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

Spa Chakra NYC files for Chapter 7

After months of financial turmoil, Spa Chakra (NYC) has gone down the drain. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company, which has a location at 663 Fifth Ave. and is also responsible for operations at the Guerlian Spa at the tony Waldorf Astoria, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The company also filed a WARN notice with the New York state Department of Labor on Tuesday, reporting the layoff of 66 employees in the city.

The company's New York Fifth Avenue store was formerly known as the Cornelia Day Spa. It opened in 2005 but bled financially for years. Cornelia was acquired by Spa Chakra in May 2009.

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New Plan To Save LA's Century Plaza Hotel & Spa

In June 2009, when the threat of demolition still loomed large, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Century Plaza Hotel & Spa (Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel and the Spa at Equinox) in Los Angeles one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Last week, the developer who owns the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles revealed plans to renovate the hotel and build condominium and offices behind the 1966 structure. Michael Rosenfeld of Next Century Associates had initially planned to tear down the 800,000-square-foot hotel, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who later designed the World Trade Center in New York City.

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About Century Plaza's Spa at Equinox: 
Located adjacent to the pool at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, the spa offers both fitness and relaxation services. Based on traditional and modern therapies and a holistic approach to wellness, the Spa at Equinox Century Plaza is designed to make you look and feel your best.  18 treatment rooms, two Thai rooms, three facial rooms, three body treatment rooms and a manicure/pedicure suite.

Spa at Chateau Elan #Georgia Completes Makeover

An $11 million makeover of the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton is now complete.  A $1.5 million renovation of the Spa at Chateau Elan was the final phase of the project and included upgrades to the Spa’s 35 treatment rooms, relaxation areas and customized couples’ rooms. The resort-wide transformation involved "extensive" makeovers of all guest rooms and bathrooms, the 25,000 sq. ft. conference center and the L’Auberge and Versailles restaurants.

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BET Founder to open luxury beach spa resort in Liberia

Billionaire businessman Bob Johnson has chosen Liberia for his latest venture, the country's first top class hotel.  Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, was the first African American to control a company on the New York Stock Exchange and the first black owner of a major U.S. professional sports team.  He told CNN why he chose a country blighted by a long-running civil war for his 78-room beach-side spa resort.

Story:

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Related:

African American Owned Day Spas on SpaIndex.com: Guide to Spas

Cavallo Point Lodge launches Integrative Medicine Program in California

Cavallo Point Lodge in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at the former Fort Baker has announced the introduction of integrative medicine at its Healing Arts Center & Spa. The program was designed and is directed by Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH, founding medical director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California San Francisco.

Press Release:
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Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/CavalloPoint

L'Occitane enters the Indian spa market

L’Occitane, the French luxury skincare and beauty products retailer, has signed a partnership deal with Devi Resorts to enter the growing Indian spa market, senior company officials said. The partners plan to set up at least three spas co-branded as Devi Spa by L’Occitane in several luxury hotels in the country including the Devi Garh Palace in Udaipur, voted as the best boutique hotel in India by Conde Nast magazine.

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Denver firm to purchase Kingsmill Resort & Spa Virginia

Denver-based Xanterra Parks & Resorts Inc. has reached an agreement to purchase the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., from Busch Properties Inc.

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Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Launches New Spa Therapy

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will introduce a new bespoke Oriental Essence spa therapy, together with additional homecare products at many of its luxury hotel spas worldwide, from May 2010. The one-hour signature Oriental Essence massage has been devised to introduce guests to a simple, effective and authentic spa experience in a short period of time.

Oriental Essence consists of a powerful, hands-on body massage ritual that combines the potent effects of oriental meridian massage with the therapeutic benefits of Mandarin Oriental’s signature “Quintessence” custom-blended essential oil. Each treatment begins with a short back diagnostic consultation in order to determine each individual’s personal and current state of wellbeing. A firm full body massage is then tailored to each guest.

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Massage Elite now offering franchising to day spas

Kala Group, LLC based out of Scottsdale, Arizona is happy to announce the creation of Massage Elite, a new concept in massage and day spa franchising. Massage Elite is offering franchises to established day spas, independent massage therapists, and those opening a new day spa or massage practice.

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http://www.pr-inside.com/massage-elite-begins-new-massage-and-r1755134.htm

Recession hasn't decreased demand for #massage therapists

It’s one of the ironies of the Great Recession. Even as Michigan’s long and deep economic downturn generates plenty of stress, many laid-off workers are finding new careers as massage therapists.  Despite the poor economy, demand for massage therapists is still holding strong, thanks to hiring by hospitals, chiropractic offices, nursing homes and others.

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