped with the transition from pre-opening to the stage we’re at now, 10 days in. I’m really happy with the level of service that is being provided, hearing guests come out of treatments saying things like ‘that was amazing!’ makes me very proud.
Why did you introduce a totally new treatment menu? We chose Voya to complement our thalassotherapy ritual as it’s seaweed based and Biologique Recherche for customisation and effectiveness. Carol Joy offer amazing hair treatments and products and Gentleman’s Tonic is our men’s range.
We picked brands that would complement each other, and give this luxurious, rich offering. Obviously, every year we’ll add new things and change and grow step by step.
Who is your target market? We’re targeting luxury travellers, people who like to travel and spend a little more on their experiences. Our largest market is the UK, we have a lot of expats and a lot of visitors from the UK. Russia is our second largest, hence the Russian banya – we wanted to create an experience that was traditional and appealing to them, while also offering something completely unique to our guests. The banya is the only one in Cyprus so it’s something of a USP for us.
What are your plans for the spa? The target is pretty straightforward. First of all it’s to continue operating at the level we’re operating at now, with all the treatments and staff we need, and then go through to our next step, which is finalising all the small details so we have the standard exactly where we want it to be across all aspects of the spa. Then, obviously, I want to grow the business, year by year, and hopefully win some awards too.
A spa is reborn
In a former life, Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Cyprus operated as Le Méridien Limassol – home to a well known spa globally. With its focus on thalassotherapy, including a wide range of indoor and outdoor pools, and 34 treatment rooms (before the refurb), spa has always been a core part of the destination and over the years it has scooped up 14 major industry awards and had a yearly turnover of more than €1.5m (US$1.7m, £1.3m).
In 2014, new owners felt it was time for a refresh. Now, after four-and-a-half years, an acquisition by Marriott and a major reconstruction, worth €150m (US$169m, £129m) that saw the entire resort rebuilt from the foundations, the property is set to shine once more.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Marriott has made its debut in Cyprus, with one of the first international
branded resorts in the country. The seasoned director of lifestyle of the
hotly anticipated property tells Lauren Heath-Jones about its standout spa
By Lauren Heath-Jones | Published in Spa Business 2019 issue 2
Cyprus has commanded much industry attention with the arrival of Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in the characterful city of Limassol. Launched in March, the property sees Marriott venturing into new territory and it’s one of the first international branded luxury hotels in the country. It’s perhaps most well known in the spa arena, however, as the previous home to Le Méridien Limassol (see p88).
A hallmark experience of the resort, both in size and significance, is its Kalloni Spa. Named after the muse of beauty in Greek mythology, Kalloni was created by Harrods Interiors – the design studio of the world-famous department store. It occupies a 3000sq m (32,292sq ft) duplex, making it one of the largest spas in Cyprus, complete with 12 treatment rooms, three suites – including two with Russian banyas – and five thalassotherapy pools. Seawater therapies, inspired by the Mediterranean shore setting, form the basis of the treatment menu and complement personalised therapies developed in partnership with international brands.
Paris Kounoudis, Parklane’s director of lifestyle, knows the local spa market well having overseen facilities in Greece and Cyprus for more than 12 years and once served as president of the Cyprus Spa Association. He talks to Lauren Heath-Jones about what makes the new spa so special.
What’s the philosophy behind Kalloni? To offer bespoke, luxury experiences – giving our customers something truly personalised while staying true to the roots of the spa. That’s why thalassotherapy is such an integral part of our offering. We’re a Luxury Collection resort. Luxury Collection is all about getting the local feeling, the local elements and incorporating them into the services and culture of the resort and spa.
What makes the offering so personalised? Everything, absolutely everything, can be tailored. We can play with the lighting, the music and adjust them accordingly. We specifically chose Biologique Recherche as a new product brand because it’s very, very effective and customisable – guests can tailor these luxury treatments, practically creating their own experience. We’ve added an operational concept too where guests in our three treatment suites can pick and choose their own á la carte packages. Similarly, the banya can be rented by the hour for individualised treatment bundles.
