The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay has appointed seasoned hospitality leader Monica Donato as Director of Nalu Spa, the resort's newly renovated, 11,000-square-foot wellness haven. In her new role, Monica will oversee operations of Nalu Spa, the fitness center, and all wellness programming offered throughout Turtle Bay.
Vince Smit joins Sensei Porcupine Creek as Director of Wellness, where he will oversee wellbeing and spa programming for the property. He comes to Sensei from his previous role as Director of Spa for The Miami Beach EDITION. Possessing extensive experience in the wellness space and serving on the Marriott Corporate Spa & Retail Advisory Council since 2017, Smit was responsible for driving sales, enhancing guest experiences and he consulted on spa and wellness space development for the Edition brand globally. Before the EDITION, Smit worked at The Standard Spa in Miami and was the Health Club & Pool Department Head at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In his spare time, he co-founded iRetreat, directing international wellness retreats and building the brand through successful marketing and service initiatives.
With nearly 20 years of experience combining her passions of health and hospitality, Michelle Clapperton recently joined Sensei at the corporate level as the Vice President of Wellness Operations. She has worked for illustrious luxury hospitality and wellness companies such as Six Senses, Shangri-La and Four Seasons, where she was formerly the Executive Director of the California Health & Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake. Clapperton holds a Bachelor of Science in nutritional science, is a Registered Dietitian and Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and holds certifications in plant-based nutrition and ayurveda. She also holds a masters degree in hotel management from Cornell University and is currently pursuing her credentials in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is delighted to announce the appointment of Girlie Joseph as the iconic hotel's Director of Spa and Wellness. With a career spanning over 25 years in the hospitality and resort spa realm, Joseph brings with her a remarkable depth of knowledge and expertise, poised to elevate the luxury hotel spa to new heights.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Diamos as the resort's new Spa Director. With 18 years of experience in the luxury hotel and spa industry, Diamos brings an impressive background and wealth of expertise to elevate the resort's current wellness offerings.
Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Jasmine Warren as the new Director of Spa & Wellness. With over 13 years of experience in the luxury spa and wellness industry, Jasmine brings a wealth of expertise, passion, and innovative ideas to her new role.
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait has appointed NI Ketut Candra as director of spa and wellness.
Ana Magno brings almost 20 years of experience and a passion for spa and wellness to her role overseeing Peter Island Resort's stunning 10,000-square-foot oceanside spa. Over the course of her career, Magno spearheaded grand openings and relaunches for a number of top resort spas including the Four Seasons Punta Mita, Rosewood Mayakoba, The Nautilus Resort's Spa in the Maldives, and most recently Rosewood Little Dix Bay's Sense Spa on Virgin Gorda. As the Spa Director for Peter Island Resort, Ana envisions creating an oceanside sanctuary where guests can decompress, rejuvenate and reconnect with a high-touch, luxury service and customized treatments using top-of-the-line spa and beauty products as well as locally sourced ingredients.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Wanalee Samutkhochorn as director of spa. She brings over 20 years of experience in the industry.
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, a premier resort opening this Summer 2024 in Bora Bora, today announced the appointment of Aurélie Chiaffi as Spa Director, overseeing both The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa and The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. With over a decade of experience in hotel spas across French Polynesia, Aurélie Chiaffi brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her new role and will curate an array of treatments inspired by local Polynesian wellness traditions and modalities for the resort's soon-to-open Heavenly Spa Bora Bora.
The Pearl Spa and Wellness UAE Collection appoints Amanda Schmiege as its new Senior Director of Spa. With more than two decades of expertise within the wellness a hospitality industry, and a proven track record of transforming and opening spas a gyms across global luxury destinations, Amanda brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role, leading The Pearl Spa and Wellness UAE Collection into a new era of elevated excellence.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, opening this summer, is proud to introduce its exceptional leadership team, handpicked to deliver an unparalleled guest experience. Set to become the centerpiece of Longboat Key, the resort showcases striking design, seven exceptional dining options, a luxurious destination spa, a meandering waterway, and a unique saltwater lagoon wildlife encounter featuring stingrays, tortoises, tropical fish, and more. Under the guidance of General Manager Winfred van Workum, renowned for his extensive leadership experience, the property's 168 guest rooms, including 26 suites with terraces, will establish itself as the premier destination in the heart of Longboat Key. This marks a historic moment as the largest development on the island in over 50 years, making it the exclusive domestic opening for St. Regis in 2024.
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is delighted to announce the appointment of seasoned hospitality professional, Michelle Lee Marr, as the new spa director at the award-winning SiSpa.
Gina McAlpin is a dedicated health, wellness, and fitness professional with over 12 years of experience as a fitness trainer, marketer and sales specialist. Her multifaceted roles have showcased her versatility and allowed her to contribute significantly to the growth of the businesses she has been involved in. McAlpin's commitment to promoting well-being led her to a fulfilling career in the boutique fitness industry, where she wore various hats, from shaping marketing strategies to enhancing client experiences and driving sales.
Özgür Cengiz has been appointed as the Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director for JOALI brand, luxury hospitality and lifestyle, since 15th February 2024.
Yvette Martinez-Edwards has been promoted to Senior Vice President of field Operations, Luxury & Miraval, reporting to Susan Santiago.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Spa Director for the renowned Joya Spa. With an impressive background in the spa industry, the newly appointed director will be responsible for overseeing the operational function and management of Joya Spa and the resort's retail outlets, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences.
As Spa Director, Carole Primat will be a crucial member of the team and will oversee operations at the resort's Sense Spa, including the development of distinctive programming that is both representative of St. Barts and incorporates new and cutting-edge techniques in wellness. With over 30 years of experience in the wellness space as a business owner and consultant, Carole Primat is a virtuoso in her field. After returning to school at Ecole Francais Morice where she studied cosmetics, coaching and the art of massage, she opened her own urban spa in Aix en Provence. Most recently, Carole served as the Director of Spa and Wellness Concepts at Millésime. Prior to this role, she served as a spa consultant for Kaoma Consulting, where she was tapped by hotel groups throughout the world to aid in the development of their wellness concepts.
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. appointed triple-board certified physician and noted neurologist, Dr. Romie Mushtaq, as the company's first Chief Wellness Officer. Mushtaq, who is widely recognized by the name Dr. Romie, will help establish a wellness-focused foundation for Great Wolf that includes training materials, educational tools and specific programs to assist the company's 10,000 Pack Members achieve their wellness pursuits and a better sense of mindfulness.
Neeley joins the Conrad Orlando team with over 20 years of experience overseeing luxury spas, most recently as Spa Director of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Previous positions include roles at Mansion on Forsyth Park and Bella Vita Medical Spa, and Assistant Spa Director at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Her passion for the spa industry encompasses a broad range of wellness pillars, including self-accountability, nutritional awareness, stress management, physical fitness and environment sensitivity. Seeing people changed from their spa experiences is truly fulfilling and inspiring to Neeley's work, and this holistic view is what informs the diverse, whole-body spa programming at Conrad Spa Orlando.