08-08 May 2024
Hotel Melià ,
Milano ,
Italy
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10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex,
Guangzhou,
China
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13-16 May 2024
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia ,
Italy
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14 May 2024
JPMorgan Chase Headquarters,
New York City,
United States
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18-22 May 2024
The Ravenala Attitude Hotel,
Mauritius
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23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais),
Wiesbaden,
Germany
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30-30 May 2024
Four Seasons Hotel George V,
Paris,
France
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30 May - 02 Jun 2024
Rimini Exhibition Center,
Rimini,
Italy
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New Botswana spa offers treatments based on Africa’s botanical heritage |
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By Jane Kitchen 02 Sep 2019 |
The spa at Jao is tucked in amongst the palms for privacy, and is surrounded by water to provide a calming and tranquil atmosphere
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Wilderness Safaris’ Jao Camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana has recently reopened after a redesign, which includes a rejuvenated health and wellness offering through its new spa.
“Visiting Jao is therapy in itself, given its tranquil wilderness location in the heart of this World Heritage Site,” said Cathy Kays, owner of the Jao Reserve. “However, a treatment in our new spa – tucked away beneath palm trees in a tranquil location – is bound to further inspire our guests to fully appreciate Jao’s extraordinary holistic offering, which seamlessly reflects the health of the Delta’s ecosystem.”
The interiors of the two new round treatment rooms have been finished with a construction of saligna laminated beams, rosewood-clad ceilings and rosewood floors.
“The sense of space and the view of the massive saligna beams whilst lying on your back on the massage bed is truly spectacular,” said Kays. “We have taken great care to create an extraordinary space that not only evokes a sense of calm but brings nature inside.” The spa at Jao is tucked in amongst the palms for privacy, and is surrounded by water to provide a calming and tranquil atmosphere.
The upgraded wellness area also includes a reception area with a nail bar, allowing guests to enjoy manicures and pedicures in a more social setting while appreciating the views. The mesh stacking doors allow for the rooms to open up fully in good weather, or remain closed in winter to keep out the chill.
Terres d’Afrique skincare products, based on Africa’s unique botanical heritage, including organic baobab and sausage tree infusions, are used to nourish the skin during massages, scrubs and facials.
Jao’s signature ‘African Botanicals’ treatment includes a bath, an express facial and a massage, with many possible add-ons to enhance the experience. The facial makes use of the natural anti-ageing properties of kigelia (sausage tree) and baobab, while the massage is a baobab pinda massage, which is designed to be deeply relaxing yet detoxing, using heated baobab seeds (pindas) and organic shea butter scented with mopane and omumbiri essential oils.
The resort will also offer a signature couple’s treatment, ‘The spirit of togetherness – Ubuntu’, which represents the idea that ‘I am because we are’. “It is an African philosophical concept that we exist because others exist,” explains Kays. “It views individuals through their connections with others and not just as an individual. This further aligns to Jao’s core philosophy of driving sustainable ecotourism in the region, giving back to conservation and community empowerment at the same time.”
A typical day exploring the Delta sees guests outdoors on game drive vehicles, boats or even on foot, searching out the wildlife of the area. For those looking to continue the active theme of their stay, a well-equipped gym, built on the edge of the island, presents Okavango views, while the main pool, with its unique canopy pavilion and waterfall, projects out into the floodplain.
The camp includes two villas and five twins with private plunge pools, lounge and dining areas, kitchen facilities plus en-suite bathrooms, including indoor and outdoor showers. New Jao Villas accommodate four people each in two identical guest rooms, which share a main area, will feature a private vehicle, guide, chef and butler.
“Having to replace our old substructures provided us with the opportunity to enhance the special features that we always loved about Jao, to make improvements and incorporate extra touches. We are making the most of our camp environment, with buildings set to blend into the tree canopy whilst offering stunning views and honouring our commitment to be as eco-sensitive as possible,” said Kays.
Lead architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, who designed the original Jao in 1999, shared their approach to the rebuild: “We have taken a fresh and contemporary approach to the sense of adventure Jao always had – creating a feeling of not knowing what to expect around the next corner, adding an element of surprise and delight in this ever-evolving sculptural and architectural language,” they said.
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News |
1 to 12 of 8709 news stories |
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07 May 2024
Spanish wellness brand SHA Wellness Clinic is busy preparing to bolster its wellness portfolio in 2026 with a hyper-exclusive island wellness enclave in AlJurf, UAE. SHA Emirates Island at AlJurf – created by Abu Dhabi-based ... More
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03 May 2024
The historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, California, is set to reopen in mid-2024 as a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property after a significant restoration and redevelopment project. The project, initially unveiled in 2022 by ... More
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03 May 2024
High-end five-star hotel company Kempinski Hotels is making its mark in Vietnam with a luxury waterfront property overlooking the Saigon River. Set to open by 2026, Kempinski Saigon River – designed by Kengo Kuma & ... More
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01 May 2024
Marriott International has signed a new deal with Neom to open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property as part of Trojena, a brand new year-round mountain adventure destination in Saudi Arabia. Launching in 2026, Trojena is a ... More
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27 Apr 2024
The Bannatyne Group says it has officially bounced back from the pandemic, with both turnover and profits restored to pre-2020 levels in 2023, according to its year-end results. Owned by former BBC Dragon’s Den investor, ... More
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25 Apr 2024
Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro property in Dubai this February. Designed to offer guests a holistic ... More
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24 Apr 2024
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of US$20.1 billion in 2022. This data stems from ... More
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24 Apr 2024
Short-term incentives to exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity, according to new research. Researchers found that even a simple daily reminder encouraged people to move ... More
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24 Apr 2024
Spa and wellness veteran Shannon Malave has been named spa director at iconic US spa destination Mohonk Mountain House. Based in New York’s verdant Hudson Valley and founded in 1869, Mohonk is a historic Victorian ... More
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23 Apr 2024
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors today, marking the eco-luxury hotel and spa operator’s entry into Japan and a new addition to its urban collection. Situated in the historic Higashiyama district, the 81-key hotel is ... More
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23 Apr 2024
The UAE’s first-ever Dior Spa has officially launched at The Lana, Dubai – the Dorchester Collection’s debut property in the Middle East. Bathed in natural daylight on the hotel’s 29th floor, Dior Spa The Lana ... More
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22 Apr 2024
The Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan will reopen later this year with an all-new design plus enhanced treatments and experiences inspired by its river valley home. Nestled amid rich tropical ... More
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SALT Chamber |
SALT Chamber was started in 2012 by Founder and CEO Leo Tonkin and has become the leading authority
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