Spa Origins Co., Ltd.

Back in April, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) announced the introduction of new Oriental Essence spa therapy.  Is this a sign of the times?  Has a company that has become synonymous with luxury and indulgence changed their spa template of success?   I think rather that change the template MOHG are showing that they are in tune with their customers and can anticipate or react to what their customers are asking for, rather than getting bogged down in hype, bureaucracy or operational red-tape.  All too often a Spa opens with a fixed menu, a fixed marketing plan (if they are lucky), and a fixed product line and that is the model that is followed until the spa closes its doors.  Too few spas are flexible and make changes once they are open.  Yes, you need to set operational standards, but you have to be in tune with the market and be flexible enough that you can react to changes.  If you cannot then you are doomed to slow but certain foreclosure when you could and should be leading a thriving successful business.

Too few spas every review their menus, instead, often just adding the occasional ‘new’ treatment, but oh so rarely do they actually adjust it according to their menu sales analysis, or even bother to ask their customers about the service and standards that they offer.  If a company as large and prestigious as the MOHG can anticipate or react to a changing market, why cannot the rest of the spa industry?  If we were a little more in tune with our customers and a little less in tune with our own egos, you may well find a very different and more sustainable business model.