GET SPA BUSINESS
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
Programming
Niamh O’Connell

Rosewood’s group VP of wellness reveals the brand’s response to COVID with its new retreat concept and spa reopening strategy

By Megan Whitby | Published in Spa Business 2021 issue 1


Consciously and unconsciously, resilience is becoming more important in our daily lives – especially due to the global pandemic,” says Niamh O’Connell, Rosewood’s group VP of wellness and brand experience. And it’s with this in mind that she’s curated 13 bespoke retreats to enhance people’s ability to recover from or adapt easily to change.

Following a stressful year with rising levels of anxiety, Rosewood’s Journey to Resilience retreats look to heal and address all wellbeing aspects: the physical, emotional and the mindful. They’ll be offered in Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean and focus on four main behavioural elements essential to fostering resilience. These are positivism, purpose, resourcefulness and compassion.

According to O’Connell, the programmes are “designed to assist guests in recognising areas of their lives they’d like to restructure or enhance, providing the tools and support they need to make these changes.” The idea is that individuals will be empowered through fitness, nutrition, treatments and other wellbeing therapies to face life’s challenges with confidence and ultimately establish a sense of deep inner equilibrium. “Whether through physical therapies or authentic healing treatments for the mind and emotions, this process helps individuals to adopt an enhanced and more resilient lifestyle, resulting in a complete sense of self-acceptance,” adds O’Connell. “Guests will feel a sense of calm, confidence, be able to manage their anxiety with ease and have a more positive outlook on life.”

Local wellness
In keeping with Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy, which weaves the authenticity and character of a destination into the identity of respective properties, every retreat has been devised with practices reflective of local wellness traditions and natural surroundings. At Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Italy for instance, forest bathing encourages guests to immerse themselves in Tuscany’s UNESCO-listed countryside and vegetable-based cooking classes celebrate the country’s reputation for delicious food. Meanwhile, the programme at Rosewood Bangkok incorporates treatments such as tai pew ngam, a ritual inspired by Thai royals and Chong massage, a therapy reflective of the Chong tribe in eastern Thailand that improves energy levels.

Journey to Resilience retreats include a two-night minimum stay (at most sites) and can be elongated for an additional fee at specific properties. Pricing varies according to location. In Tuscany, it’s €6,000 (US$7,275, £5,225) per suite for three nights, for example, or in Bangkok, prices start at THB5,523 (US$182, €150, £131) per night.

Asaya Hong Kong reopening strategy
The Journey to Resilience retreats are just part of Rosewood’s response to COVID-19 and since day one O’Connell has steered the group’s spas through the pandemic with a strong, business-savvy approach that demonstrates her 27 years in the industry. Here, she shares her reopening insights and experiences at Asaya Hong Kong, a flagship wellness facility for Rosewood
Class capacity has been reduced by 30 per cent
Guest reactions

• The team anticipated guests would initially be more cautious but there’s been a massive demand for touch therapies and a real desire to reconnect with therapists/nutritionists/PTs

• COVID has allowed people to reset their priorities and dedicate more time to wellness

• Popular treatments include massage, facials and aesthetics. The latter is especially popular as face masks are irritating people’s skin

• Massages have not been adapted and Asaya is still offering the full menu – with deep tissue and singing bowl massages being the most popular

• Initially opened with reduced operating hours and closed on certain days of week, it’s now extending hours and looking to open up on extra days

• The spa is operating at 50 per cent booking capacity, it’s building this up slowly according to the market demand

Heightened sanitary measures

• Elevated hygiene practices – everyone wears a mask, hand sanitiser everywhere, washing hands on entry and regularly throughout visit

• Sanitation mats to clean shoes at entry points, glove stations, shoe covers, individually packed food and drinks

• No perspex screens at reception, temperatures are taken on arrival and all guests fill in a health declaration form

• Less physical touchpoints. No consultation folders, every pen is new – then goes into a used pen box and is sanitised

• Guest bookings are staggered to avoid high guest traffic in certain areas 

• Changing rooms still available as existing 6sq m privacy pods already offer space for social distancing

• All bed linen changed (as before)

• Pool and wet areas remain closed

• Increased turnover time to deep clean rooms – 1 hour between clients (used to be 30 minutes which is still longer than most)

• Housekeepers are physically cleaning rooms, they’re not just being sprayed down

• No steam used for facials but everything else remains the same

Gym

• Every time a piece of equipment is used, an attendant sprays it down 

• Local members and guests book in timed slots, using an app to book specific equipment

