Aqua Sana launches forest-inspired spa at Sherwood Forest

Aqua Sana has unveiled its brand-new Forest Spa concept at Sherwood Forest. 

Having undergone the biggest refurbishment in the spa’s history, it has been completely transformed into a forest escape inspired by its beautiful natural setting. The project represents an investment of around £3m and work began in June 2016.

Aqua Sana, created by Center Parcs, has taken inspiration from the beautiful Sherwood Forest setting of the spa for this new design, alongside influence from some of the most spectacular forests around the world - from icy Nordic landscapes, to the high-altitude Chilean Arenal forest. Innovation has been at the core of Center Parcs' success for almost 30 years and this new spa concept marks a significant move forward for the award-winning Aqua Sana brand, which emerged from a modest spa offering 14 years ago.

This research has inspired the assortment of heating and cooling rooms available for guests to try. There are 26 experiences in total, which lie within six zones inside the spa and outdoors. These include a heated outdoor pool, foot spas, hot tubs, a variety of steam rooms, saunas, an ice cave and a selection of relaxation rooms.

Inspiration was also drawn from Shinrin-Yoki (Forest Bathing) – the Japanese wellness trend. Outdoor areas and walkways allow guests to reap the benefits of being amongst trees, while a Treetop Sauna, at nearly 10m high, offers stunning views from its vantage point in the forest canopy.

The forest bathing experience goes even further than the outdoor area, bringing the sensation indoors. A range of innovative thermal suites that infuse essential oils, salts and minerals into the air have been created so guests can reap the benefits of forest bathing inside as well as out.

Decléor, ELEMIS and CND provide expert treatments within Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest, with 21 treatment rooms and more than 50 treatments to choose from.

Aqua Sana is also embracing renewable energy by drawing from an anaerobic digestion plant near Sherwood Forest, which will provide almost all the heat and power needed for the spa. This vastly reduces the spa’s carbon footprint and supports the brand’s strong sustainability credentials.

Kay Pennington, Aqua Sana Group Spa Manager, comments: “We’re thrilled to be unveiling Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest after two years of research, planning and renovations. The new Forest Spa concept embraces the power of nature and is set up to allow guests to reap the benefits of our unique forest environment. We look forward to welcoming our loyal spa aficionados and new faces to our gorgeous new spa.”