Recent surveys have shown that up to 50% of guests use the spa while staying at a hotel or resort. "Today people are aware of the importance of both physical and mental well-being and they are adopting healthy lifestyles both home and away," said Gordon Tareta, director of spa operations for Hyatt Corporation.

No two Spa Hyatt locations are alike, as each is designed to incorporate the culture and resources of the destination - making them as indigenous and individual as the resort vacation. For example, Hyatt Resorts is an active facilitator of the growing trend in youth spas. Many of the resorts have added treatment options for young guests with two resorts expanding their treatment facilities to appeal to the teen market. The Hyatt Regency Hill Country recently opened The SPAhhhT (pronounced "spot") that offers a variety of youth-designed services such as Henna Tatoos, Updo's, Mai-Tai party-knots for hair and basic salon services like pedicures and manicures and clothed massage treatments under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Some services, such as air-brushed nail art and hair weaving will also be available at a dedicated youth spa "poolside" cabana.

The newly-opened Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach has also introduced spa services for the teen market - Sophisti-Kids. The Sophisti-Kids program enables parents and children to de-stress, relax and enjoy the pampering of the Pacific Waters Spa together. With specially designed treatments such as the Chocolate Kiss Hand & Foot Delight and the Mommy & Me Facial, children are invited to enjoy their own spa treats alongside their parent or guardian in a dual treatment room.

Another significant development in spa news at Hyatt Resorts is occurring at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, California. Medical spas are quickly growing in popularity - according to Spa Magazine, there are over 300 medical spas in the U.S. The medical and skin spa at the Hyatt Grand Champions is Hyatt's first medical spa.

The Medical and Skin Spa will debut early in Summer 2003 within the just-opened Agua Serena Spa, and will provide a comprehensive portfolio of cosmetic and anti-aging services. These will include facial rejuvenation, vein removal, and hair removal using state-of-the-art laser equipment, as well as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Also available will be Botox® and Radiance®, the new, long-lasting tissue augmentation modality. The medical spa will provide in-depth medical workups using the latest in cognitive testing, fitness testing, laboratory screening, and hormone testing. Genetic screening is available to evaluate disease risk and recommendations for healthy living including dietary and nutritional advice as well as stress management techniques will be available to all patients.

The newest resort spa being developed in the Spa Hyatt portfolio is scheduled to open Fall 2003. As part of a comprehensive $60 million transformation, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Casino is adding more than 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art spa technology. The resort's new Stillwater Spa will offer guests the ultimate pampering and relaxation in a mountain setting with year-round swim in-and-out access from the spa to the new signature lagoon-style, three-tiered heated swimming pool.

A contemporary departure from the main hotel, Stillwater Spa offers a private retreat situated in a mountain setting. The use of materials in wood, stone, glass and copper reflect the natural Lake Tahoe surroundings. Stillwater Spa will offer 16 treatment rooms including a couple's massage room with a private fireplace. Treatments will include favorites such as the hot stone massage, utilizing stones collected from nearby Sand Harbor Beach, as well as procedures like the mountain berry scrub using native ingredients also from the area.

Currently, there are 207 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world.