Duchesneau says wellness has an essential role to play in the COVID-19 era
At a time when frontline medical staff are under unimaginable stress, a former monastery in Québec, Canada boasts a cultural wellness retreat and spa which is offering them much-needed time out.
“Le Monastère des Augustines opened to the public five years ago and is driven by a social purpose to give back by offering respite to caregivers and healthcare professionals,” explains executive director Isabelle Duchesneau.
Le Monastère occupies the former Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery (1695-1755), one of North America’s first hospitals, and was founded by Augustinian sisters who devoted their lives to helping others. It features a five-treatment-room spa, which Duchesneau describes as a complete haven, where visitors are offered a plethora of massages, facials, holistic health consultations, daily mindful activities and private meditation and movement sessions.
In 2019, more than 100 healthcare workers and 275 health science students participated in various wellbeing activities and retreats at Le Monastère, while over 200 caregivers took advantage of a discounted stay that offered respite and fostered relaxation.
During June and July 2020, the Augustinian sisters – whose average age is over 80 – raised CA$140,000 (US$106,540, €90,126, £81,404) in public donations after hosting a 20-day compassion walk dedicated to helping fund more healthcare workers’ visits.
“The work accomplished by medical workers during this pandemic is unprecedented, so the sisters felt it was their duty to perpetuate these gestures of mutual aid,” says Duchesneau.
The money raised has enabled Le Monastère to create a discounted Solidarity Package costing CA$99 per person per night (US$75, €64, £58), with an actual value of CA$250 (US$190, €161, £145), to welcome more caregivers and healthcare workers.
Le Monastère, which is a member of Healing Hotels of the World, also offers one-day workshops and personalised two- to seven-day retreats focusing on a host of topics ranging from resilience, femininity and meditation, to mindfulness and compassion.
“We’re dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing personalised guidance, tools and advice to help our guests achieve balance with the four pillars of holistic health – the body, mind, emotions and spirituality,” says Duchesneau.
In her opinion, wellness has an essential role to play in the COVID-19 era: “because mental wellness and physical wellness are key to maintaining our health especially in times of great stress”.
She adds: “Being able to serve caretakers who care for others is critically important and wellness destinations, like Le Monastère, have a responsibility to educate and share what we know to help as many people as possible find their path to healing and wellbeing."
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
Duchesneau says wellness has an essential role to play in the COVID-19 era
At a time when frontline medical staff are under unimaginable stress, a former monastery in Québec, Canada boasts a cultural wellness retreat and spa which is offering them much-needed time out.
“Le Monastère des Augustines opened to the public five years ago and is driven by a social purpose to give back by offering respite to caregivers and healthcare professionals,” explains executive director Isabelle Duchesneau.
Le Monastère occupies the former Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery (1695-1755), one of North America’s first hospitals, and was founded by Augustinian sisters who devoted their lives to helping others. It features a five-treatment-room spa, which Duchesneau describes as a complete haven, where visitors are offered a plethora of massages, facials, holistic health consultations, daily mindful activities and private meditation and movement sessions.
In 2019, more than 100 healthcare workers and 275 health science students participated in various wellbeing activities and retreats at Le Monastère, while over 200 caregivers took advantage of a discounted stay that offered respite and fostered relaxation.
During June and July 2020, the Augustinian sisters – whose average age is over 80 – raised CA$140,000 (US$106,540, €90,126, £81,404) in public donations after hosting a 20-day compassion walk dedicated to helping fund more healthcare workers’ visits.
“The work accomplished by medical workers during this pandemic is unprecedented, so the sisters felt it was their duty to perpetuate these gestures of mutual aid,” says Duchesneau.
The money raised has enabled Le Monastère to create a discounted Solidarity Package costing CA$99 per person per night (US$75, €64, £58), with an actual value of CA$250 (US$190, €161, £145), to welcome more caregivers and healthcare workers.
Le Monastère, which is a member of Healing Hotels of the World, also offers one-day workshops and personalised two- to seven-day retreats focusing on a host of topics ranging from resilience, femininity and meditation, to mindfulness and compassion.
“We’re dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing personalised guidance, tools and advice to help our guests achieve balance with the four pillars of holistic health – the body, mind, emotions and spirituality,” says Duchesneau.
In her opinion, wellness has an essential role to play in the COVID-19 era: “because mental wellness and physical wellness are key to maintaining our health especially in times of great stress”.
She adds: “Being able to serve caretakers who care for others is critically important and wellness destinations, like Le Monastère, have a responsibility to educate and share what we know to help as many people as possible find their path to healing and wellbeing."
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
Jessica Anhold, Voya’s head of global sales and marketing, talks community in a time of crisis and how the company is supporting its spa partners
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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.
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