Magnificence - Miraval Arizona
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SEPTEMBER 2018
magnificence
MOORISH
THE SPA AT THE SANDS
(INDIAN WELLS, CA) www.americanspa.com
FROM THE EDITORS
FUTURE FOCUS
DALE CARNEGIE ONCE SAID, “PEOPLE WORK FOR MONEY BUT GO THE
extra mile for recognition, praise, and rewards.” Considering the spa indus-
try is currently seeing a dearth of employees across all levels—a more than
30,000-person deficit in the U.S. alone, according to ISPA’s 2017 Industry
Study—this is something we should all remember. Not only do we need
more qualified staff to help facilitate the future of our multi-billion-dollar
industry but we also need to create successful employees who are inspired
to work hard, go the extra mile, and grow and develop into leadership roles.
I believe one of the best ways to do so is to make spas more enticing
places to work. Turns out, I’m not the only one who believes this. According
to ISPA’s recent Spa Workforce Study, which we highlight this month on
page 70, so do the rest of you. In fact, 59 percent of management employees
and 40 percent of service providers cite culture and work environment as
the reasons they stay put in their jobs.
Want to get some tips for attracting qualified staff, increasing retention
rates and productivity, and decreasing absenteeism and turnover? Don’t
miss “Working Wellness,” on page 48. It’s one of my favorite articles of the
year, because it highlights some spectacular spas and wellness companies fun FACTS
that are prioritizing the health and wellbeing of their employees and discov-
ering excellent results. These are the types of approaches that I think are Finally, some fab news for those of us
carrying a few extra pounds. In a study
imperative to ensure the future success of our industry. Plus, they also have
of identical twins, facial aging, and body
the very tangible results of inspiring guests and further boosting business, weight, the plumper twin appears to look
as Miraval Arizona’s general manager Mark Stebbings points out: “We give younger. Is plumping the new anti-aging
our employees the tools to enhance their wellbeing so they can embody the fountain of youth? PAGE 40
healthy lifestyle we promote to our guests.” Seems to me like nurturing our
nurturers is a winning solution for ensuring the future of our industry. I
hope you are as inspired as I am by the possibilities.
PHOTOGRAPHY: LUIS ERNESTO SANTANA (JULIE KELLER CALLAGHAN)
Yours in Wellness,
Julie Keller Callaghan
Editor-in-Chief & Publisher WHETHER YOU ARE FOR OR AGAINST
jkeller@questex.com Amazon as a spa product retailer, there is
no denying its impact and its growth. It is
now the fifth most popular destination for
cosmetics purchases, and online beauty
and personal-care purchases as a whole
have jumped nearly 6 percent since 2011.
PAGE 74
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ON TOPIC | SPA WATCH At Rancho La Puerta,
employees can take part
in daily fitness classes.
creating
A HEALTHY
CULTURE
Civana, which features a
“wellness through oneness”
culture, is based on four pillars:
nutrition, movement, discovery,
and healing arts. One way in
which it distinguishes itself is
with its focus on making sure
its employees are as well cared
for as its guests. “The first thing
we did when we purchased
this property was to offer our
employees free food at the
cafeteria and upgraded the
WORKING WELLNESS
offering to a more nutritious
menu,” says Civana’s Rianna
Riego. Employees are also
Discover how some spas are prioritizing the health and encouraged to participate
wellbeing of their employees and reaping the rewards as in any of the resort’s eight
they thrive. BY HEATHER MIKESELL to 12 complimentary daily
movement and enrichment
IN THE BUSINESS OF NURTURING OTHERS, SPAS HAVE LONG TOUTED THE classes, although guests have
importance of wellness and self-care. However, that message is sometimes lost on priority. “On a daily basis, we
therapists and other employees who give their all to promote the wellbeing of their recruit employees to attend
clients. Recently, there has been a shift in the industry, as more spa profession- various classes based on their
als have begun to recognize the fact that nurturers need nurturing, too. “In order availability, especially line
for our wellness industry to thrive, we need to support the healing professionals staff,” says Riego. “And aside
who give to others every day,” says Kevin Kelly, chairman and CEO of Civana, a from a heavily discounted rate
wellness-hospitality and real estate brand. “They deserve an affordable respite to at the spa, we offer treatments
recharge and be inspired.” As a result, Civana recently introduced its Healers Vital- to our staff on a regular basis as
ity Program, which reduces daily room rates at Civana Carefree Resort (AZ) by an part of training.” •
average of $100 per night for professionals in the health and wellness fields, such
as estheticians, fitness and program instructors, massage therapists, nutritionists, Staff can also
caregivers, nurses, and employees from wellness-related product companies. “The participate in
outdoor fitness
best healers are those who give of themselves with intention and an open heart,” at Civana.
