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Spa-Going
SEAMLESS
Eight top spa resorts
know how to rub
groups the right way
W
orking spa experiences into a meeting or event is an effective way to add
balance to a function, relieve attendee stress or just reward employees for
a job well done. And today’s spa resorts have practically made a science of
interweaving their offerings into a group experience, leaving planners free
to focus on a meeting’s other crucial elements
Here’s a look at eight exceptional resort spa settings that focus on the
business of group pleasure, and some of the ways they’re tempting and
treating today’s attendees.
BY ZACHARY CHOUTEAU
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MEETINGS FOCUS
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Fairmont Kea Lani,
Maui, Hawaii
www.fairmont.com
The Spa at The Hotel
Hershey, Hershey, Pa.
www.chocolatespa.com
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“Our spa group sales team serves as a personal concierge to
each group that visits the spa, covering all necessary details to
plan and execute the ideal group spa experience within your
desired schedule and budget,” says Robynn Cyr, spa sales
manager. “Additionally, each guest receives a guided tour of
our spa to provide a personalized introduction to all available
facilities and amenities.” The elegant and expansive spa offers a number of unique,
chocolate-themed treatments, and some memorable
settings as well—such as its Aromatherapy Inhalation Room
and The Oasis Lounge, a Moroccan-themed sanctuary ideal
for some group relaxation. As for the hotel itself, the comfortably elegant venue offers 276 guest rooms and 25,000
square feet of event space.
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The elegant Fairmont Kea Lani launched its
inviting Willow Stream Spa in late December, which PR Director Megan Haertling
says caters specifically to groups and meetings, including a special lounge that can be
sectioned off for private affairs.
Among some of the specialized
group settings are a new Nail Salon that
Haertling says is perfect for small groups
and offers a lively social setting. “Pair it
with healthy pupus [appetizers] and a
signature spa cocktail for a small party,”
she advises.
Other charming group-friendly settings include four Hui (Gather) Suites
with private foyers sectioned off from the main area, a men’s sauna, and a
co-ed lounge.
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Four Seasons Hotel Westlake
Village, Calif.
www.fourseasons.com
Nestled in Southern California’s Conejo Valley, the 41,000-square-foot
spa here is the largest in the Four Seasons collection, yet still offers
numerous intimate spaces and experiences for groups to consider.
Its 28 treatment rooms include four spa suites, which are exclusive quarters with treatment tables, an indoor Jacuzzi and an exterior soaking tub, private patio and more. There are also separate
men’s and women’s areas, each with their own locker room, Jacuzzi,
steam room and relaxation lounge—plus joint-gender facilities enhanced by similar offerings, as well as an adults-only outdoor pool.
The Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, Va.
www.lansdowneresort.com
The Abbey Resort,
Lake Geneva, Wis.
www.abbeyresort.com
With its recently remodeled, 35,000square-foot Avani Spa, spa-goers at the
Abbey Resort can experience all the
expected offerings—such as massage,
aromatherapy, facials, wraps, saunas and
a full-service salon—plus some bonuses
that include an atrium pool complex and
a Sanctuary Suite that can host 10 and
includes a private whirlpool, patio and
flat-screen TV. They also love hosting
groups, whether of seasoned spa lovers
or total newbies.
“For groups that are new to spa-inspired meetings, consider hosting a
reception or breakout session in the
spa with mini-treatment stations placed
throughout,” says spokesperson Jennifer Dirks.”This provides guests with the
option to explore treatments and become
introduced to the spa in a more social
atmosphere.”
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One of the largest spas in Northern Virginia, the 12,000-square-foot Spa Minérale at
Lansdowne Resort offers 13 treatment rooms in addition to an imaging center for manicures, pedicures and hair services. PR and Marketing Manager Phil Werz says the venue’s philosophy centers on adapting to groups and their needs rather than vice-versa.
“Given we offer a Complete Meeting Experience, many elements and special requests from Spa Minérale can be incorporated into the planning process, so everything is part of the group’s itinerary during their stay,” Werz says. “For the attendees
on the run, we offer express versions of treatments that are 25 to 30 minutes long,
not 50 minutes or 75 minutes long. We also encourage planners to consider incorporating spa into the breaks at kiosks.”
