We had the chance to speak to Clinton Cox, spa director at OH! Spa at The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences (Richmond, RI), to get the scoop on the beautiful spa. In addition to traditional spa treatments, guests can also opt for medical spa services at the on-site Oceanside Medical.
Tell us a little bit about the spa’s design?
The spa’s design was meticulously thought-out. The goal was to design a spa with modern luxury with the feel of comfort, relaxation, and nature. The spa was designed to appeal to the senses such as aroma, fire, water and nature. As the spa rests in the middle of 3,500 acres of the Preserve Sporting Club, we wanted to ensure we incorporated nature and fit overall outdoor sporting aesthetic. One of the things that makes the spa unique if that the spa is located at Hilltop Lodge, which is up on a hill, and from the outdoor pool veranda gives guest breathtaking views of the 3,500-acre property and parts of Rhode Island. During the design of the spa, it was thought-out to offer hydrotherapy in our co-ed whirlpool area where guests can perform a cycle of hot and cold water experiences within our whirlpools and cold plunge. The outdoor all-season heated infinity pool can be accessed from the co-ed whirl pool area as well. A steam room, sauna, and whirlpool are located in each men’s and women’s locker room and also the couples' suite. This gives guests the option for privacy in the couples' suite if reserved, a space to indulge in wellness together in our co-ed whirlpool area and a more intimate experience in each locker room.
Can you please describe each of the treatment rooms?
OH! Spa has eight treatment rooms. The rooms were designed with lighter-toned colors and really gives you a sense of calm upon walking in. Each room has living plants in the room to boost mood, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants. Three of our treatment rooms have windows and provide natural sunlight which many guest do enjoy. Each of our treatment rooms are named after flowers to continue on with the nature aesthetic. Room names: Gardenia, Orchid, Iris, Lavender, Rose, Peony, Violet, and Tulip.
What makes the spa unique and sets it apart from other spas in the area?
What makes the OH! Spa unique is how amenity-rich the spa is. We offer massage, facials, nail services, hair services, waxing, Reiki, and acupuncture. We also offer injectables such as Botox, microneedle facials, body-contouring services, such as the Emsculpt and IV therapy. We offer full-service food and beverage with a menu curated by celebrity chef David Burke where guests can dine in their robe before of after treatment. We offer mind and body services, such as yoga and guided meditation as well. In our lily pad, we can host events and celebrations within the spa in a private room. We offer a three options of trail mix in our relaxation room along with fruit- and vegetable-infused water and a variety of teas, warm cider, and coffee. The variety of services we offer along with the space and experiences we have all under one roof makes the OH! Spa a one-stop-shop for all wellness and mind body needs and experiences.
How would you describe your typical clientele?
Our typical clientele is the guest looking for high-end luxury white glove service spa and wellness experience that comes with privacy and exclusivity. Our clients come from all over the country. With a helipad on the property here at the Preserve Sporting Club, it makes it accessible for guests to arrive via helicopter. We also have guests who drive in from surrounding states to come and experience the OH! Spa.
How are you marketing the spa to your hotel guests?
We market to hotel guests by providing a spa menu in each room along with the monthly specials in their key packet upon arrival. We also offer in-room massage to guests as an option. Hotel guests have an option to book an activity package when reserving their room, which also gives them the option to choose spa as an activity here at the amenity rich Preserve Sporting Club & Residences during their stay.
How are you marketing the spa to local guests or those not staying at the hotel?
We are marketing the spa to local guests by hosting an open house monthly called “Wine Down Wednesday.” This event is designed for guests to come in the spa and have a tour of the facilities and meet the staff. The guest also is able to indulge in a complimentary glass of wine while snacking on hors d’oeuvres from the Preserve's Double Barrel Steak by David Burke. The guest can also then sign up for a complimentary mini foot massage, skin, or hair consultation or polish change on the nails. This gives guests a mini experience, and at the event guests that book a future appointment would get 10 percent off their booked treatment for the future.
Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of the menu?
The spa menu was designed to fit the outdoor sporting club aesthetic. The goal was to create a menu that fitting to the property that also attracts the spa guest who is looking for more than just a spa service but an overall experience. The spa services are distinctive because they all speak to nature and the amenity-rich property the spa is located on. Some of the services inspired by our location are the Sharpshooter Gentlemen's Facial and the Double Barrel Massage, which includes an upper body shoulder and neck massage. The Forest Grounding Ritual body treatment incorporates a wrap, massage, steam, sauna, and the whirlpool, and The 50 Caliber Package, which is a massage and facial combination, are also available.
