Post by Macmoish on Nov 29, 2010 13:50:56 GMT
I say decadence...
Business Daily Africa
Exclusive spa wins Kenya coveted world trophy
Lion in the Sun Spa is an expensive hideout whose simplest of treatments start at Sh8,000, but can soar to more than Sh300,000.
By Immaculate Karambu
Thursday, November 11 2010
Perhaps better known as the man who used to date Naomi Campbell, few are aware that the Kenyan coast is also home to Flavio Briatore, one of the world’s most flamboyant millionaires.
An investor in the lucrative Formula 1 motorsport industry, Mr Briatore is said to be worth $150 million, but he’s most famous for his high spending and flashy girlfriends, having been linked with a string of models like Heidi Klum and being the proud owner of a $22 million yacht.
Apart from the Force Blue yacht, which is a converted icebreaker with 12 suites and an on-board Turkish bath, Mr Briatore also owns the fancy Twiga Club in Tuscany, a super exclusive Sardinian beach club aptly called Billionaire; and a secluded spa known as Lion in the Sun in Malindi, which is often rented by superstars in need of private getaways in sunny, little-known spots.
This month, the Lion in the Sun Spa was gifted by the prestigious high fashion magazine Tatler with the title of “The world’s best spa”.
For spas, the Tatler awards are the equivalent of the ‘Oscar’ awards common in the film sector, and are just as highly coveted.
Unlike other awards that involve competition between category nominees, Tatler trophies are done without the knowledge of a facility owner.
Specially appointed agents are booked into various global hotels and spas where they then carry out tests to verify the quality of the facility.
Once this is completed, owners of the winning facilities are informed of the results. To the winners of the coveted award, this often comes both as a surprise and an addition to their business’ rating.
Although Lion in the Sun group owns two spas under the Henri Chenot brand; one in Malindi and another in Merano Italy that attracts high ranking global personalities, the group is delighted with the victorious award won by the Kenyan spa.
The little hideaway on Kenya’s coast is frequented by discerning visitors who travel miles to indulge themselves in detoxifying treatments.
“Our main concept is detoxing. Clients are served with special food and diet that minimises the supply of toxins while at the same time special treatments are implemented in order to help the patient expel the biggest amounts of toxins possible for that individual,” said Dr Pierino Liana, the Chairman Lion in the Sun group.
This specialisation in draining the body of toxins has made the Spa drift away from the more popular concept of a spa business.
“Our Spa is not a beauty Spa,” said Dr Liana.
Lion in the Sun has been able to tap into high-end clientele mainly seeking detoxifying services thus their main strength and the secret behind their success in business.
Surprisingly for many Kenyans, the niche getaway spot has existed for the last 15 years, coming into existence when Mr Briatore sold some of his property that was previously his private residence.
“At the beginning, we owned few properties for private use including Lion in the Sun that was a private residence for Mr Briatore.
Four years ago we decided to transform Lion in the Sun into a highly exclusive retreat with a worldwide recognised health Spa,” said Dr Liana.
Over the years, demand for one-stop shop beauty and relaxation facilities have seen spas rise to the forefront of Kenya’s beauty industry.
Mushrooming in many of the leafy suburbs around the country, many of the spas cater to middle and upper class clients. None, however, can lay claim to being in the upper crust of exclusivity that the Lion in the Sun exists. Most spas in Kenya cost anything from Sh10 million to set up; the Lion in the Sun cost Sh150 million.
The high investment costs result from the importation of Spa equipment, which is what the group relies on as well as investment in staff training.
The Spa plays host to clients from Europe, USA, Russia and the Middle East, who constitute majority of customers. Adding to the client list are international celebrities in fashion, entertainment, politics and financial sectors. Rock star Bono once rented the entire venue for his own use.
Of course, the prices are tailored to match to the clientele type.
Biolight diet
“Our Spa is of course expensive” said Dr Liana. With the simplest of treatments starting at Sh8,000, costs for some services can soar to over Sh300,000.
Accommodation at Lion in the Sun facility inclusive of biolight diet and treatment would cost Sh260,000 per person.
Comparatively, local Spas charge between Sh2,000 to Sh5,000 for different massage types. For a package that includes other services like manicure, pedicure and sauna, average prices are as high as Sh15,000 with a possibility of discounted charges in case the client opts for a fixed term subscription.
In local hotels that say they are five- star outlets, charges for an annual subscription to a health club with a Spa among other facilities would go for highs of Sh100,000 or more.
ikarambu@ke.nationmedia.com
Lion in the Sun Spa is an expensive hideout whose simplest of treatments start at Sh8,000, but can soar to more than Sh300,000.
www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/1051646/-/12mwbnuz/-/
Business Daily Africa
Exclusive spa wins Kenya coveted world trophy
Lion in the Sun Spa is an expensive hideout whose simplest of treatments start at Sh8,000, but can soar to more than Sh300,000.
