Melbourne rich lister threatens to take feud with Australia’s most exclusive day spa to court over racism claims
Christopher Shao, a wealthy resident of Melbourne, has reiterated his assertion that his mother was unfairly treated and maligned at an exclusive day spa in Melbourne.
This past month, I found myself taking a firm stance against the exclusive wellness center, Saint Haven, which happens to be the brainchild of wealthy entrepreneur, Tim Gurner.
The story started unfolding as Christopher made a bold statement, criticizing Saint Haven severely, alleging that one of their staff members had spoken to his elderly mother disrespectfully, using a patronizing tone, while she was at the spa.
According to Christopher, he claims his mother faced racial discrimination when using her phone at the club, as reported to the Herald Sun.
He asserts that, ever since the dispute became public knowledge, he has received messages from former members and employees of Saint Haven, alleging that they experienced racial discrimination and were unfairly targeted by the private club.
He informed the press that he was ready to initiate lawsuits for the claimed victims, mentioning that numerous individuals felt afraid to step forward publicly.
To keep up-to-date with the latest A-list scandals, red carpet faux pas, trending photos, and viral showbiz moments, make sure to sign up for our daily entertainment newsletter!
He stated, “It’s not merely a personal issue; it’s about the deeply-rooted, elitist racial bias hidden within institutions that claim to promote health and equality, but exhibit quite the opposite in private. Every Australian deserves more than this.
Christopher shared that after meeting with officials from Saint Haven recently, he expressed his dissatisfaction with how his issues were addressed by the club’s management, stating that their response was perceived as both ‘unresponsive’ and ‘insensitive’.
After multiple ex-employees from Saint Haven have reached out to me to disclose their personal encounters with the club’s problematic work environment, it’s evident that this isn’t a solitary case of toxicity within the organization.
They might not always possess the financial means to support their claims, yet they do have legal representatives. However, fear seems to hold them back from openly discussing the matter.
He mentioned that his club membership, with a weekly fee of $499, was temporarily put on hold during the course of an internal inquiry.
According to the report, an internal communication regarding a specific issue was disseminated by Ahmed, CEO of Gurner Group, and Peter Crinis, CEO of Wellness Hotels and Hospitality, to their staff and members.
According to the memo, our team hasn’t been found to have done anything wrong following the internal investigation.
It also reiterated Saint Haven’s ‘zero tolerance’ for racism and discrimination.
After Christopher asserted that his mother supposedly got a firm reprimand because she took her phone into the bathing section of the exclusive club.
At Saint Haven, they prioritize creating a space free from electronic devices, enabling their high-end patrons to relax and rejuvenate more effectively.
However, Christopher asserts that this rule is often disregarded, even by the staff, and he thinks his mother was specifically targeted.
He expressed his frustration in an email to the spa management and also shared it on Instagram, saying something like this: ‘What a contradiction! You’re banning phones inside the bathhouse, but your employees are using electronics as they walk around?’
A worker at the bathhouse scolded your mother for having her phone there and warned, in a rather patronizing manner reminiscent of a teacher reprimanding a pupil, “I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t do it again.
Christopher finds the no-phone policy at the venue rather amusing, since he notices at least five individuals utilizing phones or earphones every time he visits the place.
A team member from the clinic emailed Shao, a copy of which was made public, acknowledging that the no-phone policy had been difficult for management to enforce consistently.
They often remind people to be mindful of their phone use in the bathhouse, ensuring a peaceful and considerate environment for everyone.
We aim to keep an area free from phones, which isn’t always easy, but we consistently work hard every day to uphold this rule.
Saint Haven is said to have a jaw-dropping wait list of 15,000 people.
The luxurious spa, with branches in Collingwood, South Yarra, Toorak, and planning to open a venue in Bondi by Spring 2026, is under the ownership of the property magnate, Tim Gurner, who has been a subject of controversy.
The elite club provides various rejuvenating and anti-aging therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen treatment, intravenous infusions, and mineral-enriched hydrotherapy, often referred to as their “Elixir of Life”.
Back in October of last year, it was announced that Shane Warne’s son, Jackson Warne, took on a new role as an ambassador for the club. This unexpected career shift was made public at that time.
Tim Gurner is one of Australia’s richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million.
It’s not widely known much about the young real estate tycoon Shao, but what is clear is that he disposed of his luxury penthouse in Melbourne relatively recently, with a sale price nearing $15 million.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the Gurner Group for comment.
Read More
2025-06-14 08:34