Latest
issue
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
Q&A
Magdaleena Nikolov

The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen


How has Yabu Pushelberg’s design set the scene?
It’s a clean and minimal space, yet features intricate touches, such as detailed woodwork and beautiful marble. The high arching ceilings within the grand treatment rooms give a modern global feel, yet with a nostalgic elegant grandeur.

We’ve designed our experiences to pay homage to the past, bringing tried and true ancient modalities to our guests in a modern way.

Tell us about the biohacking room
It offers experiences focused on mindfulness, improved sleep and stress elimination – all things that are plaguing many people, especially now – given the world we live in.

Biohacking sessions have been curated to maximise the time and effectiveness of different tools to directly impact guests’ wellbeing, not only on the day of their treatment, but also moving forward in their life. Session includes an anti-gravity chair, PEMF infrared mat, compression boots and a Nucalm session, all proven to impact mental and physical health.

We believe it’s extremely important to engage in therapies that support mental health and recovery and have a lasting effect on wellbeing.

These biohacking treatments complement many other offerings throughout the property that have a focus on mental and physical recovery and range from curated meditation moments on our front drive, to virtual fitness and recovery sessions accessible on our TVs, and a recovery station in the fitness centre by Three Sages Wellness.

Tell us about your partnerships
Having strategic partners enables us to be at the top of the game in various categories by engaging with the experts in each area. I often joke that I know a little about a lot, and can then find those who know the most within their respective space. Having these strategic partnerships also allows guests to access new experts.

You’ve gone to great lengths to engage all the senses. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this?
In everything we do, the magic is in the detail, which I have always found to be extremely important.

In the luxury market, there’s a high expectation of great service and beautiful facilities, so the curation of the details is what sets you apart.

Targeting the senses is the place to start. The subtleties of how something feels, tastes, smells and looks is the best part of what we do. In addition, it’s the element of surprise and delight that creates an outstanding memorable experience.

From the moment guests arrive they’re welcomed by our signature sunset aroma. In the treatment rooms they lie on special wellness linens atop custom-made heated tables and their experiences conclude with a locally-inspired tasting in our relaxation space. We also fill the spa with soothing binaural beats with healing frequencies. I often smile to myself that we’re helping heal people and they don’t even realise it!

Can the service continue to live up to the hotel’s reputation?
It’s been an honour and privilege to be the opening GM for this property and spa. We’ve been given the creative freedom to curate special experiences for our guests that we believe are unparalleled. As a leader there’s not a lot more I can ask for, apart from an outstanding team, which is exactly what we have.
photo: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts/CPZ

"It’s the element of surprise and delight that creates an outstanding memorable experience," – Magdaleena Nikolov

Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine

View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 2
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
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...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
Q&A
Magdaleena Nikolov

The GM of spa, wellness and retail at Fairmont Century Plaza talks to Jane Kitchen


How has Yabu Pushelberg’s design set the scene?
It’s a clean and minimal space, yet features intricate touches, such as detailed woodwork and beautiful marble. The high arching ceilings within the grand treatment rooms give a modern global feel, yet with a nostalgic elegant grandeur.

We’ve designed our experiences to pay homage to the past, bringing tried and true ancient modalities to our guests in a modern way.

Tell us about the biohacking room
It offers experiences focused on mindfulness, improved sleep and stress elimination – all things that are plaguing many people, especially now – given the world we live in.

Biohacking sessions have been curated to maximise the time and effectiveness of different tools to directly impact guests’ wellbeing, not only on the day of their treatment, but also moving forward in their life. Session includes an anti-gravity chair, PEMF infrared mat, compression boots and a Nucalm session, all proven to impact mental and physical health.

We believe it’s extremely important to engage in therapies that support mental health and recovery and have a lasting effect on wellbeing.

These biohacking treatments complement many other offerings throughout the property that have a focus on mental and physical recovery and range from curated meditation moments on our front drive, to virtual fitness and recovery sessions accessible on our TVs, and a recovery station in the fitness centre by Three Sages Wellness.

Tell us about your partnerships
Having strategic partners enables us to be at the top of the game in various categories by engaging with the experts in each area. I often joke that I know a little about a lot, and can then find those who know the most within their respective space. Having these strategic partnerships also allows guests to access new experts.

You’ve gone to great lengths to engage all the senses. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this?
In everything we do, the magic is in the detail, which I have always found to be extremely important.

In the luxury market, there’s a high expectation of great service and beautiful facilities, so the curation of the details is what sets you apart.

Targeting the senses is the place to start. The subtleties of how something feels, tastes, smells and looks is the best part of what we do. In addition, it’s the element of surprise and delight that creates an outstanding memorable experience.

From the moment guests arrive they’re welcomed by our signature sunset aroma. In the treatment rooms they lie on special wellness linens atop custom-made heated tables and their experiences conclude with a locally-inspired tasting in our relaxation space. We also fill the spa with soothing binaural beats with healing frequencies. I often smile to myself that we’re helping heal people and they don’t even realise it!

Can the service continue to live up to the hotel’s reputation?
It’s been an honour and privilege to be the opening GM for this property and spa. We’ve been given the creative freedom to curate special experiences for our guests that we believe are unparalleled. As a leader there’s not a lot more I can ask for, apart from an outstanding team, which is exactly what we have.
photo: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts/CPZ

"It’s the element of surprise and delight that creates an outstanding memorable experience," – Magdaleena Nikolov

Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine

View contents of Attractions Management 2022 issue 2
LATEST NEWS
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
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.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
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.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
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.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
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 reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
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 expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
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.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
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 upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
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.
UK government cuts VAT on attractions to boost summer visitor economy
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.
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
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).
Government of Thailand reveals it is courting major theme park operators
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.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
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...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS