Gold COMPANY PROFILE

TLEE Spas + Wellness

Michael Lahm, vice president & chief operating officer and Tracy Lee, president & founder / TLEE Spas + Wellness
Background
TLEE Spas + Wellness is a globally acclaimed spa design and consulting firm created in 2010 by Tracy Lee. Having designed and managed some of the most renowned spas in the world, Tracy has carved out a reputation of steady leadership and innovation recognised throughout the industry. Soon thereafter, she joined forces with fellow veteran Michael Lahm, who applies his refined sensibility, analytical thinking and radical efficiency to all facets of the business.

Main products and services
Concept & identity, planning & design development, programming & menu design, retail & product development, pre-opening & implementation, operational development & mentorship and marketing reinforcement.

USPs
TLEE Spas + Wellness brings an unparalleled level of passion, professionalism and adaptability to the creation of exceptional spas and wellness experiences. We approach each project with fresh eyes, looking for ways to raise the bar and set it apart. Our track record of success is evidenced in our collection of award-winning projects, discerning clients and leading brands.

Where in the world?
North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

case study: KILOLANI SPA AT GRAND WAILEA, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT
Vision
Define a programming and planning strategy to reclaim the spa’s iconic and ground-breaking status, while transforming the setting and experience to harness the modern wellness movement, the feel-good effect effects of nature and Hawaiian healing arts traditions.

Approach
Balancing the complexities associated with a legacy property in a highly regulated coastal environment, our redesign focused on creating a seamless connection to the nature, leading-edge hydrothermal facilities and robust co-ed experiences that are reflective of an integrated wellness destination that is highly attuned to the soul and spirit of Maui and evolving DNA of the resort.

Result
To transform the setting while honoring the spa’s enduring legacy, we introduced an immersive multisensorial entry portal that highlights key conceptual touchstones of Hawaiian culture as guests transition to light and spacious changing rooms connected to gender-specific Hydrothermal Gardens for open-air contrast bathing circuits.

Linking gender-specific zones to a newly imagined co-ed bathhouse setting, guests tap into a soothing saltwater Vitality Pool, Hawaii’s first Hammam with private scrub rooms and innovative halotherapy infrared saunas while relaxing and replenishing within diverse indoor/outdoor seating areas and savoring healthy elixirs and light bites from the café.

Shifting to the upper level for private treatments, the spa’s original lanai has been elevated and expanded into the Reflection Lounge that leads to a separate Meditation Lounge with vibroacoustic daybeds for deep rest, surrounding fully redesigned treatment rooms and new luxury suites with a front row seat on the fabled Wailea shoreline.

The largest spa in the Hawaiian Islands, spanning 50,000 square feet with 40 elegant and adaptable treatment rooms, Kilolani Spa at the renowned Grand Wailea has set a new standard for the property, the brand and the industry.

Key Stats
• Location: Wailea, Hawaii
• Launch: 2024
• Size: 50,000 square-feet
• Collaborators: Blackstone Real Estate (client), Hilton (brand), G70 (AOR) and Tihany Design (ID)

Press/Awards
• Featured on Condé Nast Traveler, Spa Business, The Hollywood Reporter, and more.
• Nominated for American Spa ‘The Best New or Newly Renovated Spa in the U.S.’
case study: THE SPA AT THE LITTLE NELL
Vision
At Aspen’s highly renown and exclusive ski-in/ski-out luxury property, we were tasked with articulating a strategic vision and game-changing wellness offering for their equally innovative setting of luxuriously appointed self-contained suites, with private infrared halotherapy saunas and hydrotherapy steam rooms that create an inspired and adaptable setting for highly curated and multidimensional wellness experiences.

Approach
Our inspiration came from the ‘Aspen Idea’—a holistic lifestyle philosophy embodying the joy of active pursuits, the rejuvenating effects of nature, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit championed by Walter Paepcke, founder of the Aspen Institute and Aspen Ski Company.

Result
Conceived as a blend of performance hub and spa retreat that speaks equally to the modern wellness movement and the timeless appeal of authentic personal care, the service offerings integrate a vast array of technology with the latest advancements in sports medicine and bio-harmonization in conjunction with integrated bodywork and skincare modalities.

The menu architecture highlights an integrated approach to wellness that revolves around three therapeutic pathways: Recover + Repair, Replenish + Restore, and Reset + Rebalance: with targeted remedies for the high-altitude environment, active adventure, and high-performance living.

Key Stats
• Location: Aspen, Colorado
• Launch: 2023
• Size: 2,500 square-feet
• Collaborators: Aspen Hospitality

Press/Awards
• MICHELIN One-Key Hotel
• Featured on Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Spa Business, and more.
• Nominated for American Spa ‘The Best New or Newly Renovated Spa in the U.S.’
case study: HALEHOUSE SPA AT STANLY RANCH, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION
Auberge Resort’s latest Wine Country resort, Stanly Ranch, is situated within a vibrant 712-acre vineyard, where timeless modalities intersect with the latest tech innovations.

Vision
Positioned with commanding views of southern Napa Valley, we have deconstructed the facility into a collection of free-standing pavilions and expansive outdoor spaces which inspired the name, Halehouse. These distinct yet overlapping venues foster a holistic approach to well-being through diverse experiences and facilities for fitness & movement, performance & recovery, and healing arts.

