“It’s been an incredible journey visiting Corinthia’s properties, getting to know our spa offerings in depth, and identifying exciting opportunities to elevate our wellness experience. Over the past year, I’ve focused on how we can evolve our spa concepts to create a truly holistic wellness journey—one that touches the guest at every stage of their stay.” This is how Kerry Turpin, Corinthia’s Global Head of Spa & Wellness, enthusiastically responded to my query about her findings after a year in the post..
Kerry Turpin
Kerry joined Corinthia equipped with a rich and varied experience with established firms, including ESPA International, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Marriott International.
She is fully aware of the strategic timing of her joining the rapidly expanding Corinthia brand on a global scale. “I’ve joined Corinthia at an exciting time!” Her commitment to “enhance the guest spa experience, develop new concepts, and broaden its spa and wellness offerings” is equally resolute.
Though often the words ‘spa’ and ‘wellness’ are used interchangeably, spas typically focus on providing therapeutic treatments and relaxation services, such as massages, facials, and body treatments, often in a serene environment. Wellness, on the other hand, encompasses a broader approach to health and well-being, integrating physical, mental, and emotional aspects through activities like fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and holistic therapies. While spas can contribute to wellness, wellness initiatives extend beyond the spa experience to promote overall lifestyle improvements.
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How did Kerry see the role of wellness evolving over the next five years? What innovative trends or concepts she feels will dominate the spa and wellness space in the near future? “When I first entered the industry, spa was synonymous with indulgence. Ample treatment menus, tranquil design rooted in warmth and relaxation, and a focus on pampering defined the guest experience. The term itself—spa, from Latin ‘salus per aquamarine meaning health through water’—signified a luxury amenity that helped hotels command higher room rates.
“But today, the conversation has shifted from spa to wellness. Guests are no longer satisfied with a standalone spa; they seek integrated wellness experiences woven throughout their entire stay. Hotels are increasingly being asked: what wellness offerings do you provide?
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“Wellness has expanded beyond the spa boundary. We now have wellness butlers, well-being-focused suites, curated nutrition menus, and specialised sleep programmes. These are not mere trends; they are becoming standard guest expectations. This is only the beginning. Wellness will keep evolving, impacting every guest interaction and redefining hospitality.”
What current trends in spa and wellness are shaping the industry? “In today’s wellness landscape, guest satisfaction is increasingly centred around the experience rather than just traditional treatments. This evolving mindset marks a significant shift—wellness spaces are expanding in scale and sophistication, with an emphasis on advanced thermal and recovery offerings.
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“Guests are becoming more informed and proactive about their health, longevity, and overall well-being. This has led to a growing demand for high-performance recovery modalities such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and red-light therapy, which are now becoming staples in modern spa environments.
“To remain at the forefront of the industry, it’s essential that spa design and facility planning prioritise holistic, longevity-driven experiences. Recovery hubs are no longer a luxury—they’re a core expectation. How we curate and utilise our spaces to meet these evolving guest needs will define our competitive edge and position in the market moving forward.”
I was curious to know of any innovative wellness practices or treatments Corinthia is implementing. “The Corinthia Wellness concept is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. We’re reimagining the experience with a stronger focus on our guests’ individual needs, creating a more personalised and enriching journey. This renewed concept will empower each guest to shape their own wellness path, all within the serene and luxurious environment of our Corinthia properties.”
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Focusing on individual guests must include a method of measuring success for it to be fruitful. How is this accomplished? “There are various methods. First and foremost is guest experience feedback: Gathering consistent feedback from guests helps to identify areas for improvement, but also provides insights into what guests truly value. Positive feedback can be used to reinforce successful practices, while constructive criticism offers opportunities to fine-tune service delivery.
“Another method is engagement of spa teams, which involves creating wellness programming that excites and motivates the team. A motivated and engaged spa team is crucial for delivering excellent service. When spa staff feel valued and passionate about their work, it naturally translates into a higher quality of guest interaction.
“An additional indicator is revenue and profit. Satisfied guests and engaged teams directly impact revenue and profit. When staff deliver top-notch experiences, customers are more likely to book additional treatments, purchase retail products, and return for future visits.”
What key skills are essential for staff in the wellness industry? “As hotels shift their focus from traditional spa services to a more holistic wellness offering, wellness professionals are increasingly required to expand their knowledge and skillsets beyond the spa environment. Today’s guests are more informed and proactive about their health and well-being, arriving with clear expectations for comprehensive, personalised wellness experiences. To meet and exceed these expectations, wellness professionals must commit to continuous learning and adaptability. At the heart of this evolution lies a genuine care for each guest—ensuring that every service delivered is not only personalised but of the highest quality, creating a truly transformative and memorable stay.”
Training is therefore paramount in such a shift. “ Most certainly! Training and development have always been a personal passion of mine. I’ve been fortunate to work for companies that truly invested in my growth, and I’m proud to now pay that forward by nurturing the development of our spa colleagues.
“Last year, we launched the inaugural Spa Leader Conference—a dedicated week bringing together our spa leaders to explore key industry topics, engage with expert speakers, and participate in hands-on training workshops. It was a tremendous success, fostering collaboration and enhancing leadership capabilities across our teams. We’re excited to continue this as an annual event.
“As we expand our spa portfolio, our training and development programmes will continue to grow in parallel, strengthened by our commitment to excellence and supported by our trusted brand partners.”
An growing profession in an expanding company operating in a very competitive scenario must create several demands and challenges. What are some of the key challenges in the global spa and wellness industry?
“Recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges across the industry. As our guests become more knowledgeable about wellness and increasingly seek out specialist services, we are asking more of our spa colleagues than ever before.
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At Corinthia, we are committed to equipping our spa teams with the tools, training, and support they need—not only to deliver exceptional guest experiences, but also to grow and thrive professionally. By fostering innovation and development, we aim to create an environment where both our colleagues and our services continue to evolve at the highest level.”
Sustainability is increasingly becoming integral to every commercial aspect and activity. How does Corinthia integrate sustainability into its spa and wellness services?
“As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we have been reviewing all operational practices within our spas, focusing on reducing waste, plastic usage, and energy consumption wherever possible.
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“One of our recent initiatives involved a comprehensive review of our spa linen. By selecting lighter-weight towels that maintain our high luxury standards, we have significantly reduced laundry costs through shorter drying times and lower overall water and energy usage.
“This is just one example of the many sustainability-focused projects we are developing, and we look forward to continuing these efforts in the years ahead.”
I found Kerry Turpin’s update very insightful, revealing several significant developments that underscore a growing service Corinthia intends to enhance and excel in. This is another challenge that Corinthia embraces with its inherent determination to succeed.
