Bringing the mind, body and soul into harmony is something that Chuan Spa at The Langham, Auckland promises to achieve.

In Chinese, chuan means flowing water and, rather appropriately, that’s 
the very sound you hear when you walk into the subdued interiors of the spa. 
The serene ambience prepares you for what you’re about to experience, which 
is a far cry from the hustle and bustle you leave behind in downtown Auckland.

Introducing the five-star Chuan Spa to the New Zealand market is the first of several major projects for the Langham chain of hotels and resorts.

Already in Hong Kong, Boston 
(Body + Soul), Shanghai and Melbourne, Chuan Spa will next be launched in 
the hotel group’s flagship property, 
The Langham, London, later this year.

“It is actually mandatory now that there is a Chuan Spa as part of the development for all Langham properties, both urban and resort locations,” says Jeffrey van Vorsselen, managing director of The Langham, Auckland.

In keeping with the oriental theme, the contemporary designed Auckland spa is modelled on the principles of feng shui and, along with the usual pampering and beauty services, the signature treatments are based on the guiding principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a range of traditional practices that originated more than 3000 years ago.

The Chuan Spa facilities include individual and dual treatment rooms, a fitness centre, a heated outdoor pool and a jacuzzi combined with herbal steam rooms, saunas, snail showers and an ice experience.

The ancient wisdom of TCM is the distinguishing feature of Chuan Spa, which, according to Barry White, director of Spa Operations for Langham Hotels International, provides a unique point 
of difference from other luxury spas.

“These days, most spas are very Western in orientation and are much of a muchness,” White says. “Instead, we have engaged with a TCM practitioner from the outset to extensively research how we can incorporate authentic TCM principles into our signature services as well as blend more of a pampering approach where it is needed.”

TCM, which is closely linked to the traditional Chinese philosophy that humans are a holistic entity, aims to achieve harmonious balance and a state of wellbeing and relaxation.

The five elements (wu xing) of 
wood, fire, earth, metal and water are 
an integral part of TCM as these elements are an important aspect 
of the cycles of life. Chuan Spa aims to balance these elements through its personalised treatments.

Chuan Spa also offers TCM consultations with Patrice Hardy, 
a qualified TCM consultant and former theatre nurse. Specialised services include acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion.

For those who want to relish the 
experience of rest and relaxation at Chuan Spa, there are two opulent oriental-inspired residential suites across the hallway for an overnight stay, so there’s no need to leave the hotel and disrupt your newly aligned senses.

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners take a holistic approach to understanding the body’s state of wellbeing. 
They believe that any disharmony relating to the qi (life force energy) that flows through the body’s meridians (a network of invisible energy channels throughout the body) can cause imbalance, 
which can lead to illness. 
TCM treatments include herbal medicine, massage, acupuncture, moxibustion and breathwork.

GOOD FORTUNE

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese system of aesthetics used to harmonise the flow of energy within natural and man-made environments and encourage the good health and fortune of those who inhabit them. Feng shui draws on disciplines such as architecture and interior design and follows rules about the positioning of objects and furniture in a room.

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