Tag Archives: trade magazines

Visiting Spas Has Other Than Spa Benefits

Visiting Spas Has Other Than Spa Benefits

By Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Insider

The family appreciates me these days.

Am at a family gathering in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for the 4th of July weekend. Peter and I are with his nephew and wife, their two cute little girls (ages 3 and 6), his sister and his daughter. After 25 years with Peter who has umpteen cousins, each with lots of kids, well, there are always plenty of family gatherings.

It is a new adventure for me to be invited to spend four days in a rented house by the ocean where you eat most meals in and the day consists basically of moving between pool, bedroom, dinner table and assorted naps. Oh, and yes, a massage thrown in now and then. Am adjusting well.

Today was our Dolphin-Encounter outing for the little girls. After years of non-assertive behavior, where I always went along with whatever anyone else wanted to do (to be nice) and later in life learning that this is a formula for depression, I decided to announce that after the Dolphin-Encounter I wanted to stop at a spa (Grand Velas) for a quick tour. This spa is featured on our website and I have never seen it. In years past this “announcement” would have been met with rolled eyes and efforts to persuade me otherwise. No longer. People prefer that I am not depressed. Ditto that for me.

girl dolphin 771666 Visiting Spas Has Other Than Spa BenefitsSo off we went. First stop – Dolphin-land. Quite a nice place with six or seven large pools, all with dolphins and groups of tourists and locals in various encounter adventures. We watched as those from our group went through the whole process: waiting in line, checking in, changing into swimsuits, some crying, more waiting, then instruction sessions, demonstrations, and finally…into the pool with the dolphins. We waited patiently in the hot, noon-day sun on the viewing deck in order to enjoy the faces of the darling little girls who went from being afraid, to getting a kiss from a dolphin, to petting a dolphin and then finally for the six year old and her mom, to actually have a ride on a dolphin.

After our three hour sweltering adventure, it was back into the van and off to Grand Velas (a quick 5 minute drive) where the plan was for everyone to wait in the car while I did my 10 minute walk through the spa. What no one realized at the time is that somewhere in the middle of the sizzling hot dolphin adventure, I decided that the planned lunch stop – at a local thatched roof hut (read – hot) restaurant in downtown Puerta Vallarta, was no longer sounding at all appealing to me. So I suggested to the group that they wander around Grand Velas for a few moments while I tour the spa, in case they might come upon a restaurant which would allow us to eat a tad earlier.

grand velas pool 732295 Visiting Spas Has Other Than Spa BenefitsAlthough it was my first time at Grand Velas, I had done my homework. This property was a Leading Hotel of the World, the spa is in our Connoisseur Spa Collection, and it had also received dining awards. I figured they must have a beautiful dining spot which might prove enticing. Sure enough while I headed to the spa, the group spotted this absolutely magnificent beach and pool side restaurant, Azul, with amazing views and even more wonderful – cool ocean breezes. They all succumbed, lunch was a delight, and I was thanked profusely.

Re the spa and property….plus points for the congenial spa receptionist who gave me a tour, plus points for the size of the spa (more than 20 treatment rooms for around 250 all-suite rooms), plus points for the tastefully appointed treatment rooms – especially the ones for couples, the nicely decorated amenity area with unusual foot baths, and the many options on the spa service menu. Double-plus points for the gigantic outdoor swimming pools whose infinity edging overlook vast ocean views – a site many would recognize from the cover of magazines. And triple-plus points for the supervised children’s water play area and the water volleyball game which was going on in one area of the pool. Sixteen men were having the time of their lives standing in just the right-depth-of-water, playing water volleyball. (From my days at the Golden Door, I can vouch for the fact that there is no better way for men to “bond” than playing water volleyball. I am certain that it easily counts for improved guest return rates.)

Questions which swirled through my head….the spa is beautiful, can it really be very profitable since it is so large? It didn’t appear very busy although it was early afternoon. Spa prices seemed slightly higher than I would have expected. And once again, the sad fact (although outsiders wouldn’t notice) that even though a spa is quite new (five years old) and gorgeous, to those of us in the industry five years ago in the spa world is another generation. It won’t be long before it will seem dated.

images 744499 Visiting Spas Has Other Than Spa BenefitsWould I want to check into Grand Velas next time instead of going to a private house on the beach for a holiday weekend? Well, yes for sure, if I was alone with my husband.

And yes, probably, if we were with the rest of the family. After all…even the little girls kept eyeing that swimming pool all during lunch wanting soooo much to plunge in and play with the other kids.

