Kris Abbey from Spa Life visited the Gold Coast late last year and stayed at QT Gold Coast and Hilton Surfers Paradise.
In the Scoop... Top ten spa retreats
Scoop hunted down the best spa retreats in WA and Injidup made the Top 10 list
InStyle shout out
January 2013 in stores now, thanks InStyle.
The Siam : Tatler Travel Guide 2013
So soon after opening this is a marvellous achievement for our client The Siam in Bangkok. Congratulations!
Bush Magic - The Western Australian BY AMANDA KEENAN
Amanda Keenan wrote a stunning piece for the The Western Australian featuring Injidup Spa Retreat
Fabio Ongarato Design for spaQ Sydney
What a pleasure it has been collaborating with Fabio Ongarato Design for our spaQ collateral and uniform design for QT Sydney
QT Sydney Grand Opening - September 2012
The grand opening of the hotly-anticipated QT Sydney was an amazing night
MAWSPA Wellness Forum & Exhibition
It was fantastic catching up with old friends and making news ones at the MAWSPA Wellness Forum in Kuala Lumpur. Thanks for inviting me to present to such a welcoming and enthusiastic group of professionals.
The speakers and participants at MAWSPA
Behind the scenes Mandara Spa photoshoot Bali
Returning to my old stomping ground, (Mandara Spa, Bali where I worked in the late 90's) Donna Wells and I assisted Spa Photographer Mark Lane to capture some images for Mandara Spa at Padma Bali. It was a fantastic day (and typically balmy and hot) and Mark got some beautiful shots.
You can check out more at LANEWAY Photography
Spa Australasia - New under the Sun - spaQ Gold Coast
Quirky, customised and personality-driven experiences are the order of the day from the chain's spaQ brand, which will take up the gauntlet of delivering fully-flexible time-based bookings
Conde Nast - The Reader's Spa Awards 2011
Listed amongst an impressive line up of International retreats such as Ananda Spa in the Himalayas, Chiva-Som Thailand and COMO Shambhala in Bali, Injidup Spa Retreat scored a 87.57 out of a possible 100, voted by readers of Conde Nast
Worlds 101 finest spas in Tatler UK's 2011 Spa Guide.
Listed in the top 101 in the World in the "Naturally Spectacular" section, we are absolutely thrilled that 'Inji" has been recognised Internationally.
Chateau Elan Project, Hunter Valley
For those of you who have been trying to hunt me down... I've been in the HUNTER! I have been pre-opening The Spa at Chateau Elan located at The Vintage in the Hunter Valley. It has been an exciting fast paced opening over January & February with happy lots of guests and much media interest. Sadly my golf game hasn't improved...
Historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa project
The pre-opening is in full swing at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, in the "spa country" - Daylesford, Victoria. Following a long closure, and extensive redevelopment, I worked with the new operator Belgravia Leisure from tender submission through to launch. The much anticipated re-opening of this historic facility perfectly blends the iconic heritage features with a clever modern design of the new bathing area. We can't wait to receive our first guests.
"Retreat & Surrender" - Feature on Injidup Spa Retreat - Australian Gourmet Traveller Aug 2008
Injidup Spa Retreat is featured in this months Gourmet Traveller Magazine.
Read more online at:
Training Tip - "High Season training success"
One of the challenges facing the Spa industry is how to manage training during high season. It’s an interesting one because for many operators it is an intensive revenue generating period and maximizing financial opportunities often becomes the priority.
While it’s natural – and smart – to capitalise on high season revenues it can be detrimental to the long-term success of the business if it becomes the sole priority. If the message you send to your team is ‘revenue above all else’ they may disregard or dismiss your other priorities, such as operating procedures and guest care.
A team that is busy and under pressure can easily loose sight of the bigger picture and corner-cutting may seem like an acceptable, and even necessary, survival skill. So, while you satisfyingly watch your suddenly abundant clientele come and go, it would be wise to consider…are they feeling the same sense of satisfaction?
It’s so obvious when you think about it, but easily forgotten when the pressure of financial performance is peaking.
This is what I’ve seen happen in spas during peak periods. Staff burn out is high, resulting in resignations and sick days. Standards slip, sometimes drastically. Team members are less likely to work cohesively and harmoniously because individual survival becomes the priority. Respect for management diminishes because team members don’t feel supported, rewarded or inspired. Mistakes and accidents, which often have a domino affect, happen more frequently. Operating costs are often proportionately higher because more hurry often means less control and care. Team development comes to a standstill because staff are focused on how much they can do rather than how well they can do it.
It makes good sense to schedule any technical training outside of peak periods. However, soft skills training and coaching – such as sales techniques, guest care, service flow – has the biggest impact when it is conducted regularly throughout the entire year. You don’t need to spend a lot of time, as little as 10 minutes a day will get results. In this way, consistent performance is maintained by a happier and more focused team. When you continue this type of training through your peak times, your team will be more motivated and better equipped to sell to, delight and retain the increased client numbers.
Preparation is the key to even greater high season success. If there are any problems with your team’s performance or service delivery, it’s best to get them ironed out before your appointment book fills up. A secret shopper program conducted prior to high season can highlight any problems that need to be addressed or specific skills that could be improved.
With increased business coming in through peak times, your potential for success is only limited by how well your team performs.
Spa Asia Crystal Awards 2007
I covered four countries in a matter of weeks judging the secret shopping component of the Spa Asia Crystal Awards. I met so many amazing people and dedicated professional practitioners. This really has been a highlight. Good luck to all the finalists!
My first visit to Riyadh to work with Yibreen Ladies Spa
My two week trip into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June was wonderful working with the team at Yibreen fine-tuning service skills. An truly "international" team of amazing women. I love my job!
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vientam
I love travelling to far away places and this opening at the beautiful GHM property The Nam Hai was a wonderful experience. I assisted General Manager John Laing and his team in all elements of the pre-open including training, collateral, guest service, flow through facility and there was a little english/vietnamese collaborative tutoring thrown in for good measure. A beautiful group of healers and a beautiful beachside property.
