Five Minutes with our new Spa Director

We are thrilled to welcome Steve Ewing on board who will be heading up our brand new spa project. Today, we sat down for five minutes to find out more about our new Spa Director.

So, tell us about your new role here at Carden Park and what we can expect at the new spa…

What attracted you to your new role at Carden Park? 

Well I’m not sure if you have noticed but we are building a new 10 million pound spa…. Joking aside it was really when I met the General Manager and the owners of the hotel and understood what their vision was for the new spa. To create one of the best destination spas in the UK will be something very special so I was hooked from that moment and haven’t been disappointed since.  There is already a strong team in place at the hotel and also externally in terms of design and construction so it really is a great role to take.

Tell us about a typical day 

My days are still fairly unstructured but mainly revolve around meetings on everything from spa product houses to the design to food and all things spa. The standout moment in any day however is when I get on the actual site; standing there in my hard hat visualising what we are trying to create and how amazing it will be for future guests is breath taking.

Are there any secrets you can tell us about the new spa?

Not quite at the minute as myself and the rest of the team are still finalising the final details of some key features but you will be the first to know.

What trends are you seeing emerging in the spa environment? 

I think the key thing that has changed is that guests have become more focused on wellness, feeling good and taking time out to actually treat themselves because they need it and deserve it and they shouldn’t feel guilty about it. I also feel that more and more guests are wanting a bespoke individual experience; so many spas now operate like a conveyor belt and I think guests are tired of that sort of approach. So these two concepts are central to my thinking in terms of the work we are doing now to ensure that we deliver these elements both in terms of design and people.

Let’s get personal….

Describe yourself in three words 

Passionate, Hardworking and fun-loving

Do you have a favourite spa treatment? 

I know it’s cliché but it has to be anything with hot stones (especially on a cold day like today)

How did you start working in the spa industry?

Weirdly I never wanted to work in this industry but took a job as a gym instructor after I finished university because I needed to move out of halls and pay rent. Within weeks I was hooked as I loved interacting with guests, members, clients and the type of people who work in this industry and 16 years later I still feel the same and long may it continue. There aren’t many people who actually enjoy what they do but I love what I do so I am very lucky.

If you were stranded on a desert island what would you take as your luxury item?

My record player – I think I could handle being stranded on a desert island if I still had music…

Are you excited for the new spa opening? Find out more about what you can expect to see at the spa and how you can join the team during this exciting time.