MEETINGSFOCUS.COM
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When ONE
Spa Just Isn’t
Enough
F
RACHEAL GRAZIAS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
or Atlantic City-bound groups who
can’t get enough superb spa experiences, the Borgata Hotel Casino &
Spa is home to a pair of acclaimed spas—
Spa Toccare at Borgata and Immersion
Spa at the Water Club. The former is a
European-styled escape with 31 treatment
rooms, while the latter is a cutting-edge
“high-tech, high-touch” facility that
includes a sleek workout facility as well.
One challenge the spas have faced is
the busy schedule of so many meeting
attendees, says Mark Vanderwielen, vice
president of hospitality, Borgata Hotel
Casino & Spa.
“Meetings can last the whole day, leaving a small window of opportunity to book
spa or facial services,” he says. “When a
group booking is confirmed, we reach out
to the meeting planner, inviting them to
book spa appointments, and offer suggestions based on the group length-of-stay
and availability.”
Among the offerings that can be intertwined with events are Meeting Break Services that can include a 15-minute hand
or chair massage, and the property also
offers private yoga and Zumba classes
catered to smaller groups. Attendee gifts
are another popular option at Borgata.
“Based on the price points we can
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Vanderwielen explains. “Some of the gifts
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gift sets, aromatherapy candles, and mini
facial creams or sprays.”
Borgata Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, N.J.
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MEETINGS FOCUS
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7
The
Boulders,
a Waldorf
Astoria
Resort,
Carefree, Ariz.
www.theboulders.com
Club Med Sandpiper
Bay, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Carefree is an apt locale for this luxe
oasis of desert topography, worldclass golf and the 33,000-square-foot
Waldorf-Astoria Spa.
www.clubmed.com
This singular setting sprawling across 216 acres in
central-southeast Florida has an enthusiastic emphasis on wellness, be it through one of the countless
sporting activities or a relaxing reinvigoration at its
Club Med Spa by L’Occitane.
Athletic options include golf, tennis, fitness, triathlon and volleyball, bolstered by professional trainers.
Special training packages include a comprehensive
consultation upon arrival, fitness training with expert
coaches, strong focus on a specific discipline, and a
restorative L’Occitane spa treatment and nutritional
guidance for individual needs and goals.
The recently launched spa, in addition to its many
treatments, also offers nail, haircare and waxing services, so whether attendees are aspiring to look good
or just feel good, they’ve come to the right place.
JW Marriott Cancun Resort
& Spa, Cancun, Mexico
www.marriott.com
The 35,000-square-foot Mayan-inspired
CasaMagna Spa at the JW Marriott Cancun
isn’t officially an “all-inclusive,” according
to spokesperson Luisana Suegart, but does
create a seamless spa experience in part by
working spa diversions into the bottom line.
“Although not traditionally an all-inclusive
resort, our Five-Diamond hotel
offers groups all-inclusive
packages with add-on perks
that allow planners to customize the experience, including
welcome receptions, dinners
and spa experiences—all for
one price,” she says.
She adds that the resort
works hand-in-hand with its
sister property, the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort,
and together have hosted
parties for over 2,000 guests
on their white-sand beach.
In addition to the expected array
of massages and other treatments,
this stupendous spa has a true group
focus, offering corporate wellness
programs to enrich meetings and
other innovative options.
“Yoga and [Wellness] Boot Camps
take place outdoors, and a new
Aroma Blend Bar is a new wellness
component for meeting breaks,”
says spokesperson Debora Bridges.
“During breakouts, each
meeting guest selects the
aroma that is blended especially for them. They leave
with their choice of a body
soufflé, bath salts or spa
cream.”
Another creative concept
is something called the Spa
Swoop, where
one of the resort’s spa therapists catches a
meeting guest
“off-guard” and
provides them
with a 15-minute treatment
such as hand
reflexology.
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MARCH 2014
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