connect with themselves ,” says Landon Shockey , ASID , HBG ’ s lead interior designer and spa design specialist . “ Successful spa design enchants and indulges all five senses , while emphasizing wellness and presenting experiences that nourish the soul .”
F & B offerings range from café-style light fare and healthy options to seasonal dishes that emphasize the healing benefits of ingredients . Knowing the customer demographic in the specific market often dictates how much of a driver food and beverage becomes in relation to the spa experience .
“ We ’ re also seeing a trend in the design of larger VIP suites that accommodate spa services ,” Shockey says . “ These suites provide a secluded escape for couples and small groups to partake in extended spa services all within their own private space .”
Healing Springs
The 8,000-square-foot Astral Spa at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort offers a lush , contemporary take on the iconic Hot Springs bathhouse spa , Shockey says , “ along with a relaxed nostalgic ambiance that frames each guest ’ s spa journey through a complete sensory wellness experience .”
Designed by HBG with the Arch Amenity Group and Design for Leisure , the attraction is the first major full-service spa to be designed and built in Arkansas ’ famous “ Spa City ” in more than a century .
Marrying crisp modern lines with historic themes , the spa ’ s design celebrates the history of Hot Springs and Oaklawn ’ s thoroughbred horse racing . It features a dedicated 1,925-square-foot women ’ s spa and a 1,500- square-foot men ’ s spa , each with distinctly tailored parlors , dressing room areas and aqua-thermal lounges featuring vintage-inspired needle showers that recall historic bathhouses .
Unique hot / cold wellness circuits in the women ’ s and men ’ s areas allow guests to “ heat , cool , rest , repeat ” in vapor rooms , infrared saunas , ice lounges , vitality pools and thermal loungers . “ The infrared saunas are the first of their type in the region ,” says Shockey .
At the new 317-key hotel , spa and conference and events expansion at Four Winds Casino in South Bend , Indiana , guests are greeted with a “ seamlessly beautiful display of contemporary design ,” says Paul Bell , AIA , HBG principal and project manager . That look “ flows through every space , with a celebration of the Pokagon Tribe ’ s rich heritage and the natural elements of their native lands ,” he adds . “ One of the most important cultural elements in this celebration is the red cedar wood that ’ s prominently featured throughout the property .”
The 10,000-square-foot Cedar Spa , designed by HBG with Blu Spa Consultants , offers a variety of traditional and unique spa therapies in a tranquil , biophilic space designed to fully embrace relaxation , well-being and healing .
Up on the Roof
The soothing experience originates at the spa entrance on the main promenade of the hotel , highlighted by an illuminated ceiling feature appearing as sunlight shining through a canopy of red cedar trees .
Ornate copper ceiling elements allow pockets of light to peek through , creating dancing shadows around the spa entry . Multi-colored lighting introduces serene color palettes into the space .
Floor-to-ceiling screening combines cedar planks mixed with copper blocking and color-changing lighting to create elegant wayfinding from the entry reception and retail area to the treatment corridors .
The unique layout of the spa allows each treatment area to be hidden from the next , granting each guest a private and personalized experience .
Indoor Pool and Events Complex at Gun Lake
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Astal Spa room
Rooftop pool at Four Winds South Bend Casino
2023 CASINO STYLE 29