JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is in the process of re-imagining more than 20 of its global spa facilities through its newly-created concept called Spa by JW, intended to provide guests with an accessible luxury experience through express treatments.

A spokesperson for Marriott told Spa Business that while the separate Spas by JW will differ from property to property, they will each have express spa suites, an open lounge space, a retail area and treatment rooms for full-service therapies. Spa consultants Spa Strategy worked with JW to come up with the concept Spa by JW.

The first of Marriott’s spas to receive this design overhaul is the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, US, set to launch in September. The facility will feature two full-service treatment rooms, a couples’ suite and four hotel rooms that offer spa loungers that convert into massage tables.

“The specific investment into each spa varies, but the JW brand has made a significant investment into resources – capital and human – to re-think the spa experience to better meet guests' needs and to ultimately drive better spa utilisation,” the spokesperson continued.

With the spas to be operated in-house by JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Aromatherapy Associates products will be incorporated into treatments designed to address four core benefit states: Calm, Indulge, Invigorate and Renew. Treatment examples include a relaxing scalp massage, hydrating hands therapy, facials, nail services, 60-90-minute massages, express treatments and body scrubs.

“Our guests are incredibly passionate about wellbeing but they don’t always have the time to invest in cultivating it,” said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president and global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “They are looking for an experience that delivers true impact and results that are tailored to their state of mind.”

“The express suites are a distinctive feature and key component of the Spa by JW concept,” the spokesperson for Marriott added. “Guests do not require an appointment and a variety of 12 to 25-minute services can be booked.”

“Although each spa will follow the same core design, they will also take inspiration from the local culture, providing guests with unique offerings tailored to the spa’s locale,” said the spokesperson. “This will be showcased through hand-selected retail items, food and beverage offerings and specific treatments offered in each spa, plus custom-designed bed linen and unique treatment bed saddles created by microfibre manufacturer Comphy.”

"Senior director of global spa operations at Marriott, Kenneth Ryan, collaborates with separate architects and designers for each property regarding the Spa by JW concept," the spokesperson concluded.

The next Marriott property to receive the Spa by JW design overhaul is the JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, India, scheduled to debut in December.

Currently, there are 65 JW Marriott hotels in 25 countries and by the end of 2015, the portfolio is expected to encompass 79 properties in 28 countries.

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