Spa director Liz Holmes feels Craftsman’s high-end changing facilities and service match the top-flight offering at Rockliffe Hall
In the north-east of England, Rockliffe Hall hotel, spa and golf resort offers a five-star destination embracing wellness programmes, residential memberships and spa days that complement each other perfectly, says spa director Liz Holmes.
“A membership base of 750 ensures a lively class programme and supports excellent facilities, while day visitors drive a separate yet integrated revenue stream,” she explains.
So successful is the spa that revenue is coming in line with that of the 61-bed hotel, which itself won five red stars last year, one of only 10 hotels outside London to achieve the coveted accolade.
Treatments such as the Tibetan Sound Massage, introduced last summer, continue to place Rockliffe Hall at the forefront of spa innovation. “The Tibetan Sound Massage has become our signature treatment and is only available at Rockliffe Hall,” Holmes says. “The 90-minute session uses the vibrational sound from Tibetan bowls in what is a Tibetan medical tradition to remove tension, help relieve stress and ease joint and muscle pain.”
The resort’s stress management and meditation courses are also proving extremely popular, she reports.
Long-standing relationship Craftsman installed male and female changing rooms when Rockliffe Hall opened four years ago after a £65m-plus (US$106m, €78m) investment by entrepreneur and owner Steve Gibson to convert a derelict mansion near Darlington into a top-flight leisure destination incorporating a five-star hotel and spa, an 18-hole golf course and exclusive spa.
The company returned two years ago to upgrade the female changing facilities as demand grew, installing further three-quarter length lockers more suitable for robes and long coats.
Now arguably the largest spa in the region, Rockliffe Hall once again called in Craftsman to prepare for the next stage of expansion as the resort builds on its reputation and experiences yet another period of unprecedented growth. “As we drive forward spa day and treatment revenue, it’s crucial to ensure that the scale of our changing facilities can cope comfortably with our rising popularity,” Holmes stresses.
Working with customers Last autumn, Holmes worked closely with Craftsman to meet a brief to enlarge and adapt the female changing facilities, reconfiguring them to prepare for the expected upsurge in demand as Rockliffe further expands its range of heat experiences. It fitted further lockers, cubicles and bench seating together with a new keyless digital locking system to remove the need for spa and hotel guests to carry a locker key during their visit.
“We were keen to ensure that every guest and member could enjoy equal use of the lockers,” Holmes explains. “Some 80-90 per cent of those using the spa are female and some members, anxious to keep their own locker, took their key home with them overnight. On busy spa days as many as 20 lockers could be out of action for day visitors and hotel guests. Under the digital locking system, lockers open automatically overnight. Holmes adds: “The switch to digital locks ensures we provide a tighter level of security for both members and visitors.”
Holmes also worked closely with Craftsman’s managing director John Gibbs to provide additional holdall lockers in the gym itself for those members who come to work out and then go back home to shower and change but who also wish to stow away over-jackets, keys, phones and iPads while they work out.
“These members can exercise safe in the knowledge that their valuables are secure, in a locker sited alongside the exercise area, adding another level of convenience and reassurance.” Holmes says.
“When I arrived here five years ago, the 20m swimming pool and 11m hydro-pool were just holes in the ground,” Holmes recalls. “The period since Rockliffe Hall opened has proven that spa is no longer just an add-on leisure experience but is a sustainable and thriving business model in its own right.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2014 issue 1
Interview: Paul Scialla
Delos founder talks to Katie Barnes about creating the first set of wellbeing building standards and securing investment from Leonardo DiCaprio
Ask an expert: Detox
Done well, detox presents numerous business opportunities – but what's the best approach to take and what treatments should be avoided?
Business analysis: Spa inclusive
Some resorts are enticing clients with free, daily spa treatments. Neena Dhillon takes a look at the business model
Wellness tourism: Time to shine
Sophie Benge reports on wellness tourism in central and eastern Europe – a market that's ripe for development
Wellness research: Culture king
The Futures Company provides an insightful overview on how different cultures view health and wellbeing
Hotel spa research: Top division
In the hotel sector, spa revenue is growing faster than other revenue streams, according to a new PKF report. Andrea Foster analyses the findings
To discover how to create changing provision that matches the needs and expectations of your members and day visitors, contact John Gibbs: Tel: +44 (0)1480 405396 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cqlockers.co.uk
Rockliffe Hall
Craftsman has worked closely with Rockliffe for more than five years, enlarging and improving changing facilities as the spa has expanded
Craftsman has worked closely with Rockliffe for more than five years, enlarging and improving changing facilities as the spa has expanded
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Spa director Liz Holmes feels Craftsman’s high-end changing facilities and service match the top-flight offering at Rockliffe Hall
In the north-east of England, Rockliffe Hall hotel, spa and golf resort offers a five-star destination embracing wellness programmes, residential memberships and spa days that complement each other perfectly, says spa director Liz Holmes.
