Spa development and operations leader in the Middle East, Spa Resources International (SRI), has expanded its area of operations with the establishment of its new Maisha Spa in the Kabul Serena Hotel, Afghanistan. The spa and fitness club is already operational and has proved extremely popular with many guests signing up for memberships.

SRI’s move into an area outside the GCC is a landmark step towards its overall strategy to expand business operations and sustain steady growth over the years. Its experience in designing and managing spas in the region and the huge popularity of its Cleopatra’s Spa in Dubai was the main reason that attracted the attention of Serena Hotels’ management.

Speaking on the progressive leap into bigger territories, SRI Director Daniella Russell said, ‘SRI is dedicated to setting benchmarks of professionalism, innovation and standards to the region with the Wellness sector. As the first one-stop shop in spa operations and development of spas in the Middle East, we have proven our capabilities and are in the process of taking this further afield.’

She further added that SRI’s first move outside the GCC has been into Kabul, due to the tremendous success enjoyed by Serena Hotels in the East Africa and Asia regions and believes a partnership can only be beneficial to both in the near future.

Work is already under way for the new extension of the existing Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, in which SRI will offer its design, consultancy and operational services. Moreover SRI has already been involved in the set-up and training for the newly launched spa in the Kampala Serena Hotel, inaugurated in November 2006.

Maisha, which means ‘life’ in Swahili, aims to bring health and wellness to all visitors and hotel guests looking for a moment of indulgence and escape. The spa will mainly cater for an upmarket clientele of locals and expatriates, including diplomats and CEOs who are interested in fitness and wellbeing.

The spa consists of four treatment rooms for female and male clients, a fitness club with aerobic studio, an outdoor heated pool, a hair salon and a barbershop. The guests can also complement their pampering experience in the wet and relaxation areas of the spa.

Maisha Spa on its own aspires to become one of the originators in the region and to set the benchmark for the health and wellness industry, which is expected to boom in the years to come.

SRI hopes to transfer all of the knowledge, professionalism and high-standards of excellence it has set up as Spa Resources International to the local community and build the capacity for the future development of this growth industry in the region.

Apart from operating and managing a number of successful spa and fitness centres in the GCC region, the SRI’s Projects Division has completed the detailed designs and original layout of the hair salon and barber shop of Maisha Spa and has also reviewed and assisted in the initial designs of the spa area and fitness club.
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