An Original Heat Experience, Aroma Spa Berard
Isabelle CHARRIER

In the direction of Provence and more precisely in the small charming village of Cadière d’Azur where Bérard family welcomes the epicureans from the four corners of the pleasure planet for more than 35 years now. Since last couple of months, this charming 3 star Hostelry has enriched its offer with a Spa called Aroma Spa Bérard that has been inspired by roman baths where each detail echoes the impressiveness of the rediscovered era. Fermata of this temple of well being is an original Heat Experience that represents 26% of its overall turnover.


Guided tour
The tone is set from the time of entering: frescoes of mosaic that depict the guardians in gowns; stone-statues, brick-coloured walls where salves and other bottles of essential oils are kept, fountains and pools that remind that water is at the heart of all treatments, hammam decorated with a vitreous paste from Murano, ice fountain, sensorial pool, experience shower, etc. from now on you are familiar with these words. In this Spa, water reinvents itself in all its forms including in the welcoming ritual that precedes each Décléor and Carita signature treatment or the in-house treatments. In fact, here we are in the universe of sense in all its forms and subtlety. The beautician receives you with an aroma feet-bath. She takes time to feel your needs and give you a customised treatment that is much above the protocol.
But let's return to Heat Experience. This cocoon of multi-sensorial well-being where water plays with the words by reinterpreting a new semantics: rain of five worlds, zen modelling or energetic modelling taken from another world, relaxing or tonifying mists, water-bed, stimulating or draining whirlpools. At Aroma Spa Bérard, water is the source of pleasure, escape and realization. In the course of a refined journey, it liberates the power of regeneration in you: beauty of body, well-being of mind and pleasure of senses combine harmoniously for an initiatory journey at the heart of essential! Since the time of its inauguration Heat Experience attracts external clients as well as the clients of the hotel and lets them discover the notion of Well-being in a different, innovative manner that is also profitable for the hotelier.

More informations :
www.hotel-berard.com
berard@hotel-berard.com


Designer's point of view, Franck TRECCO, Chairman and managing director Hydro Concept

EMOTION SPA Magazine: When do you advise the construction of a Heat Experience?
Franck TRECCO: There are situations in which a sensory area has become incontrovertible: for example, in a hotel environment as well as in City Spas that have sufficient space. The essential condition being the feasibility from a technical point of view (having technical premises especially for the sensory pool). Over and above these considerations in terms of spaces, we also give this advice to the European countries where the cost of manpower is quite high. In fact, these areas do not require any extra care and attention; the client is free to continue her sensory journey.

E.S.M: What is the minimum requirement, in terms of area, for an hotelier to contemplate setting-up Heat Experience?
F.T: A Heat Experience requires a minimum area of 70 m2 and one must add another 10 m2 to it for technical area. This area includes complete range of leisurely activities that use water as their main resource: a sensory pool of 25 m2 with a beach for relaxation, a hammam, a gumming room, an experience shower, a cascade shower, cold-bath, ice-fountain…, all the sensations that water can offer.

E.S.M: How does one make the treatments' menu profitable and what does it bring to the owner at the level of profitability of his Spa?
F.T: By creating a Heat Experience discovery package on the treatments' menu whose price varies between 35 and 49 Euros. It is especially profitable if one considers the numerous possibilities offered by this area. The possibility of receiving a client even if the treatment cabins are full implies attracting her in a leisurely area that will, undoubtedly, make her wish to continue the Spa-experience by reserving the treatments. This area offers a journey that respects the Spa philosophy, adding a sophistication and quality to each stage of a journey through Heat Experience, relaxation, treatment cabin and, lastly, healing zones. Undoubtedly, ensuring the return of the client. Therefore, one must consider the profitability of a Heat Experience under two aspects: the immediate profitability through packages and the long-term continuity of turn-over thanks to the quality of journey.


Owner's point of view, Mrs. Danièle BERARD

E.S.M: What brought you to Heat Experience as far as the profitability of your Spa is concerned?
Danièle BERARD: As Aromaspa has only been inaugurated in May, we do not have the hindsight that is necessary to establish a profitability study. However, we know that today Heat Experience represents 26% of our overall turnover. In fact, it represents a first approach towards a curious clientele at a very attractive price; at the same time, it is also a real stepping stone towards the discovery of the sale of our treatments because it fully reflects the originality and quality of our services.


E.S.M: Why did you choose this type of multi sensorial area instead of more traditional equipments?
D.B: This type of multi sensorial area has the speciality that it offers many leisurely activities around water and senses. It reminds one of the philosophy of Gallo-roman baths where the client takes advantage of Heat Experience freely. This requires very few employees.

E.S.M: Did you face any difficulties as far as technique is concerned?
D.B: We did not face any technical problems. The feasibility study lasted a year and it is the result of collaboration and a combined thinking of a research department, an architect and us. Construction work continued over a period of one year during which we surrounded ourselves with specialists who paid special attention to the construction work and inauguration of our Spa.

To read :

> Innovations and renewal of Wellness equipments
> HEAT EXPERIENCE, a leisure and economically viable concept
> How to create a Spa in an existing Hotel?
> A Spa: how much does it cost?
> Colours and light in the world of well-being: Facts and fiction
> Spa, 2007 design and decor trends
> A swimming pool in an establishment, design and legislation
> Turkish Baths, the equipment evolves An asset for Spas
> Sanitary risk due to hotel water systems
> Imagine & create a Spa : Methodology proposal
> Creating a Spa: Key errors to avoid