“The happiness of our trained technicians is incredibly important to the success of our operation. For incentives, we provide various commission percentages on retail sales items for both providers and our front desk team. We also have a built-in 20% service charge on all services, in which 18% goes directly to the provider, and the remaining 2% is pooled and distributed to our spa attendants based on the number of hours worked. This helps ensure that every role contributing to the guest experience is recognized. In addition to an hourly rate, our providers earn a flat commission per treatment rather than a percentage. Percentage-based pay can be unfair if a guest receives a discount, so this structure allows providers to earn consistently based on the service they deliver, without their pay being impacted by pricing adjustments. On the recognition side, we have adopted an Employee of the Month program to recognize our staff among their fellow peers. Team members are nominated for going above and beyond, and those nominated are invited to a celebratory luncheon.”—Lisa Rease, spa director, Willowbrook Spa at The Lake House on Canandaigua (NY)
“Our team spends each day caring for others, so it’s incredibly important that they feel equally cared for, supported, and valued in return. Spa L’Auberge takes a holistic approach to employee wellness, offering professional, financial, and experiential incentives. Our team enjoys access to spa and wellness amenities, allowing them to experience our offerings firsthand—from treatments to relaxation spaces—so they can authentically connect with and confidently recommend services to our guests. We also provide ongoing education and brand training with our partners, ensuring our providers feel continuously inspired, elevated, and confident in their craft. From a financial perspective, we offer performance-based incentives tied to service upgrades and retail success. We also recognize and reward top retail performers with curated product incentives, giving them the opportunity to experience and take home the very products they are so passionate about sharing with our guests. Additionally, we create meaningful opportunities for team connection and recognition through wellness events, internal celebrations, and seasonal initiatives.”—Sarah Chapman, spa director, Spa L’Auberge at L’Auberge Del Mar (CA)
“To consistently deliver a high-quality guest experience, colleagues need to feel supported, valued, and invested in themselves. At Miraval Resorts, all colleagues are eligible for ‘I AM’ days, which allow them to experience the property as a guest, including participating in classes and enjoying spa services. This is especially impactful for spa colleagues, as it deepens their connection to the guest experience while also supporting their own wellbeing. We are committed to offering ongoing training throughout the year, including modality-based education, brand-specific service training, and opportunities to expand skillsets across wellness disciplines. Miraval also tailors incentives based on market needs, including relocation support for massage therapists in the Berkshires, sign-on and retention bonuses in Arizona, and colleague referral programs across properties. And, because Miraval is part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, our colleagues have access to a well-rounded benefits package that supports their health, financial wellbeing, and long-term growth.”—Jacqueline Berry, director of spa and wellbeing, Miraval Resorts & Spas (multiple locations)
“Retaining talented spa professionals is one of the greatest challenges in our industry—and one of the most important things spa leaders can get right. At Luna Spa, we proudly offer complimentary and discounted services, including a birthday treatment and an evergreen generous discount on all menu services; retail commission for both therapists and front desk staff for retail and product sells; and continued education and training experiences that range from monthly team meetings with hands-on treatment demos, quarterly brand educator seminars, and attendance at industry conferences that keep staff inspired. Other spa programs and benefits include flexible scheduling and protection of work-life balance, an employee wellness program that offers access to fitness memberships and wellness activations, employee referrals and recruitment kickbacks, and employee recognition initiatives per quarter.”—Mimoza Banushi, director of spa and recreation, Luna Spa at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa (AZ)
“Spa teammates are truly on the forefront of caring for our guests because the work they do is centered around transferring positive energy, therapeutic recovery, and wellness expertise, so it is equally important to find ways to reward them through perks that are aligned with their passions and goals. At Spa Estancia, we sponsor continued education with advanced training in new skills and modalities, extend incentive purchasing programs through our retail vendor partners, and offer access to exclusive discounts for loved ones and family members—not just within our spa, but throughout our entire hotel collection. Perhaps my favorite initiative is a property-wide, Estancia-exclusive experience, Wellness Wednesday, which was created with the sole intention of infusing positive moments of wellness into the workweek. This program provides a meaningful opportunity for a team that gives for a living to truly experience hospitality and care for themselves.”— Marissa Edwards, director of wellness, Spa Estancia at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa (CA)
“It is important to offer employee perks and incentives to keep the team engaged and motivated in driving revenue, while also fostering camaraderie among practitioners and spa coordinators. Spa Brezza offers distinctive incentives and benefits designed to support and celebrate our team members. Alongside discounted specialty services and retail offerings, we provide one complimentary service each quarter to the practitioner who has served the highest number of repeat-request guests. Team members also receive a complimentary product from the spa boutique during their birthday month, as well as curated spa team social gatherings featuring wellness-focused prizes, including both products and treatments. At Spa Brezza, we are deeply committed to fostering the growth, development, and overall wellbeing of our employees by providing ongoing education and training across a range of modalities, including product knowledge sessions led by in-house professionals and vendor educators. We also encourage practitioners to trade services with one another, supporting both professional learning and personal self-care.”—Cecilia Meadows, spa manager, Spa Brezza at San Diego Mission Bay Resort
“At Kao Kamasa Spa, we believe that caring for our team is essential to delivering exceptional guest experiences. When our therapists feel supported in their own wellbeing, it naturally reflects in the level of care, presence, and connection they bring to each guest interaction. We offer 50% off spa treatments for employees and their immediate family members, encouraging them to stay connected to our offerings. Our team also benefits from monthly wellness sessions such as yoga and mindfulness, as well as IHG employee perks, including up to 70% off room rates and 50% off food and beverage globally. These initiatives have helped us build a strong, loyal team with very low turnover.”—Stacy Zuniga, spa director, Kao Kamasa Spa at Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa (Honduras Bay Islands)