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A Hotel General Manager who Understands Spa

asiate 200807 ss 788031 A Hotel General Manager who Understands SpaA Hotel General Manager who Understands Spa
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder, Insider

Had a lovely lunch with Rudy Tauscher, GM of the Mandarin Oriental, NY and Denise Vitiello who is their spa director extraordinaire. What a privilege to sit at one of the best tables in all of New York City overlooking Central Park on a beautiful fall day talking about my favorite topic – what else? The spa industry.

tauscher 761592 A Hotel General Manager who Understands SpaRudy is an unusual GM in that he really “gets” spa, and sees it as not only an integral part of the Mandarin Oriental brand but as an important part of the guest experience, thus giving it great visibility and priority. Denise is a very lucky spa director to have a GM with that much passion and understanding about spas. And I think Mandarin Oriental New York is lucky to have Denise as their spa director. She is genuinely passionate, smart, and extremely dedicated. How she does such a great job while juggling a very full life with a husband, two small babies at home, and a 2-hour commute to work each way is simply beyond my comprehension.

I asked Rudy, as I ask many GMs, when the last time was he enjoyed a spa treatment in the spa of his hotel? Many GM’s either can’t remember or have to admit that they’ve never experienced a spa treatment in their spa. (I always think that’s a bit like never having a meal in the restaurant of your hotel, which seems kind of crazy.) But I was thrilled to hear that Rudy has regular spa treatments and even had one booked for later in the week! Last week he was at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and had a spa treatment there. He said, and this was the voice of experience, not promotion, that it really makes a difference for him when he travels in terms of getting over jet lag.

But there was another part of our conversation that will linger in my memory (oh, maybe in addition to the amount of security officers swarming around the MO and the fact that Rudy’s meeting shortly after ours was with President Obama, who just happened to be arriving for a fundraiser at the hotel). What really made an impression on me was Rudy’s expressed concern for the emotional well-being of spa therapists in general.

Rudy is very aware that people go into a spa treatment carrying a lot of stress and negative energy with them. A good therapist works very hard to release that negative energy for the client, which is why most of the time a guest will walk out of a spa treatment lighter, happier, relaxed, and totally de-stressed. What has to be managed, however, is where all of the stress and negativity goes to make sure it is not transferred to the therapist. Easier said than done. In particular, here in New York, where the high pace and high-pressure way of life is par for the course, therapists truly have a challenge.

It really is an important issue for our entire industry. Our therapists are in many ways caregivers; they give a lot of themselves. They are somewhat like nurses or family members who take care of elderly loved ones. Serious thought needs to be given to taking care of the caregivers and to helping caregivers take care of themselves.

I hear this concern from therapists, aestheticians, and spa directors quite often. How refreshing to hear it initiated from one of the top GMs in the world.
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Top 10 Sexiest Spas

Top Ten Sexiest Spas
By Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

Well, there are lists of sexiest bathrooms, beaches and hotels, so why not sexiest spas? I decided to ask my editor friends and a few spa experts around the world which spas they thought were the sexiest. Then we selected the spas with the most votes to give you the top ten. Here are the results in no particular order.

By the way one spa was mentioned by almost every editor. Care to guess which one?
(I will let you know in the next blog post.)

The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, Switzerland

If your idea of sexy is cool, sleek and mysterious, check out the uber-contemporary Dolder Grand. Think floating in a luxurious dark glass mosaic tiled pool with exotic light effects; relaxing in a bed of warm pebbles; seeing the city come to life as fog rises off the outdoor vitality pool; and watching gorgeous European men (in tiny swimsuits). Bound to get the libido going.

bikini 763219 Top 10 Sexiest SpasBikini Bootcamp at the Amansala in Tulum, Mexico

For many, there is nothing sexier than a healthy body – especially when you are the person showing it off. Bikini Boot Camp is designed to help you discover your own body-beautiful while exploring Mayan ruins and private lagoons. It’s back to nature at its best flavored with great workouts and healthy dining (all while wearing a bikini, of course).

Como Shambhala Retreat in Bali, Indonesia

Sexy can be an ultimate escape to a sacred place of bliss…a time and place to unwind and reconnect in one of the most beautiful natural settings on earth. Imagine being in Bali’s spiritual heartland known for its healing waters, having a massage on a bed overhanging a spectacular canyon in the forest or swimming nude in natural spring water lagoons, surrounded by the sounds of birds with waterfalls and more waterfalls. You’ll feel more relaxed and beautiful than you ever thought possible – and that is a very special kind of sexy.

Encore at Wynn, Las Vegas

Fantasy, beauty, indulgence – Las Vegas brings the ‘wow’ factor to sexy and the stunning, opulence that greets you at the Spa at Encore adds a new level of glamour to this favorite couples getaway. Think glass chandeliers, brass mirrors, romantic candles, Swarovski crystal drapes, garden villas and heated lounge chairs. And speaking of couples… check out the Encore’ s four-hand massages – or get really sexy with an eight-hand massage for two people. (Adding to Encore’s reputation as the new hip, hot spot on the strip!)

Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul at the Bosphorus

The romance and mystique of the historic Turkish hammam, famous since Ottoman times, and luxurious Western hospitality come together at the Four Season’s unique spa in Istanbul at the Bosphorus. Traditional rituals leave you with a feeling of harmony and bliss and the breathtaking sky lit indoor pool is the perfect setting for what comes after.

