Spa Executive asked Daniel Spencer, Agua Caliente Casinos’ Director of Spa, about what makes his spas special and the unique challenges of running a spa in a casino resort.
The collection of Agua Caliente Casinos is made up of three world-class properties – in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City, California — each offering its own unique experience.
Owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Agua Caliente Casinos properties offer exciting gaming action, a range of attractions, fine dining and shopping, premier entertainment, and top tier service and hospitality. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage has been awarded the Forbes 4-Star rating for its resort hotel and fine dining establishment, and the Forbes 5-Star award for its Sunstone Spa.
The Sunstone Spa in Rancho Mirage and The Spa at Séc-he in Palm Springs offer two distinguished spa experiences in the picturesque Coachella Valley. Both spas exemplify Agua Caliente Casinos’ commitment to providing world-class spa experiences with a blend of luxury, innovation, and wellness.
Daniel Spencer is the Director of Spa for The Spa at Séc-he in Palm Springs and Sunstone Spa in Rancho Mirage. Asked how he came into the spa and wellness world, he says, “From an early age, I was surrounded by a holistic environment where body, mind, and spirit were viewed as connected, setting me on a path that would eventually lead to a career that would promote general wellbeing, health, restorative recovery, and healthy aging from multiple angles.”
Previously Mr. Spencer held positions at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, the Kelly Spa at the Mission Inn, and at Pala Casino Spa.
“The culmination of my career began in 2008 when I joined the Agua Caliente Casinos,” he says. “Sunstone Spa in Rancho Mirage went on to earn the Forbes 4-Star award and then the coveted Forbes 5- Star award, which it continues to hold today. I also had the privilege of being part of the development of The Spa at Séc-he in Palm Springs and am now the Director of Spa for both locations.”
Spa Executive asked Daniel Spencer about what makes his spas special and the unique challenges of running a spa in a casino resort.
Can you talk about your role and what it entails?
My focus is on emphasizing immersion, product development, and wellness accessibility to everyone while enhancing guest experiences with exposure to lesser-known therapies. I prioritize the training of our teams to deliver exceptional service and integrate wellness education into spa amenities and services. My overall goal is to challenge traditional spa norms by promoting inclusivity and accessibility through an amenity-based approach. By doing so, I aim to drive revenue growth and bolster the reputation of our spas while initiating positive change in the spa industry.
What are some unique challenges of running a spa in a casino resort compared to other environments?
Casinos operate under gaming regulations which can differ significantly from standard hospitality regulations. This includes additional procedures and compliance measures that must be adhered to, adding complexity to operations that impacts hiring, promotions, and communications.
Navigating these opportunities requires strategic planning, effective communication between spa and casino management, and a proactive approach to meeting both regulatory requirements and guest expectations. The successful integration of both spas and casino resorts has offered unique opportunities for cross-promotion and enhanced guest experiences.
What strategies do you use to attract casino guests to the spa?
There are different ways to attract casino guests to the spas, like working in conjunction with casino events, holidays, or special promotions to offer themed spa packages or discounts. Creating seasonal promotions that align with casino activities generates interest and increases spa bookings during peak times. This also includes offering spa packages as rewards or incentives for loyal players, utilizing casino points or credits towards spa services, and promoting spa visits as part of membership perks. By implementing these strategies, casino spas turn the guests’ casino visit into a holistic experience that includes relaxation, wellness, and pampering.
What steps do you take to ensure guests can fully relax and unwind despite the surrounding activities?
To ensure guests can fully relax and unwind, several thoughtful steps are taken at Sunstone Spa and at The Spa at Séc-he. Controlled environment and immersive sensory experiences enhance relaxation and help shift the guest’s mind away from distractions. This includes soothing music and calming aromas, quiet zones, and elements of the outdoors inside the spa space such as natural light and materials, waterfalls and water elements, and the curved shapes of interior walls. Outdoor amenities, set against a backdrop of the surrounding mountains, promote a sense of calmness and tranquility.
