This year marked our inaugural attendance at Spa Life Ireland, and we were eager to see how it compared to Spa Life UK. Held at the luxurious Farnham Estate Hotel & Spa in County Cavan, just 90 minutes from Dublin, the event provided the perfect backdrop for a deep dive into the latest trends and insights in the spa industry. The hotel’s serene setting, surrounded by lush grounds, perfectly complemented the wellness-centric atmosphere.
With over 100 spa professionals in attendance, the event radiated warmth and the famed Irish hospitality. It was a dynamic and engaging experience, filled with discussions about wellness, innovative spa trends, and practical advice on delivering elevated client experiences.
Key Takeaways:
- Exploring Male Emotional Wellness
Freddie Moross from Myndstream captivated the audience with a discussion on the rising popularity of male retreats, with a mention on the “Nature of Man” Irish retreats. His talk highlighted a growing recognition of men’s emotional wellness needs, an area often underserved in the spa industry. This company has a unique Father & Son retreat designed to heal and strengthen this crucial bond. It’s a thought-provoking initiative that reflects the evolving nature of wellness offerings.
- Longevity and Luxury Hospitality
One of the standout revelations was the announcement of a new hotel brand, The Estate, backed by global hotelier, Sam Nazarian and motivational powerhouse, Tony Robbins. This groundbreaking concept merges luxury hospitality with longevity and preventative medicine, incorporating AI to support personalised health strategies. With a location planned in the UK, it’s a brand to watch for those interested in the fusion of wellness and high-end living.
- Supporting Menopausal Women in the Spa
Menopause coach, Christine Clinton shed light on the unique challenges faced by women during this life stage. She discussed the most common symptoms, such as musculoskeletal changes, hot flashes, and hair loss, emphasising the need for spa protocols that address these issues.
Practical solutions were suggested, including massage adaptations like adjusting temperature and positioning for clients, joint pain relief particularly around the hips, and the use of essential oils for hair health. As Clinton noted, spas need to be more inclusive by creating environments and treatments that support women’s changing bodies, especially given that 1 in 5 women have reported leaving their jobs due to menopause symptoms.
- Catering to Parents and Teens
Another emerging trend discussed was the growing demand for parent and teen spa days and retreats. A retreat specialist shared that this is now her most requested service. It reflects a shift towards family-oriented wellness experiences, recognising the importance of emotional and mental health for all ages.
- Marketing for Success
Marketing expert, Paul Gerrard delivered a compelling session on how to effectively attract and retain customers. His key advice was to always surprise and excite your audience, constantly keeping them engaged. He also emphasised the importance of sharing clear and concise briefs with teams, lateral thinking, and truly knowing your audience rather than assuming they mirror your own preferences.
- Empowering Your Team Champions
Carly Chamberlain and Julie Wren, known as the Soul Sisters, offered valuable insights on team empowerment. Recognising and rewarding team members is key to unlocking their potential. They highlighted that while many spa managers come from a therapist background, incorporating hospitality skills into management is essential for well-rounded leadership.
For example, Lisa Devlin, Spa Manager at Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, shared how her team creates their own rituals, encouraging creativity and ownership. She also underscored the importance of daily staff check-ins and providing an anonymous comments box, fostering open communication and trust.
- Therapist Training
A major theme throughout the event was the critical role of training in the spa industry. From the interview process to ongoing workshops, developing therapists’ skills is seen as a long-term investment. Regular training, allowing time between treatments for therapists to recharge, and tapping into local independent practitioners for their expertise were all recommended strategies.
- The Power of Storytelling in Spa Retail
Retail in spas has evolved from transactional selling to creating emotional connections with clients. Arif Isikgun from Ai Beauty discussed the importance of storytelling in spa retail. According to him, product recommendations should be seen as extensions of care, not just sales. He encouraged therapists to engage clients emotionally, using storytelling to draw connections between products and wellness outcomes.
Isikgun stressed that by incorporating product recommendations into consultations, spas can foster deeper client loyalty and boost both treatment and retail sales. Touch, empathy, and storytelling are essential tools in making clients feel valued and understood, ultimately leading to lasting impressions and long term relationships.
Spa Life Ireland provided us with a fantastic overview of the Irish spa industry, along with new friends plus valuable information and insights that we can now share with our clients to benefit them.
To find out the dates of the Spa Life events taking place in 2025, please click here.