SERENITAS IS A DESTINATION FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS
Serenitas Medical Spa Sanctuary Review Demonstrating Environmental and Client Sensitivity in Costa Rica
COSTA RICA, HERE WE COME! FOR MEDICAL SPA TOURISM
D
estination health and wellness. Costa Rica, here we come! When people think of Costa Rica, what may come to mind are buzz words like 'eco tourism' and visions of mist filled mountains, volcanoes and long stretches of beach, rather than a spa haven. Of course, all of the above are true. What many may not know is that both boutique style and large chain spa developers have found their way to this biologically diverse country, comprising part of the Central America isthmus. Medical spa tourism has also found its niche there, offering realistic alternatives for high priced U.S surgeries and cosmetic procedures, along with blending beautiful natural surroundings with pampering post surgery care.
B y L I Z G A L L O WAY
One of those pampering getaways, is Serenitas Medical Spa Sanctuary, meaning Little Serenity Sanctuary, in Spanish. This is a medium size medical spa in the country side, just outside the central valley of Costa Rica and the capital city of San Jose. Boasting a climate that has been called one of the most consistently 'perfect' in the world, the mountain areas of Costa Rica have a cool, comfortable temperature that ranges from 15 to 30 celcius. Making is comfortable all year round. The area is a great place to initiate therapeutic lifestyle change, and indulge in socially conscious options. That said, for years I have been on the development end of spas and have had the fortune of working with very creative people and inventive spa concepts. I came across Serenitas, when connecting with people in the local community and was able to reviewing their cosmecuetical line, MASC, which is used as a driver for effective skin treatments and distribution to other key outlets in the country. Aside from my spa work, I was interested in researching their environmental management outlook for the spa and positive thinking on implementing these factors into clients future spa experience. There is a holistic view that drives their current spa concept and a strong focus on attending to client specialities of medical spa travel. Serenita's medical spa is ready for expansion. In addition to their current blend of natural surroundings and treatments, including the IPL laser, botox, and glycolic peels. Customized packages add another level to the menu. The spa plans to include 10 more private luxury villas, to it's existing accommodations for five. The new development will be supported by self sustaining water and solar systems. The villas will provide the groundwork for the growth they are experiencing and also the advancing medical spa travel requests. Serenitas has aligned with a team of Costa Rican and American plastic surgeons to market a smooth transition from compulsory or elective surgeries to healthy holistic recovery. More often we find that spa professionals, spa clients, and motivated individuals are now less willing to accept substitutes for their bodies. People look for service and comfort for both spa destinations and post surgical recovery. There is a desire for preventative care and a want to connect the mind to the physical body in a whole new way. Serenitas mission portray's that complete view.
MEDICAL TOURISM FOUND IT’S NICHE IN COSTA RICA
Professional and Certified Staff
BLENDING NATURAL SURROUNDINGS WITH PAMPERING POST SURGERY CARE CONSCIOUS DRIVEN ACTION While you won't have a complete diagnostic review of your bodily systems included, as in some other medical spas, you will be encouraged to take part in the on site health education that combines nutrition, cooking lessons, personal training, and restoration. You can enjoy lifestyle programs that are pre designed for seven days or three to six weeks. Some of the biggest benefits to taking advantage of these programs are to clean the digestive system, comfort your body and mind, or have that little shot of cosmetic injectable, body peel, or permanent hair removal that you never had time to do. There is even opportunity to receive early cancer screenings and recommendations from a dermatologist, to include in your vault of information for healthy living and a healthy future. The professional and certified staff have developed intensive on site weight loss programs. These are customized to the individual, including blood work, and little time off for cheating. Everything they offer is done for less than you think, and financing is available for the spas long term programs and luxury villas.
The professional and
If your looking to have a more involved procedure, Serenitas and their team can arrange that also. Since Costa Rican surgeons and doctors are required to be certified by an international medical board, you can feel confident in the choice of doctor's and the facilities. You can also enjoy the benefits, such as receiving medical procedures that are half to one tenth the cost of U.S. Medical care. This is one place the exchange rate is still pretty favorable to the Dollar. Allowing the luxury of a more extended and stress free experience for both body and mind.
developed intensive on
With the boost in medical tourism, the ecologically driven and natural offerings of Costa Rica have become a valuable resource and favorable retreat spot.
certified staff have
site weight loss
programs. These are
customized to the
GETTING INVOLVED individual, including Costa Rica strives to be at the forefront of environmental modernism. With numerous biological reserves, national parks, and conservation projects, driven from both nationals and foreigners, blood work, and little it's clear that they are serious about their country's carbon footprint. The Costa Rican government has set enthusiastic goals to reduce carbon emitting products by 70-90% as of 2013. Serenitas has it's own plans for conservation. The new villa expansion will have it's own water treatment technology, that takes the used water, and re-uses it for landscaping, and creating lush gardens. The new villa design will include solar power that will heat the pool, the villa water, and restore the generators for electricity. The property will also boast the use of wind power, with on site turbines to generate more of what is needed for the facility. With the agressive goals set by this country's President, and Serenitas' own desire to create a sustainable rejuvenation sanctuary, the push for green living is not going away any time soon. That I am happy for.
