Against the backdrop of Scotland’s oldest university town, the prestigious Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa hosted the 18th annual Global Wellness Summit (GWS), establishing St Andrews as a leading wellness destination.
The summit, marking its first-ever UK presence, brought together over 500 attendees from 43 countries, demonstrating Scotland’s significant role in the global wellness economy, now valued at $5.6 trillion.
“We were delighted to welcome the Global Wellness Summit to our wee corner of Fife,” said Phyllis Wilkie, General Manager of the Old Course Hotel. “Wellness is very much woven into the fabric of our ancient coastal town, from our modern beachside saunas and cold-water swimming spots to our state-of-the-art Kohler Waters Spa.
“Here in St Andrews, wellness isn’t just a modern trend – it’s a centuries-old way of life, embedded in our traditions and community.”
The summit’s location in St Andrews provided a uniquely compelling setting that perfectly exemplified the country’s leadership in wellness innovation.
The historic town blends ancient traditions like the Sunday Pier Walk and annual May Day North Sea swim with cutting-edge wellness facilities at the Old Course Hotel, where all of its 175 rooms were occupied by delegates.
Atnedees at the 18th annual Global Wellness Summit enjoyed the versatile function spaces and comprehensive wellness programs, including coastal walks, sacred healing tours, cold-water ice baths, and access to the award-winning Kohler Waters Spa.
The hotel boasts a fantastic position on the coastline, and research shows that 80% of UK adults report calming effects from being near water. This helped to enhance the attendees’ experience while also highlighting the UK’s broader wellness policy initiatives.
In addition, the country boasts more than 400 wild swimming sites and a growing network of social bathhouses and saunas, which challenge traditional community gathering spots for popularity.
The Kohler Waters Spa
Old Course Hotel’s award-winning Kohler Waters Spa was renovated this year to offer an enhanced experience. The hydrotherapy suite was fully refurbished, and KLAFS features were installed, further highlighting the venue’s unique position in wellness tourism.
“From our advanced hydrotherapy suite to the UK’s first Espuro Foam Experience steam room, we’re meeting the growing demand for innovative wellness experiences. These innovations are not merely upgrades; they are thoughtfully curated enhancements that create a sanctuary of calm and restoration for our guests,” noted Wilkie.
During the event, Kohler, the global kitchen and bath leader, unveiled its collaboration with Dr Jonathan Leary, Founder and CEO of Remedy Place.
The KOHLER x Remedy Place Ice Bath, showcased in the summit’s Innovation Lab, represents a milestone in at-home wellness technology, combining Kohler’s 150 years of design expertise with contemporary cold therapy benefits.
Looking ahead, the Old Course Hotel continues to enhance its wellness offerings, leveraging its unique position as home to the exclusive Kohler Waters Spa and its natural coastal setting.
The hotel is particularly well-positioned to facilitate the growing interest in therapeutic water experiences, from traditional hydrotherapy to wild swimming and cold immersion treatments, including its annual Cold Water Wellness Retreat.
The UK is a wellness policy powerhouse, offering deeper, more specific wellness retreats, social and wild water locations, a longevity clinic explosion, and the power of the pilgrimage and the epic walk. The country boasts a £178 billion wellness economy and has ranked number one globally for growth in its wellness market since 2019.
To back this up, British consumers have spent 31% more on wellness in the last five years (£2,651/year), and the wellness economy represents a growing and unusually large percentage of the total UK economy/GDP, at 7.3%.
“At the Old Course Hotel, we’re reimagining wellness as a journey filled with joy and discovery,” said Wilkie.
Adding, “Combining the thrill of Scotland’s greatest golfing destination with luxurious wellbeing experiences, we’re creating a playground where active living meets indulgent pleasure. Our partnership with Global Wellness Summit reinforces our vision – wellness should be something you fall in love with, not endure.”
For more information about the Old Course Hotel’s wellness offerings and the Kohler Waters Spa, visit www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk.
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