Asian spa operator Banyan Tree Spa is to open a new spa in the ancient township of Fuli, southeast China, amidst the Karst Mountains and Li River, designed as a village retreat.

Located 90 minutes from Guilin International Airport, the 975sq m (10,500sq ft) spa is set to open in on 23 September and features two royal double treatment rooms with rain mist facilities, three deluxe double treatment rooms and four standard double treatment rooms. Each treatment room is named after a traditional Chinese herb which offers wellness benefits. The spa also comprises a beauty salon, yoga room, spa café and a Banyan Tree art gallery.

In keeping with the ‘high-touch, low-tech’ approach used in the other nine global Banyan Tree Spas, signature spa treatments incorporate human touch and the use of natural herbs and spices. The ‘Banyan Refresh’ package is a 150-minute treatment that includes a steambath using local ingredients such as luohanguo chrysanthemums, an oriental massage minus oil and a foot massage.

The ‘Royal Banyan’ therapy includes a herbal pouch massage dipped in warm sesame oil and a jade face massage to improve blood circulation and skin condition.

The menu lists a selection of facials, freshly-concocted body scrubs and body wraps, as well as hand, foot and hair treatments.

Banyan Tree also operates spas under its Angsana brand, including one under construction called Angsana Spa Jinling Nanjing which will feature 10 deluxe spa treatment rooms amid 1,100sq m (11,840sq ft) of spa facilities. This spa is scheduled to open on 1 October.

Banyan Tree is planning to expand its business to encompass 100 spas in the next few years – they currently own and manage close to 70 spas in around 30 countries under Banyan Tree Spa, Angsana Spa and Elements Spa by Banyan Tree brands.

Established in the Asia Pacific market, expansion in this region will continue, but more opportunities will be explored in the Americas, including Brazil and the Caribbean, and Europe – particularly Portugal and Greece.

Other spas set to open in the next few years include Banyan Tree Huangshan, Angsana Spa Xi’an Lintong, Banyan Tree Spa Jiuzhaigou Sichuan, Banyan Tree Spa Luofushan and Banyan Tree Dali in China.

In other parts of the world, new projects include Angsana Spa Radisson Blu Mumbai in India, and Banyan Tree Spa Tamouda Bay in Morocco.