Pulse Legacy Archive September 2012 | Page 19

W hat does it take to put together a remarkable spa experience and a menu inspired by a brand with a proven history in beauty and wellness? For Miraval Resort & Spa, which recently launched its new Life in Balance Spa with Clarins, it takes a strong partnership to bring the best of both worlds. Miraval Resort & Spa CEO Michael Tompkins says, in many ways, the Miraval-Clarins partnership was a timely union. “Neither side reached out [to each other at the start], I like to think it was the universe that brought it all together,” he says. Just as Miraval Resort’s management was working on a plan to update the spa in order to better position the brand when the economy recovers, Tompkins and his spa director were also seeking a new main skin-care line for the spa. “We looked at several lines and gave our three best selections to our staff of estheticians and massage therapists to test.” The staff, he says, chose Clarins for its efficacy, depth of selection and customization features. As for Clarins, the partnership couldn’t have come at a better time. “At Clarins, we look for ‘Best in Class’ partners, and Miraval Resort [has long been] on our radar of desired partners,” says Barry McCaffrey, national sales director of the Hotel & Spa Division at Clarins. Finding the Perfect Partnership Match According to Tompkins, sorting out the details of the partnership was a two-year process. “Neither of us took the partnership lightly. Once we knew we were both on board, senior management at Miraval and Clarins’ ownership guided September 2012 ■ PULSE 17