Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the iconic landmark situated in DIFC, Dubai, celebrated Global Wellness Day on 8 June 2024, with a holistic wellness session that invited in-house and walk-in guests to gather in the hotel’s iconic Daefi Lobby lounge for a special line-up of activities designed to keep them rejuvenated and engaged.
The event kicked off with an invigorating early morning group yoga session under the hotel’s iconic atrium, accompanied by a live DJ to uplift the ambiance. This was followed by a sustainable and hearty breakfast menu, designed to fuel the body for the day. After the session, attendees were treated to massage chairs and other wellness-themed surprises and offerings, all aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers celebrates well-being in the heart of Dubai with a slew of community events
At the end of the event, all guests were gifted a special souvenir, a token to remember their participation and pledge towards living well and continuing their individual fitness journeys.
This event was part of the global celebration of Global Wellness Day, which is observed every year on the second Saturday in June. The aim of this initiative is to inspire people worldwide to live better and take a holistic approach to their day-to-day lives.
With the slogan “One day can change your whole life,” the international initiative encourages people to mark the day by asking themselves how to live healthier lives.
For more details on Jumeirah Emirates Tower’s Global Wellness Day, please follow @jumeirahemiratestowers on Instagram.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles is opening December 2024, as the sixth location of this luxury hotel group. Cheval Blanc is fully owned by LVMH, with five existing locations, in Paris, the Maldives, St-Barts, St-Tropez, and Courchevel. The property is operated by LVMH Hospitality Management.
Photo credits: Cheval Blanc Seychelles
Located on the southwest coast of Mahé Island at Anse Intendance Beach, the new Cheval Blanc Seychelles has been conceived by architect Jean-Michel Gathy to celebrate Creole traditions and the surrounding lush landscapes. Villas, each featuring a private pool, will offer striking views of the beach, hillside or tropical jungle. Jean-Michel Gathy previously designed Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles will also give pride of place to artists, with pieces made specifically for this location by Prune Nourry and Madagascan artist Joël Andrianomearisoa. The hotel’s location was formerly home to Banyan Tree Seychelles but the destination is being completely redeveloped for the new Cheval Blanc outpost.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles features 52 luxurious villas, 24 of which line the white sand beach, while the remaining 28 blend seamlessly into the green hills behind. Each of these abodes range from 220 sqm to 620 sqm, and each has its own private swimming pool.
Le White will combine cosmopolitan food with classic Seychellois Creole flavors. Vivamento, situated next to the main swimming pool, brings the casual option and provides Italian bites. Similarly Mediterranean is the beach club Sula, while Mizumi provides seemingly the obligatory Japanese option. Finally, French gastronomy will be covered by Le 1947.
Spa Cheval Blanc has been created in collaboration with French luxury cosmetics, perfume, and skincare brand Guerlain. Featuring eight rooms and a series of treatments inspired by the island’s natural wonders. Children will be entertained at the 1,500-square-metre Le Carrousel play space, bolstered by a water park and interactive activities.
Nestled on the Cồn Ba Xã Islet in Hoi An, Namia River Retreat is thoughtfully crafted with genuine cultural journeys and wellness-inclusive therapies inspired by Vietnamese herbology. With 100% private pool villas, locally inspired dining experiences and stunning pools with Thu Bon River views, the resort opens new ways to explore and connect with the lantern-lit ancient town of Hoi An. The wellness lifestyle philosophy is woven throughout the resort, offering accessible options for everyone—whether you're just starting your wellness journey or looking for a deeper immersion.
Photo credits: Namia River Retreat
WELLNESS-INCLUSIVE JOURNEYS
The wellbeing of guests is at the heart of every stay at the Namia River Retreat. All resort guests can enjoy an inclusive 90-minute well-being journey per person, per night consisting of:
Herbal remedy prescription in the apothecary
30-minute herbal hammam using locally sourced herbs
60-minute traditional therapy
CULTURAL WELLBEING
The spa and wellbeing concept has a distinct Vietnamese story and is inspired by Thuốc Nam (Southern Herbology). This traditional practice in Vietnam relies entirely on native ingredients, used in their fresh state or simply dried. These healing folk remedies have been passed down from generation to generation and infused throughout the spa experience.
Start your day with the morning Dưỡng Sinh at the poolside. This is an indigenous breathing and yoga exercise similar to Tai Chi, popularised in Vietnam by the historian Nguyễn Khắc Viện.
The herbal hammam experience is inspired by the Vietnamese herbal steam therapy Xông Hơi
and the herbs used are found in the southern folk steaming remedies. Namia River Retreat has worked closely with a local herbal doctor to develop exclusive hammam herbal prescriptions.
All therapies have been selected and thoughtfully designed to help guests restore balance using an authentic Vietnamese touch. In collaboration with traditional practitioners, healing masters and Vietnamese schools, the resort has curated an inspired menu to showcase the power of these local treatments.
As a highlight, the signature treatment of Namia is the Diện Chẩn, an oriental facial reflexology technique based on the oriental philosophy developed by Professor Bùi Quốc Ch'u, a Vietnamese acupuncturist during the 1980s. Using custom tools, pressure is applied to points to balance yin and yang in the body and activate energy flow and healing support. In addition, other therapies such as Vietnamese massage, cupping, moxi combustion, and acupressure are also available.
“Our hope is to support Vietnamese Southern Herbology and Vietnamese Traditional Medicine to garner the same international recognition and trust in the therapeutic benefits, as with Indian, Chinese, Thai or Balinese therapies,” says Michelle Ford, General Manager at the resort and founder of Lumina Wellbeing, the hotel and spa operator driving the project’s vision.
Photo credits: Namia River Retreat
PRESCRIPTIVE WELLNESS PATHWAYS
The spa and wellness program has been designed to support a deeper level of relaxation to de-stress the body and ease the mind. There are 2 distinct pathways to enjoy under the complimentary wellness-inclusive offer, tailored to your self-assessment or preferred goals during your stay:
Deep Rest Pathway: unwinding the mind and ideal for stress relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, and mindfulness
Body Balance Pathway: easing body tension including pain relief, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation
“As breakfast is included in your stay to enjoy on your holiday, we believe these 90 minutes of self-care for your body and mind daily are equally essential. Since it’s included, we’ve taken away the guilt factor. This inspires our wellness-inclusive movement that we believe will be a standard expectation in the future”, says Emilie Chanon, Wellness Development Director of Lumina Wellbeing, who has also previously been recognised as Global Spa Leader of the Year in the World Spa & Wellness Awards.
Should guests wish to opt for an all-inclusive wellness retreat, the Ritual for Release retreat prioritises detoxing the body with food, and emotional easing with energy healing, while boosting vital energy with activating yoga and meditation practices, all under the guidance of a personal Vietnamese wellness practitioner.
MINDFUL MOMENTS & RITUALS
Wellbeing rituals are offered throughout the day, beginning with morning movement practices and a variety of yoga and meditation classes. To conclude your day, enjoy in-room rituals like a mugwort and cajeput bath soak.
The resort encourages guests to slow down.The team practices a mindful approach daily, inviting guests to engage in various offerings. Mindful moments include a silent walking meditation inspired by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.