7 June 2007, Dubai: The ground-breaking underwater spa treatment rooms at Huvafen Fushi, most spectacular island-chic resort in the Maldives, have undergone an innovative transformation that takes cutting-edge cool to another level.
Masterminded by the award-winning British designer and architect Richard Hywel Evans, the two underwater treatment areas have been completely reinvented, with the addition of a separate relaxation pod where post-treatment guests can relax on an oversized day bed and enjoy the sublime surroundings.
"We wanted to create an interior that was in keeping with the spa's position at the bottom of the sea! The underwater spa has always been a sensational concept and the new interior was designed to reflect and amplify this extraordinary environment; one of our main challenges was dividing the space into three separate areas using room dividers that could disappear, unifying the space so that it could be used for a variety of functions including 'underwater' wedding ceremonies. The underwater spa is now truly the world's most unique spa experience," says Hywel Evans.
To enter the underwater spa, guests now pass along a passageway decorated in soft pinks, aqua blues, calming yellows and relaxing greens. These colours reflect off wooden walls that retract to reveal the treatment and relaxation spaces beyond. Interior walls have been uplifted to a silver white, providing an ideal canvas for the chromotherapy lighting; a Barrisoltm ceiling has been installed, creating an ethereal canopy of light, with variable colour and intensity to enhance or tone down the mood; while pebble marble tiles underfoot appear to bring the sea floor inside.
Jane Quinn, Managing Director Per Aquum Spa Collection, says: "Constant evolution has been, and will remain the key to our success at Per Aquum. Guests who truly want to experience one-on-one quality time with our superb therapists, in a super sexy underwater cave that connects them instantly with the Indian Ocean and its inhabitants, should experience this iconic journey. It is a visual feast and a truly authentic experience that leaves you truly nurtured by nature."
To celebrate the evolution of the underwater treatment rooms, Per Aquum Spa Collection has created a sensational new signature spa experience. The Unite Me - Crystal Ritual offers guests the opportunity to embrace the essence of the Maldives with a truly indigenous combination of body brushing; a sand and lime mineral poultice, using Maldivian sand and lime from local lime trees; and a local Maldivian virgin coconut oil massage using coconut wood massage tools designed exclusively by the spa team at Huvafen Fushi, and hand-made by the local community. Following the massage, guests retire to the relaxation pod and enjoy mineral water, fresh fruits and herbal teas while savouring kaleidoscopic views of clownfish, stingrays and the other exotic marine life that populates the lagoon.
-Ends-
Note to Editors:
A masterpiece of engineering and the result of years of meticulous research by an international team of designers and engineers, Huvafen Fushi's underwater treatment rooms are uniquely constructed using a solid cast resin to create an underwater structure that could be set in the open ocean with minimal disturbance to the island's delicate eco system. With crystal clear resin five inches thick, the structure exceeds the specifications demanded by the American standards authority and provides infinitely better clarity than the cheaper option of laminated glass.
The spa at Huvafen Fushi comprises eight treatment rooms, two of which are underwater; 'Degrees', which includes an ice room, sauna, steam room, onsen shower and mist shower; relaxation lounge with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean; boutique; manicure and pedicure suite; ladies' and gentlemen's changing rooms and a reception area. In addition, Huvafen Fushi also boasts the Lonu Veyo, a salt-water floatation pool harnessing the abundance of minerals found in the Indian Ocean.
A Universal Enterprise, Per Aquum Resorts • Spas • Residences is a specialist luxury resort, spa and residence management company that offers a different kind of company ethos: one that is passionate, visionary, imaginative and naturally modern. Each property embodies regional tradition and combines luxurious fittings and furnishings in a culturally sensitive way. No two properties are alike. Literally translated, Per Aquum means 'through water', and the vision of the company is to develop and manage properties in desirable locations using naturally modern, ecologically responsible design. Per Aquum currently manages properties in Maldives, Sri Lanka, Dubai and Seychelles and is looking at additional locations in the Indian Ocean region, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco and the Middle East.
Huvafen Fushi - Maldives A Waking Dream www.huvafenfushi.com | Maakanaa - Maldives (opening 2008) Natural Inspiration www.peraquum.com |
Dhoni Mighili A Very Private Affair www.dhonimighili.com | Zil Pasyon - Seychelles (opening 2008) Island of Passion www.zilpasyon.com |
The Fortress - Sri Lanka Old Ceylon. Modern Asia www.thefortress.lk | Al Maaden - Marrakech (opening 2009) Behind Closed Doors www.peraquum.com |
Desert Palm - Dubai (opening 2007) Arabian Avant-garde www.desertpalm.ae | Vie - Seychelles (opening 2009) Primal Luxury www.vie.sc |
Prickly Bay - Grenada (opening 2008) Caribbean Chill www.pricklybay.com | Salus Fushi - Maldives (opening 2008) Healing Islands www.zilwa.com |
Point Break - Grenada (opening 2009) The New Caribbean www.peraquum.com | The Spa Collection www.peraquum.com |
Note to Picture Editors: Images of all Per Aquum properties can be viewed via www.peraquum.com
A Universal Enterprise
For any further information, please contact:
Stacey Dean
Group Public Relations Manager
Email: stacey@peraquum.com
Website: www.peraquum.com
© Press Release 2007
