Time for sensory hubs: the world of wellness destinations is undergoing a transformation

When entrepreneur Ryan McCarthy came up with the idea of a spa in SoHo offering everything from facial cryotherapy treatments (deep dermal heating using radiofrequency equipment, followed by cold applications) to Gua Sha massages (where a small heated tool is glided along the meridian lines to relieve tension), he turned to London-based designer Charlotte Taylor and the architectural practice EBBA, asking them to create a space that was as far removed as possible from a clinical aesthetic. ‘He asked us to create something more like a living room at home, with books stacked on the coffee table and a varied assortment of chairs, as if they’d been collected over the years,’ says Taylor. She sought out and assembled vintage pieces – for example, the cube-shaped armchairs from the Ralph Lauren Collection – along with bespoke rugs and sculptures, “scattering them throughout the space like moments of respite”. McCarthy helped select the books, including a well-thumbed biography of Rod Stewart. On arrival, guests are offered cashmere socks bearing the spa’s logo. To wear and then take home. 550 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10012, spencers.spa.

Un ambiente della spa newyorkese Spencer’s.

LORE BATHING CLUB, New York

In response to the growing interest in so-called contrast therapy – the therapeutic use of alternating heat and cold – the Lore Bathing Club, which recently opened in NoHo, offers its members scorching saunas and ice-cold baths. Spanning two floors, covering a total of over 570 square metres, it boasts a large Finnish sauna that can reach 190 degrees, an infrared sauna, a spacious cold plunge pool and heated hammam-style benches. Created by British designer Ilse Crawford of Studioilse and Ringo Studio, the club is designed as a sensory journey. However, it does not offer a traditional spa treatment menu; its co-founder, Adam Elzer, conceived it as a genuine social space. ‘It’s a place to reconnect,’ he explains, perhaps whilst sipping a coffee from the Danish roaster La Cabra, a herbal tea from Brooklyn-based Masha Tea, or an excellent bone broth. “In the warmth, everything softens and mellows, and it’s easier to listen. The cold, on the other hand, makes everything more jarring and makes you want to give up.” 676 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, lorebathingclub.com.

La sauna in legno di ontano di Lore Bathing Club che può ospitare fino a 50 persone. (© Sean Davidson)

ALOOP CLINIC & LAB, Tokyo

The Aloop skincare clinic, designed by Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa – known for his ‘Honest Design’ approach, which focuses on materials – resembles a boutique hotel: minimalist yet extremely welcoming, with chalk-white walls, bespoke light-wood cupboards, woollen rugs by Hotta Carpet and soft curtains. Here, the experience begins with a personalised skin analysis to develop a bespoke treatment plan. Services include laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling and light therapy (or photobiomodulation) for the face. Pola Ginza Building 4F, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo, aloop.clinic.

Gli armadi in legno chiaro dell’Aloop Clinic & Lab a Tokyo. (© Tomooki Kengaku)

EREDI ZUCCA, Milan

In the heart of the Fashion District, behind linen curtains reminiscent of those traditionally found in a café, the Eredi Zucca barbershop evokes a sense of old-world refinement. The green marble counters, the Corinthian-style columns, the velvet armchairs. The Guild of Saint Luke, with offices in both London and Paris, designed the furniture and shelving, inspired by the great Italian libraries, on which hundreds of products are displayed against walls clad in black wood, set against a backdrop of mosaic floors. The three treatment rooms, where clients can enjoy a traditional wet shave, a facial or both, feature restored early 20th-century armchairs, adjustable lighting and brass trays on which to place tools and accessories – a tribute to the brand’s artisanal heritage and its dedication to gentlemanly elegance. Via Bigli, 6, 20121 Milan, eredizucca.com.

L’atmosfera rétro della barberia Eredi Zucca, a Milano.

THE ROGUE ROOM, London

Architect Mark Shaw of Studioshaw has always considered the Dirty House – the cube-shaped warehouse in Shoreditch designed by David Adjaye, once home to the artist couple Tim Noble and Sue Webster – to be ‘a great piece of modern architecture’. Together with Rozana Hall, a former strategy director who is now a yoga teacher, he has transformed it into a hub for holistic wellbeing, The Rogue Room. Lighting designed to support the circadian rhythm and a sound system curated by specialists from AlphaTheta accompany classes ranging from yoga to calisthenics, from sound baths to handstands. Don’t miss RocketBeats, a dynamic yoga class set to a pulsating bassline. Hall explains: “It’s one of the most immersive and powerful sound experiences in London’s wellness scene.” 4 Chance Street, London E1, therogueroom.com.

The Rogue Room di Londra, con una console di AlphaTheta. (© Linda Brownlee. Courtesy of Studioshaw)

KINAURA, Milan

Whilst biophilic design aims to make us feel good and connect us with nature, KinAura has chosen to embrace its principles by placing a Canadian maple at the centre of the lounge. This is complemented by light colours, natural materials and a carefully calibrated use of light to create a sort of cosy lounge where guests can spend time and socialise, perhaps whilst sipping a drink at the nutraceutical bar. It is, in fact, a social wellness club, but also the first Italian facility to integrate regenerative and anti-ageing medicine, artificial intelligence and a highly personalised wellness experience, thanks to proprietary technology. As part of a clinical-technological platform dedicated to Precision Health for longevity and prevention, the KinAura Protocol Engine is an AI engine that processes all a guest’s biological data to generate a bespoke plan. Rounding off the offering is a VIP suite to ensure maximum discretion. Via Sant’Andrea, 21, 20121 Milan, kinauramed.com.

La lounge dal design minimal e multisensoriale di KinAura a Milano.

CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ, Milan

The brand, founded in Japan in 1982 with the aim of breaking new ground in cellular research, has chosen Milan for its first spa in Europe. Specifically, it has chosen the Columbus Clinic Centre, which recently opened a private club dedicated to prevention and longevity. Both are located on the third floor of the Art Nouveau-style Villa Romeo Faccanoni, designed by Giuseppe Sommaruga in the early 20th century. Once the residence of Engineer Romeo, the founder of Alfa Romeo, it was later converted into a hospital after the war by Giò Ponti. Welcoming both club members and non-members is the Clé de Peau Radiance Suite, which offers the brand’s signature facial treatments. Among the most intriguing treatments is The Radiance Discovery Ritual, formulated to reawaken the skin’s radiance. The Key Radiance Care product range is used, applied using massage techniques designed to relax and regenerate, inspired by Japanese expertise. Via M. Buonarroti, 48, 20145 Milan, pacledepeaubeautecolumbusmilano.com.