15th-Century Monastery and Chapel Renovated Into Hotel and Spa

The old Belgian monastery that now houses the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp has been converted into a spa specialising in the use of medicinal herbs.

The three-story Botanic Health Spa at the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp draws inspiration from its location near to the city's nature park.

Heinz Schletterer, a health consultant and designer, created a spa with 10 treatment rooms that evoke a cloistered dedication to medicinal plants and herbs. Schletterer was tasked with creating a luxurious setting that adhered to the principles of sustainable design by using materials that would not detract from the environment.

The end product is an urban retreat that makes use of natural materials like stone, wood, and glass.

In addition to a pool and quiet areas, the spa also has a fireplace, waterbeds, a whirlpool, a herbal bath space, a vitamin and herbs bar, and the Spa Bistro. Moreover, clients can enjoy a textile sauna, a salt and mineral steam bath, a Kneipp walk, and a Finnish sauna with a panoramic view.

The spa's approach to wellness is rooted on naturopathy, herbalism, phytotherapy, and other forms of alternative medicine. Herbal remedies, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements all come from plants and may be used to ward against lifestyle-related illnesses.

In the past, the monks and nuns at this monastery grew their own vegetables and medicinal plants to treat illness and feed the community. Moreover, during the 16th century, the famous chemist Pieter Coudenberg planted a medical herb garden, which is today regarded to be the ancestor of the city's contemporary Botanical Garden.

Through careful planning and collaboration with AIDarchitecten, IRET Development was able to retain the site's unique character while also developing a sustainable urban retreat that pays homage to the building's past while also looking to the future.

During the course of the extensive renovations, the monastery's old pharmacy was brought back to life and transformed into a show-piece location for the Saint Charles Apothecary line of herbal apothecary skincare and wellness products.

The spa also has partnerships with companies including SPA4, Wattec NV, Dauwco BV, Gharieni, EviDenS de Beauté, and InBody Scan, OMNIA3, Ercolina Rehab, and the Skin Vital Concept.

Botanic Sanctuary Spa's holistic therapeutic philosophy is based on a synthesis of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and orthodox Western therapy (TEM). This allows spa therapists to use European herbs within the framework of eastern medicinal practises. Guests may choose from a variety of facials, massages, body rituals, retreats, and other aesthetic treatments as well as anti-ageing skin treatments, medical skin solutions, performance evaluations, and more.

Xavier Le Clef, the spa's devoted holistic medicine and skilled TCM practitioner, also provides TCM diagnostics, full-body scans, and in-depth counselling.

The staff reported that the average spa visitor expenditure had reached €160 since launching, with locals making up 40% of the clientele and foreign tourists accounting for 60%.

Massages and facials continue to be the most popular procedures, accounting for around half of all work flow.

In order to provide a full range of services, the Botanic Health Club also provides nutritional, physical, and lifestyle counselling. The gym is outfitted with Technogym equipment. Retreats are planned for the beginning of 2023, and they will include workshops, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness programmes to help visitors refresh their bodies and minds.

 

source: spabusiness.com