new
opening
HEALTH
CLUB SPA
SHOUT IT
OUT
The Chelsea Club’s Escape spa has re-opened following a £2m
The Chelsea Club spa team is liaising
with Chelsea FC to market the
refurbishment. Katie Barnes pays a visit to investigate what’s changed
spa in match-day programmes
A
happy therapist is a sure something to shout about club’s ground fl oor. Although the large
sign of a successful spa “For the first time, Chelsea FC wants to female and male changing rooms – each
operation. I’m visiting the market this place more actively,” says with their own plunge pool, steamroom
spa at the Chelsea Club – a general manager Angelo Lanzilotti, who and sauna – were untouched, the
standalone building tucked behind the came on board last September following indoor pool area was redecorated. The
Chelsea FC grounds in Fulham, London his front-of-house manager role at the refurbished reception area is light and
– and my therapist, Debbie, is not only Chelsea FC-owned Millennium & airy, while the redesigned restaurant
happy, but also kind and professional. Copthorne Hotels over the road. The and bar area – complete with glossy
Having worked at the spa for over two plan, he says, is to raise membership from black surfaces, large comfy sofas and
years, she has witnessed the facility’s the current 780 members to a maximum stripy rugs – serves delicious, low fat,
overhaul which cost almost £2m and of 1,200 to maintain quality and high levels organic food from a menu created by the
was completed in January this year. of service. Each new member will pay a Chelsea FC nutritionist. And, of course,
One of the club’s USPs is its exclusive £450 joining fee, plus £190 a month there’s also the new spa.
feel. “It’s not just about getting bums on thereafter, although the fee is reduced to
seats here,” explains spa manager Lisa £350 for those who pay for a year upfront. the great escape
Butterworth, who previously worked as The facility, which covers 3,716sq m The 46sq m (500sq ft) Escape spa was
the spa manager at the Harbour Club just (40,000sq ft), is set over two fl oors designed by the Syntax Group, a
down the road. “It’s also about providing and has a 400m running track around consultancy behind prestigious spas
enough facilities so people don’t have to the outside. The top fl oor is dedicated such as Chiva-Som in Thailand and One
wait.” Butterworth also makes a point of to fi tness, with a large central area Spa in Edinburgh. For Escape, Syntax
conversing with each new customer. offering Technogym CV and free weight has selected natural materials – cream
It’s this kind of attitude that has equipment, along with a studio for stone floors with pebble verges, dark
attracted celebrity members such as private pilates tuition. A separate space wood walls and glass doors – to create
England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, hosts Vibrogym units, while another an air of sophistication. The facilities
while all of the Chelsea FC players room offers resistance machines and the comprise four treatment rooms, a
and their partners are allowed to use Technogym Kinesis range. There is also relaxation area with infrared sauna and
facilities for free. an assessment room and three studios, a manicure/pedicure area.
It’s a successful model, and yet including one for more energetic classes The footprint is actually smaller
to recoup the money spent on the such as group cycling, and a yoga/ than the previous spa, which housed
refurbishment and to make up for losing meditation room that also houses the seven smaller treatment rooms. “It
two months’ business while this work Kinesis equipment. was all very tired and sadly is wasn’t
was being carried out, the strategy is set This offering has been further being completely utilised,” explains
to change to take the business forward. enhanced by the refurbishment of the Butterworth. Despite having only joined
44 Read Health Club Management online may 2009 © cybertrek 2009
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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