Did you take any green initiatives when creating the spa/creating the menu/selecting the spa products?
In creating the spa menu, we did look at some green initiatives. The Mother Earth Mud Wrap is a treatment that has a detoxifying heated mud wrap. Also, the detoxifying mud for the feet can be chosen as an add-on enhancement to any service we offer. The mud used is natural organic mud.
What are most spa-goers looking for when they visit your spa?
When guests visit OH! Spa, they are looking for more than just a massage or facial. Our guests are looking for an experience. This lends a hand to guests making the forest grounding ritual or the Lost range CBD experience two of the more popular experiences, as they both incorporate steam, sauna, and the whirlpool into their treatment. Also, the Earth and Sky package provides guests with a 60-minute facial while getting reflexology on the feet simultaneously.
What treatments are a harder sell? How do you promote them?
The services that are hard to sell are the treatments that are more results-driven versus more calming and relaxing. For example, the Sculpt Zone treatment is a slimming, firming, and toning body treatment. This service provides radical results that firm and tight the abdomen, buttocks, and thigh area. This service, however, has rigorous massage techniques that aren’t relaxing and calming. We suggest doing it in a series of three treatments, which has proven results. We promote this service by speaking to the results you receive and how effective the service. We also recommend doing the sculpt zone in conjunction with the Emsculpt for finest results.
What product lines do you carry at the spa?
At the spa, we carry Phytomer as our skincare line, Lost Range CBD, Knesko, Tara, and OH! Spa Private label products to name a few. Phytomer is fitting for the OH! Spa, as we are all about nature at the Preserve and Phytomer is also passionate about nature and natural ingredients. Phytomer provides a marine-based skincare line, which uses marine ingredients that helps cultivate and reveal your natural beauty. Lost Range CBD was selected, as it also lends a hand to nature. Lost Range’s love for nature and the great outdoors lends a hand to help others find natural remedies that will drive them through their daily endeavors. Knesko is developed by a Reiki Master and company founder, Lejla Cas. The products use precious gemstones and minerals to activate your chakras and rejuvenate skin. It is fitting for The Preserve and fitting for our Reiki massage experience.
What sort of retail offerings do you offer? How did you select your retail items?
We over a variety of retail offerings, such as Wrap up by VP Luxury spa robes, Tara Spa aromatherapy, which allows the guest to bring the spa scents home with them. Phytomer skincare and Knesko collagen masks help with at-home care to continue the experience from the spa at home. We do carry Olaplex and Moroccanoil haircare products. Kashwere is a luxury brand of blankets we see and use on our treatment tables as well. Molton Brown is a brand we also sell in our spa and is selected as the in-room amenity here in the hotel at the Preserve sporting club. We select high-end luxury retail offering that are fitting to the demographic of our guests, products that are quality and deliver results. We highly encourage guests to purchase at homecare after treatments. Our estheticians and massage therapists suggest at homecare for their clients depending on what the client was looking to get out of their spa experience that day.
Are you offering any sort of spa cuisine or healthy dining options?
We offer full-service food and beverage in the spa with a menu curated by world-renowned chef David Burke. A few of the healthy options are smoothies, wraps, and quinoa bowls.
What do you find your biggest challenge to be, and how do you meet that challenge?
My biggest challenge is maintaining the low turnover rate we have at the OH! Spa. Retaining great staff while recruiting and finding the best therapists helps create cohesion and consistency within a team, which lends a hand to better guest service. With inflation and a new industry trend of therapists’ working for themselves and being encouraged to work independently in spa suites that are popping up around big cities it is imperative to provide consistent positive reinforcement to your staff. Being creative with services, staying ahead of industry trends, and keeping the staff engaged and excited about the future is vital and the best way to combat employee turnover.
What plans do you have for the future?
Plans for the future for the OH! Spa is to keep creating "wow" experiences for our members and guests to enjoy and help make The Preserve Club & Residences a destination spa for guests all over the world to enjoy. Plans for a treehouse spa experience is in the works. A wellness weekend this upcoming fall is something exciting to look forward to, along with the first annual OH! Spa run/walk wellness 5K.