JEDDAH — The Luthan Spa is a world created to offer women refuge from the pressures of daily life. Luthan Trading Company pioneers the destination spa concept in the Kingdom. Having launched its health spa in December 2005 in Riyadh and with the first women’s only hotel scheduled to open in 2007, the company is owned by a board of 20 members with Madawi bint Mohammad ibn Abdullah Al-Saud being the chairwoman and the board’s managing director.
“The conceptualization of the Luthan Health Spa was a direct reaction to the successful venture of Nayrra — the elite wedding, banquet and conferencing hall in Riyadh,” says Lorraine Coutinho, Luthan’s executive director.
Having launched and managed this successfully, the board, with Princess Nouf bint Faisal bin Turkey Al-Saud at the helm, then noticed that the Kingdom lacked a full service spa facility. The quest for a franchise with an already branded spa began around 2000. Doing research for this entailed traveling across the world.
This research led to the finalization of the decision that Luthan Spa could be created as an independent body and would source professionals from the world over to put this project together. From the designers to contractors and current operators and therapists, every contributor has a solid spa background that combines both knowledge and experience.
“A full service spa must have a residential option and this has led to the creation of a women’s only hotel,” said Coutinho.
The Luthan Hotel and Spa packages and markets wellness, well-being and beauty. The company, which is in the process of developing an expansion model in other cities within the Kingdom, has harnessed the talents and traditions of many cultures under one roof. Luthan is the only place in the Kingdom that offers its guests the complete international spa experience. As of 2006, Luthan served over 200 members at its exclusive members only spa in Riyadh.
The spa was launched in December 2005, the hotel is still to be launched. However, the in-house market research conducted shows tremendous excitement and receptivity to this concept. The female traveler, regardless of whether she is a business or leisure traveler, now has a haven in her honor where safety, security and comfort are the keynotes to Luthan.
“In pioneering a frontier there are always obstacles. However, with clarity and consistence you can successfully pave a path to fruition,” said Coutinho.
In keeping with the concept of Saudization, Luthan has a long-term vision in starting a training center to provide feeder services to sustain manpower requirements at the spa.
Luthan Spa School is another project that is still in the drawing boards with the intention of being launched in 2008. This school will offer diplomas in massage therapy and skin care, and will train and qualify spa professionals for health and beauty positions within the Kingdom.
“Princess Madawi wishes to empower the women of the land with trade skills that will help consolidate the position of Saudization,” said Coutinho. “Luthan has in the pipeline plans to open in other cities in the Kingdom and provide similar services elsewhere. It also aims to promote well-being through constant education that comes in the form of workshops and seminars,” she added.
Services include Ayurveda, Aromeopathy, and Aqua Healing. This therapeutic triad of treatments is exclusive to Luthan in the Kingdom. Treatments also include Reiki, Tibetan sound bowls, sea clay, seaweed and sea algae body wraps, Balinese treatments, Thai massages and a menu with a selection of over 150 services. Fitness comprises aerobic exercise, yoga, pilates, tae bo, spinning, and fit ball. Hairstyling, manicures, pedicures and a variety of other specialized beauty and body treatments are also available.
Whether you want to restore your peace of mind, relax, dine or keep fit; Luthan creates the chance to create a whole new you and caters for all your senses at the perfect urban retreat.
