Category: Interview

  • A Healing Heaven in the Heart of Nature

    A Healing Heaven in the Heart of Nature

  • 根植自然之疗愈圣地

    根植自然之疗愈圣地

  • All-encompassing and Personalized Approaches to Wellness

    All-encompassing and Personalized Approaches to Wellness

    An interview with Ms. Niamh O’Connell, Vice President of Wellbeing,
    Group and Corporate, Jumeirah Group

    Founded in 1997, Jumeirah Group is a luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding. With a portfolio of hotels, resorts, and residences in top destinations worldwide, the group has become a prominent player in the luxury hospitality industry. Its flagship property, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is known as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Jumeirah Group also manages other notable properties such as Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

    Jumeirah Group offers wellness experiences at various properties, including island sanctuaries and city getaways. Their award-winning spas, like Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, provide serene environments for self-discovery and rejuvenation. Guests can make positive lifestyle changes through personalized treatments and experiences encompassing nutrition, exercise, alternative therapies, and mind-body wellness.

    Recently, Jumeirah Group has announced the appointment of Niamh O’Connell as its first Vice President of Wellbeing, Group and Corporate. The move is part of the Group’s renewed focus to elevate the wellness offering across its portfolio and craft distinctive experiences that meet the needs of today’s discerning luxury traveller. Ms Niamh O’Connell brings three decades of luxury wellness and hospitality experience. She will collaborate with Jumeirah’s teams to develop a comprehensive wellbeing strategy, including spa services, fitness programs, therapies, branding, and design. Niamh’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at Hyatt International Hotels & Resorts and Rosewood Hotel Group. She is known for her strategic brand vision and delivering exceptional guest experiences. 

    SpaChina interviewed her.

    Could you tell us more about your role as the Vice President of Wellbeing at Jumeirah Group and what your main responsibilities entail?

    I am thrilled to join Jumeirah Group at this pivotal moment in the brand’s journey. Together with the talented teams at Jumeirah’s hotels and resorts, I am confident we will cultivate innovation, excellence and lasting impact in the wellness arena.

    I will work alongside the Group’s hotel and operations teams to build on the brand’s award-winning Talise Spa concept to craft an all-encompassing wellbeing strategy with the ultimate aim of enhancing the wellness offering across the portfolio. My focus will be curating exceptional guest experiences and unique touchpoints across the guest journey, implementing everything from new spa services, fitness offerings, longevity treatments, and holistic wellness rituals as well as overseeing branding, design and programming.

    What motivated Jumeirah Group to create this new position of Vice President of Wellbeing and prioritize the elevation of their wellness offerings?

    The relationship our guests have with wellness and wellbeing today has transcended from isolated treatments offering a functional fix, to an all-encompassing guided approach to longevity, life balance and self-care.

    This position of Vice President of Wellbeing is an entirely new role, deemed essential as Jumeirah Group begin to invest strongly in advancing the wellbeing offering through new concepts, therapies and partnerships, designed to enrich the life and wellness experience of guests.

    How do you plan to craft an all-encompassing wellbeing strategy for Jumeirah Group’s portfolio of hotels and resorts?

    Over the past three years, there has been a remarkable shift in the wellbeing landscape, and now the industry stands on the brink of an exhilarating transformation. I look forward to inspiring a new approach to wellbeing across our hotels and resorts, guided by the principles of lifelong learning, longevity, and inclusivity. By adopting this approach, my aim is to ensure we empower our guests to enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing through sustainable wellness practices.

    Could you elaborate on the specific elements that will be included in the wellbeing strategy, such as spa services, fitness offerings, or any other holistic wellness practices etc.?

    Responding to the evolving consumer trends towards holistic and sustainable wellness, our strategy will consider all the elements that define a person’s lifestyle – nutrition, exercise and fitness, alternative therapies, traditional spa treatments, as well as mind and body therapies.

    Personalisation remains a priority for the discerning high-net-worth individual and Jumeirah’s wellbeing strategy will continue to provide positive lifestyle-change through a selection of bespoke programmes. We’ll launch new tailored wellness experiences that promote harmony between body and mind and help to build a strong foundation of health with effective techniques and movements across our portfolio.

