Q & A with Mirbeau Inn and Spa GM, Chris Pulito

Get to know Chris Pulito, GM of Mirbeau Inn and Spa, skier, rugby player and Boston sports fan.

Chris Pulito

How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?

16 years

What was the path that led you into the spa industry?

I was born and raised in Boston and went to College as a Political Science Major in Vermont. I was a serious Skier looking to compete and get sponsors when I blew my ACL out on an early season training run at Killington, VT.  I was 19 years old, been an athlete my entire life and had never had a serious injury.  I ended up going to home to Boston for surgery and participating in a study to determine how quickly athletes recovery using a specific ACL procedure.  This was the turning point, my surgeon was the Boston Celtics Doctor, my Physical Therapist was the Boston Bruins team Therapist and they inspired me. 

I worked hard, recovered quickly and promptly changed my educational focus to Health and Wellness and my new major was Exercise Science with a concentration in Adult Corporate Fitness.  I immediately started working towards and getting wellness certifications and all began working at wellness centers in Boston in the summer and Luxury Health Spa s in Stowe, VT during the school year.  I graduated and was offered a full time position as a personal trainer and the fitness Director at Topnotch Resort and Spa.  I eventually became the spa Director there and than went on to work for Rock Resorts, the Four Seasons and Stoweflake as a Spa Director before I ended up here at Mirbeau Inn and Spa.  I have opened a new chapter in my career here. I started off as the Spa Director and was fortunate enough to be asked 3 years ago to become the resort Manager and than 2 years ago I was promoted to GM of the entire property. 

I love hospitality and guest service is the area I pride myself in most.  The spa part of the business is still extremely close to my heart and we are a True Destination Resort Spa with only 34 hotel suites and an 18 treatment station spa.  The Spa brings in 40%+ of the resorts total revenue with Rooms and F&B each contributing 30% which makes this the perfect place for a career spa director to take over as GM.

What is your favorite place in the world?

Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, Eastern Caribbean.

If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?

I always wanted to further my education in Exercise Physiology and would love to become a Fitness/Strength and Conditioning Coach for a Professional Sports Team, preferably the Red Sox or Celtics.

What is your motto or concept that you live by?

Really 2, here they are: 

1. Golden Rule, “Always treat others the way you would want them to treat you”

2. Live everyday to the fullest and when it is your time you will have no regrets.

What is your most treasured possession?

Health for both me and my family.

What’s your go-to spa treatment?

Personally I am a Firm Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage person but when referring guests I always look to the indigenous based treatments and in our case it is our Vinotherapy products that honor the Finger Lakes Wine Region we are located in.  The Pinot Noir Body Polish and Massage for 100 minutes is our "can’t miss" for spa goers visiting Mirbeau!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Since I have been a Spa Director developing my staff and supervisors to advance and grow within the spa industry.  I am proud to say that 7 former employees of mine are currently spa Directors around the country and we all still stay in touch and provide advice and a sounding board for each other.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

 I would become a more organized person focused on prioritizing tasks and having a razor sharp focus on a single item until it is 100% finished.  I don’t know if it is possible in this industry and I always have 20 balls in the air, I already learned to be a great juggler, so now I want to get better at pulling out of the air one at a time in order of priority and completely them faster. 
Care to share any details on family life, i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I was married once and it didn’t work out, I have an amazing girlfriend now who makes me smile along with my Dog, Shelby, who I rescued from a shelter and is a ½ Black Lab / ½ Pitbull.

Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.

  1. I still play competitive Rugby at age 37, even after 5 knee surgeries, and our team was New York Champions we will compete for a National Championship in our division on May 21st outside of Washington, DC this spring!
     
  2. My favorite place to be in the summer is not the beach but Fenway Park on a sunny day in the summer watching the Red Sox Win.