Press Release
01.02.2011:
“Mum, I want to come into the sauna too...”
Children and their adventurous journey of discovery in the world of wellness
According to a study by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the proportion of travellers with children is already at 24% in the area of wellness. This means that sauna and co. can quickly become a healthy adventure. Whether a jolly family steaming session followed by a snowball fight in winter or a dive into the cool lake in summer, one thing is clear: it is definitely healthy for both young and old.
The trend towards afternoon wellness programmes for children is already firmly anchored in America, and is slowly gaining ground in Europe. With playful muscle training for boys, fun dance for girls and an exciting and relaxing chocolate body pack for both, such a casual wellness day can also mean huge fun for the little ones.
A new, health-conscious generation, as envisaged many years ago by Sebastian Kneipp in his nurseries, creates space for development and innovation. As the world’s market leader in the sauna and wellness sector, KLAFS is very happy about the growing health-consciousness among adults and children. The company has known for a long time that precisely regular visits to the sauna can reinforce children’s immune systems. Allergies and related breathing difficulties as well as sleeplessness and concentration problems, even aggression and nervousness can be reduced with regular sauna visits.
However, in order to do justice to the growing numbers of younger bathers, a new approach must be found. When designing the spaces, for example, child-friendly access should be a consideration, and under no circumstances may the oven pose a hazard. However the most important aspect when planning a wellness area for children is the aspiration to introduce them to the joys of the sauna in a playful manner.
In cooperation with the Steigenberger Hotel Group, KLAFS recently created a prime example of a children’s spa facility. The Steigenberger Hotel Gstaad-Saanen in Switzerland devotes an entire floor of its large Spa Luxury World, which is spread across three storeys, to children alone. Naturally, supervision is provided. In an area covering 150 square metres the nippers can try out many healthy treatments and decide which one is the most fun. The quaint tree sauna has a mild temperature of 40 degrees, which is a gentle introduction to bathing enjoyment. And since it is most children’s dream to live in a tree house, they thus have a quick and playful access to the new experience of sauna fun.
To cool down the kinds get into the attention-grabbing water grotto with an adventure shower and waterfall. Here, soft tropical raindrops or sudden thunder and lightning create exciting and cooling fun. The kids can test their sense of smell at a smelling organ. Then they relax in swaying hammocks, on comfortable sofas and in swinging gondolas.
After the relaxation the circulation is stimulated again in the mountain hut. Wii consoles with tennis, golf and football can also pass the time if the weather is too bad to let off steam outside. The very brave can try their luck in mountain climbing and clamber right up to the top of the steep climbing wall, to a small cave below the ceiling. Children of 12 years and older can explore the other spa storeys in the company of an adult. There’s the panorama sauna with a mountain view, for example, the aroma samarium or a herbal steam bath.
With this project KLAFS has created a place of healthy fun for children, which has found many friends already.
