Behind the scenes at the opening of a new Willow Stream Spa

Sometimes, getting a new spa ready for our first guests feels like the last minutes before the curtain rises on a Broadway premier. And that’s when everything goes perfectly.

What happens when guests show up unannounced before the spa’s 100% ready? That was precisely the scenario in Monte Carl a few weeks ago.

We scrambled, boy do we scramble. When things calmed down we realized that we really didn’t have to worry. All the careful planning and training kicked and everything worked wonderfully well.

Practice Practice Practice

For five weeks before the opening, Willow Stream therapists prepared for the big day. Many of them had come from Willow Streams all over the world.

They familiarized themselves with their surroundings, made sure the treatment rooms and all the accoutrements were perfect – that everything they needed to help guests find their energy was exactly where it should be. They also took time to learn the local experiences unique to this Mediterranean principality.

The companies that create many of the products we use in spa experiences came to train our therapists in their application. Then the therapists perfected their techniques by practicing on each other and on hotel staff who volunteered to pretend to be guests.

Normally, a top therapist has to practice a treatment at least ten times to perfect it.

Clean and then clean again

Our spa therapists and attendants have a lot to do before an opening. After construction, dust, training, they start finding places to store things, deal with managers changing their minds, make sure the thousands of new towels and sheets are washed, folded and stored, then cope with the big media event the day before the opening.

The chef and sous chefs create unbelievable culinary presentations for media day while the spa attendant team shows up early in the morning to deep clean the spa and then do it all again later in the day so we can open in the morning.

Opening day forgetfulness

Every opening day at every Willow Stream in the world, the same thing happens: for the first few hours, everyone forgets everything they’ve learned, practiced and trained for. At least for the first hour or two. We always have lots of expert support to jump in when this happens and it did happen in Monte Carlo.

And Day One was a bit of a panic from time to time as we were much busier than anticipated, for a very good reason. We try to think of everything when we plan an opening but the one thing we never know for sure is exactly when opening day will be. Naturally, opening day turned out t be the 4th of July which is when the famous Tour de France bicycle race kicks off in Monte Carlo. So, what with all the media events at Willow Stream and half the world’s sports media in town, we had a full hotel, a full spa, impossible transportation and … well, lots going on.

In a spa’s early days, we have only about 50% of our menu available and we phase in the rest phase in over the first few weeks. So, naturally, five guests, three sisters and two of their husbands, all wanted the same signature treatment at the same time.

Day two was a wonderful relief, still busy, but much calmer as everyone’s memory, practice and training kicked in.

This is a picture of everyone scrambling to get ready. Apart from bit of confusion about whether tea was included, all went well.
This is the view of the Tour de France around the famous hairpin turn just below the Willow Stream during our opening. We peeked occasionally because it is such a huge event but our therapists and attendants remained focused on spa. “Tour de France? How interesting.”
Inspired by the Energy and Magic of Monte Carlo

Willow Stream’s newest spa is located inside the Fairmont Monte Carlo in the heart of Monaco. There’s magic here: artists have long treasured the light and colors. International travellers have made this wonderful place a watchword for luxury. Outstanding service and accommodations are standard in Monaco.

And the Willow Stream fits in perfectly as do all 11 Signature Willow Stream spas in hot destinations around the globe from Singapore to Dubai, Montreux, Bermuda, Miami and the Mexican Riviera.

As the finely tuned Formula One cars (or the Tour de France bicyclists) race through the twisting streets of this Mediterranean principality, you’re in the perfect spot.

You’re six floors above the hairpin turn, turn number 6, and you are seated comfortably in a pedicure chair … actually getting a pedicure as you gaze down at the action and the crowds!

In Monaco, the Willow Stream is part of the 45-million-euro refurbishment of the legendary hotel and offers authentic, personalized experiences such as the unique Monaco Power of the Sea and Reflections of Cyan. There is a fully equipped fitness centre and a roof deck with a panoramic view. The ambience incorporates sparkling sea glass throughout to reflect the sea-energy of the Mediterranean.

Drenched in the amazing colors of Monaco and 900 square meters (10,000 square feet) of the amazing natural light, the spa is complete with eight large treatment rooms and a manicure/pedicure nail spa. All dazzle in deep sea greens, aquamarine and cool sapphire and cyan.

Designed by the acclaimed architectural firm, Wilson Associates, this light and airy spa includes two couples-experience suites with double tubs, double steam showers and rain showers as well as an authentic hamman and experiential showers in the men’s lounge area. The ladies’ lounge is the perfect place for friends to gather and socialize over healthy bento box lunches. The spa also has treatment suites where the perfect solo escape allows guests to design their own personalized experience like the Monte Carlo Sea Escape.

Authentic Personalized Spa Experiences

A visit to the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Monte Carlo for a personalized facial and soothing body experience is the ideal way to relax after a day of strolling and shopping Monte-Carlo’s Carré d’Or. You’ll find your energy for the remarkable dining experiences and nightlife, including, perhaps, an evening at the famed casino.

Enjoying the finest energizing spa experiences in Monte Carlo, guests will experience treatments like the 90-minute Monte Carlo Select Facial, an aromatic sensory facial experience with skin-silkening benefits.

The detoxifying Monaco Power of the Sea includes Kerstin Florian International’s thalasso kur and body wrap rich with remineralizing sea algae.

The Princess Rose Retreat is 90-minutes of pure indulgence for the skin and the mind. The experience begins with a gentle dry brush exfoliation to stimulate the skin and improve circulation, followed by a bath infused with chamomile and rose petals. The culmination includes a soothing massage and wrap with Rose Geranium and Rose Flower Oil.

Also new are Willow Stream’s Aromatherapy Massages from Aromatherapy Associates. These made-to-order massages are inspired by the colors of Monaco and can help to:

• Clear the mind: Reflections of Magenta

• Uplift the spirits: Reflections of Midnight Blue

• Induce relaxation and a peaceful night’s sleep: Reflections of Cyan

• Relax muscles: Reflections of Royal Purple

• Breathe more clearly Reflections of Indigo.

Willow Stream Fitness & Pool

The fitness center at the Willow Steam at the Fairmont Monte Carlo features breathtaking views of the Riviera coastline, high tech TechnoGym Excite™ cardiovascular and fitness equipment – designed with personal entertainment stations, I-pod plug-ins and motivational goal-oriented programming. The private studio is ideal for aerobic, stretch and yoga classes that will ignite your energy. Willow Stream also offers expert coaching with personal trainers.

The roof top pool invites you to gaze out on the Mediterranean, the mountains, seemingly endless mansions and yachts and Monte-Carlo’s Belle Époque Opera and Casino. L’Horizon Deck, Restaurant and Champagne Bar include more than 140 pool-side chaise-lounges, plus love bubbles, lounge area and pool bar.

Each Willow Stream spa is dedicated to creating energizing spa experiences. A growing brand of healthy lifestyle spas, Willow Stream inspires living with abundant energy, which in turn makes spa guests feel fantastic. The spa brand has distinguished itself from other hotel and resort spas by personalizing each spa experience and spa visit. More information at www.willowstream.com.

Coming soon: Willow Stream Spas in Beijing, Cairo, Egypt, Zimbali Resort in South Africa, Yancheng Lake in China, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, Hyderabad and Jaipur in India, Vancouver, Kiev, Muscat, and Marrakech.

Find out more about Fairmont Monte Carlo