Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
– Patrick Saussay
Europe’s first Evian Spa has opened at the five-star Hôtel Royal in Evian-les-Bains, France – the birthplace of the mineral water brand.
The spa has been realised following a comprehensive 12-month renovation of the hotel’s existing wellness facilities and was curated to capture the essence of revitalisation.
Spanning 1,700sq m, the Evian Spa embraces the ethos of its namesake brand, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature's water cycle.
Evian's spa roots
Originally introduced in Japan in 2012, the licenced Evian Spa concept has been rolled out to five destinations, including Tokyo, Hanoi, Seoul, Doha and now Evian-Les-Bains.
The launch of Evian Spa marked the water brand's second official foray into the industry, after opening its first day spa in Shanghai in a one-off venture in 2004.
Even prior to this launch, spas weren’t entirely new to Evian, as its parent company, Danone, had owned two hotels with spas (including Hôtel Royal and Hôtel Ermitage) located in its exclusive Evian Resort. In addition, the group owns the town’s original thermal baths, Les Thermes Evian.
Read more about the birth of the Evian Spa brand in Spa Business’ interview with Laurent Houel, former global brand development director at Danone.
Shaping an Evian SpaAt the core of the Evian Spa concept lies a connection to the journey of Evian water, "originating from celestial phenomena and traversing through the alpine terrain for over 15 years to emerge in its purest form at the spring".
Guided by this narrative, the spa experience unfolds across four dimensions: the celestial birth, mineral infiltration, precious reserve and the vitalising spring, shaping everything from the spa's sensory environments to its treatments and architectural design.
With six individual treatment rooms and two further rooms for couples massages, every detail in the spa has been designed to echo the water cycle. The treatment rooms feature majestic natural vistas, both through their wide windows gazing out onto the hotel's grounds and floor-to-ceiling images of alpine landscapes.
On arrival, guests are welcomed into an arched sanctuary with a film retracing the water cycle.
Wet and thermal facilities include an outdoor hydro-circuit, a snow room, a plunge pool, a sauna, a steamroom, an indoor pool and an aqua bar.
Patrick Saussay, consultant and development manager for the Evian Spa brand, spearheaded the spa’s overhaul.
He told CLAD: “The spa’s architecture is inspired by the mountain’s curves. Meanwhile, the design and decor – as if shaped by water – are intended to reinforce a sense of letting go, encourage restful breathing and evoke a sense of alpine tranquillity.
“In addition, the spa features lighting that follows the rhythm of the sun, sound therapy and special signature aromas.”
More about The Hôtel Royal
Situated within the 19-hectare private wooded domain of the Evian Resort, The Hôtel Royal, established in 1909, has a rich history and underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in 2015, offering guests views of its sprawling 47-acre estate.
Patrick Saussay Evian Resort Evian Spa France Evians-les-BainsUAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
Why shouldn’t sports facilities be beautiful? Across Asia, architects are creating landmark buildings for the public, discovers Christopher de Wolf