    In Dubai, Jumeirah Al Qasr’s Talise Spa is already making strides in this space with the launch of a brand new 360-degree programme, Talise Wellness.  Inspired by sustainable wellness practices, the programme offers flexible therapies, cognitive health assessments and wholesome meals – all designed to meet guests’ fitness, mindfulness and nutritional goals. The unique wellness programme aims to restore physical, mental and emotional balance without restricting exercise or nutrition. Developed by industry practitioners, the Talise Wellness programme encompasses four crucial pillars of wellness – Mental Wellness, Mindful Movement, Internal Wellbeing and Restore – with each pillar covering a wide range of therapies, treatments, nutritional eating, and meditation.

    Jumeirah Group has properties in various regions, including China. Can you discuss the company’s strategy for the Chinese market and how it aligns with the overall wellbeing focus? Are there any specific initiatives or plans in place to cater to the unique preferences and needs of wellness-seeking guests in China?

    China is an important market for Jumeriah Group and increasingly we’re seeing the discerning Chinese guest seek wellness experiences at our hotels in Guangzhou, Nanjing and further afield, in a bid to take more ownership of their wellbeing.

    Today, Chinese guests are more aware and eager to improve their physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual health. In recent years, spa experiences in China have evolved beyond the treatment and have become part of a wellness ecosystem that nurtures the human experience. In line with our goal to create an all-encompassing guided approach to longevity, life balance and self-care, our spas will continue to offer nourishment for mind, body and soul to support guests on their journey to achieving a healthy wellness ecosystem.

    While the traditional spa mindset centered upon the physical and emotional dimension of wellness, a more evolved viewpoint has shifted the focus towards awareness, knowledge, and empowerment, which creates transformative experiences that deepen personal practices, including mindfulness and spirituality. In the future, we aim to create more customised and spiritual wellness experiences for Chinese guests to fulfill diversified needs, leaning into the vast practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    Could you share any insights into the potential future developments or expansion plans for Jumeirah Group globally?

    Jumeirah Group continue on a journey of sustainable growth, with plans to open properties in Saudi Arabia this year, as well as a 13th property in Dubai – Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Europe is also an important focus, and the aim is to build our brand profile in major European cities. The recent announcement of the acquisition of Le Richemond in Geneva is just the start.

    How does Jumeirah Group envision integrating sustainability and wellness practices in its future development plans?

    Jumeirah Group strives to uphold sustainable and inclusive practices across the business, to shape the best possible future where everyone can thrive. From luxury beachfront resorts and idyllic island destinations to vibrant city hotels and coastal cliff-top retreats, the Jumeirah promise of “Stay Different” is more than just a guest experience; it’s the product of the commitments we make to our people, our planet and the communities around the world that serve our industry.

    In terms of the wellness practices at our properties, we have always tried to apply authenticity and locality by using regional wellness methods and locally sourced ingredients to offer treatments with connections to the destination each hotel resides.

    To give you an example, Talise Spa at Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa uses the nourishing properties of local Mallorcan olive, almond and citrus fruits to leave skin silky-soft and smooth while at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, expert spa therapists use the oil from local hand-harvested coconuts, among other exclusive products.

    Overlooking the soft beach of the Gulf of Oman and the extraordinary backdrop of the Al Hajar Mountains, guests at Talise Spa at Jumeirah Muscat Bay can soak in the power of the sea and the mountains with the Essence of Oman treatment, which uses traditional incense and sea salt to renew the soul the Omani way.

    Whether guests are in search of pampering or rejuvenation, each Jumeirah spa offers a unique and personalised experience that supports and empowers the local community, in turn, capturing the spirit of its location.

