Pulse May 2017 | Page 22

MEMBER PERSPECTIVES Remède Spa at the St. Regis Aspen Resort: Maintaining Stability in a Tiny Resort Town n the picturesque resort town of Aspen, luxury is never compro- mised. Everyone from celebrities and heiresses to industry tycoons and athletes, have been known to flock to this little resort town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for outdoor adventure and a little R&R. The Remède Spa at the St. Regis Aspen Resort has been consistently voted among the top spas in the world, and is known for its well-appointed personal service and signature touches. But for a spa that must operate year- round, a resort town can present its disadvantages. I Management and Operations Challenges Irisha Steele, spa director at Remède Spa “We face challenges like housing shortages, high cost of living, and two slow seasons that may deter therapists to apply.” — IRISHA STEELE, Spa Director Remède Spa at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, has grown accustomed to working around the resort towns’ woes. She notes, “Our biggest challenge is hiring qualified employees in a remote ski town. We face challenges like housing shortages, high cost of living, and two slow seasons that may deter therapists to apply.” To combat these issues, the resort The Confluence Room at St. Regis Aspen combines the beauty of rushing waterfalls with the calming nature of a flowing river. 20 PULSE ■ May 2017 provides housing to many of its employees. “This is a huge benefit for our employees which takes away the stress of the housing shortage in Aspen.” Steele also notes that they make sure to offer competitive wages to entice therapists to work in Aspen. Because the town is seasonal, Steele pares down the spa’s services during the slow seasons of spring and fall. This can be a deterrent for many applicants, but Steele combats this by finding therapists who are nomadic in nature. “We find therapists who are passionate about traveling,” says Steele. “Ninety percent of my team travels [during slow seasons], but when they come back, they’re refreshed and renewed.” Turning a challenge into an advantage or benefit is a great way to attract the right people to the spa. When hiring, Steele looks for emotional intelligence and a passion for the industry. To meet the high demand of the clientele at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, her team must possess an advanced skillset and the innate desire to provide five-star service. To keep her employees engaged, Steele