Winvian Spa, Connecticut

If you think sexy includes make believe, Winvian is your place. Set on 113 lush acres, this is a luxurious fantasyland where you can use your imagination to create your ultimate sexy escape. Fifteen architects designed Winvian’s eighteen magical cottages, so you can choose to cozy up in the Log Cabin or escape in the Helicopter Cottage, nestle in the Treehouse or hide away in The Secret Society. (Be sure to treat yourself to a spa experience with your partner in the Forty Winks Suite with its circular wood-burning fireplace.) There is a bit of sophisticated whimsy throughout this romantic spa…setting the stage for a bit of make-believe at night.

Vinotherapie Spas by Caudalie in France, Spain and New York City at The Plaza

The Vinotherapie Spa brand received so many rave reviews from our spa experts that we decided to include three of their locations in our top 10 list. Each is in a breathtaking setting and has outstanding décor, but the wine theme makes these spas truly unique. After treatments guests are invited to relax in the wine lounge and sip a glass of wine from their vineyards – all while still in their bathrobes – very relaxing and very sexy.

vino 744373 Top 10 Sexiest Spas

Chi ‘The Spa at Shangri-La’ in the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

Red says sexy and Chi, The Spa at Shagri-La, has the feeling of a tastefully designed, elegant brothel, complete with a lush red décor and lighting that adds a mysterious ambiance. But this spa escape also has a contemporary Asian décor, treatment rooms with beautiful footbaths and ‘couples’ rooms where you and your partner can enjoy a side-by-side treatment… and then book the room for private ‘after time’. Now that’s sexy.

Six Senses Spa at Soneva Gili in Maldive Islands

If you want to spend the ultimate ‘alone’ time with your special someone, then Soneva Gili could be your fantasy dream come true. Imagine being marooned in an overwater villa, with your own “Fridays’ to wait on you, a private spa where massage tables with glass bottomed floors allow you to watch fish swim in turquoise waters while receiving a relaxing massage, a slide to whisk you from your bedroom to the sea below, your own speedboat (with driver), any food your heart desires… and being indulged (or left alone) 24 hours a day. Sexy and expensive – but worth it.

Aqua Spa at Sanderson, London, UKaqua 789856 Top 10 Sexiest Spas

With its ultra-contemporary furnishings and ‘out there’ feeling, the Aqua Spa at Sanderson tests design limits to transport you to a place you may not have been. Since the décor p
ushes the envelope – with smashing results – maybe it will translate to your sex life as well?

See the full list of the Top 10 Sexiest Spas on SpaFinder.com

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Off to the Monaco Spa Event

index1 738718 Off to the Monaco Spa EventHeading to the Monaco Spa Event. After a mad dash to the airport for my 7:15 p.m. flight and trying to catch up on emails on my Treo (right up until the time the door of the plane closed – OK, and a few minutes beyond), it’s finally time to wind down. I love long flights for just that reason – and in a way the longer the better. I’m guessing we had tail winds because the flight was only 5.5 hours. Bummer… They woke us around one a.m. for the transfer from London to Nice.

I have added one more reason (to my growing list) of why spas should offer sleep health programs, one of my Top 10 Spa Trends for 2007. The guy in front of me on the airplane put his seat all the way back, strapped on a pair of sleeping blinders, and fell asleep. Just a few minutes later he began to snore – loudly. It was absolutely dreadful. The man sitting next to him got up and moved as the rest of us tried to muffle the sound with headsets/music/tv – anything. I couldn’t help noticing that the snorer was overweight and appeared to be breathing irregularly. Clearly a potential sleep apnea case.

This situation reminded me of my friend Rick Aidekman (he and his wife Ellen own the beautiful Cornelia Day Resort in Manhattan). Rick was diagnosed with sleep apnea at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires about eight months ago. He is now using a small breathing apparatus and reports that his life has changed dramatically for the better. He has lost a lot of weight, the color in his face is restored, and he is no longer exhausted during the day. If more people would take the time to be tested and treated for sleep disorders, not only would they experience personal health benefits, but neighbors on airplanes would also not have to endure being terribly inconvenienced during a lengthy international flight.

More Mentions of Medical Tourism

USA Today shared Gerald Celente’s (Trends Journal) predictions of the top trends for 2007 in yesterday’s issue. Interesting that one of those trends is the same as what Spa Finder predicted for 2007 – a rise in medical tourism.

Here is how the Trends Journal describes medical tourism:

“American consumers will be “globetrotting to find the best prices for the best medical care,” seeking out overseas doctors to perform procedures not readily available or not covered by insurance. Celente calls this “medical outsourcing.”

Here is how Spa Finder described the same trend in last month’s press release:

“In 2007, more and more people will travel to another city, state or country for medical spa experiences, creating a new trend: medical tourism. A range of new technologies will attract these medical tourists – DNA analysis, for example, and new generations of anti-aging medicines, injectables and lasers. But another big draw will be cost. Squeezed by domestic health care costs, many Americans are going online and discovering global destinations that offer cutting-edge medical procedures for a fraction of the cost … often in beautiful, culturally rich locales like Bangkok, South Africa and India, to name a few.”


I think that when a trend gets noticed both inside and outside the spa industry, we can be quite sure that this trend is gathering steam.