  • 个性化全方位体验

    个性化全方位体验

    访卓美亚集团康体业务副总裁Niamh O’Connell女士

    成立于1997年的卓美亚集团是一家奢华酒店公司,是迪拜控股公司(Dubai Holding)的成员。卓美亚在全球顶级目的地拥有多家酒店、度假村和住宅,已然成为奢华酒店行业中的佼佼者。其旗舰酒店迪拜帆船酒店(Burj Al Arab Jumeirah)被誉为世界上最豪华的酒店之一。卓美亚集团还管理着其他许多著名酒店,如卓美亚海滩酒店和卓美亚阿联酋塔。

    从巴厘岛、马尔代夫和地中海优美的岛屿度假胜地,到英国和中国热门的城中绿洲,再到标志性的迪拜卓美亚帆船酒店等中东各地屡获殊荣的水疗天堂——卓美亚将帮助热衷康体体验的旅行者踏上一场自我发现之旅,在安静宁和的环境中重焕身心活力。卓美亚的全球康体产品与服务,涵盖健康生活的各个方面,包括营养、健身锻炼、替代疗法、传统水疗护理,以及身体与头脑放松护理等,通过一系列个性化的护理与体验,为客人的生活带去积极的改变。

    近日,卓美亚集团宣布任命Niamh O’Connell担任第一位集团康体业务副总裁。此举体现了集团重新全力提升旗下酒店康体产品与服务的战略,旨在打造满足当今豪华旅行者卓越品味与独特需求的别致体验。Niamh在豪华康体产业和酒店业累积了近30年的丰富经验,工作足迹遍布欧洲、美国和亚太地区。她将同卓美亚集团的酒店与运营团队配合,制定全面的康体业务战略。具体涵盖水疗服务、健身设施与体验、延年益寿项目、护理及全方位康体等领域,同时还涉及品牌营销、设计与品牌项目等方面。加入卓美亚集团之前,Niamh曾在凯悦国际酒店及度假村担任一系列高级管理岗位,后担任瑰丽酒店集团副总裁,负责战略开发康体与品牌体验。

    SpaChina采访了Niamh O’Connell女士。

    能否为我们介绍一下卓美亚集团康体业务副总裁这一职位,您的主要指责有哪些?

    我很高兴能够在卓美亚品牌发展的关键时刻加入该集团。我相信,我们将在康体领域开拓创新、追求卓越,带来深远积极的影响力。

    我将与集团旗下的各酒店及运营团队合作,以屡获殊荣的Talise Spa品牌理念作为基础,着力升级豪华康体产品与服务,推进卓美亚品牌康体价值主张战略,为旗下酒店打造卓越的宾客体验。我的工作重点包括:为客人打造非凡的康体旅程,并在整体疗程中探索独特的体验及特色项目;制定包括全新SPA服务、健身设施、延年益寿项目、综合康体仪式在内的一系列项目;监督及管理品牌推广、设计与项目设计。

    是什么促使卓美亚集团设立这一全新的健康副总裁职位,并着力提升其健康服务?

    如今,我们的宾客不再满足于通过一个个单独的护理项目去实现某种功能性需求。他们渴望有一种全方位的方法,在专家的指导下延年益寿、平衡生活,呵护自我。

    我们认为,在集团开始大力投入提升康体产品与服务的当下,设立这个新岗位非常重要。我们将推出新的概念和护理,缔结新的合作关系,为下榻卓美亚酒店与度假酒店的宾客提供丰富生活、活力健康的体验。

    您计划如何为卓美亚集团的酒店和度假村制定全面的康养战略?

    过去三年里,我们看到康体产业格局发生了巨大的改变。如今,整个行业即将开启令人振奋的新纪元。我期待围绕终生学习、延年益寿和包容性等理念,为我们的酒店和度假酒店启发康体服务的新灵感。我将致力于运用可持续的康体方法,帮助宾客提升身体与情绪的健康活力状态。

    能否详细介绍一下您计划的健康战略将包括哪些具体内容,如SPA、健身或其他整体养生实践等?