By Immaculate Karambu
Thursday, November 11 2010
Perhaps better known as the man who used to date Naomi Campbell, few are aware that the Kenyan coast is also home to Flavio Briatore, one of the world’s most flamboyant millionaires.
An investor in the lucrative Formula 1 motorsport industry, Mr Briatore is said to be worth $150 million, but he’s most famous for his high spending and flashy girlfriends, having been linked with a string of models like Heidi Klum and being the proud owner of a $22 million yacht.
Apart from the Force Blue yacht, which is a converted icebreaker with 12 suites and an on-board Turkish bath, Mr Briatore also owns the fancy Twiga Club in Tuscany, a super exclusive Sardinian beach club aptly called Billionaire; and a secluded spa known as Lion in the Sun in Malindi, which is often rented by superstars in need of private getaways in sunny, little-known spots.
This month, the Lion in the Sun Spa was gifted by the prestigious high fashion magazine Tatler with the title of “The world’s best spa”.
For spas, the Tatler awards are the equivalent of the ‘Oscar’ awards common in the film sector, and are just as highly coveted.
Unlike other awards that involve competition between category nominees, Tatler trophies are done without the knowledge of a facility owner.
Specially appointed agents are booked into various global hotels and spas where they then carry out tests to verify the quality of the facility.
Once this is completed, owners of the winning facilities are informed of the results. To the winners of the coveted award, this often comes both as a surprise and an addition to their business’ rating.
Although Lion in the Sun group owns two spas under the Henri Chenot brand; one in Malindi and another in Merano Italy that attracts high ranking global personalities, the group is delighted with the victorious award won by the Kenyan spa.
The little hideaway on Kenya’s coast is frequented by discerning visitors who travel miles to indulge themselves in detoxifying treatments.
“Our main concept is detoxing. Clients are served with special food and diet that minimises the supply of toxins while at the same time special treatments are implemented in order to help the patient expel the biggest amounts of toxins possible for that individual,” said Dr Pierino Liana, the Chairman Lion in the Sun group.
This specialisation in draining the body of toxins has made the Spa drift away from the more popular concept of a spa business.
“Our Spa is not a beauty Spa,” said Dr Liana.
Lion in the Sun has been able to tap into high-end clientele mainly seeking detoxifying services thus their main strength and the secret behind their success in business.
Surprisingly for many Kenyans, the niche getaway spot has existed for the last 15 years, coming into existence when Mr Briatore sold some of his property that was previously his private residence.
“At the beginning, we owned few properties for private use including Lion in the Sun that was a private residence for Mr Briatore.
Four years ago we decided to transform Lion in the Sun into a highly exclusive retreat with a worldwide recognised health Spa,” said Dr Liana.
Over the years, demand for one-stop shop beauty and relaxation facilities have seen spas rise to the forefront of Kenya’s beauty industry.
Mushrooming in many of the leafy suburbs around the country, many of the spas cater to middle and upper class clients. None, however, can lay claim to being in the upper crust of exclusivity that the Lion in the Sun exists. Most spas in Kenya cost anything from Sh10 million to set up; the Lion in the Sun cost Sh150 million.
The high investment costs result from the importation of Spa equipment, which is what the group relies on as well as investment in staff training.
The Spa plays host to clients from Europe, USA, Russia and the Middle East, who constitute majority of customers. Adding to the client list are international celebrities in fashion, entertainment, politics and financial sectors. Rock star Bono once rented the entire venue for his own use.
Of course, the prices are tailored to match to the clientele type.
Biolight diet
“Our Spa is of course expensive” said Dr Liana. With the simplest of treatments starting at Sh8,000, costs for some services can soar to over Sh300,000.
Accommodation at Lion in the Sun facility inclusive of biolight diet and treatment would cost Sh260,000 per person.
Comparatively, local Spas charge between Sh2,000 to Sh5,000 for different massage types. For a package that includes other services like manicure, pedicure and sauna, average prices are as high as Sh15,000 with a possibility of discounted charges in case the client opts for a fixed term subscription.
In local hotels that say they are five- star outlets, charges for an annual subscription to a health club with a Spa among other facilities would go for highs of Sh100,000 or more.
ikarambu@ke.nationmedia.com
Lion in the Sun Spa is an expensive hideout whose simplest of treatments start at Sh8,000, but can soar to more than Sh300,000.
www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/1051646/-/12mwbnuz/-/