spa industry

Global Spa Summit 2008: Spa Industry’s Key Questions Answeredby Susie Ellis Want to know the #1 problem facing the global spa industry today? We know the answer – thanks to an instant audience response system technology which was used at the Global Spa Summit last month here in New York. Here is a visual example […]

Global Spa Summit 2008 – Another Perspectiveby Susie Ellis Can’t believe that my one week vacation post-Global Spa Summit is over. Alas, I could use another week – however, I am grateful that even seven days away has helped me refocus and perhaps gain a wider perspective. When you work so hard on one project, […]

Global Spa Summit 2008: Ian Schrager Addresses Spa Design (or Rather, The Lack Of…) by Susie Ellis At the 2008 Global Spa Summit, Ian Schrager, who was the keynote speaker for Day One , gave a very inspirational talk. Looking somewhat “hip” himself (although in my opinion a tad older than the age (61) I […]

Global Spa Summit 2008: Spa Economy hits $255 Billion by Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Whew…Global Spa Summit 2008 just wrapped and what an amazing event. I learned so much and had such fun. It was wonderful to see so many of my colleagues – there were 230 participants representing 29 different countries from around the world. […]

Spa Terminology: Wellness or Well-being?by Susie Ellis, SpaFinder Earlier this week I attended the New York Spa Promotion Alliance (NYSPA) conference. This year it was held at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Professor Mary Tabacchi organizes this event every year and despite the unfortunate timing (just days before the Global Spa Summit), I always try […]

Reiki. I have always found it mysterious. What is it exactly? Every explanation I have heard seems to be different. I have tried it a few times, however when faced with a choice between a wonderfully relaxing deep-tissue massage or a Reiki session, I have always opted for the massage. In Reiki there isn’t a […]

Trisara Resort and Spa: The Perfectly Designed Hotel Suite with Plenty of Room for Spa Treatmentsby Susie EllisLast year I experienced what I considered to be one of the most perfectly choreographed spa treatments I had ever had. It was at the Sphatika Holistic Treatment Center in New York – a 2 hour treatment superbly […]

Had a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-launched new Six Senses Destination Spa here in Thailand. It was a 30 minute boat ride from the Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi where I am currently staying. During a tour of the property which is nearing completion (although it looks to me will need more time than they […]

What Makes a Spa Soulful? Contemplating this at a Soulful Spa in Thailand is a Good Way to Find Out. by Susie Ellis Am in Thailand at the Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi while at the same time continuing my work regarding preparations for the Global Spa Summit 2008. Interesting how the two intersect. Am […]

The SpaFinder Biggest Loser Contest began in January and ended with our “grand finale” yesterday! We got down to our final 4, pictured here from left to right: Lisa (Accounting), Dan (SpaBooker), Sarah (Publishing), Nikki (Accounting) and each stepped on the scale for the final time at 5:00 p.m. Our winner was Sarah Day – […]

Spa Related Highlights from a Hospitality Forum: Through my Spa Eyes by Susie Ellis A few things got my attention at yesterday’s 2008 Leadership in Hospitality & Leisure Executive Forum (an Argyle Executive Forum) which was held here in New York. Some of us “spa-types” were in attendance – Judy Singer, Patti Monteson, and Jeff […]

Sad news. Canyon Ranch Living Chicago, which was in the design and pre-sale phase, has been cancelled. This article, “End of the Trail”, gives some of the details. From the few mentions I could find on the web, it appears that there were insufficient sales of condos and that it fell victim to the current […]

Spas and Sleep Health: A Sizzling Hot Topic in Spas and Beyondby Susie EllisYou know that something is a “hot” topic when it comes to you from many different angles at around the same time. Here are three things that came across my desk in the past 48 hours: 1. “Great Reads: Nonfiction,” People Magazine, […]

Spa Management Students at the Global Spa Summit – Spa Intensive versus Spa 101 by Susie Ellis Of all the exciting things I get to work on in preparation for the Global Spa Summit (sometimes I refer to it as Spa Davos – à la World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland) one of my favorites […]

Spa Lockers are Not Safe for Major Valuablesby Susie Ellis My neighbor’s valuable Cartier watch was stolen from his spa locker at the Wynn in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. He had changed into his spa robe, put his clothes and watch in the locker, and then punched in his “secret” four digit code […]

Spa Services and the Spa World Through a Teenager’s Eyesby Susie Ellis Well, I’m really convinced now. If I ever doubted that the younger generation is embracing spa-going enthusiastically (but in a different way than baby boomers), I need only remember yesterday – the day I spent with my niece (16-years-old) and her girlfriend. Niece […]

Sleep Health at Vacation Spas May be more Important than Massages, Facials, Manicures/Pedicures, Diet, or even Exercise! by Susie Ellis The importance of sleep is something that has been on our SpaFinder top 10 spa trends list for the past two years. In 2007 the focus was on adding sleep health to diet and exercise […]

Just reviewed some literature about the upcoming Turning Point Spa Seminar in Thailand which looks like it is shaping up nicely. Turning Point is a conference that is held in Asia (last year it was in Shanghai) every year which either Peter or I have attended for the past four years. Unfortunately, neither of us […]

Daytona Bike Weekend Photos by Susie Ellis As promised here are the photos from our weekend in Daytona during their big bike rally. A couple of things I learned: 1.When you are working long hours and going to bed late, etc. there is nothing like a total change of scenery and schedule to revive you. […]

After a weekend in Daytona at “Bike Week,” (my contribution to our marriage) am back at my desk. As soon as Peter sends me some photos of us on his Boss Hoss motorcycle I will post them. It did actually turn out to be a lot of fun. In the meantime an article in Hospitality […]