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Billingehus unveils nature-inspired spa in Swedish countryside

24 Jul 2024 Billingehus, a tranquil Swedish countryside retreat, has unveiled its new 2,000sq m spa and announced new plans for additional upgrades by 2025.

Situated between Gothenburg and Stockholm, the hotel and its new wellness facility are designed to provide a peaceful haven for adventure-seekers who visit the area which is famed for its natural beauty and numerous outdoor activity opportunities, including hiking, climbing and skiing.

Originally opened in 1970 by Arne and Maja Sandberg, Billingehus was established with a vision of creating a place for recreation where exercise and relaxation went hand in hand.

Nearly 50 years later, in June 2023, the hotel was relaunched with 240 rooms after extensive renovations led by architect Gert Wingårdh, under the new ownership of Lotus Hotel Group.

Now, Lotus has upgraded Billingehus with the eight-treatment-room Earth Spa, complete with three hot spring pools, an infra-red sauna, a Finnish sauna, a halotherapy sauna and an aromatic steamroom.

Experience showers, foot spas, cold showers, a tea lounge, a yoga studio and a 160sq m gym complete the offering.

The treatment menu ranges from traditional European holistic spa treatments to more tech-forward experiences incorporating LED light therapy. The Earth Spa has launched in partnership with Eminence Organic Skin Care.

Guests can unwind post-treatment in one of three relaxation rooms: the Sun Room with light therapy and meditation, the Mountain Room with stunning valley views, and the Dark Room equipped with water beds and soothing music.

Anna Riis, spa concept manager and Lotus co-owner, emphasises the unique location on the Billingen plateau as integral to the spa's appeal.

“The combination of hot baths, saunas, and treatments with the natural surroundings creates a unique experience that grounds and revitalises guests,” she says.

Wellness activities include yoga classes, sound healing retreats and hiking weekends.

The new spa was designed by Lotus Hotel Group’s Design Team and Lotus Love Spa Team, with Amanda Oskarsson providing architecture and interior design services.

In 2025, the facility will be expanded with three additional pools, while the hotel will add a rooftop restaurant and a 700-person event space.

The backstory
Lotus is a family-owned hotel owner and operator with roots in western Sweden that, in addition to Billingehus, also owns Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa in Gothenburg, Varbergs Stadshotell and Asia Spa and the historic Hôtel Eggers in Gothenburg.

Its first spa venture was the Asia Spa at Varbergs Stadshotell, opened in 2001, followed by Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa in 2010.

This experience informed the creation of Lotus' in-house wellness philosophy and the development of the Earth Spa concept.

Eva Ulfvengren, spa manager, told Spa Business that the customer base is expected to be primarily tourists, though memberships are offered to locals. These include access to the spa and gym, guest passes, discounts on treatments, classes and lectures and access to Lotus' other spas around Sweden.

Annual membership packages start at SEK845 (US$78, €72, £61), plus an initiation fee of SEK495 (US$46, €42, £36).

So far, the spa has been popular for corporate retreats and couples, with guests’ ages ranging from 20 to 90 years old.

“Billingehus has a unique history and now we’re continuing the founders’ mission. By combining rest and movement, natural ingredients and healing experiences, we restore the balance between body and mind,” says Ulfvengren.

“Our aim is always the same: for guests to feel reborn when they step back into the real world.”