House of Maria Dowling focuses on natural ingredients but says that if spa clients want to implement technology into their treatments, it is at their discretion. House of Maria Dowling focuses on natural ingredients but says that if spa clients want to implement technology into their treatments, it is at their discretion.

SPA trends are a hot topic: new ingredients are being successfully implemented in product lines and technology is driving advanced treatments. Here, suppliers and distributors, along with two top spa managers, discuss how to select the best

Susan Gorman, founder and managing director, Sarum Trading Founded to bring organic and natural luxury spa products to the Middle East, Sarum Trading distributes a range of spa product lines including Neom, Cowshed, Sodashi and Suki. Gorman was previously a spa director with experience in the region, including with The Address Hotels+Resorts.

Tristan Lagarde, international sales manager, Phytomer Phytomer develops skincare products and treatments that are inspired by marine ingredients. It is distributed in the Middle East by Beauty Leaders.

Story continues below
Advertisement

Clare Maskall, marketing director, The Product House The Product House is responsible for bringing some of the most high profile spa product lines to the Middle East, including Aromatherapy Associates, Anne Semonin, Kerstin Florian and Eve Lom. Rodial and Voya are due to be launched soon.

Peter Dowling, managing director, House of Maria Dowling Established in 2001,House of Maria Dowling offers products and services to the spa, hotel, retail and airline industries. The company is an affiliate of Thailand-based Puri Alchemy, developer of the Puri professional range of spa products and the Panpuri branded product house.

Louise Molloy, training and development consultant, Esadore International Esadore International is a specialized management, consulting and design company operating in the spa and fitness segments. This year it launched its own spa concept, Nine Degrees.

Rosalin Lau, spa manager, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC With 18 years of professional experience in the hotel spa business, Rosalin Lau was appointed manager of The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC Spa in May 2012, where she is responsible for overseeing the spa, fitness centre and retail. Previously, she was assistant spa manager for Burj Al Arab.

Hannah Dowd, So Spa manager, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Heading up the first So Spa in the Middle East, which opened in September, is Hannah Dowd, who started her career as a therapist in 2006 in Australia. She became a spa manager after only one year, with subsequent roles managing spas at hotels such as Baros Maldives, Raffles Dubai and The Address Dubai Marina.

Article continues on next page ...