'Get All Right' with Patrick Huey of Sandals Resorts
Patrick Huey is Corporate Director of spa, fitness, and tennis operations for Sandals Resorts International (SRI) and is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica. However, with 27 properties in over 7 countries, you will find Patrick moving, shaking and playing tennis allover the Caribbean. Caribbean Spa Association (CSPA), caught up with Patrick off the courts for 5 Tropical minutes.
Each Caribbean island is unique, what makes Jamaica the ‘Get All Right’ island?
Jamaica has majestic mountains, beautiful white sand beaches and some of the calmest, bluest waters in the Caribbean. In addition, Jamaica has a beautiful mix of people and cultures from West Africa, India, China and Europe. So if you want to spend the day hiking in the Blue Mountains, you can. If you want to go snorkeling along a reef or deep sea diving, you can. Or you can taste the amazing foods of the entire world in Jamaica.
You've now been with Sandals for two and half years. What sets Red Lane apart from other island spas?
Red Lane Spa has just launched our own skincare line and reformulated our body care line. We have now created a completely proprietary spa treatment and retail experience based upon the unique ingredients and essences of the locations of our resorts. We also launched our Red Lane Institute so that we are able to train and certify our own therapists and ensure that they are working to international standards of excellence.
Is there something we should look forward to this season from Red Lane Spas?
We have curated two new experiences for Red Lane, which launch in 2016. Our Caribbean Dreams menu which is built around the story of lavender features four treatments designed to help our guests get a good night’s sleep. Using warmed lavender oils and mineral soaks these services are sure to give our guests sweet Caribbean Dreams. We are also launching Caribbean Dusk, which is Red Lane’s After Hours Spa Concept. We offer three beautiful massages - one featuring heated Chinese Jasmine Oil, one featuring a blended Neroli Jasmine massage candle, and the other featuring Egyptian Geranium – to celebrate the beauty and romance of twilight in the Caribbean. These services are performed in the privacy of the guests’ suites and end with champagne and chocolates for the couple.
The Caribbean has its own unique challenges. How do you think potential members could benefit from the Caribbean Spa Association?
I think it is always positive for people to come together to find workable solutions to challenges that exist in all the Caribbean Islands: a properly trained and sustained workforce, distribution challenges, fluctuations in the business demand, finding and/or creating the future leaders of tomorrow.
The Caribbean market is typically very seasonal. Most of our members are gearing up for their busiest time of year now. How do you keep numbers up in the slow and shoulder season?
We do rely on local guests using the spas in peak and non peak seasons. For us, however, we take advantage of the slower months to focus on training of new services and making sure that we are maintaining our treatment protocols and standard operating procedures.
Click here to find out more about Sandals International & Caribbean Spa Association.