Spa facilities include two pools, a tepidarium, caldarium and sudatorium / Photo: Stefano Scatà
An urban wellness sanctuary has opened in the heart of Florence, Italy, inspired by ancient civilisations and their tradition of communal bathing.
Italy-based spa and wellness consultancy bbspa_Group devised the spa concept for the five-star Helvetia & Bristol hotel, owned and managed by Starhotels. Spa management company Snow Group Italia, of which bbspa_Group is a shareholder, has been brought on board to helm the spa.
The team chose to channel a minimalist and modern vision of the historic Roman bathing tradition into its design. Regis Boudon Doris, CEO of The Snow Group Italia and bbspa_Group, told Spa Business this decision was due to the fact that the building is built on the foundations of ancient patrician Roman baths which, until recently, had been buried underneath a bank vault.
“Being in the heart of Florence is already magical – especially in a building with such rich history – but bringing the city’s ancient Roman baths back to life is what makes this project so unique,” he says, adding that the concept means that spa guests can view various period finds from the ancient Roman empire dotted around the spa.
“We’ve revived the baths to bring a fundamental pillar of spa culture into the 21st century. It’s been an exciting challenge and we’re delighted to bring this traditional offering to both hotel guests and local Florentines,” he says. “The property is the first spa in Italy to be added to a portfolio of 60 international properties managed by The Snow Group. There are also other projects in Italy in the implementation or contracting phase which form part of our ambitious development plan.”
bbspa_Group also worked with Starhotels’ architecture and interior design departments to execute the Florence project. The team collaborated closely with Starhotels architects Silvia Stoppacciari and Francesca della Rosa, as well as Starhotels’ president Dr Elisabetta Fabri, who influences the mood and design of each hotel in the group.
Wellness facilities
The 550sq m La Spa Helvetia & Bristol provides a Roman-inspired bathing journey featuring two pools with whirlpool functions, a tepidarium, caldarium, frigidarium, sudatorium and an aquae Jet Pathway. Guests can complete their experience by reclining in either of the spa’s two relaxation rooms.
In addition, the facility is home to two single treatment rooms, a couples’ suite, a hand and foot treatment room, a beauty room, a check-up space and a suite for water massages.
Shower system specialist Aquaform supplied all water technologies within the facility, while wellness equipment supplier Lemi Group provided the treatment beds and accessories.
Visitors are also able to upgrade their experience by choosing from a menu of Cinq Mondes spa treatments, including signature treatments and massages. A selection of fitness and movement activities are also available.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
Spa facilities include two pools, a tepidarium, caldarium and sudatorium / Photo: Stefano Scatà
An urban wellness sanctuary has opened in the heart of Florence, Italy, inspired by ancient civilisations and their tradition of communal bathing.
Italy-based spa and wellness consultancy bbspa_Group devised the spa concept for the five-star Helvetia & Bristol hotel, owned and managed by Starhotels. Spa management company Snow Group Italia, of which bbspa_Group is a shareholder, has been brought on board to helm the spa.
The team chose to channel a minimalist and modern vision of the historic Roman bathing tradition into its design. Regis Boudon Doris, CEO of The Snow Group Italia and bbspa_Group, told Spa Business this decision was due to the fact that the building is built on the foundations of ancient patrician Roman baths which, until recently, had been buried underneath a bank vault.
“Being in the heart of Florence is already magical – especially in a building with such rich history – but bringing the city’s ancient Roman baths back to life is what makes this project so unique,” he says, adding that the concept means that spa guests can view various period finds from the ancient Roman empire dotted around the spa.
“We’ve revived the baths to bring a fundamental pillar of spa culture into the 21st century. It’s been an exciting challenge and we’re delighted to bring this traditional offering to both hotel guests and local Florentines,” he says. “The property is the first spa in Italy to be added to a portfolio of 60 international properties managed by The Snow Group. There are also other projects in Italy in the implementation or contracting phase which form part of our ambitious development plan.”
bbspa_Group also worked with Starhotels’ architecture and interior design departments to execute the Florence project. The team collaborated closely with Starhotels architects Silvia Stoppacciari and Francesca della Rosa, as well as Starhotels’ president Dr Elisabetta Fabri, who influences the mood and design of each hotel in the group.
Wellness facilities
The 550sq m La Spa Helvetia & Bristol provides a Roman-inspired bathing journey featuring two pools with whirlpool functions, a tepidarium, caldarium, frigidarium, sudatorium and an aquae Jet Pathway. Guests can complete their experience by reclining in either of the spa’s two relaxation rooms.
In addition, the facility is home to two single treatment rooms, a couples’ suite, a hand and foot treatment room, a beauty room, a check-up space and a suite for water massages.
Shower system specialist Aquaform supplied all water technologies within the facility, while wellness equipment supplier Lemi Group provided the treatment beds and accessories.
Visitors are also able to upgrade their experience by choosing from a menu of Cinq Mondes spa treatments, including signature treatments and massages. A selection of fitness and movement activities are also available.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 3
Editor's letter: Salus per natura
Although great buildings lie at the heart of the spa and wellness experience, operators are turning to nature to deliver healing journeys, says Liz Terry
Spa People: Thierry Malleret
We talk to the economist behind Monthly Barometer about key trends emerging in the wellness sector, such as a greater connection with nature
Spa People: Verena Lasvigne
The founder of VLF Spa Consulting shares her learnings from a career running spas on three continents
Spa People: Kim Weller
The wellbeing director of Banyan Tree tells us about the rollout of the company's new brand, Veya – for mind/body wellness
New opening: Loisium Spa
A look at the new luxurious spa situated at the heart of France's celebrated Champagne region
Interview: Neil Jacobs
The CEO of Six Senses talks about creating an eco-system around the brand to deliver hotels, clubs, residential, offices and resorts
Project preview: Next generation wellness
We take our first look at Tulah, the new clinical wellness retreat brand about to make its debut in Kerala, India, and speak to its CEO
ISPA Research: Rate of recovery
Russell Donaldson digs deeper into ISPA's 2022 US Spa Industry Study and considers the industry's resurgence since the end of pandemic lockdowns
Sponsored: Gharieni: Delivering results
Innovation is the hallmark of Gharieni experiences, meeting the rapidly
evolving needs of wellness seekers within the spa and wellness environment
New opening: Lanserhof Sylt
Lisa Starr reports on the industry's eagerly awaited wellness experience – nestled within sand dunes on the German island of Sylt
Healing: Emotional rescue
As people increasingly seek support for their emotional wellbeing, Jane Kitchen talks to the operators who are digging deeper to deliver genuine transformation
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: Powerful contrast
Spa clients can enjoy super-cool relaxation and pain-relief at Sächsische Staatsbäder in Bad Brambach thanks to a TechnoAlpin SnowRoom
Concept: Soneva Soul
The CEO and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, talks about the philosophy behind the company's new wellness concept, Soneva Soul
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
