Interview with Belinda Shepherd, Spa Director at Four Seasons Bali

Interview by Evelyn Chen, a Spa Site Guest Writer based in Singapore. Photos by Alex Ang.

Belinda Shepherd, Spa Director at Four Seasons Bali Click HERE to read about Evelyn Chen's experience at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Click HERE to  read about Evelyn Chen's experience at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran  Contact Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan    • Address:  Sayan - Ubud, Gianyar, Bali , 80571 Indonesia    • Phone: 62 (361) 977 577 • Fax: 62 (361) 977 588 • Website • E-mail Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran  • Address:  • Address:  Jimbaran, Denpasar, Bali, 80361 Indonesia • Phone: 62 (361) 701010 • Fax: 62 (361) 701020 • Website  • E-mail Evelyn Chen Email: evelyn@leaf-pebble.com   Other Articles by Evelyn Chen • The Waroeng Djamoe Spa at The Hotel Tugu, Bali • Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan • Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran • Amrita Spa, Raffles City Singapore • Asian Spa at The Fullerton Hotel • St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa, Singapore • Mandara Spa, Magellan Sutera Harbour in Sabah, Malaysia  Related Resources • Spas in Asia The Tropical Spa : Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty & Relaxation by Sophie Benge

Behind every successful spa is a spa director who is driven and passionate about understanding and exceeding guest expectations. Belinda Shepherd was appointed to position of Spa Director at Four Seasons Bali back in 1997. Under her guidance, Four Seasons Bali continues to “raise the bar” on spa experience for guests. Both the Jimbaran and Sayan spas have developed exclusive but diverse ritualistic experiences showcasing the heritage of each location, with Sayan opening its new spa villa concept in April 2002.

I had the opportunity to meet with Belinda Shepherd while experiencing the nurturing treatments of the spas at Four Seasons Bali. Below is an excerpt of my interview with her.

Evelyn: Does the Four Seasons have a unified spa identity among its various properties worldwide?

Belinda: Four Seasons have a worldwide mission: to provide a calming yet rejuvenating experience for our guests, offering the comfort of known treatments from around the world as well as local indigenous practices in a comforting and luxurious setting.

Evelyn: What is the mission of the Four Seasons spas in Asia?

Belinda: The mission is to absorb the location into the spa facility in all aspects. Whether it is décor or design, the menu of services, product development and the staff who work in the spa. The focus and concept is to stay indigenous to the location.

Evelyn: Who developed the spa menus for Jimbaran and Sayan?

Belinda: Kim Collier originally designed the menu for Jimbaran. I have, however, added to the menu of services at Jimbaran and created a completely new menu of services for Sayan in 1999.

Evelyn: How long was the conception period for the development of each menu of services at both Jimbaran and Sayan?

Belinda: Product development, writing the menu of services (which I accomplished with a sales and marketing colleague) then training the staff in technique, procedures, guest and staff treatment flow. Total of 4 months.

Evelyn: With the successive accolades being awarded to the Four Seasons Spas in Bali, how do you intend to maintain the excellence and keep up with customers’ expectations and changing needs?

Belinda: To keep abreast of the competition, by introducing new treatments and rituals. Associated with this are new operations, product development and retailing these products. Continually training in Four Seasons spa standards and core standards with evaluations. One has to keep moving with this progressive industry and not rest on one’s laurels.

Evelyn: Thank you, Belinda. We appreciate your hospitality and congratulate you for the success of the Four Seasons spas in Bali.

 Photos courtesy of Alex Ang

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