Baccarat, the renowned French crystal company, is moving into another luxury arena with ultra high-end residences, hotels and resorts with spas.
The company plans to open six hotel/resorts/residences by 2016 – three of which will be located in Morocco.
The spa concept has been created by Swedish-based consultancy Raison d'Etre.
The 130-bed Baccarat Hotel Rabat, in the capital of Morocco, is being funded by a local private company.
When the hotel opens in 2014, its Baccarat-branded spa is expected to be one of the largest and most comprehensive in the area and will target regular local clients via an exclusive hotel membership as well as hotel guests.
Standout facilities include six Moroccan hammams (three for women, three for men) using semi-precious stones – two cool 35 degrees Centigrade jade rooms, two warm 45 degrees Centigrade amethyst rooms, and two hot 55 degrees Centigrade crystal chromotherapy rooms.
There will also be eight single treatment rooms, two VIP treatment suites, an alchemy area, an indoor and outdoor pool, a beauty and hair salon, a spa retail area, and fitness and yoga studios.
Meanwhile, Baccarat Spa Resort in Marrakech will feature a destination spa built on a 5-acre (2-hectare) estate alongside 60 residential villas and two restaurants.
The resort is scheduled to launch in 2015 and the spa "will be the first of its kind in Marrakech… it will stand our because of it's all-encompassing wellness offering and results orientated programmes". It will have accents of glamour, socialising, fun and relaxation as, according to Raison d'Etre "healing does not need to be boring: it can be fun, explorative, delicious and communal".
A spa will also feature in Baccarat Resort & Residences Marrakech – a far larger project in the city, which will incorporate four hotels, 80 hotel villas and 70 branded residences.
It will be built in the exclusive Palmeraie district of Marrakech and is set to open by 2016.
Outside Morocco will be Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York (2014), Baccarat Hotel & Residences at Dubai Pearl in UAE (2016) and Baccarat Residences Shanghai in China.
Originally founded in 1764 after a decree from Louis XV, Baccarat was bought by investment firm Starwood Capital in 2005.
Over the years Baccarat has become famous for its innovative, beautiful crystal designs and attention to detail – and it's this commitment to perfection in both design and service which will underpin its hospitality and spa brands.
Source: Spa Opportunities
