A new urban wellness retreat is set to launch in Knightsbridge, London, backed by a trio of professionals from the beauty and medical fields, including ex-Aromatherapy Associates interim CEO Muriel Zingraff.

Designed for conscious wellbeing, The Hvn will launch on 17 October.

The two-level facility will operate with a 360˚ integrated approach using heritage therapies – including traditional Indian, Japanese and Chinese medicines – functional medicine and medical aesthetics, acupuncture, vitamin infusions and bodywork, as well as therapies to support gut health and hormonal wellbeing.

Every visitor will be invited to become the “architect of their own wellbeing with personalised plans underpinned by high quality, high-value, evidence-based protocols". Upon arrival, guests will undergo a thorough one-to-one consultation to inform their treatment plan. Each schedule will be decided by The Hvn’s multidisciplinary team of doctors, practitioners and therapeutic specialists.

Seminars, masterclasses and various educational programmes will also be available online and in person. Topics of focus will include wellbeing, mind resetting, osteopathy and nutrition.

The new venture is the brainchild of Muriel Zingraff, CEO; Jo Harris, COO; and Dr Tanja Philips, medical director.

With more than 70 years of combined experience in their respective fields, the trio was united by a shared belief that the industry was lacking a unique, evidence-based and optimised client-centric wellness offering.

The Hvn's founders feel they’ve created a new category in wellness that encourages its clients to take control of their wellbeing and encompasses their vision of looking, feeling and living healthier.

Zingraff comments: “The Hvn encapsulates everything that myself, Jo and Tanja see as the fundamentals of a complete health and wellbeing experience.

“We’ve pooled our knowledge and research to curate The Hvn as a place to receive bespoke treatments, as well as true and transparent information about wellness with complete trust. We look forward to welcoming new clients to The Hvn.”

Immersive experiences

The ultimate vision for the retreat is to help guests improve how they feel both inside and outside. As part of this, the team has developed an exclusive Forest Bathing experience.

The new sensory relaxation space features biophilic elements and integrates natural sounds and birdsong to lower blood pressure and lower cortisol.

The room is also infused with a signature scent incorporating phytoncides – the chemicals emitted by trees which are responsible for the health benefits of forest bathing such as lowering blood pressure – to provide a true wellbeing boost.

Alongside this, The Hvn features bespoke commissions from acclaimed artists Andrea Serra and Martha Freud, to soothe its guests with beautiful surroundings.

The retreat’s spa and wellness partners include HydraFacial, BC SoftWear and Lemi. Plus, guests will be able to access The Hvn's exclusive wellbeing collection at the facility's retail area.

More about The Hvn founders

Muriel ZingraffZingraff has spent her career working across luxury and premium brands, for international organisations such as L’Oréal, Jimmy Choo, Paco Rabanne and Harrods.

Her expertise is centred on maximising the potential of the upscale businesses she works with.

In 2011, Zingraff became retail director of Heathrow Airport where she increased its sales to £2 billion (US$2.4 billion, €2.3 billion).

From 2015-2021, she ran her consultancy MZS Consulting which saw her work with several high-performing brands and included a stint working as interim CEO for Aromatherapy Associates.  

Jo Harris

An experienced leader in beauty, Jo Harris contributes over 30 years of experience to the team.

Starting her career at The Dorchester hotel in London, Harris is a trained therapist who’s worked for luxury brands across the UK including Aveda, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Masons.

She has held multiple leadership positions in the spa and beauty industries including serving as GM of Harrods 33,000sq ft Urban Retreat in Knightsbridge, heading up a 400-strong team.

Dr Tanja PhillipsTanja Phillips is a qualified GP and doctor. A specialist in Fotona laser treatments, Phillips has lectured both in the UK at the Royal Society of Medicine and abroad at international conferences.  Her specialism helps drive the standard ethic and medical oversight of all Hvn treatments.