“A membership base of 750 ensures a lively class programme and supports excellent facilities, while day visitors drive a separate yet integrated revenue stream,” she explains.
So successful is the spa that revenue is coming in line with that of the 61-bed hotel, which itself won five red stars last year, one of only 10 hotels outside London to achieve the coveted accolade.
Treatments such as the Tibetan Sound Massage, introduced last summer, continue to place Rockliffe Hall at the forefront of spa innovation. “The Tibetan Sound Massage has become our signature treatment and is only available at Rockliffe Hall,” Holmes says. “The 90-minute session uses the vibrational sound from Tibetan bowls in what is a Tibetan medical tradition to remove tension, help relieve stress and ease joint and muscle pain.”
The resort’s stress management and meditation courses are also proving extremely popular, she reports.
Long-standing relationship Craftsman installed male and female changing rooms when Rockliffe Hall opened four years ago after a £65m-plus (US$106m, €78m) investment by entrepreneur and owner Steve Gibson to convert a derelict mansion near Darlington into a top-flight leisure destination incorporating a five-star hotel and spa, an 18-hole golf course and exclusive spa.
The company returned two years ago to upgrade the female changing facilities as demand grew, installing further three-quarter length lockers more suitable for robes and long coats.
Now arguably the largest spa in the region, Rockliffe Hall once again called in Craftsman to prepare for the next stage of expansion as the resort builds on its reputation and experiences yet another period of unprecedented growth. “As we drive forward spa day and treatment revenue, it’s crucial to ensure that the scale of our changing facilities can cope comfortably with our rising popularity,” Holmes stresses.
Working with customers Last autumn, Holmes worked closely with Craftsman to meet a brief to enlarge and adapt the female changing facilities, reconfiguring them to prepare for the expected upsurge in demand as Rockliffe further expands its range of heat experiences. It fitted further lockers, cubicles and bench seating together with a new keyless digital locking system to remove the need for spa and hotel guests to carry a locker key during their visit.
“We were keen to ensure that every guest and member could enjoy equal use of the lockers,” Holmes explains. “Some 80-90 per cent of those using the spa are female and some members, anxious to keep their own locker, took their key home with them overnight. On busy spa days as many as 20 lockers could be out of action for day visitors and hotel guests. Under the digital locking system, lockers open automatically overnight. Holmes adds: “The switch to digital locks ensures we provide a tighter level of security for both members and visitors.”
Holmes also worked closely with Craftsman’s managing director John Gibbs to provide additional holdall lockers in the gym itself for those members who come to work out and then go back home to shower and change but who also wish to stow away over-jackets, keys, phones and iPads while they work out.
“These members can exercise safe in the knowledge that their valuables are secure, in a locker sited alongside the exercise area, adding another level of convenience and reassurance.” Holmes says.
“When I arrived here five years ago, the 20m swimming pool and 11m hydro-pool were just holes in the ground,” Holmes recalls. “The period since Rockliffe Hall opened has proven that spa is no longer just an add-on leisure experience but is a sustainable and thriving business model in its own right.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2014 issue 1
Interview: Paul Scialla
Delos founder talks to Katie Barnes about creating the first set of wellbeing building standards and securing investment from Leonardo DiCaprio
Ask an expert: Detox
Done well, detox presents numerous business opportunities – but what's the best approach to take and what treatments should be avoided?
Business analysis: Spa inclusive
Some resorts are enticing clients with free, daily spa treatments. Neena Dhillon takes a look at the business model
Wellness tourism: Time to shine
Sophie Benge reports on wellness tourism in central and eastern Europe – a market that's ripe for development
Wellness research: Culture king
The Futures Company provides an insightful overview on how different cultures view health and wellbeing
Hotel spa research: Top division
In the hotel sector, spa revenue is growing faster than other revenue streams, according to a new PKF report. Andrea Foster analyses the findings
To discover how to create changing provision that matches the needs and expectations of your members and day visitors, contact John Gibbs: Tel: +44 (0)1480 405396 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cqlockers.co.uk
Rockliffe Hall
Craftsman has worked closely with Rockliffe for more than five years, enlarging and improving changing facilities as the spa has expanded
Craftsman has worked closely with Rockliffe for more than five years, enlarging and improving changing facilities as the spa has expanded
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Polin Waterparks Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin
has since grown into a leading company in
the waterpa [more...]
RMA Ltd RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company
that can design, build and produce from a
greenfield site upw [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