time off for cheating.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR CURRENT BLEND OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS & TREATMENTS
SUSTAINABLE GRATITUDE Serenitas owners, Luis and Eliette Sandoval, want to be your choice of post surgery escape, and destination relaxation. They understand the spa's success revolves around the clients experience. Luis, a certified physicians assistant, also educated in healthcare management, and medical environmental audiometry, studied in Guatemala, Los Angeles and Oregon. His wife, Eliette Sandoval, is the spa's co founder and a licensed cosmotologist. Together they have over 40 years of expereince in the spa, health, and beauty industries. Luis found his way to Costa Rica, via Guatemala, and California. This former partner of a successful cosmetic surgery center in Los Angeles, is an idea driven, and enthusiastic supporter of the environment and his clients needs. “We've created a concept that will not pull from the environment, but utilize our own independent solar and water power for the spa, and it's supporting lifestyle villas.” says Sandoval when talking about his plans for the future. “There is a lot we can give back to the community. And we were the first to start a facility of this quality in the area.” Sandoval continues. When opening the spa ten years ago, they knew they would be faced with some challenges, and possible resource shortages for what they needed. Since it was where his wife and partner, Elliette, was born, they decided it would be worth it. Ten years later, they've created a dedicated local following of high profile people and community leaders, along with key strategic partnerships to provide spa retreats to visitors from all over the globe. They continue to work closely with the local municipality to push for new laws in the spa industry, and are the only business in their province of Guachipelín; Escazú , to be recognized for economic development and high standards. Eliette Sandoval shares her view. “Our biggest challenge over the years has been educating our clients on the importance of sustainable self care. Every time we bring in new technology, and services, we also have to educate people.” A view shared by many spa owners. Serenitas is a growing spa that maintain's every therapist and attending technician's licensing for high standards to be able to provide that education. “We had people who told us this type of spa would never work in this area, or in Costa Rica. Happily we are still here and thriving.” Eliette Sandoval says of their current position.
THE IPL LASER, BOTOX, GLYCOLIC PEELS ADD ANOTHER LEVEL TO THE MENU
STAYING SHARP - EDUCATIONAL RETREATS Serenitas is positioned to provide several upcoming 'Education – Vacation' workshops and Designed to engage both transformation retreats hosted by outside companies like Lotus Effects and Spa College International. This approach to align with experts from the wellness, fitness, business, and spa spa professionals and the industries, will provide clients with additional benefits and well deserved support and education. With the spa's strong client base, much of it build by referrals, many have already expressed the need for seminars and retreats. These are all inclusive getaway's focused on wellness, and set up with break out sessions on several topics. Designed to engage both spa professionals and the general public in personal and professional development. Attendees can reward themselves with education and relaxation, and even catch some Vitamin D on the beach at a sister spa, after their Serenitas' retreat.
general public in personal
To kick off this educational focus, Serenitas was one of the sponsors for a unique class on destination spas, at the Day Spa Expo earlier this year. The class finale was a drawing for a week long getaway, including all spa treatments, lodging, and spa cuisine. It was a generous offer with a $5,000.00 price value, and by the response of the attendees, and the winner, worth much more.
can reward themselves
and professional
development. Attendees
with education and
relaxation, and even catch
DEEPENING THE TRANSFORMATION some Vitamin D on the When meditating on the potential of humanity and ever evolving spas, I am energized with the passion to continually integrate places of health and vitality in my life. These allow us, as individuals the capacity to create and learn. With this we eventually reach our “Little Serenity” as beach at a sister spa, after Serenitas states in it's literal translation. That serenity can come from an educational retreat, a spa treatment, exceptional service, or a customized program. Your ability to have whatever you want in life is within your reach, it's a conscious decision, you just need to reach out and grab it. Whether your looking for a complete transformation or a short journey, the natural blend of the spa's mission, sustainable focus, effective treatments and even the occasional monkey, will provide you with total support to reach your goal. So start living!
their Serenitas' retreat.
When meditating on the potential of humanity and ever evolving spas, I am energized with the passion to continually integrate places of health and vitality in my life. These allow us, as individuals the capacity to create and learn. With this we eventually reach our “Little Serenity” as Serenitas states in it's literal translation.
Liz Galloway, is a spa industry trainer, speaker, author and mentor who's interest in the expansion and development of foreign spas and global standards lead her to found Lotus Effects and Spa College International. She also spearheads humanitarian projects for global wellness working with the indigenous people of Costa Rica. You can contact her at liz@thelotuseffects.com or www.thelotuseffects.com For more information on getaway's to Serenitas Medical Spa Sanctuary, treatments and creating your destination escape, visit them at www.mascskincare.com. Or call 011 506-215-1646 For more information, pricing and unique opportunities for the spa villas contact www.spaimageconsultant.com
COPYRIGHTS • JUNE 2008