PUNTA MAROMA, Mexico, July 22 /PRNewswire/ — With the opening of Auriga in the first quarter of 2009, residents of Capella Bahia Maroma will be afforded an experience once reserved for Maya royalty. From shaman-led ceremonies to jungle-setting treatment pavilions corresponding to the Maya moons, Auriga will lead its guests on a journey through ancient Mayan culture and healing traditions for a spa experience that charms as it pampers, and informs as it renews. Set within the lush jungle landscape of Mexico's Riviera Maya, along a mile-long, white-sand beach, the spa will be an integral part of the lifestyle Capella residents enjoy, one that will allow the spa guest to define his or her experience with every visit — reserving a full morning for a water ritual, for instance, connecting with friends in the tea lounge, or simply relaxing in the sauna by the pool.

In developing the spa at Bahia Maroma, Auriga is working with designer Diana Mestre of PRO-SPA, who is credited with an in-depth knowledge of Maya cosmology and ancient healing traditions. Auriga at Bahia Maroma will compliment the resort developer Grupo Carrousel's vision for a property deeply committed to the Yucatan and Maya culture and Capella founder Horst Schulze's commitment to creating a lifestyle that is second to none in service, hospitality and local authenticity.

Auriga's distinctive approach to wellness and beauty is based on the cycles of the moon — and this is particularly appropriate at Capella Bahia Maroma, in a region where ancient Maya culture was closely attuned to lunar and solar cycles. Auriga Bahia Maroma's unique approach will have spa guests moving through a series of three platforms — Earth, Water and Heaven — taking part in Maya rituals along the way. Treatments will take place in private pavilion suites nestled in the Maya jungle. Residents will be encouraged to select music and aromas to personalize their experience, and temperatures, pressure and specific rituals will also be tailored to individual preferences and needs.

Maya-inspired treatments will include several created from rituals once reserved exclusively for Maya emperors and princesses. All will use natural products of the highest quality, incorporating local ingredients with healing properties, such as orchid, avocado, tepezcohuite (tree bark), maiz (corn) and cacao. Among them will be a Sacred Obsidian Massage, After-Sun Tepezcohuite Body Balm, Cacao and Coffee Ceremony and a Mayan Orchid Body Wrap.

With a stunningly beautiful landscape leading to a one-mile-long, white-sand Caribbean beach, Capella Bahia Maroma is destined to become one of the world's most coveted beach resort and residential experiences. The property is opposite the world's second largest coral reef — the Great Maya Reef — and near the renowned diving and snorkeling of Cozumel, and important Mayan archaeological sites. The property features an 83 all-villa Capella Hotel opening directly onto the Caribbean; 130 private residences; a private, world-class Rees Jones golf course; a signature Auriga spa; a magnificent beach club and flavorful gourmet dining.

Further information is available by calling 1-866-248-8466, or visit http://www.liveatbahiamaroma.com.

Auriga is a distinctive and compelling new signature spa brand that takes a holistic approach to wellness based on the unique phases of the moon. Developed in conjunction with Swedish-based spa company Raison d'Etre and Arizona-based spa consultant Sylvia Sepielli, Auriga's design concept and signature treatments utilize the varying energies of the lunar cycle to relax, restore and realign the mind, body and spirit. Each Auriga spa draws on the individual strengths of its local environment, while providing personalized service and pampering through natural and organic products, specialized programs and unique treatments.

Named for the constellation whose brightest star is Capella, Auriga was created to serve as a destination spa in some of the finest hotels, cities and resort destinations around the world with two distinct experiences at Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel (Austria) and Capella Castlemartyr (Ireland). Both spas have already garnered impressive accolades. The Schloss Velden spa was named "Best in Austria" by Gault Millau within six months of opening, and made the 2008 U.S. Conde Nast Traveler Hot List. The Auriga at Castlemartyr was recently named the best new destination spa in Ireland at the Irish Industry Beauty Awards. New Auriga openings are scheduled in 2008 and 2009 at Capella hotels in Mexico and Singapore. For more information, visit http://www.auriga-spa.com.

Capella Hotels and Resorts serves today's top-tier travelers and residential property owners and is setting a new standard in the hospitality industry. Capella promises the unique benefits of the finest boutique hotels, including superb architecture and interior design, privacy, individualized service and attention to detail — combined with the amenities and activities of the world's great luxury hotels and resorts. Capella, led by founder Horst Schulze, is a brand focused on customer choice, and offers choices that no other hotel company in the world can match. Capella is opening world-class properties in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world, including: Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel (Dusseldorf, Germany); Capella Bahia Maroma (Riviera Maya, Mexico); Capella Castlemartyr (Cork, Ireland); Capella Dunboy Castle (Castletownbere, Ireland); Capella Ixtapa (Ixtapa, Mexico); Capella Niseko (Niseko, Japan); Capella Pedregal (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico); Capella Singapore (Sentosa Island, Singapore); Capella Telluride (Telluride, Colorado); and Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel (Velden, Austria). Learn more at http://www.capellahotels.com

      MEDIA CONTACTS:      Lori Kennedy/Lauren Eisele      Middleton & Gendron, Inc.      760-941-4103/212-980-9192      lkennedy@mg-pr.com/leisele@mg-pr.com

SOURCE Capella Hotels and Resorts