22 Sep 2014
First continental European Neal's Yard Remedies spa opens in Portugal
BY Helen Andrews
The first continental European Neal’s Yard Remedies Spa has opened in what used to be the private home of a 17th Century noble family, now known as the Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda in the Western Algarve, Portugal.
Treatments by organic and 'hippy' UK skincare brand, Neal’s Yard Remedies, already feature in a few of its stores in London, but the brand is mainly marketed as a retail product to be used at home. The addition of Neal’s Yard Remedies to this European destination signals the product company is expanding onto the continent.
Situated on the cliffs of the Western Algarve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the four-star 25-bedroom Portuguese hotel is privately owned and managed by Urs Wild and Paulette Winwood. The three-treatment room spa, which originally opened in 2008, comprises a sauna, steamroom, foot spa, heated outdoor pool and whirlpool.
A spokesperson for Vivenda Miranda told Spa Opportunities that the hotel’s owners approached Neal’s Yard Remedies regarding a brand tie-up to highlight the synergy between the companies. “On visiting the Vivenda Miranda, Neal’s Yard Remedies’ director for natural health Susan Curtis agreed to be the only product supplier for the hotel’s spa and to work with the site to expand and develop its events, courses and programmes.”
For example, one link between the companies is that Paulette Winwood is already an independent consultant for Neal’s Yard. “It was clear that both the hotel, Neal’s Yard Remedies and its owners have similar business ethics and both run family businesses,” continued the spokesperson. “Both companies promote organic and healthy beauty inside and outside the body. Today we reflect this ethos in the restaurant, spa and events we host.”
Treatments developed by Neal’s Yard Remedies include a nourishing moroccan orange blossom facial, a frankincense and mandarin body scrub and an Ayurveda royal massage with almond oil.
The skincare company is running its first ever health and wellbeing retreat at the property called “Cleanse & Revitalise” between 11-18 October, which will include healthy nutrition talks, detox advice, consultations, meditation classes, a cooker workshop and a visit to a local organic farm.
“Neal’s Yard Remedies is best known for its organic skincare and beautiful blue bottles, but since the beginning we’ve always been passionate about transforming people’s lives, by empowering them to live more healthily,” said Susan Curtis, Neal’s Yard Remedies’ natural health director. “This is our first ever retreat and an amazing opportunity for us to inspire others to lead a happier and healthier life – we hope it’s the first of many.”
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