says Rianna Riego, chief brand and wellness officer at Civana. “We all know that
cannot be faked and can only be given unconditionally when someone is in a safe
and joyful place themselves. We need to keep our healers feeling emotionally safe
and physically healthy.” As a result, spas around the country are now providing
staff members with a range of wellness offerings to ensure they’re able to provide
for clients without diminishing their own reserves or compromising their own well-
being. And the benefits are two-fold, as happy and healthy employees are the key to
creating a positive environment, which is always good for business. •
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ON TOPIC | SPA WATCH
programming for success
One spa at the forefront of caring for employees have lost a total of 1,268 pounds
its staff is Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, of body fat and approximately 500 inches
Mexico). Launched in 2014, the destina- from around their waists. “The program
tion spa’s Employee Wellness program has has shown a drop in obesity and overweight
since grown to include 440 employees, levels, an increase in productivity, and a
two doctors, a nutritionist, a psycholo- decrease in absenteeism,” says Arjona. It
gist, and an exercise psychologist. Accord- has also helped decrease chronic diseases,
ing to CEO Roberto Arjona, the program such as diabetes and hypertension.
is intended to inspire staff members and Going beyond just physical well-
their families to live a healthy lifestyle by being, the spa also addresses employees’
following the founding practices of Rancho financial wellness with company loans
La Puerta. Employees can take advantage for the purchase of land, construction,
of classes and workshops that tackle topics, and housing and a debt consolidation and
An onsite garden
at Rancho La Puerta such as cancer prevention, drinking risks, management program to help employees
promotes healthy and healthy eating practices. They can also pay off debts and manage the repayment
eating, and fitness
classes encourage take part in daily fitness classes that take of loans and finances with zero interest.
overall wellbeing.
place Monday through Friday on property “The repayment of loans is based on the
specifically for staff and members of their employee’s ability to make payments with-
families. What’s more, the program also out compromising his or her daily or basic
gives participants access to complimen- needs,” says Arjona. According to him,
tary lab work and physical exams every six the financial help is much appreciated by
months, which provides a snapshot of their employees as are nutritional consultations
progress in the program. Since its launch, for the entire family. •
FINDING balance
While Miraval Arizona has long been a leader in promoting of wellness activities, including yoga, meditation, hiking,
mindfulness, it is also mindful when it comes to the welfare and nutrition classes to help them find balance in their
of its staff. “We give our employees the tools to enhance lives. When we launch new spa treatments, we always
their wellbeing so they can embody the healthy lifestyle give our staff a sneak peek, so they can take some much-
we promote to our guests,” says general manager Mark needed time to unwind.” According to Stebbings, the spa
Stebbings. Invited to take part in the spa’s many wellness is always looking for ways to inspire staff members on their
classes and workshops, employees are also given the own path to wellness. “At Miraval Arizona, our staff is the
chance to experience a variety foundation of the resort,” says
of spa treatments. “At Miraval Stebbings. “It is their hard work,
Arizona, we provide opportunities creativity, and passion for health
for our staff to take care of and wellness that truly makes the
themselves, so they can live guest experience so profound. It
their best lives while being an is important to us that we show
inspiration to our guests,” says them our appreciation the best
Stebbings. “On their days off, way we know how—by giving
our staff is encouraged to try out Yoga is just one of them the tools to live a life in
the property’s diverse collection
the offerings available
to staff members.
balance.” •
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ON TOPIC | SPA WATCH
prioritizing
WELLBEING
At The Breakers (Palm Beach,
FL), the fulfillment and wellbeing
of team members is at the heart
of the resort’s business strategy.
More than 15 years ago, the resort
made employee wellness a priority.
The company’s wellness platform
includes a recruiting strategy that
prioritizes hiring good people
and then finds roles that suit
their talents as opposed to hiring
people to fill specific positions.
The company has also fostered
practicing
a culture of caring in which
team members are encouraged
self-care Therapists can make
their own essential oil
to incorporate healthy living
practices, achieve ideal work-
At Atrio Spa at Las Alcobas (St. blends to aid in relaxation. life integration, and enhance the
Helena, CA), the staff’s wellbeing quality of life of their families for
is considered on par with that of the long term. When enrolling in
guests. Spa brand curator Marjorie Charlton credits the owners with being extremely the company’s medical insurance
supportive of incorporating in-depth wellness programs for the staff and an ongoing plan, new employees can earn the
therapist training program. Even before the spa opened, the team benefited from a preferred wellness premium by
daily yoga practice, meditation, and aromatherapy training. “Therapists are truly a completing four steps: a health risk
conduit,” says Charlton. “As spa operators, it is essential to realize the depth of what assessment, a health screening,
they perform daily and to ensure they have the proper tools to care for themselves, taking advantage of health
and in turn, our guests. It is essential that they are taking care of themselves physi- coaching, and participating in a
cally, mentally, and emotionally. We provide the tools, and the rest is learned by wellness activity. This earns them
continual refinement of their skill.” a $600 savings on annual medical
To help promote wellbeing, employees are encouraged to participate in five premiums. Covered spouses
minutes of daily meditation before their shift. “This gives everyone five minutes of can also earn $600 savings by
PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIANA MARIE (ATRIO SPA); GETTY IMAGES (PRACTICING SELF-CARE)
peace before they begin their day, to change mindsets, slow down, and center—to completing the first three steps.
