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Top Tier Spas Still Viable

Top Tier Spas Still Viable
By Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

As I mentioned in my last blog, I visited the new Sense, a Rosewood Spa at the Carlyle for a spa treatment (90-minutes, $280) last Friday. While I was there to learn more about the brand and this spa in particular, I couldn’t help but notice that the spa appeared to be quite busy.

Later I spent some time with a management staff person (who had invited me for the treatment) and learned that what I was seeing wasn’t unusual. They have been open for only three months and the spa is doing very well. Although the hotel’s occupancy has definitely been affected by the economy, the spa itself has been doing better than expected.

Coincidentally on Monday I was contacted by a writer from Travel + Leisure to contribute some thoughts to the article she was writing on why luxury spas still seem to be viable in these economic times. Here is a link to the article “Seven Great New Spas.” And here is the additional information I gave her as background for the story.

Stress-reducing and beauty-enhancing spa treatments are trumping many other luxury purchases.
Several points:
1. There still is a top tier group of luxury consumers who are spending money. It may be a much smaller group than before, they may be spending less than before, but there are still many affluent people.

2. Spas have moved up in importance on people’s value list. Spas are no longer as much about “pampering” as they are about “wellness.” Spa services have moved from “luxury” to “necessity.” Like most people, the affluent may be making some sacrifices – but it is more likely that they are cutting out that second $2,000 purse than skipping spa services.

3. Spas help people de-stress and the stress level has ratcheted up for everyone. Accomplished people regard spa services as truly helping them cope with today’s realities. Remember (as our SpaFinder research studies have shown) the number one reason people go to spas is to de-stress.

4. It comes down to the issue of supply and demand. When you look at an urban city like New York for example, you have a handful of super luguerlain spas 200902 ss 784256 Top Tier Spas Still Viablexury (and expensive) spas. Most of these luxury spas are in luxury hotels. Some of these hotels, like the Waldorf, are quite large. Spas like the Guerlain Spa on the right attract not only their hotel’s guests but also clientele from outside the hotel.

Well-managed top tier luxury spas usually have extraordinary facilities, ambiance, outstanding staff, and service. There is still enough demand for the small supply of spas which get all those aspects right.
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NYSPA – An Alliance of Spa Professionals in New York State

Early this week I attended the New York Spa Promotion Alliance Inc. (NYSPA) meeting held at the Mohonk Mountain Resort. Professor Mary Tabacchi, from Cornell, organizes the yearly gathering for NYSPA and puts a lot of energy and enthusiasm into getting spa industry professionals from all over the state of New York together.

I thought this year’s meeting was exceptional – a great group of people and some interesting panel discussions. Also, I think the setting and the perfect weather made for a nice experience.

mohonk mountain house 4 729114 NYSPA An Alliance of Spa Professionals in New York State

Mohonk is one of my favorite spas from the “affordable” category. The rooms, the views, the hiking, the spa – wow – and the casual atmosphere are really rejuvenating. But it is the friendly people which is the frosting on the cake. I am continually amazed at how you can judge a property by the attitude of the valet parking attendants. Here they were so friendly and helpful and “down home”….and that ended up being the case throughout the resort. The front desk staff, the dining staff, the spa therapists, management, etc. Genuine, kind, caring folks.

Two Hour Spa Treatments in Shanghai

The flight to China…14 hours from New York to Seoul, Korea, a five hour lay-over and a one-and-a-half hour flight to Shanghai. I am traveling with my step son, Nicholas who is 28 years old and loves to have “experiences” rather than “things”. So thought this trip would be a good birthday gift for him – good for him – and for us. Nick came into my life after I married his dad. He was just four when I first met him, and I am happy to say we have always had a great relationship. He is a smart, health conscious, and a great golfer. The plan is that he will visit some spas with me in Shanghai and then while I am at the Turning Point Conference he will play some golf.

On our first day in Shanghai we arrived at the Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai Hotel around noon and didn’t want to nap because we wouldn’t be able to sleep that night. We decided instead to try out the new Chi spa here, where I treated Nick to his first two-and-a-half hour spa ritual – the Himalayan Hot Stone Massage ritual. He has had massages before (living in LA he goes to a place which gives very inexpensive Thai massages – well inexpensive for LA anyway).

pic slpu chipg06 788506 Two Hour Spa Treatments in Shanghai
The Chi spa has a nice vibe, and nine very memorable treatment rooms (when we compared later, we found that both of our treatment suites were the same). There is a place for two people to sit and have the foot washing ritual, and a changing area with its own steam shower, separate regular shower, vanity area, and armoire for robes and clothes. I liked the touch of a ringing, large silver bell to tell my therapist when I was ready for her to retrieve me for the first part of the treatment, a foot scrub with salt. Then to the massage table (one of two in the room) where she proceeded with a warm-up massage, which lasted almost an hour, followed by another hour of massage with hot stones. Near the massage tables was a beautiful infinity bathtub – even though it wasn’t used in this treatment, it looked nice filled with water and floating flowers, with a colored light shining from the tub. I believe this is the first time I have had a two-hour massage. There certainly is truth to how wonderful it is to “get into the zone”.