HOSPITALITY & SPA SPARCSTUDIO I
nterior design and architectural practice Sparcstudio was estab- lished in 2009 by directors Beverley Bayes, Neil Fairplay and Tom Howell. The designers focus on creating four and fi ve star spas and wellness and hotel facilities, with UK cli- ents including Calcot Manor Spa, Pennyhill Park Spa and Center Parcs Woburn (exclusive spa accommoda- tion and Aqua Sana spa). “It’s not just about aes- thetics, although of course we always look to create something beautiful and unique; it’s all about ensur-
ing it actually works in practice,” says Bayes. “Spas are really tricky
environments to maintain if you don’t detail properly. Paying really close attention to detail is what we’re about and is essential to deliver- ing a great spa experience.” Bayes, Fairplay and
Howell formed the specialist spa and wellness team at Corporate Edge before being acquired by the Irish design studio Douglas Wallace. They launched Sparcstudio after the company went into receivership. “It was the best thing that ever hap- pened to us,” says Bayes.
(Left to right): Neil Fairplay, Tom Howell, Beverley Bayes (Below) The Sparcstudio-designed House Spa
a leisure hotel, so the spa was key,” says Grahame. “Spas create mid- week business, so of course that’s another important commercial driver.” According to Grahame and spa man- ager Zoe Douglas, the spa is already attracting a new – and very spa-savvy – clientele, with people coming to try it and then staying on at the hotel. Spa consultants Neil Howard and
Beverley Casely-Hayford of Howard Spa Consulting were brought in, work- ing alongside Sparcstudio to develop the operational side of the offer. Their role included input into the layouts and facilities to be incorporated, fea- sibility studies and a SWOT analysis and overseeing the training. Howard also introduced the concept of the thermal suite (which was designed and detailed by Sparcstudio) and was responsible for introducing the idea of a spa membership and giving every member 50 personal training sessions a year as part of their package. Several things set the hotel and businesses apart, says Grahame. “Being family owned is one of its USPs – the family live locally and are pas- sionate about their businesses.” The staff are all local, and have been hired for their attitude and interpersonal skills rather than their experience. “We weren’t hung up on fi nding peo- ple with years of experience, we just
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Spa manager Zoe Douglas came from Edinburgh’s Hotel Missoni to launch the House Spa
wanted people with the right attitude. That puts pressure on managers to train people, because you end up with an infl ux of 37 rookies, but it’s our staff’s attitude and openness to doing things differently that sets us apart.” As an example, Grahame tells the
story of a guest who was having din- ner in the Potting Shed restaurant, and remarked to their companion that he wished he wasn’t driving so that they could have another bottle of wine. “A member of staff overheard, bought them the second bottle, and drove them home herself,” says Grahame.
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“They didn’t do it to get noticed – I only found out months later, because the person they’d driven home hap- pened to know the Philip-Sørensen family. It’s just the way they are.” Looking ahead, the next focus is on completing the refurbishment of Foxhill Manor, which opens in late April. The Grade II listed building will offer eight bedrooms, a boardroom, a pri- vate dining room and a media room. Grahame and his team are also look- ing at hosting a range of events on the estate ranging from the Street Luge Championships (they’re in talks with the event organisers) to concerts, wine evenings and literary lunches. For now, Grahame is content to bask in his pride at the newly refurbished hotel. He’s sure that the late Jørgen Philip-Sørensen (known affectionately as JPS) would have approved. “When JPS fi rst bought the hotel, the staff asked him what he wanted it to be. A couple of weeks later he gath- ered the hotel team and said, ‘I’ve got it’. Everyone sat waiting, totally focused on what he was about to say. He stood in front of them and said, ‘I want a hotel that hugs you’. They were all waiting for the next part, but that was it. That’s what he wanted. “It sounds a bit corny, but I think the hotel does that. The values that JPS instilled back then still exist today.” ●
ISSUE 2 2014 © cybertrek 2014
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