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

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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NBC selects Fitness Ridge Resort Utah as exclusive destination partner for The Biggest Loser

Congratulations to the newly named "Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge" in Ivins, Utah, selected to be the exclusive weight loss destination to NBC's television show "The Biggest Loser."  The Resort provides an affordable, calorie-controlled, structured program, boot camp style, for both men and women of any fitness level.  The program is aligned with The Biggest Loser lifestyle and features hiking, stimulating cardio and stretch classes, healthy and tasty spa cuisine, and practical education to help participants succeed.

Read more about The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge on SpaIndex.com: Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas

Additional headlines:

Biggest Loser franchise expands into games and a resort spa (LA Times)

"Guests will spend up to $2,000 a week to have an experience that resort co-owner Tami Clark says mimics the life that contestants live on “The Biggest Loser.”

'Loser' licensing pumps up Reveille (Variety)

Already a ratings heavyweight for NBC, "The Biggest Loser" is also proving a major moneymaker for the network and producer Reveille Entertainment through licensed merchandise, which now includes a videogame and resort. ...

The resort enables visitors to live a "Biggest Loser" lifestyle by offering a weight-loss program similar to what contestants on the series experience at the show's ranch.  Fitness Ridge opened in 2002 as a collaboration between health and wellness entrepreneurs Tami Clark, Michelle Kelsch and Cameron Kelsch. The venue will be featured in upcoming episodes of the show.

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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Starwood Teams with Europe's First Social Concierge Service

Hotel chain The Luxury Collection by Starwood has launched an interactive travel community within up-market social network Asmallworld.net, which it is calling Europe's first social media-based hotel concierge service.

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Make it a Mammogram and Spa Day in Michigan

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and its Mercy Women’s Health Center is pleased to host a special day just for women 35 years of age and older. Local women are invited to have their baseline mammogram completed at the Mercy Women’s Health Center. Prepare to be pampered! In addition to obtaining the mammogram via the most advanced digital mammography system in Port Huron, participants also will be treated to complimentary teas and coffees, paraffin hand wax treatments, and free bone density testing. No appointments are necessary and mammograms will be read immediately on site.

Baseline Mammogram Spa Day will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, August 6, at Mercy Women’s Health Center, located at 2601 Electric Avenue, in Port Huron, Michigan

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Luxury hotel chains make a play for business travelers

The drop in business and group travel because of the recession has dealt a body blow to airlines and hotels.

Part of that drop came after critics, including President Obama, lashed out at companies that rewarded executives with expensive junkets after accepting government bailout money.

At some airlines, business travel has fallen more than 20% this year. During the first two months of 2009, America's lodging industry reported losing more than $1 billion in revenue from canceled corporate meetings and events, according to the U.S. Travel Assn., a nationwide industry group.

And now airlines and hotels are fighting back with a slew of new campaigns to boost business travel.

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JetBlue Introduces Spa Getaways Vacation Package

JetBlue Airways Corporation is pleased to introduce new Lifestyle Getaways, themed vacation package options designed to fit vacationers' interests. Lifestyle Getaways categorize hotels and resorts according to a common interest or theme, such as all-inclusive, family, golf, historic, romantic and spa. 

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Trading: JBLU

Planet Spa: "North Americans Don't Like to Be Touched."

Forty percent of North Americans don't like to be touched, which explains why many people avoid going to spas, despite their needs, or desire to be healthier and look better - but with the introduction of innovative spa technologies, North Americans can now have spa treatments in total privacy.

Besides making a spa experience convenient and affordable, Planet Beach's use of innovative technologies enables the sessions to be fully automated and private - as the equipment displaces the need for a therapist.

"At Planet Beach Contempo® Spa, each piece of spa equipment is designed for a specific task and is located in its own room," says Master Franchisee Nicole Matta. "Once a client enters their assigned room and shuts the door, they begin their private spa session - just the client and the machine - no spa attendant is needed or present."

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Wellness centres turn their attentions to teens and tweens

There are new kids on the spa scene and they're indulging in princess pedicures, missy manicures and mom-and-me massages.

Wellness centres traditionally have served aging boomers looking for the fountain of youth and stressed-out execs seeking respite from the pressures of work. Now, even the most celebrated spas are turning their talents toward teens and tweens, recognizing that in 2009, many believe one can never be too young, too beautiful or too pampered.

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The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Introduces Elixir for Economic Woes

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa recently launched Grove's Magical Elixer 2.0 Campaign. The Resort has returned to its historic roots and developed a new viral marketing campaign and website celebrating Founder Edwin W. "EW" Grove's infamous elixirs and tonics that eased the daily challenges of the human body and spirit. The campaign uses this metaphor by highlighting the Resort's offerings as modern day "Elixirs" for various ailments, including woes associated with the current economic climate.

Grove was a druggist, who made millions with his concoctions in the 1890s, selling more bottles of "Grove's Tasteless Tonic", than Coca Cola(R). With his great success, Grove realized his dream of building a place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Working side by side with 400 men, he built a place that offers the comfort of home and the luxury of a resort, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina.

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