The Sugar Mill Spa In St. Kitts Releases Latest Plant-Based Treatments

Forbes

07-07-2025

The Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary park hyatt st. kitts
St. Kitts is a sweet place, and it isn't just the people. They have a long history with sugar. The island was a leading production hub for sugar in the 17th century, as the tropical climate was perfect for cultivating sugar cane. After building and developing sugar plantations for hundreds of years, their main sugar factory closed in 2005 to focus on island tourism.
The Park Hyatt St. Kitts named its spa after the country's legacy with sugar, as its home to the Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary, a 37,000 square foot oasis with nine treatment rooms, fitness center, salon, lounges, heated plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas.
If you drive across the island, you'll see century-old sugar mills across the leafy landscape of St. Kitts. They are gorgeous, brick, round structures. 'The sugar mills stand the test of time; a symbol of strength and fortitude,' said Jacqueline Hector, the spa's assistant manager.
The sugar mill at the Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary in St. Kitts park hyatt st. kitts
'The symbolic nature inspired the spa's name and mirrors our dedication to well-being which encourages our guests to prioritize their mind, body and soul.'
The spa offers sugar-based treatments honoring the island's history, including the Coconut Sugar Glow is a tropical exfoliation ritual to soften and nourish sun-drenched skin.
'While the treatment draws inspiration from the island's history of sugar cane, for professional spa use and guest safety, we use a high-quality, pre-formulated sugar scrub by EmerginC, made with natural ingredients that reflect the essence of the Caribbean,' explains Hector.
'The scrub contains sugar cane extract, which echoes the island's heritage and acts as a gentle exfoliant,' she said. 'It also includes noni plant oil extract, which is a fruit traditionally used in the Caribbean for its healing and antioxidant properties.'
A treatment room inside the Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary in St. Kitts park hyatt st. kitts
The scrub also includes ginger, lime oil and limonene, which adds a fresh, energizing scent reminiscent of local citrus groves.
'Though the sugar is not locally sourced, the overall experience is deeply inspired by the Caribbean environment—warm, natural, and restorative,' said Hector. 'The ingredients and textures were chosen to reflect the land's vibrant energy and offer our guests a sensory journey connected to St. Kitts.'
The Sugar Mill Spa just added a selection of new treatments to their spa menu, many of which are lemongrass focused, as lemongrass is part of daily Kittitian life. 'Nature is at the heart of everything we do,' said Hector. 'Our wellness treatments include hand-harvested herbs like lemongrass and hibiscus combined with organic products to offer a harmonious blend of earth and sea.'
The spa's new treatment menu is inspired by the natural rhythms of the Caribbean and holistic wellness. Their latest offerings use Laurel Skin, an organic, plant-based skincare line, to create a series of Signature Rituals, each of which are aligned with a specific healing intention, such as Calm, Detoxify, Balance, Rest, Renew and Love.
Inside the Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary in St. Kitts park hyatt st. kitts
Take their Sun Goddess Repair facial, which uses ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, and red raspberry seed oil, all chosen for their calming, reparative, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The island's sun can be scorching, especially to visitors unfamiliar with its power. With unexpected sunburns, a new treatment called the Sun Loving Repair is a massage featuring Laurel Skin products to help calm sun-stressed skin and reduce signs of inflammation and damage.
The other new treatments include Phytomer, a sustainably sourced skincare brand made in France. 'Phytomer is a brand that shares our commitment to natural, results-driven skincare,' said Hector. 'They harness the power of marine biotechnology, using sustainably sourced marine ingredients such as algae, seawater and coastal plants to deliver visible, long-term results. It proves that the sea has immense power to regenerate and balance the body.'
Inside the Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary in St. Kitts park hyatt st. kitts
Among their most requested seasonal rituals include the Aloe Wrap and the Sun Repair by Laurel Skin. 'The Aloe Wrap is a cooling, calming body therapy ideal at the end of a guest's stay; we use freshly prepared aloe vera gel to hydrate, reduce inflammation, and soothe sunburnt skin,' she said. The experience ends with a scalp and face massage to calm the nervous system.
Meanwhile, the Sun Repair by Laurel Skin is a full-body massage using Laurel's Sun Body Oil and Sun Serum, which is rich in regenerative botanicals like red raspberry seed oil, coconut oil, rosehip fruit, and sea buckthorn seed. The ingredients are known for their high content of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as natural SPF-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
'This treatment not only soothes and restores sun-kissed skin but also leaves it glowing, soft, and deeply nourished,' said Hector.
'Together, these two rituals reflect our commitment to using whole, organic plant ingredients that work in harmony with the body and the environment.'
Inside the Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary in St. Kitts park hyatt st. kitts
The inspiration for the spa's new treatments draws from local knowledge and history. 'We draw on our knowledge of Caribbean plants, the benefits of the sea and intentional healing,' she said. 'Our aim was to create not just a spa, but a sanctuary, offering treatments that address body, mind and spirit, through elements such as sound therapy, herbal rituals and personalized wellness journeys.'
Next up, the spa will soon expand their wellness residency program, which will welcome guest practitioners in the fields of sound healing, yoga and meditation. 'These collaborations bring new energy and perspectives to our spa, allowing both children and adult guests to explore different paths to well-being,' said Hector.
They will also be launching the Clay & Calm pottery workshop, and new natural skincare making sessions, where guests can make their own herb-based cosmetics using local Caribbean region ingredients.
'These new offerings reflect our desire to offer more than just treatments; they're a way of life,' said Hector.