Ibis Golf & Country Club allows members to create custom scents with its Aroma Design Bar.
Opening a spa can be a daunting experience—but for Ibis Golf & Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., launching the club’s new spa presented an opportunity to differentiate the facility from others in the area, and to create a memorable experience for members from the get-go.
Prior to the spa’s grand opening last fall, Ibis’ management team met with various skincare and body-care companies to determine which items would work best for its guests. After meeting with Nick James, the owner and botanist of Body Bliss, the team was sold on his Aroma Design Bar, which enables spas to create aromatherapy blends for individual clients.
“He educated us on all of the essential oils and demonstrated how they are mixed on the spot, so they are custom to each recipient,” explains Kimberly DeOrsey, Ibis’ Spa and Wellness Manager. “We knew immediately that this would be a great fit for us here at Ibis.”
After signing on with Body Bliss, the Ibis spa staff underwent special training run by James, learning about the different essential oils and how to create specific mixes. “The therapists take pride that they are now certified ‘alchemistas,’” says DeOrsey.
The club’s Aroma Design Bar debuted during a special launch event last September and was also marketed during additional spa events. At the end-of-year tennis banquet, players received a 3-oz. Body Butter and were invited to return at their convenience to receive a customized blend.
“Our members loved this and also had the opportunity to discuss some of the aromatherapy services we provide at the spa,” DeOrsey says. “It brought some members into the spa who have never visited before.”
The Aroma Design Bar also lends itself to add-on retail sales for the club’s spa. “Members have loved this idea for gift giving,” says DeOrsey. “Because it is a custom blend based on someone’s specific health needs, it is one of the most thoughtful gifts that can be given.” A trained therapist is always on hand to mix sample-sized custom blends for members and guests.
While smaller-sized samples are available, the spa also sells customized body butters and scrubs.
“Having the ability to set up [the Aroma Design Bar] anywhere—treatment room, relaxation area, retail area, poolside, putting green, tennis pro shop, card room patio or meeting room—exceeds any expectations our members and their guests could have,” DeOrsey notes.
Special promotions are now planned throughout the year that will allow Ibis’ spa staff to further educate members on the health benefits of essential oils. “The Aroma Design Bar concept is directly aligned with our intention for wellness, and the possibilities for personalization are endless and exactly what our members are looking for,” says DeOrsey.
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