LUX Spring 2018

LUXLIFE MAGAZINE | 21 Spring 2018 “When all the team lives these values, it means that our service delivery is excellent and importantly, consistent. We live a culture of going the extra mile for our guests and ensure that all moments of truth are executed brilliantly, meaning we usually exceed expectations. It is the staff that make the brand extra special and are one of the main reasons cited as to why Escape Haven has over 20% repeat guests each year. Janine tells us a little about the staff, describing how she ensures that everyone within the business is aware of the firm’s vision and values and collectively works together to make every stay exceptional. “Our team are our family with many being with us for many years. We hire based upon our values and carefully select a team that reflect these. It is so important as service and care is such a key part of the guests experience that we need to get right. “We put particular emphasis on training. We also hold quarterly management meetings to provide feedback on the business performance and getting input into our plans, tying this back to our vision, objectives and values. We reward team monthly for delivering on a particular value and going the extra mile, as well as launching each retreat year by taking the management team away somewhere inspirational. As a result, this further helps develop the culture and set the vision - as well as having a lot of fun together! We also have team commitments which are a collection of our top 10 factors that we mutually agree are the foundation for which our team is built upon. We track these each month and employees self-evaluate themselves, which in return really helps bind a strong team culture.” Aside from being named Most Luxurious Women’s Retreat in Bali in LUX’s 2018 Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards, there are many other aspects which differentiate the retreat from others. “Dedicated to providing an excellent service, we have a number of ways in which we deliver this. These include details pre retreat questionnaires that allow us to really understand a guests needs before they arrive. Such things as favourite colour, food, yoga experiences, goals, special events are all evaluated before their itineraries and goody bags, menu and experience is created. This ensures we can customise the experience and go that extra mile when guests arrive, already understanding who they are and what’s important to them. We have dedicated Retreat Leaders that guide and support each guest through their entire week starting with comprehensive itinerary consults at the start of their week. As a business, we are built on continuous feedback, so we ask and are open to feedback as we go and at the end of the week analyse the feedback forms and adjust the sails where necessary. Our collective ambition is that the following week will always be even better than the last. We encourage all staff to put forward their ideas on how we can do this. We also have a ratio of three staff for every guest, ensuring that they receive the very best attention and care. There is a real focus on take home tools and after care, long past the retreat finishing so what is learnt on retreat can be integrated back into their lives back home and that important retreat feeling, sustained. With guest expectations rising, Janine tells us about how tastes are changing and how Escape Haven Bali are keeping up with these new develops in the women’s retreats market. “Now, guests want more choice, rather than a one programme fits all approach, and we have adapted our concept to truly personalise the week, offering a range of experiences and packages. We have employed more staff to ensure that every guest gets a very experienced and dedicated Retreat Leader to customise their week, but also to lead them through their chosen experience. This allows for a much deeper connection and understanding of a guests’ needs and desires, as well as a truly one on one experience.” Escape Haven have also developed a holistic healing centre and offer over 10 different healing modalities for guests to choose from. Healing retreat packages include Ayurvedia, Reiki, Theta healing, Balinese healing, Chakra balancing to name a few. Janine says “Since launch these Bali healing retreat activities have been extremely popular. They offer busy women the time out they deserve to really hit pause and reset their energy levels. It’s so wonderful seeing the impact a week of healing, relaxation and great food has on them and witnessing their beautiful glow as they leave us.” Janine and her team have some more exciting projects in store including the launch of a boutique sister Bali retreat called The Palm Tree House Bali next month. It offers women that prefer smaller groups of no more than five, who prefer the flexibility of dates and having less inclusions, more time and even more service. “Moving forward, we are also going to be running some signature weeks where we partner with leading TEDX speakers from around the world, bringing them to Escape Haven for some inspiring women weeks. There is also an online programme which will bring the retreat experience into women’s homes, making the retreat experience a lot more accessible.” It’s no surprise to us that Escape Haven takes out the top award of all the Bali retreats. It epitomises what Bali is all about - luxury, indulgence, wellness, great food, beautiful luxurious accommodation and lots of heavenly pampering – bliss! Company: Escape Haven Bali Website: www.escapehaven.com Email: [email protected]