Approach
Inspired by Nordic bathhouse culture, The Springhouse Circuit is an innovative bathhouse experience with a Northern California twist: designed as a self-directed reset, pre-treatment boost or post workout recovery, that integrates contrast bathing and biohacking technologies to optimize physical performance and prime the mind/body connection.

Result
To help guests find their optimal state of being, the spa brings together leading wellness specialists, medical professionals, and sports experts from around the world to tailor individualized programs that incorporate nourishment, hydration, sleep, movement, and targeted treatments to improve physical performance, recovery, and overall health.

Key Stats
• Location: Napa, California
• Launch: 2022
• Size: 15,000 square-feet (interior)
• Collaborators: Overland Partners, Jan Clausen of CCID, Auberge Resorts

Press/Awards
• MICHELIN One-Key Hotel
• LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Winner in Architectural Design Wellness (Spa, Yoga, Retreat)
• Shortlisted in the 2023 AHEAD Americas Awards in the ‘Spa and Wellness’ category • Consistently featured on Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure award lists
Plans for the next 12 months
KAIA, Outdoor Citizen: new model of elevated hospitality and active adventure that places nature front and center in Canyon Country, Utah;
Mauna Kea Beach Resort: new spa and wellness compound for fabled luxury resort on Hawaii;
Tahoe Proper: integrated wellness hub for hotel and private club;
The Knox: Auberge Resorts’ first urban property within a mixed-use development in Dallas;
Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences Miami: nine cubed tower is soon-to-be the tallest building south of New York City;
Sixth & Blanco: urban bathhouse in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron and MML Hospitality;
El Cósmico: open-air bathhouse for the reimagined resort and lifestyle community
Key personnel
Tracy Lee, president & founder;
Michael Lahm, vice president & COO;
Jeanie Klueter, senior architect & wellness designer;
Caline Assilian, wellness director & analyst;
Brooke Azumi, wellness designer;
Catherine Stenberg, marketing & project coordinator.
Key customers
Auberge Resorts: Halehouse Spa at Stanly Ranch, Spa Solage, The Spa at Chileno Bay, The Spa at Esperanza, etc;
Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards, New York City;
Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Spa Alkemia at Zadún and Spa Botánico at Dorado Beach;
Waldorf Astoria Spas: Grand Wailea and Miami;
EDITION Spas: Tampa, West Hollywood, Miami Beach, New York, Abu Dhabi, Bodrum (Turkey) and Sanya (China);
The Little Nell: Aspen, Colorado and New York City;
Hard Rock Hotels: Las Vegas and Athens (Greece);
Proper Hotels: Lake Tahoe and Dallas.
Testimonial
“Great spa design can transform and that’s what Spa Botánico does. Spa performance is what allows us to continue to improve and invest. Tracy understands both, and she constantly challenges our team to deliver on both fronts at the Ritz Reserve.”
– Kenny Blatt, principal, Dorado Beach Resort & Club.
"Simply stated, Tracy is the most talented spa person I know. She is the best in conceptual design, operating expertise, and dedication to creating truly exceptional spa experiences. Her values and integrity are second to none. Tracy is the reason Auberge Resorts has been recognized internationally as one of the top spa hotel brands in the world."
– Mark Harmon, founder, Auberge Resorts
TLEE Spas + Wellness: news from CLADglobal.com
04 Mar 2024
Maui’s iconic Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has announced the opening of its highly anticipated Kilolani Spa, an all-new luxury wellness retreat inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty.
01 Jan 2024
The Little Nell, a five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel in Aspen, Colorado, has breathed new life into its spa, drawing inspiration from Aspen’s passion for a holistic lifestyle.
21 Sep 2022
Global spa development firm TLEE Spas + Wellness recently teamed up with Auberge Resorts Collection to realise a new 12,000sq ft spa at wellness destination resort Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection.
28 Mar 2022
Spa development firm TLEE Spas + Wellness has named Jeanie Klueter as its new architect and design specialist.
24 Mar 2022
Dr Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, the resort and spa claimed to first bring mud baths to the Californian spa town of Calistoga, has completed a multimillion-dollar restoration.
TLEE Spas + Wellness: featured in Clagmag magazine
New opening: Kilolani Spa
Spa Business 2024 issue 1
The famous Hawaiian spa has been transformed with a US$55m revamp
Industry insights: Industry predictions
Spa Business Handbook 2023 issue 1
What’s to come in the year ahead? We ask industry experts how they think this year will pan out and what will be the hottest trends...
TLEE Spas + Wellness
Address: 415 Jackson Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Tracy Lee, president and founder
Key personnel
Tracy Lee, president & founder;
Michael Lahm, vice president & COO;
Jeanie Klueter, senior architect & wellness designer;
Caline Assilian, wellness director & analyst;
Brooke Azumi, wellness designer;
Catherine Stenberg, marketing & project coordinator.
Key customers
Auberge Resorts: Halehouse Spa at Stanly Ranch, Spa Solage, The Spa at Chileno Bay, The Spa at Esperanza, etc;
Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards, New York City;
Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Spa Alkemia at Zadún and Spa Botánico at Dorado Beach;
Waldorf Astoria Spas: Grand Wailea and Miami;
EDITION Spas: Tampa, West Hollywood, Miami Beach, New York, Abu Dhabi, Bodrum (Turkey) and Sanya (China);
The Little Nell: Aspen, Colorado and New York City;
Hard Rock Hotels: Las Vegas and Athens (Greece);
Proper Hotels: Lake Tahoe and Dallas.