Gone are the days when the swimming pool and spa was just another service offered by hotel properties. A pool is no longer designed along the lobby level to soothe the guests, nor are there a few treatment rooms and selective spa offerings at the hotel. With time, hoteliers are creating the ultimate pool and spa experience with the right mix of traditional practices, local flavour and modern approach to allow the mind, body and soul to relax completely.
With growing consumer expectations and disposable income at hand, these two elements have become an integral part of each hotel, occupying different floors with smart designs and distinct identities of their own. Having evolved from in-built areas of the hotel to full-fledged revenue generating angles, pools and spas also serve as recreational and wellness options for local guests in the city.
The design concept of a pool depends entirely on the type of the hotel and the clientele that it caters to.A hotel catering to single business travellers would feature a lap pool with serene ambience for an energising swim post a busy business day, whereas a resort destination would require one or multiple pools to cater to guests with varied needs and tastes. Many resorts create events and activities in and around the pool to attract and focus on different guests – fun activities for kids, larger groups and a tranquil atmosphere with more private space for leisure couples. “The design element is the most important part while planning the pool area. It does add a lot of value to the entire product offering at the hotel,” opines Birgit Holm, general manager, Dusit Devrana New Delhi.
Typically, there are three aspects to keep in mind while designing a pool – surroundings, landscape and beautification. For most hotels, overflow pools are popular where the water touches the deck area. A lot of hoteliers are fast catching up on creating infinity pools, especially if the hotel is located in a hilltop or overlooking a valley. Highlighting the trend of infinity pools, Christian Wurm, general manager, Park Hyatt Chennai says, “What sets our pool apart is the stunning view it commands, overlooking the Guindy National Reserve, as the hotel is lucky to be situated on the fringes of the same. Add to it the stylish contemporary design element, the brainchild of New York-based designer, George Wong, and you know that this combination is a winner.”
One of the most critical things to consider while designing the pool is its depth. “A four and half feet depth is ideal for recreation pools at hotels, as it should allow both swimmer and non-swimmer guests to enjoy the pool area. Another aspect is the type of tiling used as it adds a lot of beauty to the pool,” said Nilesh Shukla, managing director, Crystal Pools Ltd.
While the depth and tiling are critical aspects, the heart of the pool is the filtration process. Hoteliers filter the pool every few hours and also run a check on the chlorine and pH levels for maintaining the quality of the pool. Multigrade filtration system for maintaining water quality, suction sweeping along with micro sweeping to remove dust particles, tossing TCCI granules to maintain chlorine levels and maintaining pool water temperature during all seasons is equally necessary.
From the engineering point of view, automation can help leaps and bound. “A Program Logic Controller (PLC) helps to switch on the lights automatically, set filtration timings, keeps a check on the pH levels and other water parameters. This system is very helpful and I highly recommend hoteliers to adopt technology to manage their pools,” highlighted L Ganesan, director of engineering at the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Many hotels are opting for saltwater extraction system in outdoor pool as it is less damaging to colour-processed hair and bright bathing suits.
The availability of the pool, spa and fitness centre gives the hotel an edge over others, much in the way of leisure facilities. Pool and spa is a perfect natural balance of energy, water and heat in a light-filled space. Industry experts suggest that designing of these areas in close proximity will allow guests to experience these facilities without much hassle within the hotel premises.
Spa designs around the world work around a central concept or theme which aligns with the treatments and therapies offered together. In most cases, the concept follows the basic idea of healing and engaging the five senses – sound, light, touch, smell and taste and help in complete rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul. Creating a sense of place and incorporating the local customs, culture and treatments into the atmosphere is also very critical. A gender-neutral design should be considered to suit the preferences of both while designing the spa area.
“The essence of the hotel is through its spa and pool. We work towards creating more awareness about the mind, body and soul as well as relieve stress. Ideally, from a design point of view, the spa, pool and fitness centre should be in sync and close to each other as all three areas are created with the same objective,” said Mahesh Lal, spa manager at the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. As crucial as aesthetics are in creating the right spa environment, the treatment rooms must be designed to accommodate the type of massage being offered and making it more comfortable for spa attendants to perform their services. Other factors like Jacuzzi, steam, music and lighting also enhance the spa experience for the guest.
Pool and spa design trends may evolve every year, however, one thing will remain constant is the objective of these elements to provide the best of the services and recreation to guests. This can be achieved with the right mix of design, treatments and product offerings for the end consumer.
