Touch of Tibet at hotel spa

BRISBANE'S Sofitel has opened a luxury day spa as part of an upgrade to its city hotel, which will also see a new gym and foyer refurbishment completed later this year.

Sofitel general manager Geoff York said luxury spas were now part of the five-star experience and demanded by travellers.

"You need to have them and this is very much an upmarket pampering experience," Mr York said.

For Bulimba businesswoman Stephanie Shepherd, opening the city spa is the realisation of a long-held dream.

She has designed and overseen its construction, adding treatment rooms and relaxation areas conceived after 22 years working in the industry and seven years running Stephanie's Natural Beauty and Day Spa at Bulimba.

As well as the usual couples and single treatment rooms, Stephanie's offers Tibetan ritual massage and an Opal Rasul Temple.