Latest news with #SaintHaven
The Age
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
At this private members' club, discretion is everything – for a $25,000 price
Upstairs, in Sydney's sparkling, new private members' club The Pillars, a couple of tech bros joke indelicately about 'shrinkage' after emerging from ice baths as club co-founder and digital-media entrepreneur Steve Grace shows me around the lavish, multimillion-dollar venue. No names are given. Taking photos is discouraged. Here, discretion is everything – for a price. Private members clubs are booming globally. MAGA devotees are paying $US1 million ($1.5 million) a year to join Donald Trump's gilded Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Market research company Mordor Intelligence estimates the global sector will be worth $US26 billion by 2027. Family pedigree and old school ties are out while elitism has become commoditised. The international Soho House chain, which originated in London, plans to open its first Australian club, a multi-level affair with rooftop bar in Sydney's Darlinghurst, 'in the coming years'. 67 Pall Mall, also in London, will open a $35 million Melbourne outpost next year. Loading 'We have high-profile members who don't want to be seen,' Grace tells me. Membership hinges on 'affinity'. Nine weeks after opening, almost 300 members – 40 per cent of them women – have each paid up to $25,000 to join. Membership will be capped at 500. 'Essentially, it's a no-dickheads rule,' says a joking Grace, who has revoked several memberships for unspecified protocol breaches. Inside the heart of the club – the plush 'Great Room' bar – Airtasker millionaire Jonathan Lui is showing around a couple of potential members dressed in designer trainers and hoodies. In Melbourne, there's a lengthy wait list to join the $500-a-week Saint Haven wellness clubs, where booze is banned and members are invited instead to breathe 'enriched' air under Murano chandeliers. There are 'personal healers', hairdressers and a Bentley limo service. Founded by property developer Tim Gurner, who famously advised Millennials to give up smashed avocado in order to get into the property market, Saint Haven will open a giant, 1300-square-metre outlet at Bondi Beach later next year. The news was dampened when Melbourne millionaire Christopher Shao set off a media storm last month, claiming his mum had been unfairly castigated for breaching the no-phones rule inside a Saint Haven club; he then doubled down with additional claims of casual racism. One employee was stood down. Controversies aren't new among Australia's traditional private clubs. Sydney's men-only Australian Club on Macquarie Street continues to resist offering membership to women, as does the Melbourne Club on Collins Street. 'You won't see any of that here,' Grace assures me. 'The Pillars is for a new generation; we're creating a community.'
Sydney Morning Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
At this private members' club, discretion is everything – for a $25,000 price
Upstairs, in Sydney's sparkling, new private members' club The Pillars, a couple of tech bros joke indelicately about 'shrinkage' after emerging from ice baths as club co-founder and digital-media entrepreneur Steve Grace shows me around the lavish, multimillion-dollar venue. No names are given. Taking photos is discouraged. Here, discretion is everything – for a price. Private members clubs are booming globally. MAGA devotees are paying $US1 million ($1.5 million) a year to join Donald Trump's gilded Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Market research company Mordor Intelligence estimates the global sector will be worth $US26 billion by 2027. Family pedigree and old school ties are out while elitism has become commoditised. The international Soho House chain, which originated in London, plans to open its first Australian club, a multi-level affair with rooftop bar in Sydney's Darlinghurst, 'in the coming years'. 67 Pall Mall, also in London, will open a $35 million Melbourne outpost next year. Loading 'We have high-profile members who don't want to be seen,' Grace tells me. Membership hinges on 'affinity'. Nine weeks after opening, almost 300 members – 40 per cent of them women – have each paid up to $25,000 to join. Membership will be capped at 500. 'Essentially, it's a no-dickheads rule,' says a joking Grace, who has revoked several memberships for unspecified protocol breaches. Inside the heart of the club – the plush 'Great Room' bar – Airtasker millionaire Jonathan Lui is showing around a couple of potential members dressed in designer trainers and hoodies. In Melbourne, there's a lengthy wait list to join the $500-a-week Saint Haven wellness clubs, where booze is banned and members are invited instead to breathe 'enriched' air under Murano chandeliers. There are 'personal healers', hairdressers and a Bentley limo service. Founded by property developer Tim Gurner, who famously advised Millennials to give up smashed avocado in order to get into the property market, Saint Haven will open a giant, 1300-square-metre outlet at Bondi Beach later next year. The news was dampened when Melbourne millionaire Christopher Shao set off a media storm last month, claiming his mum had been unfairly castigated for breaching the no-phones rule inside a Saint Haven club; he then doubled down with additional claims of casual racism. One employee was stood down. Controversies aren't new among Australia's traditional private clubs. Sydney's men-only Australian Club on Macquarie Street continues to resist offering membership to women, as does the Melbourne Club on Collins Street. 'You won't see any of that here,' Grace assures me. 'The Pillars is for a new generation; we're creating a community.'
