Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts,
  has announced its foray into the growing spa market with the launch of
  its new brand,  CHI.  The first CHI spa opened at the Shangri-La Hotel,
  Bangkok in July 2004.  There are plans for 10 CHI spas to be introduced
  in various hotel locations over the next few years.
Designed to create a sanctuary of tranquility inspired by the legend of
  ‘Shangri-La,’ CHI features some of the largest and most luxurious private
  spa suites and villas.  It offers a range of specialised body, water,
  massage and facial therapies based on the ancient healing traditions,
  philosophies and rituals of China and the Himalayas.

  “The essence of ‘chi’ symbolises Shangri-La’s definition of a complete
  wellbeing concept within an Asian context,” says Ian Brewis, Director of
  Spa Development. In traditional Chinese philosophy, “chi” represents the
  universal life force that governs wellbeing and personal vitality.  To
  maintain good health, it is believed that “chi” must flow freely within
  the body, and if blocked, illness will follow.

  The CHI concept was developed in collaboration with a team of recognised
  specialists.  Spa treatments and an exclusive product range have been
  designed based on the Chinese philosophy of the Five Elements, in which
  metal,  water, wood, fire and earth are in balance with the positive Yang
  and negative Yin energy within the body. Signature therapies like Chi
  Balance,  Meridian Harmony,  and Chi Nei Tsang work to restore vitality,
  while therapies like the Himalayan Healing Stone Massage and the Mountain
  Tsampa Rub use indigenous ingredients and techniques drawn from the
  ancient   healing   traditions   of   the   mystical   Himalayan region.

  The interiors reflect this concept, through the use of unique accents
  reflecting local architecture and materials, as well as the subtle use of
  Himalayan art and accessories. In the Shangri-La city hotels, CHI private
  spa suites will be the most spacious on the market—in Bangkok, the
  garden suite measures over 107 square metres—offering a “spa within a
  spa”  concept that provides each guest with their own state-of-the-art
  bathing,  sauna,  shower, changing facilities, and lounge area to indulge
  in the luxury of personal space and timelessness.

  In resort locations— like the CHI spa at Shangri-La’s Mactan Island
  Resort,  Cebu,  scheduled for a late 2004 opening, an 8,000 square metre
  “spa village”  offers private villas for couples, garden suites, unique
  “wet” spa facilities (aromadome, vitality herbal tubs and a spa pool with
  “tropi-cabanas),  and Asia’s first genuine “watsu”  pool (a specially
  designed and patented aquatic therapy pool employing underwater body
  massage techniques).

  Each CHI spa will play an integral role in the positioning and marketing
  of its host Shangri-La hotel,  to target and attract new business and
  market segments.  While CHI’s primary source for customers will be its
  hotel’s guests and spa members, there is great potential to attract local
  residents and tourists.

For more information on Chi Spas and their opening dates visit: www.shangri-la.com
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