    为了顺应消费者对于全面及可持续康体体验的追求和趋势,我们的战略将涵盖个人生活方式所涉略的各方面因素,包括营养膳食、健身锻炼、替代疗法、传统SPA护理,以及身体与头脑放松护理等,通过一系列个性化的护理与体验,为客人的生活带去积极的改变。

    “个性化”仍然是眼光独到的高净值人士的首要诉求,我们将推出量身定制的全新健康体验,并在产品组合中运用有效的科技与技法,为健康身心打下扎实基础,促进身心达到和谐状态。

    在迪拜,卓美亚皇宫酒店的Talise水疗中心针对这一趋势,推出全新的360度全方位计划Talise Wellness。此计划的灵感来自于可持续康体理念,提供灵活的护理、认知健康评估和营养膳食,而且根据客人的健身、正念和营养目标而精心设计。这一独特的康体计划旨在帮助客人恢复身体、头脑与情绪的平衡,而无需在饮食和锻炼上加以限制。Talise Wellness计划由行业专家开发,主要涉及康体的四大方面,包括头脑健康、正念运动、内在和谐和身心活力。每个方面都包含多种多样的疗法、疗程、营养膳食和冥想体验。

    卓美亚集团在包括中国在内的多个地区都拥有物业。能否谈谈集团在中国市场的战略,以及该战略如何与其养生目标保持一致?是否有任何具体举措或计划来满足中国客人的独特健康偏好和需求?

    中国市场对于卓美亚集团而言至关重要。我们观察到在广州、南京和其他中国目的地的卓美亚酒店及度假村里,越来越多眼光独到的中国客人正在追求高质量的康体体验,希望能更多地掌控自己的身心健康。

    如今,在中国市场,旅行者们普遍渴望在身体、情绪、社交甚至精神方面,都活出最精彩的状态。近年来,SPA体验逐渐不再局限于护理室所在的一方空间,而是不断演化,形成了一个全方位的健康产业生态系统,打造全面滋养身心的体验。这和卓美亚集团致力于为宾客提供全方位的康体指导,从而达到延年益寿、平衡生活,呵护自我的目的是高度一致的。为此,我们的SPA将持续为游客提供身心和灵魂的滋养,帮助他们实现健康的生态系统。

    传统的SPA概念聚焦于身体与情绪健康的层面,比如放松与焕活,而更进一步、更全面的观点则认为,SPA同样也应注重意识、知识与精神性的力量,创造令人感觉焕然一新的体验,深化个人的SPA体验,包括拥抱积极正念与活力精神。未来,我们致力于开发更加多元化的服务项目,满足个人在身心健康与健身运动方面的目标,同时深入践行传统中医与SPA的结合模式。

    您能否分享一下卓美亚集团未来在全球的发展或扩张计划?

    卓美亚集团坚持可持续发展之路,我们计划今年在沙特阿拉伯开设酒店,并在迪拜开设第13家酒店——Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab。欧洲也是我们重点关注的市场,我们的目标是在欧洲主要城市建立品牌形象。最近宣布于日内瓦收购Le Richemond的举措只是品牌布局欧洲的一个开始。

    卓美亚集团打算如何将可持续发展和健康养生实践纳入其未来发展计划?

    卓美亚集团致力于在整个业务中坚持可持续发展和兼容并包的理念,打造所有人都能茁壮成长的美好愿景。从奢华的海滨度假胜地、田园般的海岛目的地,到充满活力的城市酒店和海岸悬崖上的度假胜地,卓美亚

    “与众不同”的理念不仅仅是一种宾客体验,是我们对员工、地球以及为我们行业所服务的世界各地社区所作出的承诺。

    在康体方面,我们在旗下每家酒店及度假村都积极践行“纯正地道,当地风情”的理念。我们运用各个酒店所在地的传统康体方法和当地采购的原料精心打造令人陶醉的特色护理。

    举例来说,卓美亚索耶尔港水疗度假酒店的Talise水疗中心运用马略卡岛橄榄、杏仁和柑橘水果的滋养功效,设计出体现当地特色的护理项目,让宾客拥有柔滑娇嫩的肌肤。在卓美亚马尔代夫奥哈哈里岛度假酒店,专业水疗护理师运用手工采摘的椰子制成的精油,以及其他独家产品,同样帮助宾客护理皮肤,恢复水润弹滑。

