Spa Executive May 2024

THE HAPPINESS ISSUE
Six Senses’ Anna Bjurstam on wellness
& happiness
Anna Bjurstam is the “Wellness Pioneer”
at Six Senses. We talked about her role, Six
Senses’ wellness philosophy, and people’s
happiness factor.
Six Senses stands out among luxury brands
specializing in five-star hotels, resorts,
and wellness spas offering immersive
experiences blending local culture, nature,
and wellness. Six Senses properties are
located in some of the most picturesque
and culturally rich environments across
the globe, including Portugal, Fiji, Vietnam,
Thailand, and the Maldives.
Six Senses Spas offer a wide range of
holistic wellness, rejuvenation, and beauty
treatments administered under the
guidance of expert therapists. A key element
of all Six Senses properties, Six Senses Spas
are also hosted by prestigious hotels and
resorts in many other locations.
Anna Bjurstam is the Wellness Pioneer
for Six Senses. An industry veteran of
25 years, Ms. Bjurstam also acts in the
same capacity for Raison d’Etre, a brand
she co-founded, and as an independent
consultant and Global Wellness Summit
board member. Her expertise extends
beyond traditional wellness, incorporating
elements like shamanism, energy medicine,
and BioGeometry. And her approach
to wellness is holistic, emphasizing
sustainability and community. Ms. Bjurstam
has been instrumental in driving forward the
concept of wellness in hospitality, promoting
practices that foster connection to others
and the environment​.
In 1997, Mrs. Rosamond Freeman Attwood
founded Raison d’Etre Spas, which Ms.
Bjurstam was a part of and joined full time
in 2000. Raison d’Etre became a leader
in the spa industry and was sold in 2013​
. Ms. Bjurstam’s educational background
includes a master’s degree in finance, and
she has a deep interest in quantum physics
and science, which she integrates into her
wellness philosophy​.
We spoke with Anna Bjurstam about her
role, Six Senses’ wellness philosophy, and
people’s happiness factor.
Can you please talk about your role
there and what it entails?
When I started with Six Senses, I was in
charge of spas and wellness. After about
six years, operations were doing very well,
so I kind of handed it over, and today I have
made up my own title, which is Wellness
Pioneer. I love that title as you’re kind of
pioneering and you can make mistakes,
and that’s okay, because it is a pioneering
industry. So, I’m in charge of our wellness
strategy, the future, where we’re heading,
and of the club concept that we’re going
to launch next year, Six Senses Place. The
first is in London, and then we’re launching
in Bangkok, Dubai, Tel Aviv, New York, and
Lisbon. I also work with a lot of start-ups on
the side.
18 | Spa Executive