The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage Resort & Residences in Rancho Mirage, California, US, is to gain a US$25m (18.3m euro, £12.35m) La Prairie Spa.

Owned by the Gencom Group, the spa will be managed by Ritz-Carlton in conjunction with skincare house La Prairie. It will be designed by interior firm Wilson & Associates and SB Architects.

Situated 650ft (198m) above the Coachella Valley, the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage will feature a 244-bedroom resort, the La Prairie Spa and a 150-unit residential community.

The 23,000sq ft (2,137sq m), two-storey wellness facility will be built into a hillside and have 16 treatment rooms, an outdoor relaxation space with three swimming pools and a fitness centre.

The room design and spa set-up will be developed by consultants Spa Strategy while La Prairie will be responsible for pricing, treatment concepts and training.

The La Prairie Spa will be available for use by guests of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, resort residents and day visitors.

The hotel will open in December, followed by the residences and spa in May 2008.

An artist’s impression of the couples terrace at the new La Prairie Spa in Rancho Mirage