The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village celebrates 10th birthday
After a rollercoaster 17 months, Ribby Hall Village have so much to celebrate. The more than 120-strong SPA Hotel team, all of whom returned from furlough earlier this year are celebrating 10 years since welcoming their first guests.
In August 2011, Ribby Hall Village became home to one of Lancashire’s first SPA destinations with 42 beautifully appointed bedrooms, 14 treatment rooms, one of the UK’s largest aqua thermal journeys, a brasserie, champagne bar, and a state-of-the-art gym. The SPA Hotel has gone from strength to strength earning multiple awards and accolades, such as the best DAY SPA for two consecutive years and maintaining a five-bubble rating since year one from the Good SPA Guide; four-star silver status from the AA, and regional Professional Beauty Award winners to name a few!
In recent months, The SPA Hotel has safety re-opened and is currently enjoying its busiest ever summer season. Historically, the Summer season is one of The Village’s busiest times and this June – August 2021 period for The SPA Hotel specifically, has seen an increase in spa break bookings by 24% on 2019. Forward bookings for the next four months are also currently up by 57% for the same time in 2019.
The SPA Hotel is currently looking to recruit new talent for 11 positions comprising: Spa Therapists, Apprentice Spa Therapists, Orangery Team Members, Apprentice Chef, Commis Chef, and Pastry Chef. Full details can be found at www.ribbyhall.co.uk/careers and Ribby’s HR team would welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone wanting to find out more information.
Since opening The SPA Hotel in 2011 (see infographic below) The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village has continually evolved its offering, reinvesting profits to enhance the customer experience. This has included enhancing its treatment and wellness offering and expanding the choice of both its SPA facilities and food and beverage options – including for example, The Orangery – a two AA rosette dining experience; the Lounge Bar and Zen Bar.
Most recently, The SPA Hotel’s iconic Aqua Thermal Journey was extended (March 2020), just a few days prior to lockdown one, whereby a new Reflexology Walkway, some ultra-soothing infra-red bench seating were amongst the highlights taking it to a new level of customer comfort. Foot Spas were situated within the Zen Garden in their own restful booth with stylish mosaic style tiling. Elsewhere, an outdoor pagoda was added to enhance guests’ experience in all weathers. Heated robe houses have also been added to the Zen Garden to keep guests’ robes warm and toasty whilst they relax in the outdoor hot tubs and saunas.
Over the years, such enhancements, often in line with customer feedback are made during the SPA’s annual, week-long shutdown in early March, when essential maintenance takes place and new facilities are installed to enhance the customer experience.
Andrew Scott, Hotel Manager and Ribby’s longest serving employee, clocking up 27 years, explains “I actually don’t know where the last 10 years have gone! We have all worked tirelessly and are so very proud of the many awards and accolades we have achieved along the way. Despite some periods of uncertainty within hospitality these past 17 months, it’s been wonderful to see our guests return and enjoying their time here. It also feels great to be finalising plans for our Christmas and New Year SPA Break packages – one of our favourite times of the year. Our priority is to ensure all our guests continue to safely enjoy their SPA Break or day SPA visits”
Jane Tregonning – SPA Manager, joined Ribby in 2015 bringing a wealth of luxury hospitality industry experience explains “It’s wonderful that we’re able to celebrate our 10th birthday with our guests. (Ordinarily) We’ve always welcomed day SPA visitors and overnight spa break guests 365 days a year. In addition to the very recent SPA enhancements, this month we have evolved our treatment offering alongside enhancing our wellness options too. We also have several wellness retreats scheduled from November 2021 through to March 2022. More information can be found on our website www.ribbyhall.co.uk/the-spa-hotel/wellness”
Carole Pilling Senior Manager for The SPA Hotel & Accommodation at Ribby says:
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of The SPA Hotel. A huge thank you all our loyal guests and the Ribby teams who provide daily support to ensure that this multi-award-winning operation maintains its five-star service levels; ensuring we are recognised as one of the UK’s best SPA destinations. From generating and converting initial enquiries – to ensuring our guests have the best possible experience – through to wishing our guests a safe and happy onwards journey – so very many Ribby teams work relentlessly behind the scenes and support The SPA Hotel in so many ways. We should all be proud of what we have achieved together. Here’s to the next 10 years!”
