Behind the Scenes: What It’s Really Like Living on Hotel Construction Sites
I’ve Moved into a Lot of Resort Sites Nearing the End of Construction. Here’s How It Always Shifts My Life…
As an on-site and remote luxury spa consultant, I’ve embarked on many unique journeys. My luxury spa consultant experience has taken me and sometimes my team to numerous construction sites, where I’ve had the honour of working closely with new colleagues, consultants, and contractors, transitioning from the resort’s final construction phases to the exciting pre-opening stage.
This process is demanding and rewarding, shaping our professional and personal lives in unexpected ways.
Creating a Close-Knit Team
Collaborating with the HR team to hire the initial staff feels like forming a new family. Together, we create something special, relying on attitudes, mindset, and instinct, alongside skills and ongoing education.
The bonds we form during this intense period are strong, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork that sets a positive tone for the future operations of the spa.
Evaluating Spa and Wellness Therapies
Evaluating massages, facials, and wellness therapies with input from department heads or local friends adds a community feel to our efforts.
We gather feedback to ensure that every treatment offered meets the highest standards of quality and guest satisfaction. This team effort helps us create a spa experience that is both unique and exceptional.
By this point, the spa and wellness menu has been written, treatments curated, and product partners have scheduled or completed intensive spa team trainings.
Developing the menu is an intricate process – both science and art – and it involves understanding the latest trends in wellness, selecting the most suitable products for the specific spa concept and ethos, and creating treatments that will help reach the restoration, rejuvenation, skincare results or whatever goal our future guests are aiming for upon visiting the spa. It’s about blending innovation with relaxation to offer something truly special.
Recruiting ‘Models’ (Testers!) for Spa Treatments
The next fun step is recruiting “models” who are testers for our spa treatments. And not surprisingly, there tends to be no lack of volunteers 😆.
This part of the job is enjoyable and essential, as it allows us to test and refine our treatments based on real feedback.
It’s a crucial step in ensuring that our spa services meet the high standards expected by our guests.
Sourcing the Right Equipment
A critical aspect of the pre-opening phase is fulfilling FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) and OS&E (Operating Supplies and Equipment) charts.
Partnering with the purchasing team to source the right equipment and products from the most suitable and quality suppliers ensures we achieve the perfect fit for our future guests at the right price point.
This involves meticulous planning and coordination to ensure everything arrives on time and fits seamlessly into the overall design.
Design Collaboration
Equally important is working with interior designers and landscape architects. Their work shapes the overall aesthetic and functionality of the hotel, particularly the spa, ensuring a seamless guest experience.
We work together to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional and welcoming. This teamwork is essential in bringing the vision of the resort to life.
Setting Up the Gym
Designing the gym layout for optimal guest experience.
I will share that one of my quietly favourite responsibilities is setting up the gym. Having been a fitness professional for a good part of 23 years, I find joy in creating a space where guests can work out and feel their best.
I thought about this ‘formula’ throughout the over 11,000 hours I spent in air-conditioned gyms or studio spaces which has made for some great collaborative designs over the years.
While adhering to brand standards for spatial requirements, I get to have fun with the layout, imagining the guest journey, and creating an environment where staff can excel seamlessly, both on the guest-facing side and behind the scenes.
The Tasting Menu
To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the luxury spa consultant experience is being commissioned to sample the newly curated food & beverage menu 😋.
Tasting the new Chef’s latest creations – from appetisers to desserts – ensures that we deliver an exceptional dining experience. It’s not just about the flavours; it’s about understanding the guest experience from every angle. This is a delightful part of the job that also plays a crucial role in ensuring guest satisfaction.
The Challenges of On-Site Living
Living on-site, however, is not all glamour. It means constant noise (hello earplugs) and the organised chaos of construction.
Coordinating between multiple teams requires patience and precise planning. Every day presents new challenges, from managing schedules to addressing unexpected issues.
Yet, these challenges are part of what makes the journey so fulfilling. Watching a vision come to life and knowing you contributed to it is immensely satisfying.
Remote Luxury Spa Consultant Experience
Remote work is a significant part of the pre-opening preparations. Before moving on-site, I often work remotely to handle initial planning, virtual meetings, and coordination with various teams.
This phase could include tasks like sourcing unique items, such as spa ceramics from markets like Chatuchak in Bangkok.
Balancing these responsibilities requires excellent time management (I like a good project/client management system) and communication skills to ensure all aspects of the project progress smoothly.
The Reward of “Completion”
Through this process of my luxury spa consultant experience, I’ve deepened my consulting expertise. The bonds formed with our amazing teams and the tangible results of our hard work make every project an incredible adventure that I’m always grateful for.
Completing a project and seeing the resort open its doors to guests is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction, and these feelings are different for each team member. It’s the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and collaboration – like opening the door to a new and exciting chapter.
Gratitude for the Journey
For the pre-opening teams I’ve worked with, you know who you are and I thank you for your hard work 🙏🏽. Your dedication and commitment are what make these projects successful. Every challenge overcome and every milestone reached is a testament to our teamwork and perseverance.
Looking Ahead
As I look ahead to future projects, I’m truly excited about the possibilities and the opportunity to continue creating exceptional spa and wellness experiences. Each project is unique and offers new challenges and rewards. I’m grateful for the chance to do what I love and to share these experiences with you.
For more insights on spa consulting, check out this guide on spa consulting best practices and this article on the latest spa industry trends.
Read more about luxury hotel construction and consulting in this detailed article.
Roxanne de Guzman is a seasoned spa and leisure consultant with extensive experience in the luxury hospitality industry. With over 26 years of expertise, she specialises in collaborating with architects and designers to create concepts and sophisticated wellness environments for high-end hotels, resorts, and residential developments worldwide.
