SOLÍS THE PALMYRA TO BOAST THE CARIBBEAN’S MOST SPECTACULAR SPA FACILITY - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 9
Designed under the guidance of world renowned spa authority, Susan Harmsworth, CEO and Founder of ESPA, The Palmyra ESPA is the first destination spa of its kind in the Caribbean. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the 30,000 square foot facility is a classical, two-storey building with open-air porticos surrounding a reflecting lily-pond; a tranquil space that takes full advantage of the wonderful views. Breaking the mold in design and amenities, the world class sanctuary promises to please the most seasoned spa enthusiasts with ESPA’s award winning service standards, carried in 100 spas across 24 countries.
A niche luxury spa brand positioned at the highest level of the spa market, ESPA Founder and CEO Susan Harmsworth is regarded as the ultimate spa authority by the world’s most respected journalists. With her deep, all encompassing and inspirational knowledge, Harmsworth and her ESPA team specialize in the creation of luxury spas and travel the globe to impart their expertise to the world’s premier hotel brands. Says Harmsworth; “The well traveled spa guest wants a well-appointed and meaningful spa experience. They are searching for an escape from their hectic lives; a chance to make a tangible change in their bodies Susan Harmsworth, founder and CEO of ESPA that connects them with nature. A great spa provides people with the time and space to stop and reconsider what is real and important.”
With legendary hotelier Horst Schulze and the Solís Hotel & Resorts set to manage The Palmyra Resort, two of the world’s most legendary personalities in the area of luxury travel are pooling their resources to create a world class retreat. “It is an honor to be working together with Horst Schulze and his team on this very special project. His talent and successes have been clearly demonstrated with his illustrative history in the hospitality industry,” says the ESPA Founder.
Bringing her expertise to Jamaica, Harmsworth’s passion for delivering perfection will surely delight guests waiting to enjoy the spa, which has been painstakingly created to bring sophisticated travelers a piece of sought after heaven. Encompassing 11 multi-functional treatment rooms, three private treatment suites, a finishing studio, an outdoor relaxation terrace with hot and cold pools overlooking the ocean, aromatic steam rooms, Finnish saunas, lifestyle showers, ice fountains, and stunning ocean views, The Palmyra ESPA has it all.
Working together with Miami based architects Sandy Babcock and interior design firm Gettys from Chicago, ESPA has created an environment in which guests are constantly moving between indoor and outdoor spaces, while keeping in touch with the natural elements and the rhythm of the ocean waves. Natural materials are used throughout while shadowed light, warm materials and sound of the ocean infuse the spaces with peace. Explains Laura Boss, Director of Design and Projects for ESPA; “Seclusion and privacy are key issues, so we have created spaces that are generously sized and separate. Each treatment room has a private balcony, while the suites also include private soaking tubs and steam rooms. Guests will embark in a personal spa experience, specially designed by ESPA, and attuned with Jamaica’s stunning natural setting.”
ESPA’s innovative and restorative treatments are inspired by the ancient traditions of Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese and Thai cultures. Unique treatments are enhanced by a full complement of ESPA aromatherapy oils, lotions, balms, muds and seaweeds, combined according to clients’ needs to create holistic treatments that focus as much on the inner self and mind, as the face and body.
ESPA has captured the best nature has to offer to produce a luxurious range of products that is second to none in therapeutic quality. By combining active natural ingredients with the latest scientific advances, the ESPA range is tailor-made to suit the needs of each individual. Products have been formulated using only the highest quality plants known for their purity, potency and therapeutic qualities. Essential oils such as Neroli, Bulgarian Rose Otto, Palmerosa, Frankincense, Wild Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Myrrh are delicately combined to work together in harmony, making them more powerful as blends than they would be on their own. In addition, each product can be used effectively by itself, but produces greater, long-term effects if used with complementary products in the range.
Though prestigious brand cachet may get spa-goers in the door, it is ESPA’s second-to-none treatments that keep clients coming back for more. ESPA therapists are known to be tops in the spa industry. A very selective screening process is used to recruit potential therapists, and each applicant has one chance to prove the ability to learn ESPA’s level of therapeutic practice. Upon being accepted to the intensive training program, each therapist trains according to individual ability and is continuously evaluated. ESPA encourages ongoing training, and only therapists with advanced levels of training have the expertise to perform ESPA’s most intricate and intense treatments.
With on-going training as the cornerstone in an organization that is renowned for the delivery of quality service, all ESPA therapists and spa employees receive extensive holistic, multi cultural spa training from the renowned ESPA Development Program. The company hand picks teams for each spa that undertake three months training prior to the spa opening.
