EPR Architects and Champalimaud Design New York create Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the first UK hotel to be owned and operated by YTL Hotels, will soft open on 1 July. The facility will feature Spa Village Bath – YTL’s international brand concept of a thermal Romanesque bathing circuit.
Designed by London-based EPR Architects along with New York-based Champalimaud Design in collaboration with a number of other interior designers, the hotel will retain its Georgian characteristics and will have marble bathrooms, burl wood inlaid wardrobes and draperies that frame the property’s tall windows.
The Grade-II listed building housed the United Hospital in the 19th century and, more recently, the Bath College of Art & Design – until 2005. Named after the highly-acclaimed painter Thomas Gainsborough, The Gainsborough Bath Spa has selected three students from the College and commissioned them to create exclusive artwork for the hotel to feature prominently in its public spaces.
To promote social bathing, the hotel spa has created a one-hour bathing ritual – a self-guided tour of the thermal pools, saunas, steamroom, ice alcove and relaxation rooms. There are also three pools of different temperatures – cooled from an initial 47ºC (117ºF).
The 99-bedroom hotel will include an exclusive spa suite and two further spa rooms with in-bath access to the thermal waters via a second tap.
The Aroma Bar within the spa allows guests to blend their own oils. Products on offer at the spa are by Neal’s Yard, Kerstin Florian and Amala.
In March 2014 Martin Clubbe was appointed general manager of the hotel, having previously worked for Macdonald Hotels – managing the repositioning of The Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel as a five-star property.
General manager appointed to YTL-owned Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel
YTL Hotels takes charge of Thermae Bath Spa
First new thermal spa hotel for Bath as YTL announces The Gainsborough
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Aman Group to open second Janu in Dubai with inaugural Janu Club
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres




















