Mandarin Oriental launches practical spa management training
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced a new six-month spa internship programme and a separate subsequent 18-month spa management programme.
“We started on these programmes last year,” said Andrea Lomas, head of group spa operations for Mandarin Oriental speaking to Spa Opportunities about how the two programmes work and why they were developed. “About twelve years ago, we worked closely with universities – recruiting young graduates to work in our spas. These people stayed for around a year, but then they left. They hoped to become the next CEO in six months without any practical experience.
“Now, we’re taking people on who are studying business management degree courses during their second year placement periods for a duration of six months,” added Lomas. “These students are our spa interns.”
During the spa internship programme, candidates will be trained the basic spa business principles in the role of a spa attendant. Then they will be taught how the spa fitness and wellness areas correspond to the treatment room facilities. The next step involves learning health and safety protocols and about the organisation and set up of the spa.
Interns will then spend three-and-a-half months in the role of spa concierge, working on their product knowledge, treatment listings, treatment service training and taking reservations. After this, the intern helps therapists set up at the back-of-house.
“These interns aren’t therapists but they will attend treatment and product training sessions,” said Lomas.
Once interns have completed their internships – and the rest of their degrees at university – they are welcome to sign up to take the 18-month management trainee programme. During these two years, trainees will spend at least nine months in the role of spa concierge – overseeing therapists, monitoring the inventory and learning about product management.
Then trainees will start to shadow managers on duty, before working in a supervisory role – using a number of online programmes to teach themselves about the responsibilities involved.
In this supervisory position, trainees will work on three projects under the direction of a spa director in the following areas: finance; marketing; retail; or operations.
“For example, projects might include looking at the best selling products or treatments in the spa,” said Lomas. “Or it might be a market research project, or a yield management survey looking at peak treatment times at that property.
“At the end of the 18 months, depending on performance, trainees will become supervisors in a Mandarin Oriental spa – to work towards achieving a management role."
“We’re taking on people who have a lot of understanding of business management with no practical experience and we’re training them up. They have to start at the ground level and understand the process”.
Mandarin Oriental’s group director of spa, Jeremy McCarthy, added: “Running a profitable spa is a complex operation that requires great expertise across a variety of disciplines. The management trainee programme helps us to cultivate the right skill-sets in our people to help them grow successfully into leadership positions within the spas.”
Mandarin Oriental's Jeremy McCarthy makes case for negative employees
Mandarin Oriental to support breast cancer charities through specialised spa treatments
Mandarin Oriental, Dubai scheduled to open in 2017
Exclusive: Jeremy McCarthy outlines wellness principles ahead of Mandarin Oriental expansion
Mandarin Oriental Bodrum opens its 60-hectare waterfront resort
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
