Standing on the shores of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand, is the brand-new, Māori owned-and-operated Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa.
The purpose-built spa and bathing facility is built on the legacy of Ngāti Whakaue (local Māori tribe) culture, healing practices and manaakitanga – the centuries-old and internationally renowned Ngāti Whakaue concept of welcoming manuhiri (visitors). Wai Ariki means chiefly waters in Māori.
At this cultural wellness destination, groups can relax their body, mind, and soul by paying a visit to the Sanctuary, which offers a range of facials and massages; or indulge in a two-hour-long Restorative Journey through Rotorua’s geothermal waters.
The two-hour-long Restorative Journey begins with a series of waterfall showers, before proceeding into three saunas of differing heat levels, interspersed with wades in an ice-cold pool, and capping off with an ice cold bucket dunk. These fire and ice caves gives visitors a series of hot and cold, wet and dry experiences to invigorate the body and soul to provide transformative well-being.
Guests are then invited to soak up the healing properties of the spa’s geothermal waters in five pools ranging from an ice plunge pool at 12°C to the hottest pool that caps out at 41°C, all of which open out to a panoramic view of Lake Rotorua.
After which, visitors are then invited to slather themselves in mud and lay on lounges to rejuvenate and nourish the skin, and connect with the land as the Ngāti Whakaue have done for hundreds of years.
The final leg of the journey is the steam cave, where guests should allow the mud to soften while lying on a heated platform, before cleansing themselves with a shower.
Aside from its wellness offerings, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is open to host private corporate buyouts. The Sanctuary portion alone is good for up to 40 pax, while the Restorative Journey concourse is good for 150 pax. Both can be combined to accommodate around 200 pax.
During his career, Chavy has held leadership positions with groups such as Travel+Leisure, Mövenpick, and Hilton.
He has held key positions in some of the group’s most prestigious properties during his tenure.
He joins The Sanchaya from his previous tenure as director of sales – Asia at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Bangkok.
Onyx Hospitality Group has unveiled Shama Hub – an extension of its serviced apartment brand, Shama – which offers a lifestyle that celebrates creativity, flexibility, and community engagement.
Strategically located in vibrant neighbourhoods, Shama Hub properties are easily accessible to attractive areas, allowing guests to seamlessly connect with the pulse of the city and explore its local culture.
Each Shama Hub property offers an array of amenities designed to enhance both convenience and social interaction for residents. These include self-service laundry facilities, a fitness centre, communal hub spaces, and self-service business cabins.
In addition, these Shama Hubs offer the exclusive Shama Social Club lifestyle programme, an initiative that enriches the guest experience by fostering a sense of community and connecting residents to the unique essence of each locale.
Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China and Shama Hub Metro South, Hong Kong are two new properties that have been added to the Shama Hub portfolio.
Shama Hub Metro South, Hong Kong is located in the Hong Kong Southern district and is an ideal hub for individuals or families seeking long-term accommodation close to the city while being surrounded by nature. The property features 26 floors and 139 rooms, with seven room types ranging from studios to two-bedroom units. Just a two-minute walk from Wong Chuk Hang MTR station, guests enjoy easy access to attractions like Ocean Park, Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen district, and more.
A new addition in the heart of Hangzhou, Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China features a variety of room types that cater to short- and long-term residents. Guests can choose from studio kings, one-bedroom suites, or studio flex twin rooms.
Situated in the Dajiangdong area, Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China is just a short walk from Dongsha Lake Park and the Grand Convention and Exhibition Centre, and is also within close proximity to shops, malls, restaurants, and major transport hubs. The property is only a 40-minute drive from the city’s international airport.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, shared: “At Shama Hub, we believe in providing more than just a roof over your head; we offer an experience that defines you.
“It is not just a club; it’s a community that fosters connection, exploration, and a sense of belonging.”