Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced at the recent International Spa Association annual conference that it plans to expand its portfolio of hotel spas by more than 50 percent within the next year.
More than 150 new spas are either planned or are in development at Starwood hotels, which currently has spas at over 300 properties spread across brands that include W, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Westin and Sheraton.
The company plans to further develop the spa concepts that are tailored for each of its hotel brands, including Shine Spa for Sheraton; Iridium Spa, a new brand developed for St. Regis; Explore Spa by Le Meridien; Heavenly Spa by Westin and Away Spa by W Hotels. [
According to Mia Kyricos, director of global spa brands and programming for Starwood, the expansion is being fueled by customer demand and the “perceived quality” of hotels with spa facilities.
“Spas are no longer considered an amenity; guests expect them,” she said. “And they’re no longer viewed as an indulgence, but an essential part of the balance and wellness guests seek while on the road.”