• Group class capacity has been reduced by 30 per cent

• Some machines/equipment only available on some days to ensure rotation and manage demand

Credit: photo: Rosewood Sense spa_©James Bedford
At Rosewood Bangkok, the resilience journey incorporates treatments inspired by Thai royals and native tribes Credit: photo: rosewood hotels & Resorts, Bangkok
At Rosewood Bangkok, the resilience journey incorporates treatments inspired by Thai royals and native tribes Credit: photo: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, bangkok
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

How technology can help drive growth for your spa business
It's safe to say that technology is transforming every sector, and the spa, wellness and beauty industries are no exception. [more...]

Discover Comfort Zone’s Stand For Regeneration campaign
Comfort Zone's latest initiative, the Stand for Regeneration campaign, consolidates its position as a pioneer in the cosmetics business. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Curry Spa Consulting

Curry Spa Consulting has been providing clients in the high-end and luxury hospitality sector with s [more...]
Seed To Skin

Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-25 Apr 2024

ISPA Conference 2024

Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, United States
28-30 Apr 2024

Spa Life Scotland

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow,
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
Programming
Niamh O’Connell

Rosewood’s group VP of wellness reveals the brand’s response to COVID with its new retreat concept and spa reopening strategy

By Megan Whitby | Published in Spa Business 2021 issue 1


Consciously and unconsciously, resilience is becoming more important in our daily lives – especially due to the global pandemic,” says Niamh O’Connell, Rosewood’s group VP of wellness and brand experience. And it’s with this in mind that she’s curated 13 bespoke retreats to enhance people’s ability to recover from or adapt easily to change.

Following a stressful year with rising levels of anxiety, Rosewood’s Journey to Resilience retreats look to heal and address all wellbeing aspects: the physical, emotional and the mindful. They’ll be offered in Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean and focus on four main behavioural elements essential to fostering resilience. These are positivism, purpose, resourcefulness and compassion.

According to O’Connell, the programmes are “designed to assist guests in recognising areas of their lives they’d like to restructure or enhance, providing the tools and support they need to make these changes.” The idea is that individuals will be empowered through fitness, nutrition, treatments and other wellbeing therapies to face life’s challenges with confidence and ultimately establish a sense of deep inner equilibrium. “Whether through physical therapies or authentic healing treatments for the mind and emotions, this process helps individuals to adopt an enhanced and more resilient lifestyle, resulting in a complete sense of self-acceptance,” adds O’Connell. “Guests will feel a sense of calm, confidence, be able to manage their anxiety with ease and have a more positive outlook on life.”

Local wellness
In keeping with Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy, which weaves the authenticity and character of a destination into the identity of respective properties, every retreat has been devised with practices reflective of local wellness traditions and natural surroundings. At Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Italy for instance, forest bathing encourages guests to immerse themselves in Tuscany’s UNESCO-listed countryside and vegetable-based cooking classes celebrate the country’s reputation for delicious food. Meanwhile, the programme at Rosewood Bangkok incorporates treatments such as tai pew ngam, a ritual inspired by Thai royals and Chong massage, a therapy reflective of the Chong tribe in eastern Thailand that improves energy levels.

Journey to Resilience retreats include a two-night minimum stay (at most sites) and can be elongated for an additional fee at specific properties. Pricing varies according to location. In Tuscany, it’s €6,000 (US$7,275, £5,225) per suite for three nights, for example, or in Bangkok, prices start at THB5,523 (US$182, €150, £131) per night.

Asaya Hong Kong reopening strategy
The Journey to Resilience retreats are just part of Rosewood’s response to COVID-19 and since day one O’Connell has steered the group’s spas through the pandemic with a strong, business-savvy approach that demonstrates her 27 years in the industry. Here, she shares her reopening insights and experiences at Asaya Hong Kong, a flagship wellness facility for Rosewood
Class capacity has been reduced by 30 per cent
Guest reactions

• The team anticipated guests would initially be more cautious but there’s been a massive demand for touch therapies and a real desire to reconnect with therapists/nutritionists/PTs

• COVID has allowed people to reset their priorities and dedicate more time to wellness

• Popular treatments include massage, facials and aesthetics. The latter is especially popular as face masks are irritating people’s skin

• Massages have not been adapted and Asaya is still offering the full menu – with deep tissue and singing bowl massages being the most popular

