Spotlight

Mystery of the Maya

Spas are not incidental to leisure properties today but form their very foundation, and Radisson Plaza Resort & Spa, Kumarakom is doing it differently to establish itself as a destination spa. By Neeti Mehra

Spas, from their peripheral perch of alternate revenue generators for hotels, are moving to the mainstream and becoming the focal point of properties. Leisure properties in India are taking cognisance of their importance. Despite this, destination spas in India are a mere fistful, with a vacillating focus.

Among them is Maya Spa that has been developed as the signature spa of Radisson Plaza Resort & Spa, Kumarakom, which has been positioned as a destination spa resort by the owners - the Phoenix Group. Interestingly, the spa has moved away from the Kerala staple ayurveda to include a vast array of international therapies.

Today, spas are moving away from being mere addendums to a property. Instead, the activities of a destination spa invariably pivot around the spa. According to Dr Shaswata Chandra, the spa manager at the resort, a spa experience should be unique. "A complete stress-free and relaxed environment needs to be created even before a guest enters a spa," he says. The spa, that overlooks a pool with a view of an artificially created lake, pivots around rejuvenation and its design reflects that. Inclusives today are a beauty salon, yoga and meditation centre, which in this case is located on an island in the lagoon, and a fitness centre. The ayurveda and massage centre has 14 treatment rooms (including two couple treatment rooms).

Outsourcing operations

While certain hotel chains in India outsourced entire operations to third-party operators (EIH-owned Oberoi Hotels & Resorts opted for the Banyan Tree Spa) while others chose to build their brands with a limited spa menu (such as JW Marriott Mumbai with its Quan Spa). Taking the third approach while developing its own brand is Maya Spa, which has included a wide spa menu that is entirely outsourced.

Apart from outsourcing its ayurvedic services, the group has also outsourced western treatments and opted for Pevonia's products and services. "This gives us leeway to work on training and branding," points out Dr Chandra. This is a unique concept. Maya Spa's strategy is completely different to the one followed by Quan Spa at the JW Marriott, Mumbai where the inhouse team is perfecting its compact spa menu before it undergoes full-fledged expansion. Dr Chandra states that his spa can now focus on training its staff to meet the future requirements and slowly the inhouse team will become proficient in delivering services. Given the expertise of the service providers, it makes sense to offer the extensive menu.

Dr Chandra says it is necessary to start a training department for the Phoenix group to fill the gap of trained personnel and to provide a ready pool. Another facet to this is honing communication skills of therapists. "Communication is the biggest challenge. Most therapists are proficient in local languages but are weak in English language skills," he says. And given that the nature of services are personalised, this can be a deterrent despite the high quality of treatments available. In spas, the presentation of skills is very important.

Treatments

To truly establish a property as a destination spa, the therapists need to be educated. "What is important is for a counsellor to give lifestyle counselling to guests," he says. Speaking of trends, he says that the thrust is also to include esoteric treatments. For instance, four types of ayurvedic treatments - Sammardana, (medium pressure deep tissue massages) Samhamana (feather-touch massages), Abhyanga (soft massages) and Mardana (deep tissue massage). Currently, the group is looking to introduce Samhanana in its product portfolio, which will include aura healing and methodologies such as reiki to get rid of negative energy.

Exotic is today's necessity - hydro therapy, dry floatation beds, Sabai stone therapy, solar therapies, Swedish, Thai and Balinese massages and exotic-sounding therapies such as Green Coffee Body Wrap, Moroccan Mud massages, Lomi Lomi massage, Myoxy Caviar and Pear facials. Packages for a destination spa revolve around spa activities. For instance, The Maya Relaxation package for four days includes consultations with the doctor and a mix of massages and treatments and breakfast spread over four days available at US$ 530 per day for a lagoon view room on a twin-sharing basis. Whoever said a destination spa visit came cheap?