NASSAU, The Bahamas, June 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steiner Leisure Limited (Nasdaq:STNR) today announced the commencement of operations under its newest Mandara brand, Chavana Spa, at the spa at the Chaaya Island Dhonveli hotel, in the North Male Atoll in the Maldives. A full brand conversion to Chavana Spa is anticipated to be completed in October 2010. The term of the agreement to operate this spa is ten years. In connection with this agreement, Steiner Leisure has contributed a cash investment of $550,000.
This spa features unique signature treatments by Chavana Spa and offers both local and Balinese treatments. Adding to the ambiance are dedicated reception and retail areas, six double treatment villas, each including rain showers, and one with a Jacuzzi tub, sauna and steam room.
Located in the North Male Atoll, just a 20 minute speed boat ride from Male International Airport, Chaaya Island Dhonveli is easily accessible for holiday makers to this extraordinary region. The resort offers 148 guest rooms and suites which are offered in four different categories, from superior rooms to luxurious overwater suites. Four restaurants and lounge bars present a selection of cuisines from around the world and local Maldivian specialties.
Leonard Fluxman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Steiner, said, "We are very excited to have launched our first Chavana Spa in the Maldives, our third location in the last twelve months, and we are delighted to expand our collaboration with John Keells PLC by commencing Chavana Spa operations at a second John Keells hotel."
Chavana Spa offers a streamlined treatment menu that welcomes all to experience the freshness and energy of Balinese spa spirit. The Chavana concept is aimed at four and five star hotels and resorts and is intended to allow guests to enjoy a quality spa experience at a reasonable price. Chavana Spa also operates spas at the Salalah Marriott Resort in Mirbat, Oman and the Four Points by Sheraton Vashi Mumbai, India.
Steiner Leisure Limited is a worldwide provider of spa services. The Company's operations include shipboard and land-based spas and salons. We provide our services on 129 cruise ships and at 62 land-based spas. Our land-based spas include resort spas, urban hotel spas and day spas and are operated under our Elemis(R), Mandara(R), Chavana(R), Bliss(R) and Remede(R) brands. In addition, a total of 26 resort and hotel spas are operated under our brands by third parties pursuant to license agreements with the Company. Our cruise line and land-based resort customers include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Harrah's Entertainment, Hilton Hotels, Holland America Line, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Kerzner International, Loews Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Nikko Hotels, Norwegian Cruise Line, Planet Hollywood, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Lines, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, St. Regis Hotels, W Hotels and Westin Hotels and Resorts. Our award-winning Elemis, Bliss and Remede brands are used and sold in our cruise ship and/or land-based spas and are also distributed worldwide to exclusive hotels, salons, health clubs, department stores and destination spas. Our products are also available at www.timetospa.com and www.blissworld.com.
Steiner Leisure also owns and operates five post secondary schools (comprised of a total of 17 campuses) located in Miami, Orlando, Pompano Beach and Sarasota, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Charlottesville, Virginia; York, Pennsylvania; Salt Lake City and Lindon, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona; Westminster and Aurora, Colorado; and Groton, Newington and Westport, Connecticut. Offering degree and non-degree programs in massage therapy and, in some cases, skin care, these schools train and qualify spa professionals for health and beauty positions within the Steiner family of companies or other industry entities.
Forward-Looking Statements
Our statement with respect to the full brand conversion to Chavana Spa may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statement does not guarantee the completion of the brand conversion as scheduled, since known and unknown risks and other factors may preclude results that match this statement. Such risks and factors include uncertainties beyond our control that could adversely affect the full brand conversion of spa facilities such as at the Chavana Spa at the Chaaya Island Dhonveli hotel, including, among other things, our lack of control over the spa refurbishment work and possible weather-related delays. Other risks are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of such forward-looking statements.