The Spa at Château Élan.

By Louise May

The Australian Wedding Awards celebrate the very best of the wedding industry and its providers, and The Spa at Château Élan recently won the Day Spa category, proudly being recognised for outstanding service and commitment to providing an exceptional spa experience.

Editor Louise May spoke to Spa Manager Emily Higgins about this destination spa.

How do you believe The Spa sets itself apart from other spas in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region?

Our facilities first and foremost draw guests in on their own! We have a beautiful pair of mineral spas that overlook the property where you can order cocktails, wine, and local Hunter Valley cheese to enjoy before or after treatments in our Hydrolounge area.

We also believe our difference is in all the little things. Guests come to The Spa to experience our incredible facilities but to also get a taste of what our 5-star service includes, and so much of that service focuses on the little details that truly make an experience unforgettable.

Can you tell us more about the luxurious and indulgent spa experience that The Spa offers to its clients?

We have our beautiful Hydrolounge overlooking our mountain ranges; perfectly paired with our Infrared Sauna before or after your treatment. We have our brand-new Float Tank, which is so popular and such a unique treatment. The quality of our treatments is exceptional, and we focus on regular training to upskill our therapists to continue to deliver five-star services.

How does The Spa at Château Élan create a tranquil and calming atmosphere for its clients? What elements do you focus on to ensure that guests feel truly pampered and refreshed during their visit?

From the minute our guests enter The Spa, they are greeted with a warm welcome from our friendly reception team and guided through to their own private locker to find their robe and slippers. We have a range of refreshments available to enjoy at no extra cost to our guests during their stay. Our music is soft and tranquil, and our spa is always a comfortable temperature. On special occasions, we love to surprise our guests with an extra treat to help them celebrate.

Winning an award from the Australian Wedding Industry Awards is a significant achievement. How do you think this recognition will impact the future of The Spa?

The recognition from this award confirms that what we are doing is working, that we are the number one Spa in the Hunter Valley! Our guests knowing that we have received this award shows them just how much effort and detail is put into the work we all do here.

As the Spa Manager, what do you believe are the key factors that contribute to the success and reputation of The Spa and how do you and your team ensure that you consistently provide the very best treatments and service to your clients?

For us, before anything, team culture is of the utmost importance. The amazing team of Therapists we have need a supportive workplace so that they can perform at their best. We love seeing our therapists love where they work, enjoy coming to work, taking pride in The Spa and their job, and always letting that passion shine through. Knowing we have a part in their happiness at work means so much to us.

The Australian Wedding Awards focus on businesses operating in regional areas of Australia. How do you think being located in the Hunter Valley contributes to the overall experience of The Spa?

All our Spa guests love visiting the Hunter Valley and enjoying all it has to offer, and we are so lucky to be located in this beautiful part of NSW’s Wine Country. We use local Hunter Valley Wines from the famous Bimbadgen Estate and use local Hunter Valley cheeses on our platter from the beautiful Hunter Belle Cheese Shop.

In the wedding industry, attention to detail and creating memorable experiences are crucial. How do you go above and beyond to cater to the needs and preferences of couples preparing for their special day?

We love treating and spoiling guests who are celebrating a special occasion here at The Spa. From providing a surprise complimentary bottle of wine for the special couple to enjoy in our mineral spas post treatment, to reserving exclusive use of our’ Sante’ room with a beautiful fireplace for our guests to relax in. We always try to plan ahead of time and without our guests knowing, so we can really create lasting memories for such special guests at The Spa.

How do you foster a positive and collaborative work environment ensuring that every staff member is committed to delivering exceptional experiences to clients?

We really value a fun, happy workplace where our team can truly be themselves and feel at home here. We are so lucky to have a large team of amazing staff working here with us and will always go out of our way to make sure their place of work is always somewhere they want to be.

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for The Spa at Château Élan?

We will continue to focus on providing 5 Star service to all our valued Spa guests as we have always done! We have so many exciting things coming up that we are launching here at The Spa and can’t wait to provide new and exciting services.

Be sure to follow our socials for all the exciting updates!

@thespaatchateauelan