Hospitality designers Richmond has created its first spa at sea, the Lotus Spa, for Princess Cruises’ latest liner, Royal Princess.
Princess Cruises commissioned the Clerkenwell-based practice following a visit to the Richmond-designed Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire. Impressed by the design of the Spa facilities, the international cruise company was keen to capture the refined contemporary feel synonymous with Richmond projects.
Consequently, Richmond has created an oasis of calm using a range of high quality finishes where guests can indulge, relax and rejuvenate in tranquil and elegant surroundings.
On Royal Princess, the Lotus Spa has been given a central, convenient location just off the main atrium. This relocation from the upper deck places the spa at the heart of the ship and adds a sense of tranquillity away from the Richmond-designed fitness centre, which remains at the upper aft area of the vessel.
On entrance to the Spa, visitors are welcomed by a sensuous décor representative of the Earth’s natural elements: dark hardwoods, solid stone and metallic finishes. A signature of Richmond’s land-based projects, carefully orientated lighting complements the simple finishes.
Royal Princess has expanded the Lotus Spa with more treatment rooms than any of its sister-ships and an enhanced thermal suite called the Enclave, complete with a hydrotherapy pool and accompanying rain shower. Within the Enclave, passengers can experience heated stone lounges or waterbeds and sensory showers with mood lighting and therapeutic aromas. Three rooms offer a variety of heat-based experiences: The Hammam is a Turkish-style bath, featuring a marble slab for mud or salt treatments; The Caldarium, a ceramic chamber infused with herbal aromas; and The Laconium, a dry sauna. Two new Treatment Villas are aimed at couples looking for side-by-side treatment with ocean views.
Richmond’s first venture into ocean liner design, the Lotus Spa sets the precedent for future luxury facilities. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Princess Cruises Spa team to develop and create their latest Lotus Spa concept, providing passengers with a unique, sensuous and relaxing experience at sea. We are delighted that our involvement in this small project has resulted in a major cruise ship commission with Princess Cruises sister company P&O Cruises.” Terry McGillicuddy, Director, Richmond International
