LOCALBUSINESS
insideKENT INTERVIEWS
Karen Thomas Spa Escape
SPA MANAGER AT
How long have you been at Spa Escape?
I have been here since 1st September this year,
so a couple of months now.
Why was Tunbridge Wells chosen for the spa's
location?
The Spa has been a fixture of the Old Post Office
building for over three years, and was previously
known as The Royal Day Spa. Now under new
management, the choice to purchase was purely
down to its location. A historic town, Tunbridge
Wells was the perfect spot for those wanting to
escape the city, and also for locals that want to
experience the peacefulness of a full-day spa
experience.
What sets Spa Escape apart from its competitors?
At Spa Escape, we are the only day spa in
Tunbridge Wells with a spa Jacuzzi and saltwater pool. With a strict over 18 age policy,
visitors can truly escape and relax in peace. From
bespoke treatments to luxurious afternoon teas
with a cheeky glass of bubbly, what more would
one need!
We also have a spa membership which
allows the locals to use our facilities on a daily
basis for a small monthly fee, without the
headache of contracts.
What's the most popular treatment you offer?
Our therapists collectively have 40 years of
experience between them, and all provide
excellent treatment standards. With this in mind,
our most popular treatment is our Spa Taster,
a 50-minute treatment combining a prescriptive
facial and a bespoke massage.
Do you have a signature treatment or speciality at
Spa Escape?
We have five signature therapies here at Spa
Escape, but our favourite is the Mediterranean
Light Massage. A stunning therapy, this option
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uses our Mediterranean candle to burn and
release beautiful aromas, alongside a warm
Lavender and Mandarin oil, which is gently poured
over the body and massaged in with a tension
to match the clients individual needs. This
treatment costs £95 for 70 minutes.
What products do you use at the spa?
We use Germaine de Capuccini products in our
treatments, a brand that has developed some
of the world's most talked about skincare
formulations. The natural active ingredients used,
successfully combined with cutting edge
technology, has enabled the company to bring
some of the most influential skincare products
and professional spa therapies the beauty industry
has ever seen.
If environmental issues are your concern,
the Germaine de Capuccini Carbon Zero policy
backed by official certification, means that they
not only recycle and re-use, but they also plant
trees to offset any small amount of carbon
produced. Germaine de Capuccini is dedicated
to keeping you, and the planet, beautiful.
What do you feel are the three most important
factors of a spa, in terms of customer satisfaction?
To me this is the most imperative part of the
client’s journey, and it's one that we always try
to exceed.
If I had to cho ose just three main factors,
it would have to be:
• First impressions on arrival are imperative;
greeting the client with a friendly manner and
making the client feel immediately at ease
means that they can start to relax.
• Providing the service to a high standard and
adapting all treatments to our clients’ needs
or concerns.
• Maintaining an environment within the spa that
provides comfort and all the amenities that one
should need when visiting for the day.
What's the best decision you have made so far
whilst managing this business?
I have only been here a short while, but within
the past six weeks a number of changes have
been implemented. Our spa membership is a
unique offering to the residents of Tunbridge
Wells. With this in mind, and after speaking with
a number of our existing and ex-members, we
now open earlier from 8am, with no restrictions
to times of usage, and we also provide more
amenities for customer use. There are many
more changes to come, with exciting new aspects
being added to the Spa Escape offerings. Watch
this space.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of
your job?
I have been in the spa industry for over 20 years
now, and still after all this time I really enjoy seeing
the satisfaction of our clients and meeting new
people every week. I have been very fortunate
that the industry has allowed me to travel
worldwide and work in some of the most beautiful
spas. In every location, it has always been having
a great team and fantastic clients that has made
my job worthwhile.
Spa Escape
The Old Post Office
12 Vale Rd
Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1BP
01892 512909
www.spa-escape.co.uk