This month’s Spa of the Month:

A Balanced Approach to Spa Going

Kur Water Station and Spa, Gramado, Brazil

by Camile Hoheb

Tucked away in the south of Brazil lies an innovative, modern and sophisticated haven for relaxation and luxury, the Kur Water Station and Spa. Dedicated to health and skin care services, the day spa launched this past January. It is an extension of the award-winning Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa located in Gramado, Brazil.
To understand the Kur Water Station and Spa, it is important to know the history of the Kurotel Longevity Center (Kurotel), the background of its founders and the establishment’s vision and philosophy. Founded by Luis Carlos Silveria, M.D., and his wife Neusa, Kurotel was built in 1982 to serve three functions: pampering spa, state-of-the-art medical center and luxury resort. Since its establishment, the center has become renowned around the world for utilizing the latest techniques in predictive and preventive medicine. Kurotel received top honors in spa and travel awards including “Most Excellent Spa Hotel in South America” for the third year in a row by Condé Nast Johansens. Guests of Kurotel typically stay between one and two weeks to achieve specific health goals, whether it is to lose weight, relieve stress or to kick start a customized healthy lifestyle program.
According to Dr. Silveria, “The Kur Water Station and Spa was designed to benefit guests of all ages and fitness levels. Water therapies can increase balance, coordination, stability, muscular strength and flexibility while protecting joints from strain or injury.”

The first building (Kurotel) was inspired by Portuguese colonial homes and communicates the elegance and seriousness of a health center while the newly built day spa is modern and comfortable.

The next generation spa

Kurotel has became a family affair with the Silverias’ four daughters—Rochele, Evelise, Mariela and Barbara—each assuming a unique role in the growth and development of the Kur brand. Rochele spearheads the Kur spa. She explains the concept of the spa as a synergistic counterpoint to the Kurotel Longevity Center. “We wanted to demonstrate a transition between our family of founders and second generation that was both impactful and harmonious. We did so by building the day spa that physically joins the 27 year old established medical clinic (Kurotel) with the new Kur Water Station and Spa,” she says.
“It marks an important passage of Kurotel and the expansion the Kur brand. The first building (Kurotel) was inspired by Portuguese colonial homes and communicates the elegance and seriousness of a health center while the newly built day spa is modern and comfortable, with contemporary design, featuring large areas and empty spaces by design.”

Services and offerings

The Kur Spa’s 14,165 square feet includes an organic restaurant, 18 wet rooms, 18 treatment rooms, a pool, a retail area and several relaxation sections. The true meaning of spa is “sanitas per aquas,” Latin for “healing by waters.” Consistent with this theme, the first floor of the facility is dedicated to water treatments and services that incorporate the principles of hydrating the body to promote wellness and renewal.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the uber opulent pool with penetrating water jets and streams and a walking circuit to boost circulation and the feeling of vitality.

A range of skin care and spa treatments are offered as well as nutritional consultations and medical and dermatological services. The spa features fully equipped consulting rooms, single and double treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, physicians, skin care and spa professionals, dermatologists and beauty therapists.There is also a bistro offering healthy, organic, functional meals and a respite for tourists who have overindulged in the decadent gourmet dining experiences of Gramado.

Delightful treatments

As a guest of Kurotel, I was given full access to the day spa and enjoyed many notable treatments. Tourists and residents of Gramado are welcome to indulge in the many wonderful services at the day spa, and guests of Kurotel Longevity Center have access to the clinical services.
One incredible massage called Kur Vital Energy Stimulating Therapy involves two massage therapists working simultaneously on a client—exacting the same tempo, pressure and body location—with Brazilian drum music setting the tone. The massage therapists work first on pressure points, then they apply hot oil and continue with short, brisk strokes in synch to the music.
The treatment takes place on an oversized, custom-made, knee high wooden platform with a three inch mattress. The experience continues in a nearby tub, and the music subsides into a slower, more melodic tone. As you relax in the warm water, light emanating from the bottom of the tub switches from blue to red to green. It is a perfectly orchestrated, experiential massage that includes an unexpected sensory experience.
After the bath, my skin was still bathed in oil, which was rinsed off in a leisurely rain shower before I was escorted to a semi-private relaxation area. While enjoying a moment of peace in the comfortable modern lounge chairs positioned in front of a wall of water, you can watch as it cascades over the blue tile. When I looked up, I noticed that the ceiling also featured colored lighting. The use of lighting in interior design is implemented throughout the new facility and adds an interesting element while creating an environment that seems to transcend time and facilitate relaxation. The sight and sound of the water and low lighting helped to create a take-me-away moment.

The intent of the architectural design is to integrate the delicacy of the environment with technology and make a perfect counterpoint to the traditional Kurotel building.

Therapeutic baths
Speaking of Calgon take-me-away, I enjoyed many of the hydrotherapy services—essential, as water therapy is a fundamental pillar of the Kur philosophy and brand. Several times throughout the course of my stay at the Kurotel Longevity Center, I was scheduled for mineral baths consisting of consecutive mud and salt immersion. The mud bath is rich in salicylate and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties to relieve muscle pain. The salt bath helps boost the immune system and removes dead skin cells and oil. Both of these relaxing mineral baths took place in one of the 14 rectangular private treatment rooms that surround the pool. After the baths, guests are welcome to enjoy the uber opulent pool with penetrating water jets and streams and a walking circuit to boost circulation and the feeling of vitality.
The pool is not used for swimming, but rather for relaxation and renewal. It took me a couple of times in the pool to realize there was a path where guests are meant to walk in deep water against a current that leads to thigh-high jets and an invigorating shower. My favorite time of day to enjoy the pool area was at dusk, when the brilliant sun began to fade, allowing for maximum enjoyment of the subtle shifts in colored lighting that reflected off the doors of the treatment rooms. Here was another example of chromo therapy to promote and enjoy a deep sense of wellbeing. It was magical.

Kurotel concentrates on promoting a healthy lifestyle in three ways: balanced nutrition, fitness and emotional wellbeing.

Modern design

Kur Water Station and Spa’s color palette is based on the use of ultra modern white. It is used on everything from walls, couches, floor coverings to treatment rooms. The theme is a great choice for playing off the fantastic views of lush greenery from the floor to ceiling windows, as is the use of colored accent lighting, which adds drama to the contemporary design.
A crystal Baccarat chandelier that hangs above a large water feature in the center of the waiting area is the focal point on the second floor. Three jumbo flat screen TVs play inspiring imagery of water that is mesmerizing. Rochele Silveria remarks that the intent of the architectural design is to integrate the delicacy of the environment with technology and make a perfect counterpoint to the traditional Kurotel building, which features original bronzes and classic decoration.

Wholesome focus

Kurotel concentrates on promoting a healthy lifestyle in three ways: balanced nutrition, fitness and emotional wellbeing. These concepts hold true in the day spa as well, according to an on-site therapist who explains that the Kur philosophy is to treat the person as a whole. Clients are encouraged to improve their skin not just in terms of external treatments, but through healthy lifestyle habits.