The MD of esadore International, Theodora Kioussis, explains how the company’s creative, manufacturing and operational skill sets can bring an international spa project to life in a short space of time

How would you describe your company?
We’re a creative consultancy providing integrated single point solutions in hospitality, spa and wellness project development. We’re committed to creating world-class projects delivering extraordinary experiences through visual, functional and service-orientated journeys.

What are the key services you offer?
We provide a very wide range of services through our core divisions: Wellness, Creative, WET and Life. Every division caters to the different levels of the project requirement from concept to design, realisation to training and operation.

Key services are spa consulting, interior design, thermal area manufacturing, and construction and training. Our team has diverse experience and can cater to all our clients’ needs at different stages of the life cycle of a spa, gym or wellness centre.

What’s your unique selling point?
Our main team is based in the UAE and so our regional knowledge and experience is unmatched. We’re known for being trendsetters thanks to our novel and bespoke approach to each and every project we undertake.

Esadore WET, a division of esadore International, is the only company based in UAE that manufactures thermal specialty areas within the UAE. We also recently opened a 4,000 sq ft factory in Al Quoz, where skilled workers and professional designers collaborate, conceptualise and create. It means we can go from design to completion in just three weeks.

What key elements are needed for a perfect wellness experience?
We believe in a holistic approach to wellness. This can be achieved by creating the right environment, with design that’s stylish yet thoughtful for operators and end users. There should be a unique concept with an interesting story, practitioners who are passionate and professionally trained, and treatments and services which address our clients’ needs and are results-driven.

What do you offer within your spa consulting (Wellness) division?
We offer customised solutions, including consulting in the design phase of the project; spa concept consulting and development, set up and operations assistance, staff training; product procurement negotiations; menu design and development, to name a few.

What’s the approach of your design (Creative) division?
We develop a story for a spa that can be translated with the help of our wellness team into a beautiful design and overall spa experience. This story is told through the concept, menu and overall service.

Our aim is to make each spa and wellness space aesthetically pleasing but functional to ensure that operation is seamless and revenue-making a priority.

Esadore Creative has been fortunate to have worked on some very interesting projects; from our own brand NINE Degrees spa in Fairmont Hotel in Ajman to the Hilton Salwa Resort & Spa in Qatar, and the rooftop oasis spa at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.

Can you tell us more about your WET division?
Esadore WET provides two distinct services, manufacturing and installation of thermal facilities such as hammams, steamrooms, saunas, vitality pools, plunge pools, experience showers, thermal pathways and ice chutes, as well as turnkey development of spa and wellness facilities. Thanks to our local factory we are able to provide international quality products, quicker and at a lower price.

Tell us about NINE Degrees Spa
Our new concept is a unique proposition, and includes the use of indigenous ingredients to create and develop spa treatments and signature experiences.

The brand remains committed to keeping Middle Eastern traditions alive, whilst increasing public knowledge and understanding of the value and vital importance of health and relaxation within daily living and leisure time. We conceptualised this spa with the world’s most discerning travellers in mind– those who seek exceptionally high standards of personalised service.

What are the key trends you see emerging in wellness?
Spafinder Wellness has noted the resurgence of the Mexican temazcal (house of steam) dating back to the Mayan and Aztec times, as one of the new spa trends that cleanses the body, mind and spirit.

We have a similar tradition or hammam culture in this region and at NINE Degrees Spa, Fairmont Ajman we have a unique hammam which boasts a fantastic view of the Arabian Gulf. Our aim is to provide a bespoke experience that not only cleanses the body, but with specific breathing and stretches also calms the mind and spirit.

Corporate wellness is also an emerging trend. Fast-paced, high-stress jobs and competitive work environments have led to a marked increase in burnout amongst staff, higher medical costs and low productivity. Larger companies have recognised this need and are taking action to address the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees.

Another area of focus is men’s grooming and we’re tackling this with the launch of our barber shop concept, MENS – the first of which opened at the NINE Degrees spa at the Fairmont Ajman in July – combining the grooming services of a barber with spa treatments in a relaxed environment.

What excites you about wellness?
When we launched esadore International in 2008, the wellness market in the UAE was in a nascent stage so the marked growth we have seen in recent years is very encouraging. It’s exciting for us to ride this wave, share our experience and expertise to assist in putting the UAE’s spa and wellness industry on the world map.