What’s your favourite part of the new spa? I like the decor, it’s serene and beautiful and our treatment rooms are very spacious, much more calming.
What impact did you have on the project? I wasn’t involved in the design stage as I was living and working in Abu Dhabi. I came on board as a finisher, so my input was to recruit the staff and choose the treatment beds [by Gharieni], the products, the linen by RKF, things like that.
What are you most proud of? My team! We’re a small team – only 13 therapists – but I’m really happy with what we’ve created so far, and how well they’ve coped with the transition from pre-opening to the stage we’re at now, 10 days in. I’m really happy with the level of service that is being provided, hearing guests come out of treatments saying things like ‘that was amazing!’ makes me very proud.
Why did you introduce a totally new treatment menu? We chose Voya to complement our thalassotherapy ritual as it’s seaweed based and Biologique Recherche for customisation and effectiveness. Carol Joy offer amazing hair treatments and products and Gentleman’s Tonic is our men’s range.
We picked brands that would complement each other, and give this luxurious, rich offering. Obviously, every year we’ll add new things and change and grow step by step.
Who is your target market? We’re targeting luxury travellers, people who like to travel and spend a little more on their experiences. Our largest market is the UK, we have a lot of expats and a lot of visitors from the UK. Russia is our second largest, hence the Russian banya – we wanted to create an experience that was traditional and appealing to them, while also offering something completely unique to our guests. The banya is the only one in Cyprus so it’s something of a USP for us.
What are your plans for the spa? The target is pretty straightforward. First of all it’s to continue operating at the level we’re operating at now, with all the treatments and staff we need, and then go through to our next step, which is finalising all the small details so we have the standard exactly where we want it to be across all aspects of the spa. Then, obviously, I want to grow the business, year by year, and hopefully win some awards too.
A spa is reborn
In a former life, Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Cyprus operated as Le Méridien Limassol – home to a well known spa globally. With its focus on thalassotherapy, including a wide range of indoor and outdoor pools, and 34 treatment rooms (before the refurb), spa has always been a core part of the destination and over the years it has scooped up 14 major industry awards and had a yearly turnover of more than €1.5m (US$1.7m, £1.3m).
In 2014, new owners felt it was time for a refresh. Now, after four-and-a-half years, an acquisition by Marriott and a major reconstruction, worth €150m (US$169m, £129m) that saw the entire resort rebuilt from the foundations, the property is set to shine once more.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 2
Promotional feature: Lemi - Italian Touch
From humble beginnings in a small Italian village, Lemi has grown a hugely successful global business in the massage bed market. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary year, we talk to GM Matteo Brusaferri
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Olivia Newton-John skincare, Sounds of Africa and jet lag butlers feature in our programming series
Interview: Dale Hipsh
The senior VP of hotels at Hard Rock International tells Katie Barnes why its music-centric spa menu is striking the right chord with consumers and the media
Promotional feature: ISPA
After almost three decades serving members and contributing to the growth of the industry, we talk to ISPA’s Crystal Ducker about the work of the association and the future of spa
Spa Design: Jungle VIP
Kim Megson ventures deep into Mexico’s jungle to discover how two Chablé resorts with Mayan spas are aiming to redefine wellness
Interview: John & Karina Stewart
The inspirational couple behind Kamalaya in Thailand talk to Neena Dhillon about emotional therapies, why stress-busting is the new detox and how they’re evolving the concept
Promotional feature: Gharieni - Luxury Recognition
Gharieni has long been known as an industry innovator. Now, Forbes Travel Guide has named the company as its official Spa & Wellness Equipment Manufacturer. Sammy Gharieni tells us more
Promotional feature: Comfort Zone - Beauty Reloaded
Skincare brand Comfort Zone has partnered with Wellness for Cancer to create a new programme of spa treatments for people touched by cancer. Barbara Gavazzoli tells us more
Family spa: Multi-story
With the rise in multi-generational tourism, family spas are growing in popularity. Jane Kitchen reports
Software: Training & education
From bespoke training programmes to 24/7 support teams and company super-users, how are software suppliers helping spas get the most out of their systems?
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