    在阿拉伯的湛蓝天空之下,卓美亚马斯喀特海湾度假酒店的Talise水疗中心,俯瞰着阿曼湾沙幼水清的美景,周围是哈杰尔山的宏伟壮景。在这里,大海与大山将赋予宾客来自大自然的能量。阿曼精华护理采用传统的熏香与海盐,以阿曼特有的方式,帮助客人唤醒心灵的能量。 无论客人想要好好宠爱自我,还是焕活身心能量,都可以在每一家卓美亚水疗中心找到独树一帜、彰显当地特色的个性化体验。

  • Beautiful Life Balance

    Beautiful Life Balance

    An interview with Ms. Joy Tsang, Founder of AEVUM SPA

    AEVUM, derived from the Latin term for “beautiful life”, symbolizes quality of life and elegance.

    “I am a person who loves beautiful things very much, and the original intention of starting AEVUM SPA was to reach for the higher level of being more beautiful,” says Ms. Joy Tsang, the founder of AEVUM SPA. “I have always believed that ‘achieving physical and mental beauty’ is my mission and responsibility, and so AEVUM naturally emerged.” With over 20 years of experience, she established her own AEVUM brand in 2010, after being the general agent for a top luxury SPA skincare brand in China.

    “What I want to convey is AEVUM’s attitude towards beauty and nature, and the confidence in eternal quality heritage: altruism, faith, happiness, courage, and independence. The goal is to pass on and nurture ‘beauty’.” Joy spoke to SpaChina in an interview.

    A strong brand is inevitably infused with the founder’s personal qualities and service principles. How did you guide AEVUM SPA to its current heights over these thirteen years?

    Guided by its original purpose, AEVUM has attracted high-quality members, most of whom are socially responsible and contributing women: entrepreneurs, second-generation family successors, socially influential and active housewives, and a considerable number of corporate executives. These distinguished guests share a common appreciation for AEVUM’s unique value: achieving beauty and health through love and care.

    Over these thirteen years, there have been continuous upgrades and enhancements. We have made many integrative changes in service and details. For example, whether it’s facial treatments or body treatments, we seamlessly blend the wisdom of Eastern traditional healing with practical techniques, along with the meticulous care and soothing touch of Western-style spa techniques. This combination ensures both safety and efficacy, as well as a delightful and comfortable true spa experience.

    With excellent skills and services, the next step is to put your heart into it. Our therapists are all dedicated to serving our members. Through solid professional skills, they earn the trust and respect of our guests. Our employees adhere to the principles of “no judgment, no analysis, no labeling” when interacting with the guests, creating a relaxed atmosphere for comfortable communication. Our loyal guests and therapists have a familial relationship, enabling them to freely discuss their needs and find the most suitable treatments based on professional advice. This interaction is extremely positive and uplifting.

    In addition to the above, I would like to mention: “To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools.” Our “tools” involve selecting the right brand partners to provide the best products to our member clients. Currently, AEVUM collaborates with esteemed brands such as the Spanish luxury skincare brand Natura Bisse, French LPG, Swiss medical restoration brand Swissline, and the carefully designed essential oil brand ORiNERGiE.

    “LOVE & CARE Solutions” is what we provide to our customers: solutions for beauty and health with love and care.

    Has there been any change in your business after the pandemic compared to before?

    During the period of post-pandemic recovery, our customer flow, the number of branches, and member visits have all increased. Interestingly, some members now have more time for spa treatments compared to before.

    The pandemic can be seen as hitting the pause button on people’s usual routines. It forced us to change our busy lifestyles, step away from work, return to our families, spend more time with loved ones and friends, and reflect on our inner selves. It allowed us to reevaluate our desires, contemplate the meaning of life, experience the fragility of life, and appreciate the importance of physical and mental health.

    Even though the pandemic has ended, the collective mindset and awareness have become deeper. Many have reorganized their visions and priorities, and they are more willing to savor the small moments of happiness and tranquility. They can now better enjoy the spa process and perceive the harmony between their physical and mental well-being and beauty.

    These past few years of the pandemic have also served as a litmus test for our business. It tested the resilience of the owner, the loyalty of the staff, and the quality of the members. I am proud that we were able to demonstrate our strength during this period. We honed and improved the skills of our staff, maintained good communication and interaction with our member clients, and this is why we have seen growth in the number of branches and customer flow after the recovery.

