MIraval Resort & Spa in Tucson
“Guests want more
than just a necklace
or keychain; there
needs to be a healing
message or element
of each item.”
— KATE MORRISON, Spa Director, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
2018 menu to reflect that every treatment can be provided as
a shared experience.
In fact, the ISPA 2018 Innovation of the Year Award—
selected from among the Innovate Award winners—was Four
Seasons’ Zen Horse Sunset Yoga, which touches every aspect
of this trend toward connection and community. In the
experience, guests reconnect with nature while practicing
yoga in a horse pasture; they also feel a sense of community
and belonging thanks to the experience’s deep ties to the
island of Lanai.
“Guests are seeking out experiences that renew their
connection with others and the world around them,” says
Marxer at Miraval Resort & Spa. To his eye, “offering shared
experiences allows them to be more grounded and create
authentic connections with others.”
The Big Shift
These are only a few of the trends observed by the 2018
Innovate Award-winning spas. Others included treatments like
sports massage and salt therapy; products like jewelry and
CBD oil; as well as trends on the operational side of spa,
including shifts in technology and human resources practice.
For more on these, simply turn to page 44 to get the inside
scoop on industry trends that ISPA members expect to see
going forward in 2019.
With so many trends rising and falling, it’s an incredible
time to be in the spa industry. Mainstream interest in holistic
wellness and spa has never been higher, and it’s leading to
fascinating changes within the spa industry. Today’s spa goer
expects to connect with each other and to receive customized
experiences led by purposeful, value-driven spas. The 2018
Innovate Award winners are textbook examples of how to
recognize the trends driving our industry, take advantage of
them, and drive the industry forward. n
F E AT U R E D S O U R C E S
SAMANTHA COOPER
Spa Director
CANYON RANCH
LENOX
SHAW COTE
Spa Director SIMON MARXER
Group Director
FOUR SEASONS
RESORT LANA’I MIRAVAL RESORT
& SPA
December 2018
KATE MORRISON
Spa Director
OJAI VALLEY INN
& SPA
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