“ People forgot that [ spa ’ s ] roots are in preventative medicine and integrated health . That ’ s where I see the parallel .”
pose and connection , both of which drive overall health .
Essential to be Environmental
Kyricos also argues that such communities must be inherently eco-friendly : because nature supports human health , it is essential to support nature ’ s health . Rancho La
— NANCY GRIFFIN , Principal , Contento Marketing
Puerta ’ s Arjona agrees with Kyricos : “ I
Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences integrate existing estuaries and green space into its design . believe that it ’ s integral to be in the right environment to do well . I think that resorts that have nature should embrace nature .”
Rancho La Puerta announced in mid-2020 the addition of residences to the Ranch ’ s 4,000 acre grounds . The plan , says Arjona , had been in development for quite some time before then . “ Since our founding in 1940 , the founders have looked to acquire land with the purpose of conservancy … ultimately , we began to have conversations about how [ to use that land ] to inspire the community and inspire others to develop in the way that we believe the area should be developed — that means sustainable practices and environmentally conscious developments . We thought that creating a community next to the Ranch was one of the best ways to do that .” The residences , priced between $ 665,000 and $ 1.5 million , are built to be healthy for both inhabitants and the environment by using reclaimed water for irrigation , offering solar energy , and providing ample natural lighting and ventilation , among other features . Rather than being built over the existing landscape , the residences are being built alongside the landscape , integrating an existing creek into the overall design .
Another new wellness community , Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences in Palm Beach , Florida , took a similar approach despite working with a much
more limited supply of land . The newbuild community , constructed on seven-and-a-half acres of oceanfront property , was designed around existing estuaries and natural greenspace , says Director of Wellness & Spa Danny Silva .“ In addition to that ,” adds Silva ,“ we ’ re just a short bike ride away from a nature park that ’ s also a sea turtle preserve and sanctuary , with a natural lagoon .” While wellness communities in urban environments may not have the same space as more secluded resorts and destination spas , creating a true wellness community is still possible as long as one works with — and for — the natural environment .
Spa at the Center
True wellness communities — though still rare today , according to Nancy Griffin — are ascendent , and this rise brings “ only pluses ” for the spa industry , says Kyricos . As a spa resort operator , adding
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
CREATED BY CONTENTO MARKETING
22 PULSE ■ MAY 2021