Spas in the News

Joya Spa - InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa Signature Spa unveiled

5-30-08 InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, scheduled to open August 2008 in Scottsdale, AZ, announces the name, concept and unique details of its two-story, 31,000 square-foot world-class spa. Named Joya Spa – an interpretation of the Spanish word for jewel – the spa is designed by Sylvia Sepielli, world renowned spa expert, consultant and owner of SPAd, LLC. Joya Spa channels the raw splendor of Moorish Andalucía Spain with whitewashed walls contrasting vibrant hues of ochre and multi-colored, custom-made Moroccan tiles.

Joya Spa will feature 19 treatment rooms, of which five are couples suites offering private whirlpools and outdoor showers with breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain. Additionally, Joya will house the Palace Suite – an 850 square-foot private suite with a queen-size daybed, oversized bathtub, indoor whirlpool, fireplace, luxurious treatment tables and floor-to-ceiling doors opening up to the outdoor spa pool deck.

The Joya Spa menu will be fully customized. Each treatment, whether facial, body or massage, is customized to the guests’ needs, health and skin type. Product lines were selectively chosen to complement the Joya Spa experience and include Natura Bisse, Eminence organic, Charme de Orient, Phyto Fleurs, Lillian Terry mud and clays, and other results-oriented product lines.

“The Moroccan-inspired décor, Hammam ritual and the views and physical beauty of the location are uniquely part of the Joya Spa experience and are unlike any other spa,” said Sabrina Cormack, Spa and Retail Director. “The minute Joya Spa welcomes its first guest; it will join an elite class of resort and destination spas.”

Poised to become the newest luxury resort and spa in the region, the 293-room InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa is slated in open in late summer 2008 with a signature restaurant, destination bar, three additional food and beverage outlets and full lifestyle offerings for guests and residents.

Additional spa details:

Rituals

To prepare for entry into the spa, guests are encouraged to rinse their hands with soothing waters from the reflection pool in the spa courtyard to “wash their worries away,” the first of seven Jewels of Discovery found in the Joya Spa experience.

Jewel of Discovery numbers two and three are found in two domed rooms with pedestals; the first a pedestal with a Moroccan scrub stone designed to allow guests to make a wish, and the second a crystal ball pedestal lit by an overhead representation of the starlight in the night sky in Granada, Spain, where guests take deep, calming breaths and set their intention for the spa experience.

Jewel of discovery number four is the wet area ritual -- a modern interpretation of a traditional Hammam experience, a 15-minute add-on therapy which includes a scrub with traditional Moroccan black soap and essential oils, designed to prepare the mind and body for spa treatments.

The Hammam experience unfolds by guests entering a warm room where they rest before being escorted to a dimly-lit, tiled treatment room for a scrub. Next, guests are guided to a steam room before balancing the heat with a cold deluge. Then guests move on the whirlpool, where they relax as targeted lumbar points massage the lower back and a “wave” action soothes the body into a state of weightlessness. From the whirlpool guests move to the sauna, and finally, to the relaxation lounge to wait for their therapist.

Jewel of Discovery five is the serene quiet lounge, six is the spa treatment itself and seven is maintaining an ongoing relationship with guests.

Signature Treatments

From two-hour to all-day Journeys (spa packages), customized rituals include the Hammam Ritual; Moroccan-inspired skin and body treatments; mineral and clay wraps; customized massages; Diamante y Oro (Diamond and Gold) treatments featuring real gold and diamond dust; and Henna tanning and tattooing.

Fitness

The fitness center located on the second floor overlooks Camelback Mountain and the rural desert beauty of Paradise Valley. Sunrise yoga, sunset spinning, dance and other group fitness classes will also be offered.

Outside the literal confines of the resort, which sits at the base of Camelback Mountain, guests will be offered trail maps and mileage recommendations, as well as non-guided and guided hiking and rock-climbing opportunities. For the adrenaline-seeking guest, rappelling off of Camelback Mountain overlooking the resort and the exclusive enclave of Paradise Valley below is offered.

Joya Spa will also feature a full-service salon – the Joya Salon – as well as private memberships for local and seasonal residents.

About InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa:

The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa will open in August, 2008 as a signature property for the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. Set in the breathtaking foothills of Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the property features 293 guest rooms as well as 34 multi-million dollar privately-owned villas on 35 acres of lush desert landscape. With all of the amenities standard in luxury resorts, Montelucia also offers 24-hour concierge service, a signature restaurant as well as poolside dining, a 31,000 square foot spa, shopping areas, a wedding venue and multiple ballrooms, five pools and other luxuries for use by resort guests and villa owners. For more information or reservations, visit www.montelucia.com or call 480-327-3200.

Save 10% or more off the Best Flexible rate when you book InterContinental Hotels in advance.

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