New ultra-luxe resort featuring Raison d’Etre spa opens in Cyprus
by Jane Kitchen | 25 Jul 2019
Cyprus-based hospitality group Stademos Hotels has unveiled its latest resort, Amara, a 207-bedroom hotel in the coastal town of Limassol.
With the architecture and interior design of the new build carried out by SB Architects, David Rockwell Studio and WA Interiors, the hotel’s interiors were inspired by Cyprus’ intricate heritage, with cultural influences and architectural details expressive of the island’s Mediterranean landscape. The floor-to-ceiling windows welcome an abundance of natural light into the rooms and suites, which are filled with soft, sandy tones, blue and teal colour accents, and warm wooden lighting fixtures.
The spa, developed by Raison d’Etre, offers a host of Carita and Organic Pharmacy treatments, alongside a personal trainer, qualified nutritionist, nail bar and hairdressing salon. Spa services also include a laconium, caldarium, tepidarium and a frigidarium, all inspired by ancient Roman baths.
“It is an exciting time to be opening the doors at Amara given the recent increase in investment of luxury hotels and property in Limassol,” said general manager Xavier Jolivet. “The town has seen a surge of development in recent years, including the completion of the new marina, and multiple high-end hotel openings in the pipeline very much placing Limassol on the map as a luxury European beach destination in its own right”.
ultra-luxe resort Raison d’Etre spa Cyprus Limassol Amara
The architecture and interior design of the new build carried out by SB Architects, David Rockwell Studio and WA Interiors
Windows welcome an abundance of natural light into the rooms, which are filled with soft, sandy tones, blue and teal colour accents
Spa services also include a laconium, caldarium, tepidarium and a frigidarium, all inspired by ancient Roman baths
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Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
by Helen Andrews | 03 Jun 2026
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Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
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David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
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New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
by Helen Andrews | 20 Apr 2026
The heritage-listed Department of Lands building in Sydney, Australia, has relaunched as a major cultural and events destination, as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of two iconic buildings known collectively as the Sandstone Precinct. Singapore-based Pontiac Land Group owns the property, as well as the building next door that was the former Department of Education building. The two-phase restoration project has seen Pontiac turn the Department of Education building into
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
World of Frozen has opened at Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris with new offerings across the entire park. The expansion almost doubles the size of Disneyland Paris, immersing guests in a life-size recreation of the Kingdom of Arendel. The World of Frozen features a Tangled -inspired attraction, 14 new dining locations and a large lake debuting a new night-time spectacular. It also features a daytime celebration, themed shopping, and
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
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Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to expand its presence in Egypt with the renovation and operation of two historic hotel properties and the brand’s first-ever luxury river cruise. In 2022, Mandarin Oriental announced it would open its first Egyptian property, Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and is due to open in 2027. Ownership and development The river cruise, Old Cataract
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
Holistic design and architecture practice Mendil + Meyer, based in Arizona in the US, has introduced a new division called Lām Concepts to integrate and align wellness goals for projects before they reach the design stage. Ben Meyer, architect and co-founder of Mendil + Meyer, told Spa Business exclusively about the new division: “Lām comes from the word loam, meaning fertile ground – the place where conditions are right for
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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