WTS International

Press contact:
Mary Pilch
[email protected]
+1 301 622 7800, ext 105
WTSInternational.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WTS International wins management contract for Spa Evangeline at The Epicurean Hotel

(Washington DC) May 22 2014: The Epicurean - a ground-breaking gastronomic hotel has opened in Tampa, Florida, US, as a collaboration between Mainsail Lodging & Development and the legendary Bern's Steak House. It's the first new-build property in the US to join the Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, Inc.

Global spa consultancy and contract operator WTS International (WTS) was involved with the creation of the hotel's Spa Evangeline.

WTS began by developing the concept for the new spa and continued its involvement right through to opening. Susie Hammer, vice president of spa operations at WTS, explains: "We worked with the Epicurean on design and then went on to support the opening. This included the development of marketing materials, the menu and other collateral, as well as the hiring and training of staff. Today, we continue our involvement by providing daily management services on an ongoing basis."

WTS organised the layout and interior design of the 2,800sq ft (260sq m) spa space, which provides food-based treatments in keeping with the hotels' epicurean theme.

Alfredo Carvajal, COO of WTS says: "Our team reviewed every aspect of the concept before it was translated into an effective design. All of this was done on the back of a very careful evaluation of the financial and service expectations of our client.

"From there, we brought the final product to life with our pre-opening support and ongoing effective daily management. Our strength as partners is our capacity to find solutions and then to have a dedicated team to ensure they're implemented."

Hammer said "Guests have the opportunity to work with a spa sommelier to create custom products using locally grown mint and cilantro, mixed with fresh fruit and essential oils. This creates a unique spa and culinary experience for guests."

The spa's innovative, interactive Chef-to-Treatment Spa Bar enables guests to pick herbs for use in their treatment from the spa's Living Wall of plants.

Spa Evangeline's product line comes from vinotherapie expert Caudalie, whose products use extracts from grapes harvested from the Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard in Bordeaux, France.

In keeping with this, it has a feature wall covered in over 19,000 wine corks.

The spa also uses products from Farm House Fresh, a Texan food-based skincare company, whose products are 99.5 per cent natural. This range includes liquor-based body polishes such as Butter Rum, Bourbon Bubbler and Watermelon-Basil Vodkatini.

The five treatment room facility has two couples' rooms which feature chromatherapy lighting - one has a double rain shower and the other a double hydrotherapy bath.

The 137-room hotel also features a culinary classroom, rooftop lounge, wine shop, pâtisserie and the Élevage restaurant.

Tom Haines, General Manager of the Epicurean, said: "As we envisioned how best to integrate the spa into our food-focused mission, we needed to source a partner that would fully grasp the concept and take it to another level.

"We couldn't have asked for a better partner than WTS," he continued, "as they brought all the ingredients together to make the perfect recipe for Spa Evangeline."

WTS president Gary Henkin commented: "Being a part of the design, opening and management for Spa Evangeline at the Epicurean continues to be a 'delectable' experience for WTS International.

"The spa and hotel was a groundbreaking project, having incorporated food and wine into every aspect of the guest experience. This allowed our team an opportunity to be creative and develop one of the first fully executed, food-themed spas of this level of complexity. Our aim was nothing less than to capture the passions of those behind the vision that has become the Epicurean Hotel."

ENDS

Press contact:

Mary Pilch
[email protected]
+1 301 622 7800, ext 105
WTSinternational.com

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Editor's notes - photography

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About WTS International:

WTS International is the world's leading consulting and management firm for spas, fitness and leisure facilities. For over 40 years, WTS has provided feasibility studies, design, pre-opening and daily management services for spas and leisure facilities worldwide.

The company's portfolio of clients includes numerous hotels and resorts, residential developments, private clubs and real estate developments. Its approach is unique in the industry - from the development of innovative spa concepts, branding and design to effective facility operations.

WTS maximises revenue and net operating income for clients, while creating a memorable experience for guests, members and/or residents.

Website: www.WTSInternational.com

About Mainsail Lodging & Development:

Mainsail Lodging and Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. It's properties include Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands; Mainsail Beach Inn, a boutique beachfront hotel and marina on Anna Maria Island, Florida; Mainsail Conference & Event Center in Tampa, Florida; Mainsail South, a 328-unit apartment and corporate housing complex in South Tampa; and Mainsail Apartment Homes, a 360-unit apartment community in Tampa's Westshore district.

The company also operates corporate housing throughout the south-east of the USA, exclusively managing the Florida market for Oakwood Worldwide® under both its ExecuStay® and Oakwood® brands, while also operating ExecuStay in Georgia, portions of Alabama, and The Carolinas.

Website: www.mainsailhotels.com

About Bern's Steak House

Internationally known for its vast wine collection, perfectly aged steaks and famous dessert room, Bern's Steak House offers a world-class, incomparable dining experience. When Bern Laxer opened in 1956, he envisioned Bern's as Art in Steaks. Today, son David Laxer and Chef de Cuisine Habteab Hamde continue Bern's tradition of excellence with a gastronomic adventure that includes prime dry-aged steaks cut-to-order, 21 choices of caviar, fresh seafood and vegetables in a setting like none other. Housing the world's largest wine collection at over 500,000 bottles, Bern's offers 7,000 selections to guests.

Website: www.bernssteakhouse.com

WTS International is the world's leading consulting and management firm for spas, fitness and leisure facilities. For over 40 years, WTS has provided feasibility studies, design, pre-opening and daily management services for spas and leisure facilities worldwide. Our portfolio of clients include: numerous hotels and resorts, residential developments, private clubs and real estate developments. Our approach is unique to the industry from the development of innovative spa concepts, branding and design to effective facility operations. Our approach maximizes revenue and net operating income for our clients while creating a memorable spa or leisure experience for guests, members and/or residents. For more information on WTS International please visit www.wtsinternational.com or call us at +1 301-761-5803.

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