GREENVILLE, Del. – September 7, 2011 – The Spa Ritual, a day spa in Calgary, Alberta, Canada has achieved SpaExcellenceSM certification for the second year in a row. Last year, The Spa Ritual achieved Level 3 SpaExcellenceSM certification by having a formal, documented quality system in place for everything it does as specified by The International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM2010 from SpaQuality LLC - day-to-day operations, Guest interactions, behind-the-scenes processes, leadership, teamwork, system evaluation and continual improvement. This year’s assessment by SpaQuality LLC verified that The Spa Ritual’s quality system continues to function in accordance with The Standards but found that the system was performing at an even higher level. The Spa Ritual now emphasizes and benefits from continual improvement. As a result, The Spa Ritual is the first spa to obtain Level 4 SpaExcellenceSM certification.
"Our Quality System clearly captures our policies and procedure and defines our expectations for our guests, team members, and suppliers, Says Leanne Skillen, Spa Director for The Spa Ritual. “This system simplifies complex operations into a user friendly step- by-step system. We are on a path of continuous improvement, and this system helps us to be clear on where we are at today and where we are focusing our improvement efforts for the future. For example, all new team members participate in a step-by-step training program unique to their department, and this ensures they have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed and be devoted to our guests with gracious hospitality. This system allows us to be consistent with policies and procedures and, as leaders, be clear with our expectations ensuring our vision, mission, and values are upheld at all times. It is an easy-to-use success tool.
“Reputation continues to be what our business is built on,” Said Kent MacIntyre, one of The Spa Ritual’s owners. “The continuous improvement processes allow us to deliver a quality experience congruent with our vision to our Guests. Satisfied Guests and the referrals they provide is the foundation upon which financial success is built.”
A SpaQuality Certified Assessor conducted the scheduled, “open-book” assessment of The Spa Ritual’s quality system . The assessor sampled procedures, records and system integration and interviewed Team Members. The spa’s processes were assessed in several categories - Intention and Strategy, Leadership, Guest Experience, Operations Support and Improvement – as well as how well they worked together as a quality system. The spa received a detailed feedback report from SpaQuality LLC highlighting things the spa does well and opportunities for improvement based on an analysis of the assessment. The spa can expect an unscheduled Anonymous Guest Assessment to evaluate the spa from a Guest’s perspective before the next annual assessment.
“The Spa Ritual clearly demonstrates their commitment to excellence and improvement,” said Linda Bankoski, co-owner and Managing Director of Education and Assessment for SpaQuality LLC. “As impressive as the public areas are, the behind the scenes attention to detail is even more impressive.” Their Spa Quality System is developed to ensure that Guests experience a tranquil and safe environment and are treated with genuine caring.
Vivienne O’Keeffe, President and CEO of Spa Profits Consulting Inc., a renowned International Spa Development Company, and SpaQuality Certified Consultant since 2005, has continued to guide The Spa Ritual in refining their quality system in order to attain a higher level SpaExcellenceSM certification. “It is a worthwhile investment of time and resources for serious spa operators to have an annual assessment by an independent third party.”
About The Spa Ritual
Opened in 2008, The Spa Ritual is a 7,000 square-foot day spa providing “your path to rejuvenation” through therapies and treatments inspired by ancient practices of health and wellness from Southeast Asia. Unique facilities include:
- The Bali Sanctuary furnished with heated, ergonomically perfect, natural stone chaise loungers,
- The Royal Thai Suite for two with opulent, traditional Thai styling, Bali Moon tub, private changing, lounging and dining facilities, far-infrared sauna and private shower.
- The Lotus Garden Spa Suite, with space for groups of up to eight friends offering a social ‘spa-ing’ experience unique to Calgary ideal for private functions, including bridal events, birthday parties and corporate events,
- The Bamboo and Canna Lily Wet Rooms,
- The Ylang-Ylang and Water Lily Couples’ Rooms, which can be combined to accommodate from four to six friends—allowing them to enjoy side-by-side treatments,
- The Tea Ceremony Room where guests are guided through a traditional Japanese inspired tea ceremony designed to harmonize the mind, refresh the body and stimulate thoughtful contemplation.
- The Spa Boutique offering a carefully selected range of natural and organic wellness items such as The Spa Ritual and USPA face and body products, teas, candles—and an assortment of gift items.
The Spa Ritual also features two locker/changing rooms, a guest lounge, seven single treatment rooms and a Bistro.
The Spa Ritual is a founding member of the Green Spa Network and is committed to environmental protection and sustainability, guided by its Green Program, which strives to minimize the Spa’s operational impact on the environment through resource conservation and best practices.
For more information about The Spa Ritual, please visit: www.thesparitual.com.
About Spa Profits Consulting Inc.
Spa Profits Consulting Inc. is a spa industry-specific consultancy that specializes, since 1994, in creating profitability in commercial spa operations– both existing and new; from concept to opening celebrations and daily spa operations. They have shown their many clients across Canada, the United States and Asia how to grow spa profit margins and manage risk by improving spa systems, enriching spa mission statements and philosophies, nurturing the spa's cultural authenticity, and developing spas as legitimately recognized health and leisure social resources.
For more information about Spa Profits Consulting Inc., please visit: www.spaprofits.com.
About SpaQuality LLC
SpaQuality LLC is an independent observer of the spa industry that created and maintains The International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM, spa industry specific quality system standards; provides quality system education to spa leadership teams; assesses spas’ quality systems; and certifies those spas that comply with The International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM.
Julie Register and Linda Bankoski created SpaQuality LLC in 2003 and released the first edition of The International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM in 2004. It is currently in its fifth edition.
For more information about SpaExcellenceSM certification and The International Standards of SpaExcellenceSM, please contact:
Julie Register
Managing Director, Operations, SpaQuality LLC
Phone: 302-426-0274
Email: Register@SpaQuality.com
Web Site: www.SpaQuality.com
SpaQuality LLC
Providing Spas a Roadmap to Authentic Excellence through Quality System Standards, Education, Assessment and Certification since 2004