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New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research

ispa header logo 749935 New York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest ResearchNew York Spa Media Event: ISPA Presents their Latest Research – Caution Advised
By Susie Ellis

The International Spa Association (ISPA) presented some of their new research data during their annual New York press event last week. Highlights were included from their soon-to-be-released 2007 Spa Industry Study as well as some data from their inaugural research on Global Spa Consumers.

As always, I am grateful for the research that ISPA does. I believe that ISPA has made a significant contribution in many ways to the growth of the spa industry over the years. Their annual conference has always been a “must attend” for many in the industry and their early research numbers gave some shape to an industry that was still very young. Spa Finder is happy to be an ISPA member.

That being said, I do have some concerns with the recent spa industry data they presented last week, in particular, their conclusion that US spa revenues showed a negative growth rate of -3.4% from 2005 to 2006 (or a flattening if the margin of error is factored in). I mention this because as an industry, I feel we need to be concerned about a negative growth rate report from a resource that says they are the voice of the spa industry. The ripple affect through the consumer, investment, and spa communities could be quite negative for all of us.

My guess is that the numbers are more of a reflection of what is happening in the day spa segment and not so much about the rest of the robust industry. I look forward to the full report in November.

Highlights from the Shanghai Spa Conference

The Turning Point Conference which I attended here in Shanghai is over. A two-day conference and a third day of workshops has come to an end. I always feel so inspired after spending time exchanging ideas with spa professionals from all over the world. The size of an event really makes a difference, as the Turning Point’s intimate size allows for strong connections. This year, Don Siegel, who runs the conference, also provided a real treat with a Kungfu performance by monks from the Shanghai Shaolin Temple at one evening’s dinner gala.

Here is my “reader’s digest summary” of what I got out of the various presentations.

Bob Henry, Architect, International Spa Design Trends – Seems that designing spas is more than just the physical space assigned to a spa these days. There are a lot of nuances and subtleties that contribute to people’s health which are now included in design. His Canyon Ranch Living project in Chicago has taken some bold steps.

Richard Dusseau, Spa Strategy Inc., Defining the Brand Experience – His new Nector spa brand, carefully thought out to be a product for 4 star properties, is advertising (not PR) driven, and makes money. Bingo.

Bija Bennett, Yoga Away, The Yoga Experience. Right here. Right now. – She made a great point that when people are stressed because of sitting all day at computers, what they may need more – than a massage – is movement.

Carroll Dunham, Wild Earth Nepal, Spas and Social Responsibility – The spa industry misses out on a real treasure if they do not involve local people in their concepts and development. Some real global good can be done by connecting with the characteristics of local cultures.

Jamie Waring, Six Senses Resorts & Spas, A Holistic Approach to Enhancing the Bottom Line – The story of Sonu and Eva, founders of the rapidly expanding brands behind Six Senses, is an inspiring story of what can happen when you act on your deepest passions.

Clodagh, Clodagh Design International, Living the Spa Experience in a Changing World – Nature is probably the greatest source of inspiration contributing to people’s relaxation and health. Sometimes an exceptional photo of some spa related objects say more about a place than a photo showing all of its facilities.

Professor Marc Cohen, RMIT University, Applying the Principles of TCM to Business Wellness – With a medical degree, and two PhD’s, it is no wonder Marc mesmerizes everyone with his ideas and vision. Particularly fascinating is how he sees the spa industry making a major contribution to raising consciousness and challenging the global spa industry to take up a global cause – such as water. How fitting.

Heather Stuart, Spa Consultants International, Creating Day Spa Success – With experience in opening spas for the Saudi royal family, managing the Four Seasons in Tokyo, as well as consulting in Russia, she emphasizes exceeding expectations. And wisely suggests that if you can’t be #1 in your category, redefine the category.

Mark Wuttke, the Wuttke Group, What Spas Can do to Capture Maximum Retail Income – His message is important in that successful retailing in our spas might very well be the most important factor in determining whether a spa will be profitable or not. And shouldn’t we carry over our successful relationship with the client in our treatment rooms to the retail sales process?

And finally, my topic, Strategies for Internet Promotion – I think the major points that resonated with the audience were
1. The importance of professional photography
2. The need for all spa professionals to no longer delegate their Internet strategies but jump in with both feet
3. Online treatment booking is the next big thing.
4. It is smart to learn from the “big boys”. Look at what companies like Starwood, St. Regis, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, and Four Seasons (all who spend millions on web research) are doing and learn from them. Thus their investment dollars are benefiting you.

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”.