Insane feud erupts between Maserati-driving rich kid and Australia’s most exclusive day spa over an inappropriate bathhouse act he says EVERYBODY else does

In one corner, an enigmatic, Maserati-driving Asian millionaire.

In the other, the cashed-up property mogul who once blamed avocado toast for killing the Millennial dream of home ownership.

Honestly, can you think of a feud that better sums up Australia in 2025?

That’s exactly what unfolded in Melbourne this past week, when Christopher Shao declared war on Saint Haven – the members-only wellness clinic owned by widow’s-peaked Rich Lister Tim Gurner.

It all began when Shao 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.

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Enigmatic, Maserati-driving millionaire Christopher Shao last week declared war on Saint Haven, the members-only wellness clinic owned by widow’s-peaked Rich Lister Tim Gurner

It all began when Shao (right) 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 

His mum, Shao claimed, 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 29-year-old Shao 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.’

Shao 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. 

The exclusive wellness club is known for its jaw-dropping waitlist of 15,000 people

‘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.

Mr Gurner, one of Australia’s richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million, is no stranger to making headlines.

The corporate cringelord sparked global uproar in 2017 when he claimed Millennials would be able to afford houses if they stopped buying smashed avocado at cafés.

In 2023, he issued a rare apology after his remarks that unemployment should jump to remind arrogant workers of their place drew widespread condemnation.

Little is known about young property mogul Shao; however, it is understood he sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.

He later purchased a fully rendered home named ‘Ruin X’ in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after falling in love with it on social media.

Saint Haven, which has locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in 2026, is owned by divisive property developer Tim Gurner (left)

‘How ironic that you’re enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?’ Shao wrote in a furious email to spa management

‘It’s one-of-a-kind. There’s nothing like it in Australia,’ he told a real estate website at the time.

‘Being young, it’s my kind of style.

‘I’ve always wanted to move to the Gold Coast so yes, it’s great to get my dream house.’

Mr Shao’s Instagram account once boasted of his extreme wealth, Rolex collection (one for every day of the week) and his fleet of luxury vehicles, said to include a Maserati, Ferrari, 4WD Mercedes and Lamborghini. Photos also exist of him inside a Bentley.

But his Instagram was recently wiped with his grid now showing no posts, although he does still post Stories offering a 24-hour glimpse into his life. 

Last week, it was announced Saint Haven planned to open a 1300 sqm flagship site in Bondi Beach slated for a 2026 opening.

Little is known about young property mogul Shao, who in 2022 bought a fully rendered home named ‘Ruin X’ in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after falling in love with it on social media

Mr Shao’s Instagram account once boasted of his extreme wealth, Rolex collection (one for every day of the week) and his fleet of luxury vehicles, said to include a Maserati and Ferrari

‘Bondi is a global icon of health and wellness, and Saint Haven will take that to another level. This will be unlike anything Sydney has ever seen,’ Mr Gurner said.

The Sydney club will incorporate a wholefood restaurant, business lounge and co-working spaces, as well as a tech-led wellness and recovery space complete with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cryotherapy, IV infusions and red light beds.

The ‘Ancient Bathhouse’ will boast a hot magnesium pool and cold plunge pools set into natural stone, plus a hybrid training gym offering reformer and mat Pilates, yoga, sound healing and more.

Further Sydney locations are being scoped out.

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