“ Just keeping enough [ therapists ] on the books to supply the demand and trying to — regardless of demand — take care of the team , not burn them out . To find that balance has been the biggest challenge .”
— ANGELA HUTCHINS , director of spa and fitness , the Spa at Sea Island
A Fragmented Experience
If anything has remained consistent throughout the pandemic , it ’ s how inconsistent regulations have been from location to location . The timing and location of various surges in COVID-19 , as well as the differing intensity and duration of pandemic-related restrictions , has continued to present an array of challenges to spa leaders trying to plan ahead .
At the Spa at Sea Island , Director of Spa and Fitness Angela Hutchins , high demand and an 85 percent occupancy limit ( which , as Hutchins points out , isn ’ t much of a limit ) has meant that her spa is as busy as ever . And because only a couple of therapists have been unable to return to work , quickly re-staffing to meet demand was less of an issue than managing their workloads .“ Just keeping enough [ therapists ] on the books to supply the demand and trying to — regardless of demand — take care of the team , not burn them out . To find that balance has been the biggest challenge ,” she says .
The Spa at Sun Valley Resort , meanwhile , is operating under a 25 percent occupancy restriction , and has thus far not had to navigate the challenge of rapidly bringing an entire team back on board . Upon reopening last year , the spa
The Spa at Sea Island has seen high levels of demand , making balancing staff schedules a challenge .
MAY 2021 ■ PULSE 27