ESPA’s standards are carried in more than 100 spas in 24 countries, while an additional 60 projects are currently in the works worldwide. ESPA spas include the One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, The Peninsula Spas in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok, The Spa at The Regent Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles, Mandarin Orientals in London, Miami and New York, as well as esteemed independent properties like Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa in Tuscany, Italy and Gleneagles in Scotland.
A niche luxury spa brand positioned at the highest level of the spa market, ESPA Founder and CEO Susan Harmsworth is regarded as the ultimate spa authority by the world’s most respected journalists. With her deep, all encompassing and inspirational knowledge, Harmsworth and her ESPA team specialize in the creation of luxury spas and travel the globe to impart their expertise to the world’s premier hotel brands. Says Harmsworth; “The well traveled spa guest wants a well-appointed and meaningful spa experience. They are searching for an escape from their hectic lives; a chance to make a tangible change in their bodies Susan Harmsworth, founder and CEO of ESPA that connects them with nature. A great spa provides people with the time and space to stop and reconsider what is real and important.”
With legendary hotelier Horst Schulze and the Solís Hotel & Resorts set to manage The Palmyra Resort, two of the world’s most legendary personalities in the area of luxury travel are pooling their resources to create a world class retreat. “It is an honor to be working together with Horst Schulze and his team on this very special project. His talent and successes have been clearly demonstrated with his illustrative history in the hospitality industry,” says the ESPA Founder.
Bringing her expertise to Jamaica, Harmsworth’s passion for delivering perfection will surely delight guests waiting to enjoy the spa, which has been painstakingly created to bring sophisticated travelers a piece of sought after heaven. Encompassing 11 multi-functional treatment rooms, three private treatment suites, a finishing studio, an outdoor relaxation terrace with hot and cold pools overlooking the ocean, aromatic steam rooms, Finnish saunas, lifestyle showers, ice fountains, and stunning ocean views, The Palmyra ESPA has it all.
Working together with Miami based architects Sandy Babcock and interior design firm Gettys from Chicago, ESPA has created an environment in which guests are constantly moving between indoor and outdoor spaces, while keeping in touch with the natural elements and the rhythm of the ocean waves. Natural materials are used throughout while shadowed light, warm materials and sound of the ocean infuse the spaces with peace. Explains Laura Boss, Director of Design and Projects for ESPA; “Seclusion and privacy are key issues, so we have created spaces that are generously sized and separate. Each treatment room has a private balcony, while the suites also include private soaking tubs and steam rooms. Guests will embark in a personal spa experience, specially designed by ESPA, and attuned with Jamaica’s stunning natural setting.”
ESPA’s innovative and restorative treatments are inspired by the ancient traditions of Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese and Thai cultures. Unique treatments are enhanced by a full complement of ESPA aromatherapy oils, lotions, balms, muds and seaweeds, combined according to clients’ needs to create holistic treatments that focus as much on the inner self and mind, as the face and body.
ESPA has captured the best nature has to offer to produce a luxurious range of products that is second to none in therapeutic quality. By combining active natural ingredients with the latest scientific advances, the ESPA range is tailor-made to suit the needs of each individual. Products have been formulated using only the highest quality plants known for their purity, potency and therapeutic qualities. Essential oils such as Neroli, Bulgarian Rose Otto, Palmerosa, Frankincense, Wild Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Myrrh are delicately combined to work together in harmony, making them more powerful as blends than they would be on their own. In addition, each product can be used effectively by itself, but produces greater, long-term effects if used with complementary products in the range.
Though prestigious brand cachet may get spa-goers in the door, it is ESPA’s second-to-none treatments that keep clients coming back for more. ESPA therapists are known to be tops in the spa industry. A very selective screening process is used to recruit potential therapists, and each applicant has one chance to prove the ability to learn ESPA’s level of therapeutic practice. Upon being accepted to the intensive training program, each therapist trains according to individual ability and is continuously evaluated. ESPA encourages ongoing training, and only therapists with advanced levels of training have the expertise to perform ESPA’s most intricate and intense treatments.
With on-going training as the cornerstone in an organization that is renowned for the delivery of quality service, all ESPA therapists and spa employees receive extensive holistic, multi cultural spa training from the renowned ESPA Development Program. The company hand picks teams for each spa that undertake three months training prior to the spa opening.
ESPA’s standards are carried in more than 100 spas in 24 countries, while an additional 60 projects are currently in the works worldwide. ESPA spas include the One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, The Peninsula Spas in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok, The Spa at The Regent Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles, Mandarin Orientals in London, Miami and New York, as well as esteemed independent properties like Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa in Tuscany, Italy and Gleneagles in Scotland.