    In terms of spa and skincare services and medical aesthetics service under AEVUM umbrella, how do you maintain a good balance?

    Most of our customers have developed a habit of pursuing ultimate quality and effectiveness. These guests have increasingly high expectations for service details. From the very beginning, we planned the most suitable organizational structure for our members. Each staff has their own role, providing precise beauty and health concepts and outstanding services.

    AEVUM’s unique anti-aging philosophy involves precise anti-aging for the face, skills for anti-aging of the body, and emotional energy balance. The spa part advocates for beauty and wellness treatments, while medical aesthetics focuses on medical-level maintenance. Both aspects support each other, aiming for the balanced development of beauty and health. In AEVUM medical aesthetics, we adopt a conservative approach to projects, adhering to the principles of safety, efficiency, and comfort. Our members are confident and beautiful, knowing exactly what they want and don’t want, and they won’t blindly undergo any medical aesthetics treatments.

    In the current global context, how do you envision the future of AEVUM and utilize these ever-changing trends?

    I see a clear trend in the spa and wellness industry towards mental balance – achieving inner calm and contentment. The mental well-being directly correlates to physical health.

    In the future, AEVUM will focus more on people’s physical and mental balance. We will use more natural products and provide related healing treatments, such as the ORiNERGiE essential oil products, to balance and enhance emotional states with natural energy.

    Additionally, we need to embrace technology and look towards the future. We can efficiently address facial and body concerns using high-tech instruments, combining traditional healing with advanced technology. “Nature and Technology” are our direction for the future.

    Sustainability and environmental protection are becoming increasingly important, as they are part of social responsibility and contribution. How does AEVUM integrate these principles into its operations and products?

    Three years ago, AEVUM already embraced environmental and organic concepts. We use natural essential oils in many basic treatments, as we deeply believe these essential oils communicate and merge with the body, providing a holistic well-being. Each drop of essential oil contains the essence of the changing seasons, sunlight, rain, and various cosmic information.

    In the current competitive world of essential oils, we spare no effort to maintain the production volume, quality, and uniqueness of ORiNERGiE products. When selecting essential oils, we place great importance on the plants’ place of origin, as each plant has an ideal growing location. Only the best growing conditions can ensure the optimal energy of the essential oils, leading to the best therapeutic effects that genuinely benefit both the body and mind.

    Furthermore, excellent essential oils require skilled formulation experts. Our formulations are specially created by Dr. Patrick Collin, a renowned French medical and energy doctor and a leading figure in contemporary French radiotherapy. I firmly believe that a formulator’s personal qualities directly influence their aesthetics and techniques. When selecting formulators, destiny plays a role.

    In terms of social contribution, through ORiNERGiE essential oils, we have offered essential oil courses to many members, teaching them what constitutes high-quality essential oils and how to use them to benefit their families and friends. These initiatives enrich members’ social lives and provide them with new skills. Furthermore, it helps their whole family become healthier. For example, during the pandemic, we used essential oils for disinfection, air purification, and immune system enhancement.

    I’ve also noticed an interesting phenomenon among our employees. Daily contact with high-quality natural products makes them feel composed, confident, and open-minded. This positively influences their business skills. The reason is simple: good products enable aromatherapists to have more confidence in the effectiveness of their treatment programs.

    In the future, we will continue on the path of natural products. Regarding facing intense market competition, I haven’t thought about how to compete. Instead, I focus on how to make every person using ORiNERGiE essential oils feel both physically and mentally satisfied. That, in my view, is already a victory.

    Looking ahead, what plans does AEVUM have? Please share with us.

    AEVUM will always remain true to its original intention. In the future, we will continue opening new branches, maintaining a youthful mindset, and a strong sense of curiosity. With our sensitivity to excellent products and projects, we will continue research and exploration, grasp market trends, become a more outstanding enterprise, help more young entrepreneurs and job seekers, and provide better service to a larger number of customers, promoting the good balance of health and beauty.

    There is nothing difficult in the world; the key lies in having a determined heart.