What unique services or amenities do you offer to enhance the guest experience and ensure repeat visits?
The highlight of The Spa at Séc-he is its 22 private mineral soaking tubs. The water of the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring bubbles up from a depth of 8,000 feet, emerging at a perfect 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 25 gallons per minute.
Guests at The Spa at Séc-he can also indulge in hours of accessible technology and non-technology amenity-based wellness activities. This circuit-style approach allows guests to customize their wellness journey, moving through different therapies and experiences tailored to their needs and preferences. Treatment rooms are equipped and layered for a multitude of benefits that add value to the treatments themselves.
Sunstone Spa stands out with its innovative conductive grounding flooring throughout the spa, reducing electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) and promoting a sense of wellbeing. From heated gemstone treatments to aromatherapy showers and chromatic light therapy tables, guests of Sunstone Spa have ample choices to tailor their spa visits to meet their specific needs.
The unique services and amenities at The Spa at Séc-he and Sunstone Spa create memorable experiences that contribute to guest satisfaction and loyalty and encourage guests to return.
How do you utilize technology to enhance spa operations and guest experiences in a casino resort?
In a casino resort setting, leveraging technology effectively can significantly enhance spa operations and elevate guest experiences.
Sound and Vibration Therapy: By using Gharieni Satori and LEC Mindsync technology, the sound in our Acoustic Lounge is integrated with vibration into the loungers, creating a calming atmosphere that helps guests transition into a state of mindfulness and self-awareness before their treatments begin. Our vibration grounding room equipped with EMF earthing loungers allows guests to be completely blanketed with grounding.
Treatment Room Equipment: Technology on the treatment table changes the entire traditional spa experience. At both of our spas, we layer the vibrational massage tables with gemstone chromatic light with infrared heated pads and a grounding EMF material. Facial tables are vibrational sound water beds that transport the guest away from the noises that usually take place during a facial while crushed quartz-lined treatment tables for wraps and scrubs expose guests to unique sensations, all adding to the unique products and services provided.
Halotherapy and Aromatherapy: Halotherapy (salt therapy) is known for its ability to clear respiratory passages and enhance breath work to promote relaxation. Advanced aromatherapy systems and ventilation enhance experiences such as sauna and steam. These technologies can effectively decompress tension and refresh guests.
Visual and Light Therapies: Integrating visual technologies that include relaxing colors and soothing images further enhance the spa experience. For instance, chromatic light therapy or red-light therapy are used to stimulate healing and relaxation responses in the body, aiding in the overall rejuvenation process. Images of nature, sounds of birds, and diffused aromas reduce cortisol levels. This has been very successful in our Tranquility Garden at The Spa at Séc-he, where waterfalls flow, bird songs play, and the aroma of redwood wafts into the relaxation zone prior to service.
Behind the scenes, technology streamlines spa operations, from booking appointments online or via mobile apps to managing inventory and staff schedules. This efficiency ensures smooth operations and enhances guest satisfaction by minimizing wait times and maximizing staff availability for personalized service.
By integrating these technological advancements into spa operations at a casino resort, spa management can create a holistic and rejuvenating experience for guests.
What are you excited about?
The wellness industry! It’s truly exciting to witness its evolution over the years, especially as we move into an era where this knowledge is becoming more accessible and widely embraced.
There’s a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit in achieving overall wellness. This holistic approach is gaining momentum, encouraging practices that promote not just physical health, but also mental clarity and emotional balance. This recognition is fostering innovation and investment in wellness-focused initiatives across various sectors, including spas, fitness, nutrition, and mental health.
The convergence of accessible information, holistic approaches, preventive health strategies, industry growth, and cultural acceptance propels the health and wellness field forward. It’s exciting to see how these advancements can positively impact individuals and communities worldwide, promoting longevity, vitality, and wellbeing for generations to come.