HEALTH spas and holistic holidays could be the next big thing in the Western Australian tourism industry.As life’s pressures increase and the time to relax diminishes, a spa holiday seems to be an alluring idea.
HEALTH spas and holistic holidays could be the next big thing in the Western Australian tourism industry.
As life’s pressures increase and the time to relax diminishes, a spa holiday seems to be an alluring idea.
Imagine coming back from a holiday healthier than when you started; combining your annual leave with a body de-tox; and returning to work without the feeling that you need a holiday to recover from the one you just had.
Gone are the days when travelling to Europe was the only option for a true health spa holiday.
Although day spas are fairly well established in Perth – with businesses such as Keturah offering all manner of day spas – the concept of a spa holiday is a relatively new one.
Located in the Margaret River wine region, Views of the Bay Retreat is a home-grown, fully-fledged spa resort, offering everything from a cleansing retreat (detox and weight loss) to the pampering retreat (defined as ‘indulgence’), with packages ranging from day spas to a weekend retreat to a five-day retreat.
Holiday treats include beauty and massage treatments such as facials, body wraps and relefexology.
Those seeking to improve their mental health can take part in activities like Reiki healing or yoga, and there’s even a neuron linguistic programmer (to teach you to control your brain).
Spiritual guidance is available from clairvoyants and tarot readers, while physical health is the domain of personal trainers and aqua aerobics instructors.
For all-round health and balance, there are naturopathy and aromatherapy programs and treatments.
Views of the Bay Retreat is run and owned by husband and wife team Louise and Keith Smith, who took the plunge into the spa business three years ago after realising there was a niche for the service in the holiday market.
“I felt there was a need where people were wanting to go on holidays, but they wanted healthy holidays where they could work on they own needs,” Mrs Smith says.
“Things like de-stressing, weight loss, and nurturing and pampering themselves. Instead of going on holidays and eating like there’s no tomorrow.
“People are wanting to learn, do exercise and work on particular needs while they are on holidays. I think that you can do both (holiday and get healthy). It’s all about creating a balance.
“It’s more like getting in touch with yourself and what your needs are.”
Although the spa has been up and running for three years, it’s only in the past 12 months that the Smiths have completed their dream resort which, by all accounts, is proving quite a success.
The resort caters for a very small number of guests, with a maximum single group size of 10, or individuals of four to six people, which Mrs Smith says allows them to pay lots of attention to detail and personalise programs for each person.
“It’s not a hugely lucrative business because we do small numbers and really try to individualise people. On this scale, we’ll never be millionaires,” Mrs Smith says.
“It is a great business idea, but it is very labour intensive. It’s about delivery and giving the best product.
“There is a lot of attention to detail and a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”
While they may not be making millions, the Smiths’ retreat does break new ground for health holidays in WA. Although there are several other health/religious retreats in WA, Views of the Bay is the only full spa holiday, and there’s little doubt that the Smiths are on to a good thing.
“I’ve been successful in what I’d set out to achieve,” Mrs Smith says.
“The feedback from people is fantastic. They say it’s the ultimate pampering experience.
“We get thank-you notes and cards from people all the time.”
As the focus on health and health issues becomes stronger in the public’s mind – and people increasingly need to have relaxing breaks from their stressful work and personal lives – the future for health spas in WA looks bright.
“I think the focus now on health is more than ever,” Mrs Smith says.
“People are looking at their lifestyles and what they are putting into their bodies.
“They’re are looking towards preventative medicine.”
The limited time many people have to take a break also fits well with retreats.
“People used to plan to have a month off. With a busy lifestyle these days, many of us can only get away for two days,” Mrs Smith says.
“They want to be a able to obtain something from that holiday as well as having a break from daily life.”
As life’s pressures increase and the time to relax diminishes, a spa holiday seems to be an alluring idea.
Imagine coming back from a holiday healthier than when you started; combining your annual leave with a body de-tox; and returning to work without the feeling that you need a holiday to recover from the one you just had.
Gone are the days when travelling to Europe was the only option for a true health spa holiday.
Although day spas are fairly well established in Perth – with businesses such as Keturah offering all manner of day spas – the concept of a spa holiday is a relatively new one.
Located in the Margaret River wine region, Views of the Bay Retreat is a home-grown, fully-fledged spa resort, offering everything from a cleansing retreat (detox and weight loss) to the pampering retreat (defined as ‘indulgence’), with packages ranging from day spas to a weekend retreat to a five-day retreat.
Holiday treats include beauty and massage treatments such as facials, body wraps and relefexology.
Those seeking to improve their mental health can take part in activities like Reiki healing or yoga, and there’s even a neuron linguistic programmer (to teach you to control your brain).
Spiritual guidance is available from clairvoyants and tarot readers, while physical health is the domain of personal trainers and aqua aerobics instructors.
For all-round health and balance, there are naturopathy and aromatherapy programs and treatments.
Views of the Bay Retreat is run and owned by husband and wife team Louise and Keith Smith, who took the plunge into the spa business three years ago after realising there was a niche for the service in the holiday market.
“I felt there was a need where people were wanting to go on holidays, but they wanted healthy holidays where they could work on they own needs,” Mrs Smith says.
“Things like de-stressing, weight loss, and nurturing and pampering themselves. Instead of going on holidays and eating like there’s no tomorrow.
“People are wanting to learn, do exercise and work on particular needs while they are on holidays. I think that you can do both (holiday and get healthy). It’s all about creating a balance.
“It’s more like getting in touch with yourself and what your needs are.”
Although the spa has been up and running for three years, it’s only in the past 12 months that the Smiths have completed their dream resort which, by all accounts, is proving quite a success.
The resort caters for a very small number of guests, with a maximum single group size of 10, or individuals of four to six people, which Mrs Smith says allows them to pay lots of attention to detail and personalise programs for each person.
“It’s not a hugely lucrative business because we do small numbers and really try to individualise people. On this scale, we’ll never be millionaires,” Mrs Smith says.
“It is a great business idea, but it is very labour intensive. It’s about delivery and giving the best product.
“There is a lot of attention to detail and a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”
While they may not be making millions, the Smiths’ retreat does break new ground for health holidays in WA. Although there are several other health/religious retreats in WA, Views of the Bay is the only full spa holiday, and there’s little doubt that the Smiths are on to a good thing.
“I’ve been successful in what I’d set out to achieve,” Mrs Smith says.
“The feedback from people is fantastic. They say it’s the ultimate pampering experience.
“We get thank-you notes and cards from people all the time.”
As the focus on health and health issues becomes stronger in the public’s mind – and people increasingly need to have relaxing breaks from their stressful work and personal lives – the future for health spas in WA looks bright.
“I think the focus now on health is more than ever,” Mrs Smith says.
“People are looking at their lifestyles and what they are putting into their bodies.
“They’re are looking towards preventative medicine.”
The limited time many people have to take a break also fits well with retreats.
“People used to plan to have a month off. With a busy lifestyle these days, many of us can only get away for two days,” Mrs Smith says.
“They want to be a able to obtain something from that holiday as well as having a break from daily life.”