be aware of where they are at that moment,” says Charlton. “From our preopening The team also has access to a full-
to our opening, meditation has brought a sense of sacredness to our days.” Beyond time onsite health and wellness
meditation, the team also receives spa treatments on a regular basis. While this ben- advisor for confidential coaching
efits the therapists in training with subjects upon whom to practice, it also allows and more. The wellness benefits
staff members to experience the therapeutic benefits of the treatment. “Therapists don’t stop there though, as the
have a very intimate and intense job: they are caregivers,” says Charlton. “A good resort also offers a variety of
therapist goes beyond the physical mechanics of a massage; they impart their ten- wellness incentive programs. For
derness and care. They truly give of themselves to each guest and treatment.” As example, the Mt. Everest Tower
a result, it’s important to ensure that their energy reserves are being replenished. Trek involves team members taking
To help do that, the spa provides employees with a a host of wellness tools to help fitness breaks during the workday
them practice daily wellness, such as the opportunity to make their own essential oil to walk from the hotel’s basement
blends and teaching them a set of easy asanas to be used throughout the day. “Here to the seventh floor, tracking
at Las Alcobas, we like to say that wellness is a practice, not a test,” says Charlton. their climb on a sign-in sheet
“If one puts the energy into themselves, the results will appear, even small shifts and continued on page 54
sometimes powerful changes. The goal is the practice, not perfection.” •
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ON TOPIC | SPA WATCH
continued from page 52
located at the top. Participants are
recognized and given incentive
prizes as they complete various
trek milestones. Team members
can also take advantage of onsite
health services, such as a tobacco
cessation program, free biometric
health screenings and blood
pressure checks, InBody520 body
In training, members of Spas
composition analysis, flu vaccine
Pushing Limits will be donating
clinics, diabetes screenings, funds to Wellness for Cancer.
and stress management and
mindfulness classes. There
is even a Corporate Athlete giving back
Executive Training Program as well It’s not only spas that are giving their employees’
as health education resources, health and wellbeing the attention they deserve
including e-courses on financial but also many members of the industry. When
health, weight management, and Julie Bach founded Wellness for Cancer, the idea
nutrition. Employees also benefit was to create a patient-advocate nonprofit to help
from practices designed to reduce those suffering from cancer experience a spa
stress and create a more seamless treatment. “We started out as a gift card company on a mobile app to gift the experi-
work-life integration, such as ence of spas,” says Bach. “Unfortunately, many of my grantees were turned away at
flexible time-off; the opportunity spas, so we created an awareness campaign within the industry and launched global
to work remotely; access to Bright training alongside top medical doctors and leading wellness brands.” Once the word
Horizons Back-up Care Advantage was out and Wellness for Cancer was firmly established, Bach created a two-fold
Program, a source of affordable message that stressed the importance of spas and that the industry cares for its own.
backup care for children and the It was that mindset that prompted her to create the Giving Back to Our Own Pro-
elderly; and more. As a result of gram. “Our industry is fragmented, and many do not have access to good healthcare,”
such programming, The Breakers says Bach. “Cancer is a financially devastating disease, and even if one has a lot of
has achieved an 82 percent access to financial resources, they tend to spend much of it on emerging treatment
retention rate, which equates to options, which can be costly. I wanted individuals and their families to feel that the
only 18 percent turnover. That industry is holding space for them by providing them with an opportunity to show we
is well below the U.S. average care. In essence, I wanted to show that they can count on the very industry in which
turnover of 31 percent, as reported they are giving, to have the beautiful gift to actually receive and be recognized and
by the Deloitte Hospitality report. valued with compassion.”
The company has also reduced its Contributing to the cause, Spas Pushing Limits, a group of motivated spa pro-
health plan costs, as a result. • fessionals who challenge themselves by participating in fitness events while raising
funds for various nonprofit organizations and charities, is planning a fundraising hike
up Camelback Mountain to benefit Wellness for Cancer’s Giving Back to Our Own
program. The hike coincides with this year’s ISPA Conference in Phoenix. “The spa
community is a big family, and we want to help and support each other,” says Spas
Pushing Limits founder Monica Helmstetter. “This time we have a real opportunity
to extend our support to our industry colleagues who are always helping others to
Employees are incentivized heal, all while going through cancer themselves. It’s a chance for all of us to give back
to take part in wellness
activities at The Breakers.
to our spa community, whether it’s in the form of racing to raise money, giving a few
dollars to our cause, or spas showing their support by donating a weekend stay.” •
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