Express Spa Treatments
Author: Julie Keller
June 2007
Brand News
Want to reward your meeting-goers for their hard work but don’t have a lot of free time on the schedule? A host of spas are offering five- to 45-minute massages, facials and foot massages specifically created for busy meeting-goers. These soothing therapies are most appreciated by attendees and the shortened sessions offer planners a cost-effective way to reward the team for their hard work.
Diane Totten, director of merchandising for Callanen International in Norwalk, Conn., recently hosted a national merchandiser seminar at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho.
Of the express treatments she and her colleagues enjoyed at the resort’s VH Spa for Vitality + Health, she says, “The length of this service was perfect because the time dedication wasn’t too overwhelming. On the evening following the services, everyone was so relaxed and creative. Some of our best ideas were developed then.”
Brad Garrett, spa director at VH Spa, says the spa’s most popular express services are the 45-minute back, neck and shoulder massage and the 45-minute mini-facial. “Offering the express treatments allows attendees to relax and take a breather without taking away from their conference time,” he says.
According to Kennett Marshall, spa manager at the Spa Le Merigot at Le Merigot, JW Beach Hotel & Spa in Santa Monica ... “We created express services specifically to meet the scheduling needs of our meeting planners.” “Our meeting and business travel guests have very busy schedules and they are challenged by being able to commit to a regular full-session treatment. It is more realistic for them to have therapy in shorter time frames.”
EXPRESS TREATMENT OPTIONS
Actually, many resort spas offer express treatment specifically for meetings. At The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, the express packages at Spa Vita di Lago offer a sampling of soothing therapies. One 45-minute package includes a signature massage and a hand and foot treatment for $100, while the $150, 50-minute package includes a 25-minute Swedish massage and a 25-minute cleansing facial. The spa will also create custom express treatments for meeting-goers, as well.
Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village also offers express packages specifically for meetings. Options include 25-minute, $75 sessions such as the Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage; the Hydration Facial; the Blackberry Hand Massage; the Tahoe Toes with a Paraffin Dip; and the Reflexology Session with Mint Leg Splash. A particularly speedy five-minute De-Stress Eye Treatment, a cool eye mask that reduces puffiness and tired eyes, is also available for $35. Additionally, the 50-minute Tahoe Express Spa Package includes an Organic Body Wrap with Hair and Scalp Treatment plus an Alpine Hydration Face Mask for $295.
If your location doesn’t have a spa, bring spa experts in to run speedy relaxation breaks. SPARTY! is a full-service event marketing company that creates custom spa experiences on location for corporate functions throughout the country. SPARTY! transforms empty existing spaces into multiroom spas for massages, facials, shaves, manicures and pedicures. The SPARTY! team brings in flowing white curtains, spa decor, furniture and equipment, and produces, services and staffs a multiroom spa event. Founder Alexis Ufland says, “Companies hire us to provide massages to their executives in between a long day of meetings. This is a win-win for everyone. The executives really enjoy it and also appreciate that their employers cared enough to provide such a luxury. Even just a 15-minute chair massage can help you relax before going back into your next meeting. People feel more productive and more creative. In addition, it really boosts morale. And, after their massage breaks, the executives are nicer to each offer too.”
One lower-cost choice is to provide hand and chair massages in the function rooms. This also works as an express option. “Even a 10-minute chair massage is beneficial,” says Marshall. “I liken them to catnaps because express treatments actually energize and revitalize and allow the guests to go on about their business in a productive manner, whereas full treatments affect the nervous system and guests usually need to rest afterwards.”
EXPRESS TREATMENTS 101
The benefits of express treatments are many, the first of which are financial: “The shorter treatments come at a lower price, so planners who are working within a tight budget can still refresh their guests and give them a more well-rounded resort experience at an affordable rate,” says Brad Garrett of VH Spa.
Some things make the experience seamless and less expensive. Garrett advises arranging the express sessions for the early part of the week, generally between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. “Also, when booking for groups, the earlier you can hold blocks of space, the better the availability you’ll have,” he says.
The Spa at Le Merigot’s Kennett Marshall also advises reserving earlier in the week, avoiding weekends and booking early. Providing the spa with meeting-goers’ male-or-female therapist preferences and offering attendees just two-to-three treatment options make it easier for a spa to facilitate your needs.
In the end, providing all of your attendees with a spa experience, even if it is an express one, will pay dividends
in their productivity.
“Our company believes in treating our employees well,” adds Totten. “We approved of the midmeeting treatments to show our appreciation to the dedication that is exhibited all year.”
