Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

Malaysia's Kajang Prisoners now operate Balinese "Jail Spa"

Against a backdrop of razor wire and machine guns, beauty therapists at Malaysia's first "jail spa" quietly tend to their customers under the watchful eye of uniformed wardens.

Despite the tight security, the innovative Balinese-decorated spa is doing a brisk trade while giving inmates at the country's biggest women's prison a trade they can turn to after their release.

"I am not afraid at all because I have faith that these prisoners are well trained to serve the customers and our safety is assured here," said Noor Aliza Osman, 45, who was on her second visit to the spa at Kajang Prison.

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Luxury Spa Resort opens Sept 29 in Black Hawk, Colorado

The incredible transformation of a once-crumbling mining town to a gambling hot spot will reach new heights with next week's opening of Ameristar Casinos' 33-story, $235 million hotel and spa.  The Las Vegas-based company lifted the curtains on the tower Monday, revealing a five-star quality hotel replete with teardrop crystal chandeliers, a full-service men's and women's spa, a 60-foot-long rooftop pool, a 700-person event center and 15,000 square feet of meeting space.

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Should Medi Spa Medical Assistants inject Botox?

The question: Can medical assistants legally administer flu shots or Botox injections?

The answer: Depends on whom you ask.

A Nevada judge ruled Monday that emergency regulations permitting medical assistants to give flu shots, while prohibiting them from administering injections of cosmetic drugs, cannot go into effect.

An attorney said the statute is ambiguous, a way for the board to create "hype" and destroy the practices of medical spas. If the law is valid, why hasn't it been enforced for the past 30 years?  "Certain plastic surgeons are trying to recapture business lost to medical spas," the attorney said. "They abused their power on the medical board."

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Core Wellness to open 20 spas across India

Core Wellness Ltd plans to set up 20 spa facilities across India over next 18 months, mostly through franchisee models.  Operated under the brand Sohum Spa and Wellness Sanctuary, the company would set up at least 12 units at five-star hotels while the rest would come up as stand-alone facilities, according to company officials.

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Spa goers increasing in Asia

Health is a key buzzword in Asia these days. The region's rapid growth of the last decade has meant a proliferation of fried chicken and ice cream, air pollution, and generally unhealthy lifestyles. Waistlines swelled along with GDP, and smoking and heavy drinking became fashionable among a certain segment of upwardly mobile Asians.

But increasingly, those with disposable incomes are recognizing the benefits of taking care of their health, and they're turning to spas to do it. "Beforehand there were hardly any Chinese, hardly any Asians, and now there are a lot," says Kan, who has visited Chiva-Som for more than a decade. "People get more money and they want to be more health conscious."

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Leading Spas of Canada New Online Directory

With close to 3,000 spas, the Canadian spa experience is as interesting and appealing as the beautiful and varied landscape that stretches coast to coast from British Columbia to Newfoundland. 

As Canada’s national spa organization, Leading Spas of Canada has produced a beautiful, full-color printed directory boasting colorful photographs, detailed descriptions of spa treatments and experiences, alongside listings of their proud spa members.

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Shorter treatments, fewer visits; Spa-Goers find ways to pamper themselves in tough times

In this economy, we could probably all use a little pampering: a massage, a facial, a pedicure. Perhaps a nice soak in a hot whirlpool.

The spa, new figures show, is one thing we're not giving up, even if it means opting for a cheaper experience and fewer treatments.

In June, 46 percent of the 3,200 members of the International SPA Association reported an increase in the number of shorter treatments of 30 minutes or less, and close to half reported a decrease in the amount spent per visit compared with the same time last year.

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Iatria Day Spa brand out of business

Iatria Spa and Health  Center is shutting down after 10 years in business and closing its remaining three locations in Wake County.

Iatria Chairman Erika Mangrum said in a statement that the company could not overcome a recession-induced slowdown in business and the lack of available capital caused by the credit crunch.

“We thank our clients, employees and vendors for their support over the years. As we work through this challenging time, please know that we are making every effort to minimize the impact on those groups,” she stated.

Iatria had closed its spa in downtown Raleigh in 2008, and the company will be closing its flagship location on Creedmoor Road in north Raleigh, as well as smaller locations at Wakefield and in Cary.

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Popular North Carolina Day Spa group closes its doors; customers left holding gift certificates

"Iatria Day Spa of North Carolina shut its three locations Monday, closing the books on a decade-old business owned by one of the Triangle's best-known female entrepreneurs.   The move left 55 workers unemployed and may leave customers holding gift certificates or other credits without much recourse. But owners Erika and Dave Mangrum said the closure was unavoidable. "

It's a sad story for the owners of this popular spa brand, the 55 employees, and the clients holding pre-paid memberships and gift cards. However, if the commenters to the story are to be taken at their word,  it would appear that the owners of the spa were selling gift certificates up to the last possible date (including this past weekend, days before its closure).  At what point should a day spa in financial crisis resist selling gift certificates and memberships if the operation of the spa is in serious jeopardy?

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