Thought Leadership Sonal Uberoi
Wellness is the new luxury European Spa meets Sonal Uberoi to discuss her new book, The Wellness Asset, designed to help hotels and resorts maximise their spa and wellness revenue
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s a respected wellness expert and founder of boutique consultancy Spa Balance, Sonal Uberoi has worked with hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific to help them to tap into the full potential of their wellness offering. Having honed her business and financial acumen while working in London for global investment firm Goldman Sachs, Sonal’s work with major hotels focuses on attracting a more discerning guest and retaining the highest quality team while increasing profitability. Her recently published book, The Wellness Asset, is well timed to help businesses progress following the difficulties of the last 18 months. European Spa asks for her thoughts on how to maximise a wellness offering. 78
What inspired you to write The Wellness Asset?
As we emerge from the pandemic, we have the opportunity to take wellness and hospitality to another level. I wanted to show hoteliers, even the most sceptical ones, that incorporating wellness services in a meaningful and coherent way can yield substantial dividends.
How can wellness services enhance hotels and resorts?
Business and leisure travellers want landmark experiences that feel can transform their overall wellbeing, even if in a simple way. This can be delivered by making wellness an integral part of the hotel’s asset ecosystem. Done well, wellness can really be a game-changer for your investors, your guests and your team members.
What are the ‘harsh truths’ you feel operators must face now?
Firstly, no matter how great your facilities are, the most important piece of the puzzle is you! Also, there is no one treatment or product that will generate the return you want from your wellness offering. Finally, wellness can only be achieved through the wellbeing of your people – you can’t heal your guests with an ‘unwell’ team.
Where should hoteliers focus to successfully leverage wellness?
Innovative and forward-thinking hoteliers should strive for a clearly defined wellness concept, with a unique, proprietary way of delivering wellness in their hotel. Building a solid asset ecosystem is more important than optimising every square metre. Getting the right expertise is also www.europeanspamagazine.com
