Credit: Alonso Designs

Being a marathon runner helps me to translate the real needs of visitors into my wellness design
– Ignacio Alonso

Gurney's Montauk Resort's waterfront spa in Long Island, US, is being reimagined by architect Ignacio Alonso of Alonso Designs.

The year-round 158-room resort dates back to 1926 and consists of a two-story building on an oceanfront promontory with a large saltwater pool at the upper level and treatment rooms at the lower level.

Currently, the resort’s 30,000sq ft Seawater Spa is closed for renovations and will reopen in December 2021.

The resort’s existing saltwater swimming pool – fed directly by the Atlantic – is being renovated and will be complemented with four new thermal experiences – a caldarium, thermae and a dual frigidarium – all with ocean views.

Newly designed treatment rooms, featuring indoor/outdoor space will offer chromotherapy, hydrotherapy and full-body treatments. The spa’s locker rooms, reception and retail space are also being overhauled.

Once complete, the property will include a medical spa, Scottish sauna, infrared sauna, gym, strength and cardio rooms, plus a multi-function fitness studio for classes.

Alonso is the lead designer – including interior design and FF&E – and project coordinator for the spa upgrade.

He told CLAD his broad professional experience as a designer in the wellness field – including realising New York City's Aire Ancient Baths among others – led him to the Gurney’s project.

Besides being an architect, Alonso is also a keen marathon runner and is a supporter of wellness facilities and their benefits.

“This helps me to translate the real needs of visitors into wellness design”, he explained.

One of Alonso’s main objectives is to open the building to the waterfront by introducing new treatment rooms with direct ocean views and dedicated outdoor space for treatments and relaxation.

He’s also incorporating sustainable practices into the spa and has opted to install environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mechanical and water treatment systems.

Alonso said interior design will be inspired by the resort’s personality and its natural beachfront surroundings. Materials have been chosen to call attention to the views the building offers.

To this end, all pools will have custom-designed infinity edges that blur their meeting with the ocean.

The recent renovation follows upgrades completed by WTS International in 2015, read more here.

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