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shock twist in bitter feud between exclusive spa and millionaire entrepreneur
An exclusive Melbourne spa has stood down an employee after management became aware of an 'extremely inappropriate team message'. Saint Haven, a members-only wellness clinic owned by Rich Lister Tim Gurner, announced the news on June 13 after coming under fire from millionaire entrepreneur Christopher Shao. Mr Shao accused a staff member of speaking to his mother in a 'condescending' tone and went public with his complaint to the exclusive spa. He doubled down on claims of racism after alleging his mother was singled out for carrying her phone in a club bathhouse. Saint Haven hit back and said its staff were 'committed to gently upholding' its policy of a technology ban in public spaces. Gurner Group executives Ahmed Fahour and Peter Crinis addressed Mr Shao's complaint in a joint statement to members, seen by The Herald. They stated the no-phone policy helps to protect the privacy of members and 'no wrongdoing has been identified' regarding the incident involving the millionaire's mother. However, the statement continued that 'in the past 24 hours, we have become aware of an extremely inappropriate internal team message sent by a team member'. Saint Haven confirmed the inappropriate message was unrelated to Mr Shao's mother. 'This behaviour is not acceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The team member has been stood down pending a full investigation,' the statement continued. 'We hold our team and members to the same high standards, and we will always act swiftly and fairly in response to any conduct that compromises our values.' Mr Shao had posted several images to his Instagram stories on Thursday night, which he claimed showed messages in a staff group chat. The text exchanged appeared to show one staff member making insulting comments about Indian members, reported. He also claimed that, since news of the feud broke, he had been contacted by members and ex-Saint Haven staff, claiming they had been targeted by the club. He told the publication that he was prepared to take legal action on behalf of the alleged victims, adding many were too scared to come forward. Mr Shao met with Saint Haven executives earlier this month to discuss the complaint. The Rich Lister said he felt that the way his concerns were handled by club management had been 'dismissive' and 'offensive'. Mr Shao claimed the device-free policy is largely ignored and his mother had been singled out. Saint Haven has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026. The ritzy spa is said to have a jaw-dropping waiting list of 15,000 people. Mr Gurner is one of Australia's richest men, with an estimated fortune of $990million. It's understood young property mogul Mr Shao sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Saint Haven stands down staffer after ‘extremely inappropriate' message
A staffer at an exclusive spa in Melbourne has been stood down after management became aware of an 'extremely inappropriate internal team message'. Saint Haven, a private members wellness club, made the announcement to clients on June 13 as it continues to face criticism from millionaire entrepreneur Christopher Shao. Mr Shao this month publicly accused staff of singling out his mother for carrying her phone in a club bathhouse, and has since doubled down on claims of racism. Saint Haven has said its staff were 'committed to gently upholding' its policy of a ban on taking phone calls or using laptops in public spaces. In a joint statement to members on June 13, Gurner Group executives Ahmed Fahour and Peter Crinis referenced Mr Shao's complaints saying 'this matter involved the application of our strict no-phone policy — a rule in place to protect the privacy and comfort of all members'. 'Based on our initial review, no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.' Their missive continued to state that 'in the past 24 hours, we have become aware of an extremely inappropriate internal team message sent by a team member'. The message sent earlier in the year was 'unrelated' to Mr Shao's complaint, the letter said, and 'does not reflect our values or the expectations we uphold'. 'This behaviour is not acceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The team member has been stood down pending a full investigation.' The executives said Saint Haven and its sister club Saint 'have zero tolerance for racism, or any conduct that undermines the dignity, safety or wellbeing of others'. 'We hold both team members and members to the same high standards, and we take all matters of this nature extremely seriously,' they said. Saint Haven's media representatives declined to make further comment when contacted by Mr Shao had posted a series of images to his Instagram stories on Thursday night, with one purporting to show texts in a staff group chat. That text exchange appeared to show one staff member making insulting comments about Indian members. He also shared images of staff LinkedIn profiles and the costs of Saint Haven memberships – revealing the 'ultimate' package set back members $499 per week. Mr Shao spoke with the Herald Sun last week claiming he had been contacted by ex-staff since making his public complaints. '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.' Saint Haven is owned by the Gurner Group, headed by Melbourne property mogul and almost-billionaire Tim Gurner. The clubs boast a range of wellness and anti-ageing offerings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV drips, and more common health facilities like gym, meditation, yoga and sauna. Mr Gurner recently announced a Sydney expansion, with a new spa set to crop up in Bondi next year, saying it would be 'an unparalleled sanctuary for those who demand more from life'.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
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. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. '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.
