Melbourne rich lister threatens to take feud with Australia's most exclusive day spa to court over racism claims
Melbourne rich lister Christopher Shao has doubled down on claims that his mother was 'vilified' at an exclusive Melbourne day spa.
Earlier this month, Christopher declared war on Saint Haven - the members-only wellness clinic owned by rich lister Tim Gurner.
It all began when Christopher went public with a strongly worded complaint against Saint Haven, claiming a staff member spoke to his elderly mother in a 'condescending' tone during her visit to the spa.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club.
He claims that, since news of the feud broke, he had also been contacted by members and ex Saint Haven staff members, claiming they had been racially profiled and targeted by the exclusive club.
He told the publication that he was prepared to take legal action on behalf of the alleged victims, adding many were scared to come forward.
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'This isn't just about me - it's about systemic elitist racism imbedded in institutions that pretend to champion wellness and inclusivity but act very differently behind closed doors. All Australians deserve better,' he said.
Christopher, who met with Saint Haven executives earlier this month, added that he felt that the way his concerns were handled by club management had been 'dismissive' and 'offensive'.
'Since speaking out a significant number of former Saint Haven staff have contacted me to share their own experiences of the club's toxic internal culture, it's clearly not an isolated issue,' he said.
'They don't necessarily have money to back it up and, you know, these people have lawyers and legal teams. They are too scared to speak up.'
He added that his membership to the club, which costs $499 per week, had been suspended while an internal investigation took place.
The publication reported that an internal memo to staff and members was sent by Gurner Group CEO Ahmed and Group CEO of Wellness Hotels and Hospitality Peter Crinis, about the matter.
The memo said that after an internal review, 'no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.'
Speaking to the Herald Sun , Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club and has since been contacted by fellow members and ex-staff members alleging the same
It also reiterated Saint Haven's 'zero tolerance' for racism and discrimination.
It comes after Christopher claimed that his mother had apparently received a stern talking-to for carrying her phone into the bathhouse area at the private members club.
Saint Haven emphasises a device-free environment to better allow its well-heeled clientele to unwind and recharge.
But Christopher claims this rule is widely ignored, including by staff, and believes his mother was singled out.
'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote in a furious email to spa management, which he reposted on Instagram.
'A staff [member] is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, "I will let you off this time and don't do it again," in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.'
Christopher described the no-phone policy as a 'joke' given that there are at least five people using phones or wearing earbuds whenever he visits the venue.
A clinic staff member responded via email to Shao - which he also shared publicly - and admitted the no-phone rule was an ongoing challenge for management.
'It is common practice for us to issue reminders about phone usage in the bathhouse to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all,' they began.
'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.'
Saint Haven is said to have a jaw-dropping wait list of 15,000 people.
The ritzy spa, which has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026, is owned by the controversial property developer Tim Gurner.
The exclusive club offers a range of wellness and anti-ageing treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, IV drips and mineral-infused osmosis water from its 'Fountain of Youth'.
Jackson Warne, the son of cricketing icon Shane Warne is also an ambassador for the club, revealing the surprising career move in October last year.
Tim Gurner is one of Australia's richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million.
Little is known about young property mogul Shao; however, it is understood he sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.
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