“It’s about resonance for the body and senses” – an interview with spa expert Fatima Diagana

Ms Diagana, spa is a big word and is used in many ways. If you had to define spa in just a few words, what would those words be?
Water, rituals, and resonance: This triad embodies the essence of spa. Water is a pure element of life: The healing power of water treatments is the origin of the spa philosophy. Water works! It can calm us down or stimulate us. A stream of cold water is refreshing. A delicate mist gently moistens our skin. Water touches the body and the senses: We can experience and feel it in many ways. In the spa, we can use water in a way that does us good holistically. Spa rituals have been practised for centuries. Initially, they were used for healing and maintaining good health. Now it is about more than just effectiveness. The sensual experience alone is considered a quality in the spa because it does us good to be at one with ourselves. In general, rituals are part of our culture: They make the moment special, and our humanity is deeply moved. Spa rituals promise us a pleasurable care experience: That we enjoy taking our time with. On special occasions, as well as in everyday life. We are talking about the “physical & emotional benefit”. Whether relaxing or stimulating, cleansing, or revitalising: It’s about the lasting, positive effect. About resonance for the body and senses. This is the ultimate luxurious spa feeling.

One of the things you and your Diagana Spa Design company do is develop and implement spa concepts for hotels. Are there any cornerstones playing a key role here?
Nowhere else can you get as close to your guests as you can in the spa. In the hotel spa (as in the home spa), I design the spaces that should be there for people. These places should do us good, contribute to our well-being and ground us. I see this as something precious, nowadays. A spa concept deepens the hotel concept and its values. Even if a spa in the mountains naturally has a different theme to a spa on an island, or an urban day spa: What they all have in common is that the guest always takes centre stage. A unique location is not enough in itself to take a spa project out of the architecture and bring it to life. Successful spa rituals require processes to run smoothly. This includes matters such as the function and form of the water pathways. How can the guest’s sense of intimacy be maintained in a professional and service-minded manner? I bring in a lot of empathy for people, and a deep understanding for the atmosphere and details: I choose the materials that surround the guest. What does the host wear? How is the guest received? Equipment issues: How do the towels feel? How big are they? Each master plan is based on everything being in perfect harmony.

How do you define a holistic spa experience? What makes a spa ritual, in your view?
A holistic spa experience is one that you remember. Something you want to relive. This includes a space that is designed to maintain a sense of intimacy, where you can feel at ease. An empathetic service: Language, smile, and touch – how to deal with guests. Is there a tray on which something has been prepared? A fragrant oil, a customised scrub? A welcoming foot bath is a wonderful thing: The spa therapist gets to know their guest, finding out what is important to them. Certain repeated touches or the use of accessories also ensure extra depth. The entire spa ritual follows a certain sequence – before, during, and after the treatment. It is the sum of the gestures that make up the experience. This can range from simple to luxurious. Sometimes there is also beauty in simplicity, such as offering a glass of water or cup of tea at just the right moment. When all the processes are in harmony, and light, fragrance, and sound are added, then a mood is created. I expect the materials that touch me to feel pleasant. Towels, bathrobes, and everything I lie on and am treated with. The support after the treatment is important. What is the wake-up light like? And the farewell? A perfect spa host makes sure that the guest can take something with them – tangible or intangible – so that they can take their spa experience home with them.

Which spa experience can I integrate into my everyday life with relative ease? And what can it do?
Water and a massage glove – these are all you need for a scrub that appeals to the body and senses. The classic spa ritual can be an independent treatment or the prelude to a comprehensive wellness programme. Start under a warm shower to prepare the skin for exfoliation. Breathe in deeply and become aware of your breathing. Let the water take effect and feel it pouring all over your body. Breathe out. The heat relaxes the muscles. Exfoliation is performed with a massage glove by massaging the entire body in gentle, circular movements. From the feet upwards and from the fingertips to the upper body. You may want to spend longer on dry skin areas such as knees and elbows. During the exfoliating massage, keep running the water at a lower pressure. The treatment removes dead skin cells and stimulates circulation and lymph flow. Spa accessories such as the massage glove feel good and actively contribute to the effect by enhancing the care ritual. Selected fragrances or ingredients can underline the desired effect: Lavender, for example, relaxes and calms, while ginger refreshes and revitalises. Finally, dry the body with a towel. Whether fluffy or rough – the material should have a pleasant feel to it. The skin is now particularly receptive to subsequent care: A few drops of oil or a cream. Our heads also enjoy the spa experience: The repetitive massage movement leaves a feeling of purity, deep relaxation, and pleasant revitalisation. Spend a quiet moment in the bathroom or elsewhere to enjoy the effects of the treatment.

What role do space, architecture, and the environment play? Are there special elements that you think must be considered, such as light, sound, or fragrance?
The space allows the guest to arrive before the actual treatment begins. It creates the framework for immersing yourself in the hotel’s spa concept. To create an atmosphere that appeals to the senses, I use tangible and intangible design elements. Natural materials, light, and fragrances are always part of it. And possibly music and sounds. It revolves around sensual and aesthetic questions: What do you like to feel on your skin? What do you like to walk barefoot on? Which materials feel pleasant when I touch them? What is the finish on the water outlets, such as the rain shower? Is there a window that frames a view of the outside world, of nature? And to answer these questions individually for each spa concept and each location. And to harmonise them with the technical processes.