• Initially opened with reduced operating hours and closed on certain days of week, it’s now extending hours and looking to open up on extra days

• The spa is operating at 50 per cent booking capacity, it’s building this up slowly according to the market demand

Heightened sanitary measures

• Elevated hygiene practices – everyone wears a mask, hand sanitiser everywhere, washing hands on entry and regularly throughout visit

• Sanitation mats to clean shoes at entry points, glove stations, shoe covers, individually packed food and drinks

• No perspex screens at reception, temperatures are taken on arrival and all guests fill in a health declaration form

• Less physical touchpoints. No consultation folders, every pen is new – then goes into a used pen box and is sanitised

• Guest bookings are staggered to avoid high guest traffic in certain areas 

• Changing rooms still available as existing 6sq m privacy pods already offer space for social distancing

• All bed linen changed (as before)

• Pool and wet areas remain closed

• Increased turnover time to deep clean rooms – 1 hour between clients (used to be 30 minutes which is still longer than most)

• Housekeepers are physically cleaning rooms, they’re not just being sprayed down

• No steam used for facials but everything else remains the same

Gym

• Every time a piece of equipment is used, an attendant sprays it down 

• Local members and guests book in timed slots, using an app to book specific equipment

• Group class capacity has been reduced by 30 per cent

• Some machines/equipment only available on some days to ensure rotation and manage demand

Credit: photo: Rosewood Sense spa_©James Bedford
At Rosewood Bangkok, the resilience journey incorporates treatments inspired by Thai royals and native tribes Credit: photo: rosewood hotels & Resorts, Bangkok
At Rosewood Bangkok, the resilience journey incorporates treatments inspired by Thai royals and native tribes Credit: photo: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, bangkok
LATEST NEWS
Kerzner to expand Siro portfolio with recovery-focused hotels in Los Cabos and Riyadh
Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro property in Dubai this February.
Nuffield Health calls for National Movement Strategy as research shows decline in fitness levels among some consumers
Nuffield Health’s fourth annual survey, the Healthier Nation Index, has found people moved slightly more in 2023 than 2022, but almost 75 per cent are still not meeting WHO guidelines.
US spa industry hits record-breaking US$21.3 billion in revenue in 2023
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of US$20.1 billion in 2022.
Immediate rewards can motivate people to exercise, finds new research
Short-term incentives for exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity according to new research.
Shannon Malave appointed spa director at Mohonk Mountain House
Spa and wellness veteran Shannon Malave has been named spa director at iconic US spa destination Mohonk Mountain House.
Six Senses unveils urban wellness retreat in Kyoto inspired by Japanese Zen culture
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors today, marking the eco-luxury hotel and spa operator’s entry into Japan and a new addition to its urban collection.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
The UAE’s first-ever Dior Spa has officially launched at The Lana, Dubai – the Dorchester Collection’s debut property in the Middle East.
Four Seasons’ Sacred River Spa in Bali relaunching in Q3 following extensive renovation
The Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan will reopen later this year with an all-new design plus enhanced treatments and experiences inspired by its river valley home.
Circadian Trust invests in wellness to support its NHS partnerships
Operator Circadian Trust has launched a five-year growth drive designed to support health and wellbeing across South Gloucestershire, UK. The initiative will see a £2.4m investment in its five Active Lifestyle Centres.
US named world’s largest wellness economy, reaching US$1.8 trillion valuation
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data on the US’ wellness economy, valuing it at US$1.8 trillion.
Galgorm Resort gears up to host UK Aufguss Championships next week
UK sauna enthusiasts will converge at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland next week for the highly anticipated second annual UK Aufguss Championships.
Remedy Place to launch two new social wellness clubs annually as part of rollout strategy
Remedy Place, a US-based social wellness club brand, is poised for steady expansion in the coming years, with plans to open two new clubs annually moving forward.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

How technology can help drive growth for your spa business
It's safe to say that technology is transforming every sector, and the spa, wellness and beauty industries are no exception. [more...]

Discover Comfort Zone’s Stand For Regeneration campaign
Comfort Zone's latest initiative, the Stand for Regeneration campaign, consolidates its position as a pioneer in the cosmetics business. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Curry Spa Consulting

Curry Spa Consulting has been providing clients in the high-end and luxury hospitality sector with s [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-25 Apr 2024

ISPA Conference 2024

Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, United States
28-30 Apr 2024

Spa Life Scotland

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS