Spa Executive May 2024

ISSUE #55 MAY 2024 

SPA EXECUTIVE 

FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS 

THE HAPPINESS ISSUE 

SPOTLIGHT 

Six Senses’ Anna Bjurstam on wellness 

& happiness 

FEATURE 

What happiness means to top 

hospitality industry experts 

BUSINESS 

Deepak Ohri, Chief Happiness Officer, on 

bringing happiness to guests and staff in 

luxury hospitality

PUBLISHER 

Roger Sholanki 

Note from the Publisher 

EDITOR, CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Elizabeth Bromstein 

DESIGNER 

Design Pickle 

AD SALES, 

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, 

PRODUCTION MANAGER 

Sal Capizzi 

Dear Readers, 

As we move into summer, we're delighted to bring you a theme that touches the core of 

wellness: happiness. This issue of Spa Executive is dedicated to exploring the many facets 

of happiness within the hospitality industry, highlighting how joy and wellbeing are essential 

for both guests and staff. 

In the spotlight this month is Anna Bjurstam, Wellness Pioneer with Six Senses, who shares 

her insights on the brand’s wellness philosophy and the role happiness plays. Her unique 

perspective underscores the importance of purpose and meaningful connections in 

creating truly memorable experiences. 

Our feature article, "What Happiness Means to Top Hospitality Industry Experts," compiles 

wisdom from leading professionals who discuss how they cultivate happiness in their work 

environments, combining collective knowledge that reinforces the idea that happiness is 

not just an outcome but a vital element of exceptional service. 

We also explore the connection between happiness and wellness travel, why people who 

travel are generally happier, and how travel can enhance overall wellbeing. From the 

scientific research to practical applications, this issue provides a comprehensive look at 

how happiness can be nurtured through travel and hospitality. 

On the operational front, we continue to emphasize the importance of happy employees. 

Spa Executive 

Research consistently shows that happy workers are more productive and contribute to 

better guest experiences. So, we’re highlighting strategies for fostering a positive work 

environment that benefits both staff and guests. 

Spa Executive is Book4Time’s 

magazine for leaders in the 

business of wellness. News, 

views, and interviews to help 

you attract top talent, increase 

customer retention, and offer 

the best possible 

guest experience. 

Thank you for your continued engagement with Spa Executive. I hope the insights in this 

issue inspire to enhance happiness within your business and beyond. 

Warm regards, 

Roger Sholanki, 

CEO, 

Book4Time

Contents 

May 2024 

Issue 55 

In this month’s issue: 


4 

6 

9 

11 

13 

15 

18 



luxury hospitality 

Wellness travel + the secret to happiness 

People who travel are happier than people 

who don’t 

Happy employees increase productivity 

& revenue in hospitality 

Meet Bondi: Chief Happiness Officer 

of the Fairmont Dallas Hotel 

What happiness means to top hospitality 

leaders & how they cultivate it at work 

SPOTLIGHT 


& happiness 

21 

FEATURED PROPERTY 

Ash Spa at Bowie House




luxury hospitality 

Happiness is an experience through which you 

can only connect the dots looking backwards, 

says Deepak Ohri, Chief Happiness Officer at 

LAMH. 

Deepak Ohri is the founder and CEO of 

Luxury Atelier Maison Happiness (LAMH), 

a California-based company specializing 

in luxury experiences and branding 

where he also holds the title of Chief 

Happiness Officer. Previously, he served 

as the CEO and Chief Happiness Officer 

of Lebua Hotels, which, under his 

leadership, was named the World’s 

Leading All-Suite Hotel by the World 

Travel Awards in 2022, while Ohri was 

also recognized as the “World’s Leading 

Happiness Ambassador” by the same 

organization. 

An expert in leadership and luxury 

hospitality, Deepak Ohri has lectured at 

prestigious business and management 

4 | Spa Executive 

schools and serves on several boards, 

including the Advisory Board of the World 

Happiness Foundation. 

Given that success in luxury hospitality 

hinges on maximizing guest happiness, it 

seemed fitting to ask Deepak Ohri about 

his insights on bringing happiness to both 

guests and staff in the industry. Here’s 

what he had to say, in his own words: 

What is happiness? 

Happiness is not an expertise; it is an 

experience. People go to many different 

venues for happiness but you can never 

connect the dots moving forward. You only 

connect dots when you look backwards. 

Happiness is directly proportional to 

your purpose. A person can lose their 

job, and have nothing to do, and still be 

a very happy person if they have found 

the purpose in life. When you realize 

your purpose in your life, when you love 

what you’re doing, and when you actually 

know what you love, that is where you 

gain your happiness. Happiness relates to 

confidence, motivation, and all those tools 

that come along with that knowledge of 

your purpose. 

It doesn’t just come. You have to 

work for it. 

You have to practice and you have to 

believe in yourself. The first time you’re 

trying to do something, you don’t know 

whether you’re going to reach your 

destination or not. Then when you look 

back, you can see how one thing leads to 

the other and that leads to the other – and 

how you reached your destination, but you 

can’t know that in advance.

Now, let’s relate that to the corporate 

world. Because happiness is very 

individual, how do you give happiness 

to people in a collective form? In an 

organization, you give them a purpose. 

In an organization, when people have a 

purpose, there is a lot of happiness. 

They can say “I’m doing this for me 

and I’m doing this for the world.” 

This gives transparency to the organization 

as well as motivating people. And when 

they find purpose, they are in the line to 

find happiness. 

experience. You’re going to do both of 

these things but it is very important to 

know what to do first and what to do 

second. So, you’re going to use technology 

to note guest preferences and maybe 

look at their social media to see what they 

enjoy, and keep track of their purchases 

and preferences after check-in, so that 

everyone onsite is aware of what each 

customer likes, but you need a solid 

foundation first. 

A happy team is a foundation 

is paramount and individual needs are 

anticipated. Happiness isn’t just an end goal; 

it’s a journey that requires dedication and a 

deep understanding of human connections. 

How do you give guests a purpose? 

To provide your guests with a purpose, 

you give them an experience. The guest 

will never remember the chandelier or 

how many expensive things you put in 

the room. They will always remember the 

experience. On a recent trip to London, I 

checked into a new luxury hotel very early 

in the morning and the hotel manager 

was in the lobby to greet me with a 

cappuccino. I love drinking cappuccinos! 

I was craving that and thinking that I’ll get 

to the hotel, go check in, then come down 

and get a cappuccino because you can’t 

make cappuccino in your rooms. And it 

was already there. 

This hotel wasn’t even open yet. They had 

just done a soft opening and it’s already 

full. There’s a waiting list and they are 

doing the best average room rate in the 

city. And I’m not surprised. At every point 

in time, they were doing small things for 

every person, not only me. 

Personalization and anticipating people’s 

needs is important. But first you need to 

create a customer experience and then 

add the technology to it. You don’t add 

technology and then add the customer 

You can’t do any of these things if you 

don’t have great people who are motivated 

and who have found their purpose. If you 

fail to give that purpose, you may be the 

best organization but they won’t be happy 

working for you. They’re working for you 

for money or for the brand name and you 

will be facing problems and won’t be able 

to figure out why. 

To give your employees a purpose, first, 

you create your brand architecture 

and know what you want to give to the 

customer. Then you ask “how do I find 

people who can help in giving that?” And 

you choose people based on that idea. 

Design of service processes 

We design the service process in such a way 

that you touch it at every point. You have 

to take care of the beginning, the middle, 

and the end. That’s why the satisfaction rate 

in cruise lines is the highest in the service 

industry, because when you embark, there’s 

champagne, when you disembark, there’s a 

captain’s dinner, and in between, there are 

all kinds of activities and touchpoints. 

We should prioritize happiness in every 

aspect of luxury hospitality. It’s about 

fostering an environment where purpose 

5 

| Spa Executive


Wellness travel + 

the secret to happiness 

Happiness is something we all seek in one form 

or another and also something that is elusive 

to many or most of us. And yet, we persist. 

Because otherwise, what’s the point? 

There has been a lot of research over the 

years about where in the world people are 

happiest and what makes us happy. 

According to Gallup’s 2024 World Happiness 

Report, the top five happiest countries in the 

world are: 

1. Finland 

2. Denmark 

3. Iceland 

4. Sweden 

5. Israel 

Social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, who 

teaches a happiness course at Harvard 

University, has been looking into what 

it means to be happy for decades. And, 

according to CNBC, he’s found some 

answers. In a book co-written with Oprah 

Winfrey, Brooks and Winfrey write that 

happiness (like life) is not a destination and 

that, rather than seeking some end goal of 

happiness, we should be constantly working 

towards “happierness.” 

The book lists four major pillars for building 

a happy life: family, friendships, work, 

faith (which Brooks defines as “anything 

transcendent that helps you escape the 

boring sitcom that is your life”), as well 

as three “macronutrients of happiness”: 

enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. 

While all of this seems pretty intuitive, 

obtaining those increasing levels of 

“happierness” is still a common struggle. 

Lots of other past and ongoing research has 

found evidence for things that might make 

us happier. Here’s a deeper look at research 

findings from Brooks and others into what 

makes us happy/happier: 

Strong relationships 

Strong social and family relationships are 

essential for psychological wellbeing. The 

Harvard Study of Adult Development, 

which has been tracking hundreds of 

subjects since 1938, emphasizes that close 

relationships are a key predictor of longterm 

health and happiness. In fact, they 

were found to be the single most important 

factor over fame or wealth. Regular 

interactions, whether with family, friends, or 

colleagues, provide emotional support and 

can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. 

And, as we know, bad relationships can 

increase stress and anxiety. 

Gratitude practices 

Expressing gratitude has been linked to 

increased wellbeing. Regular practices like 

writing gratitude journals or sending thankyou 

notes may enhance appreciation for 

life and foster positive relationships. These 

activities can shift focus from what is lacking 

6 


to what is abundant, promoting a more 

positive outlook and reducing the risk 

of depression?. 

Physical health & exercise 

Physical activity is strongly correlated with 

improved mood and decreased rates of 

depression and anxiety. The biochemical 

effects of exercise, including the release 

of endorphins, play a significant role in 

enhancing mood and overall emotional 

wellbeing. Regular exercise also contributes 

to better physical health, which in turn 

supports psychological health?. 

Generosity & helping others 

Acts of kindness and helping others can lead 

to increased happiness for the giver. This 

phenomenon has been referred to as the 

“helper’s high,” and the theory is that helping 

others promotes the release of endorphins 

and provides a sense of satisfaction and 

belonging. Studies show that people 

who engage in acts of generosity report 

improvements in mental health?. 

Mindfulness & meditation 

Mindfulness meditation has been connected 

with reduced stress and anxiety. By focusing 

on the present and accepting thoughts and 

feelings without judgment, mindfulness may 

help to decrease negative emotions and 

increase resilience. Regular practice has 

been correlated with structural changes in 

the brain in areas connected with memory, 

decision making, and mood regulation, all of 

which may increase happiness levels. 

Positive life experiences & nostalgia 

Positive childhood experiences, like 

supportive family relationships and 

opportunities for play and education, can set 

a foundation for lifelong happiness. These 

experiences help in developing resilience, 

emotional intelligence, and the ability to 

form those required healthy relationships 

in adulthood. Research has also found 

that reminiscing about good times can 

improve mood and boost happiness, and 

that nostalgia may improve wellbeing by 

increasing gratitude. 

Economic stability 

Economic stability provides a foundation for 

happiness by eliminating stress related to 

basic survival needs like food, shelter, and 

healthcare. Higher incomes do correlate 

with higher happiness levels up to a certain 

point, after which the increase in happiness 

may plateau. 

Each of these factors plays a role in shaping 

our overall happiness, highlighting the 

importance of a balanced approach to life 

that incorporates social, psychological, and 

physical wellbeing. 

How wellness travel experiences 

promote happiness 

Travel and wellness also increase happiness. 

In a 2020 survey by Amex, 91% of 

respondents said that the ability to travel 

is important to their overall happiness. 

Aso, a 2021 study from Washington State 

University found that people who reported 

regularly traveling at least 75 miles away 

from home were about 7% happier when 

asked about their overall wellbeing than 

those who reported traveling very rarely or 

not at all. 

Just planning travel improves our happiness. 

The Let’s Go There Coalition and happiness 

researcher Michelle Gielan from the Institute 

for Applied Positive Research survey 263 

U.S.-based adults in 2020 and found that 

97% of survey respondents said having a 

trip planned makes them happier. Eighty 

two percent said a booked trip makes them 

“moderately” or “significantly” happier, 

and 71% reported feeling greater levels of 

energy knowing they had a trip planned in 

the next six months. 

Some reasons why wellness travel 

makes us happier 

Broadening perspectives: Travel exposes 

individuals to different cultures, lifestyles, 

and environments, broadening perspectives 

and fostering a deeper understanding 

of the world. These experiences can 

increase understanding of people from 

different backgrounds. 

Experiences over material goods: 

There’s a lot of evidence for the value of 

accumulating experiences rather than 

material goods for long-term happiness. 

Cornell psychology professor Thomas 

Gilovich has found that “the satisfaction we 

get from buying vacations, bikes for exercise 

and other experiences starts high and 

keeps growing. The initial high we feel from 

acquiring a flashy car or megascreen TV, on 

the other hand, trails off rather quickly.” 

Building lasting memories: As mentioned 

above, nostalgia and positive experiences 

build happiness – and travel can be a big 

contributor to those things. Travel not only 

brings immediate joy but also contributes to 

long-term happiness through the creation 

of cherished memories. According to one 

study, people derive more satisfaction 

from memories of experiences than from 

memories associated with material objects. 

7 


Overcoming challenges & fostering 

personal growth: Let’s be honest, travel 

can also be stressful. But those negative 

experiences, like getting lost in a foreign land 

or having to sleep on the airport floor, can 

later become some of our most cherished 

memories. Overcoming the obstacles and 

unexpected situations encountered on trips 

can lead to personal growth and resilience. 

The added benefits of wellness + 

adventure: Wellness and adventure travel, 

meanwhile, have the added benefit of 

directly and deliberately enhancing health 

and wellbeing on top of the benefits of 

travel alone. 

Book4Time can help 

Book4Time’s ancillary revenue software 

enhances customer experiences, crafting 

unparalleled guest journeys and memorable 

moments. By integrating smoothly with your 

hotel or resort’s current systems, Book4Time 

offers a highly acclaimed, user-friendly 

interface for both front and back-end users, 

increasing satisfaction for guests and staff 

alike. Book4Time frees up your staff’s time 

so they can focus on fostering significant 

guest relationships that enrich travel, 

staycations, and day pass experiences for 

everyone. Simply put: Book4Time makes you 

and your guests happier. 

8 



People who travel are happier than 

people who don’t 

What science says about travel and 

happiness: people who travel are happier 

than those who don’t 

In a world increasingly driven by work and 

routine, the pursuit of happiness may lead 

us to look to travel, with its promise of new 

experiences and escape from the daily grind. 

Does it work? Of course. Here’s what the 

research says: 

The more you travel, the happier 

you are 

In a 2022 study at the University of 

Alabama designed to examine the 

relationships between the beach, travel, and 

happiness, researchers found that people 

are significantly happier when actively 

anticipating or planning a vacation and that 

more is better, up to a point. 

Key findings included: 

1. Planning a vacation makes you happy. 

“People who are planning a vacation 

are significantly happier than those who 

aren’t,” said Dr. Jameson Hayes, one of the 

researchers. 

2. Beaches were the preferred vacation 

destination among the majority of 

respondents, with mountain vacations 

coming in second. “But the data shows that 

one’s happiness increases regardless of the 

type of destination.” 

3. The more you travel, the happier you are 

– but only up to a point. “Respondents who 

traveled for pleasure 15-21 days per year 

reported the highest levels of happiness. 

Those traveling less than two weeks per year 

or more than three weeks per year, reported 

being less happy.” 

The excitement of the anticipation 

Research by The Let’s Go There Coalition 

and happiness researcher Michelle Gielan 

from the Institute for Applied Positive 

Research supports the idea that just 

planning travel increases happiness. The 

team found that 97% of survey respondents 

said having a trip planned makes them 

happier. Eighty two percent said a 

booked trip makes them “moderately” or 

“significantly” happier, and 71% reported 

feeling greater levels of energy knowing they 

had a trip planned in the next six months. 

Respondents strongly agreed with the 

statements “Simply knowing there was 

something to look forward to would bring 

me joy” (95%) and “Planning travel for some 

time in the next six months would bring me 

happiness” (80%). 

9 


The importance of travel 

for wellbeing 

We know from separate studies, particularly 

the Harvard Study of Adult Development, 

that relationships are the main key to 

happiness overall. And travel can help with 

that. According to a 2020 Amex Trendex 

study from American Express, 91% of 

respondents say that the ability to travel is 

important to their overall happiness, while 

86% say travel is important to maintaining 

healthy relationships with family and friends. 

But that’s obviously not all it’s good for. 

A 2022 study by Japanese researchers 

designed to investigate the effects of a winter 

vacation on individuals’ wellbeing found that 

people who traveled had higher subjective 

levels of wellbeing than those who did not. 

The authors wrote that the findings 

underline the importance of taking vacations 

and savoring recovery experiences while off 

work. They also highlighted the importance 

of “mastery experiences,” which are activities 

performed that distract from one’s job 

by providing challenging experiences 

and learning opportunities in other areas 

and offer opportunities to experience 

competence and proficiency. “People place 

a high value on learning new skills and 

knowledge and hard-won experiences while 

on vacation, and such experiences may help 

improve wellbeing,” they wrote, also noting 

that simply experiencing something out of 

the ordinary enhances wellbeing. 

Another study backs up the idea that 

the more we travel the happier we are. A 

2021 study from the School of Hospitality 

Business Management at Washington State 

University found that frequent travelers are 

happier with their lives than people who 

don’t travel at all. Researchers found that 

survey participants who reported regularly 

10 | Spa Executive 

traveling at least 75 miles away from home 

reported being about 7% happier when 

asked about their overall wellbeing than 

those who reported traveling very rarely or 

not at all. 

“While things like work, family life and friends 

play a bigger role in overall reports of 

wellbeing, the accumulation of travel 

experiences does appear to have a small yet 

noticeable effect on self-reported life 

satisfaction,” study author Chu-Chu Chen 

said. “It really illustrates the importance of 

being able to get out of your routine and 

experience new things.” 

Finding of previous research by Chen found 

that taking a leisure trip provides 

opportunities for relaxation, detachment 

from work, mastery experience, and 

personal control. The research examined 

the role of tourism experiences as a stress 

reliever and as recovery and found that 

these trips had positive effects on life 

satisfaction. Short trips were found to help 

people recover from work stress, while 

longer trips provide more opportunities for 

recovery experiences. 

The role of novel experiences 

in happiness 

Some of the benefits are derived from a 

human desire to seek out new experiences. 

A 2021 study from New York University 

found that new and diverse experiences are 

linked to enhanced happiness, and that this 

relationship is associated with greater 

correlation of brain activity. The results, 

authors said, revealed a previously unknown 

connection between our daily physical 

environments and our sense of wellbeing. 

“Our results suggest that people feel 

happier when they have more variety in 

their daily routines – when they go to novel 

places 

and have a wider array of experiences,” said 

researcher Catherine Hartley. 

The study tracked people by GPS and 

found that those who had more variability 

in their physical location reported feeling 

more positive: “happy,” “excited,” “strong,” 

“relaxed,” and/or “attentive.” Subjects also 

underwent MRI scans and results showed 

that people for whom this effect was the 

strongest exhibited greater correlation 

between activity in brain regions associated 

with the processing of novelty and reward. 

Collectively, these studies underscore the 

significant positive impact of travel and 

vacation planning on overall happiness and 

wellbeing. Whether it’s the anticipation, the 

variety of new experiences, or the act of 

traveling itself, each aspect contributes to 

enhancing life satisfaction and mental health.


Happy employees increase productivity 

& revenue in hospitality 

Happy employees are more productive and 

better for your hotel or resort brand in every 

way. How can you make your team smile? 

Happy workers are more productive. This 

is a truth supported by scientific evidence. 

How much more productive? It depends 

on who you ask, but studies suggest that 

it’s somewhere between 13% – 35%. 

One study from Oxford University, for 

example, found that happy employees 

are 13% more productive than unhappy 

employees. Happy employees are also 

more likely to be engaged in their work 

and to feel a sense of purpose, leading to 

better focus, concentration, and ultimately 

productivity. It’s just common sense. 

People work better when they feel better. 

In hospitality, like any other customerfacing 

industry where staff interactions 

with guests are directly tied to revenue, 

employee happiness is particularly 

important. Happy team members = happy 

guests. Disgruntled ones yield different, 

undesirable, results. 

Human connection + physical and 

emotional health 

So, what makes employees happy? You can 

probably guess that it’s the same things 

that make people happy in general, and 

those things include human connection 

and physical and emotional health. 

A recent survey by Wondr Health 

underscored the need for these things in 

the workplace. The findings of the survey 

of about 500 people around the world are 

in line with the 85-year Harvard study that 

affirms the key to happiness and health 

lies in close relationships. 

Wondr Health conducted the survey with 

its participants just before the new year 

and asked them to share what brings them 

the most happiness. Nearly 500 people 

responded around the globe with the 

following survey findings: 

Close relationships and human 

connection, including spending time with 

family: 30.1% 

Physical and emotional health and wellbeing: 

21.5% 

Engaging in activities that spark joy: 16.8% 

Financial freedom: 12% 

Helping others in need: 11.2% 

Career satisfaction and fulfillment: 7.9% 

Other: 0.6% 

Leadership can create a more rewarding 

work environment by addressing these 

areas, helping support employee 

happiness. Let’s talk about how. 

How to improve employee happiness 

in the workplace 

Close relationships & human 

connection: Promote a culture of 

inclusivity and camaraderie by maintaining 

11 


open communication, creating welcoming 

areas where staff can gather, relax, 

and spend time together, and being a 

supportive colleague as well as a leader. 

Team-building activities and social events 

can be great but should also be optional 

and include partners and families. 

Nobody should be made to feel forced 

to participate. Flexible scheduling and a 

supportive approach to work-life balance 

enable employees to spend more quality 

time with loved ones. 

Physical and emotional health & wellbeing: 

Encourage your staff to participate 

in your wellness programs, offering access 

to fitness facilities and wellness amenities. 

Discounts or a trade system for treatments 

and services can also be a fun idea – 

massage therapists can trade for facials 

for example. But, again, people should not 

feel obliged to participate. Busy parents, or 

single ones, don’t need to feel like they’re 

failing because they can’t fit workouts and 

yoga classes into their schedules. Offer 

mental health resources and support 

where needed. 

Engaging in activities that spark joy: 

Creating a work environment that allows 

for personal expression and fun can 

significantly boost morale. This could be 

through allowing staff to engage with 

customers in a manner that reflects 

their personalities, organizing creative or 

leisure activities that are enjoyable, and 

recognizing and rewarding employees who 

bring positive energy to their role. 

Financial freedom: Competitive wages, 

tips, bonuses, and opportunities for 

advancement are essential in providing 

employees with financial security. Offering 

financial planning resources and support 

can also help employees manage their 

earnings better and feel more secure in 

their financial situations. 

Helping others in need: Many people 

find satisfaction in altruistic activities. 

Employers can foster this by coordinating 

(optional) community service events or 

partnerships with local charities. This not 

only helps the community but also builds 

a positive brand image and deepens 

the employees’ sense of purpose and 

fulfillment. Allowing time to volunteer, 

and encouraging people to do so is also 

important, as is recognizing people’s 

efforts when they do good works. 

Career satisfaction & fulfillment: As 

stated above, hospitality employers should 

focus on providing clear pathways for 

career advancement. These should include 

training and development opportunities. 

Ensure everyone is aligned with company 

goals and targets so that everyone feels 

like they are an integral part of the 

company’s success. Regular feedback and 

open communication channels can help 

employees feel valued and understood, 

and align their career goals with the 

organizational objectives. 

Overall, enhancing employee happiness 

isn’t just about short-term boosts to 

morale but about creating a sustainable 

and positive work environment over 

the long term. By focusing on these key 

areas, companies can cultivate a happier 

and more motivated workforce, which 

improves productivity and benefits your 

entire organization. Investing in employee 

happiness is not just a moral imperative – 

it’s also a strategic one. 

12 | Spa Executive


Meet Bondi: Chief Happiness Officer of 

the Fairmont Dallas Hotel 

In March 2024, the Fairmont Dallas 

announced that it had appointed a new Chief 

Happiness Officer. 

Bondi, a 6-month-old puppy, adopted from 

Dallas Fort Worth-based Operation 

Kindness, will serve as the hotel’s canine 

ambassador promoting positivity and 

happiness among colleagues and guests at 

the pet-friendly hotel. 

Bondi has graduated from a four-week 

intensive training program and is now 

welcoming guests, interacting with 

colleagues, and sharing joy throughout 

Fairmont Dallas’ hallways and common 

spaces. Her duties will also include 

participating in hotel activities and events 

and volunteering with organizations, 

including Operation Kindness. 

We asked Bondi’s spokespeople at 

Fairmont Dallas about Bondi’s duties and 

responsibilities, and how she brings joy to 

the hotel’s guests. 

Can you introduce Bondi, tell us 

about where Bondi came from, and 

why you adopted her? 

Bondi is a 9-month-old rescue puppy 

adopted from Operation Kindness, a local 

animal shelter that provides assistance 

to animals in need of medical care, 

companionship, and most of all, a home. 

Bondi was adopted by Yoke Yong, Director 

of Talent and Culture at Fairmont Dallas 

to serve as the hotel’s Chief Happiness 

Officer. As Chief Happiness Officer, Bondi 

is responsible for promoting positivity and 

happiness among colleagues and guests. 

Can you tell us how she became the 

Chief Happiness Officer at the hotel? 

Due to Bondi’s diligent work welcoming 

guests in the hotel’s lobby, making fast 

friends with Dallasites walking through the 

118-acre Dallas Arts District, and providing 

stress relief and smiles to meeting 

attendees and colleagues, Bondi was 

chosen by the hotel’s executive team to 

serve as Chief Happiness Officer. 

What does a typical day look like for 

Bondi in this role? 

Bondi arrives at work each weekday at 8 

a.m. with her owner, Yoke, and stops at 

the hotel’s lobby-level Starbucks for her 

daily pup cup. Bondi typically begins her 

day by spreading cheer and tail wags with 

her colleagues in the office. Throughout 

the day, Bondi will make rounds through 

the hotel lobby, greeting guests and other 

four-legged friends as Fairmont Dallas is a 

pet-friendly hotel with experience hosting 


dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes. In 

the afternoon, Bondi will enjoy the Dallas 

sunshine by romping on the rooftop 

terrace. Between scheduled appearances 

at various meetings and conferences 

taking place at the hotel, Bondi makes time 

for plenty of naps. 

What are her main responsibilities as 

the Chief Happiness Officer? 

What does Bondi enjoy doing in her 

free time when not working? 

In her free time, Bondi enjoys exploring 

the Dallas Arts District and visiting Klyde 

Warren Park’s My Best Friend’s Park, where 

she meets four-legged friends and plays 

fetch. Bondi is also training for the Dallas 

Marathon with her human, Yoke, and is 

excited to run the race this December. 

Bondi’s primary responsibility is to 

promote positivity and happiness among 

colleagues and guests. She is also available 

for special appearances at meetings and 

events to provide stress relief and smiles 

to business travelers. 

How does she help make guests 

feel welcome and happy during 

their stay? 

What are Bondi’s favorite rewards 

for doing a good job? What makes 

Bondi happy? 

Bondi’s favorite reward for a job well done 

is treats! She especially enjoys pup cups 

from the lobby-level Starbucks. Spreading 

joy is what makes Bondi the happiest. She 

loves seeing Fairmont Dallas guests and 

colleagues smiling. 

Bondi helps make guests feel welcome 

and happy during their stay by providing 

a friendly welcome upon arrival, offering 

comfort, and reducing stress after a day 

of travel. Always ready for a pat on the 

head or scratches behind the ears, Bondi’s 

unconditional love for all hotel guests 

brings a smile to everyone who visits. 

What special skills or tricks does 

Bondi have that help her in her job? 

Bondi is especially skilled in promoting 

joy and happiness through her 

infectious positive energy. When Bondi 

is energetically wagging her tail, allowing 

guests to pet her, chasing a toy on the 

terrace, or greeting her colleagues, she 

spreads smiles all around. 



What happiness means to top hospitality 

leaders & how they cultivate it at work 

Be happy for this moment. 

This moment is your life. – 

Omar Khayyam 

In the hospitality industry, the concept of 

happiness is a critical component of both 

guest satisfaction and employee engagement. 

Happiness is not just an outcome but 

a strategic pursuit and a key driver of 

excellence in hospitality. By cultivating 

environments where joy and wellbeing 

are prioritized, hospitality businesses can 

enhance service quality, foster positive work 

cultures, and drive success. 

Verena Lasvigne-Fox, 

International 

Spa Consultant, Spa & 

Wellness 

Industry Expert 

I had the chance to dive deeper into the 

science behind happiness when taking Yale 

University’s Science of Well-Being course 

during the pandemic. This course allowed 

me to reflect on what happiness means to 

me since it means something different to 

everyone. And I understood as well that my 

personal happiness level depends mainly on 

my own actions and decisions. 

In the professional context, happiness 

translates for me to creating an environment 

where both guests and staff feel valued, 

respected, and cared for. It’s about fostering 

a culture where everyone can thrive and 

experience moments of joy, whether they are 

staying for a night or working through a busy 

shift. Ultimately, it’s about how we make one 

another feel. 

Carlos Calvo Rodriguez, 

Senior Spa Director, Four 

Seasons Toronto 

We asked some of our best leading 

professionals in the spa and wellness sector 

what happiness means to them and how they 

bring happiness to their guests and staff, and 

they shared these thoughts with us: 

For me, happiness is a multifaceted 

experience that encompasses personal 

fulfillment, meaningful connections, and the 

ability to live authentically. It’s the feeling you 

get when you’re surrounded by loved ones, 

pursuing passions, or simply being present in 

the moment. 

Happiness is finding joy in the little things 

that make life special and remarkable. It’s not 

just a fleeting feeling, but a way of life! I strive 

to bring happiness to the guests and team 

members by taking the time to connect with 

them on a deeper level, and by celebrating 

life’s daily accomplishments, not just the 

major milestones. I believe we achieve 

happiness by showing love, giving love, and 

receiving love. 


Most folks are as happy as they make 

up their minds to be. 

– Abraham Lincoln 

Maritsa Victorian, 

Area Director of Spa, 

Remington Hospitality, 

Bardessono Hotel and 

Spa, Hotel Yountville 

Happiness comes from within, being true to 

who you are, and maintaining an optimistic 

outlook regardless of circumstances. At 

Bardessono, we hire individuals who share 

this positive attitude, creating an environment 

where it’s almost impossible to resist the 

uplifting energy. We foster positivity because 

we genuinely love welcoming and serving our 

guests. Our sincere service and kindness are 

immediately recognized and appreciated, 

bringing everyone into the present moment, 

making them smile and feel good. This joy 

is contagious – it makes us feel good too. 

Happiness also stems from self-acceptance 

and liking yourself on the inside, which 

gives you a beautiful glow on the outside. 

When mind, body, and spirit are in balance, 

happiness radiates and it is infectious. 

Participating in what truly brings me joy is 

also happiness. I have a sign in my office that 

states, “Do what you love and love what you 

do” and I wholeheartedly believe in that. Since 

we spend so much of our time at work, our 

jobs should be our passion. Getting paid for 

what we love to do is simply a bonus. 

my community. I infuse a “life is happening 

now” energy into every wellness concept, 

allowing guests to find their own version 

of happiness and vibrancy. As for my team 

members, I genuinely love working with 

practitioners and wellness professionals. This 

love translates into opportunities for them to 

learn something new, support them in their 

professional journey, and offer a tight hug 

and a smile, always. Making others happy is 

my love language. 

Everything has its wonders, even 

darkness and silence, and I learn, 

whatever state I may be in, therein to 

be content. 

– Helen Keller 

Jennifer Lynn, Director 

of Spa & Wellness, 

Fontainebleau Las Vegas 

Accept people and situations as they 

are. When you accept, you find freedom. 

Acceptance of things allows us to respond 

rather than react. Typically, we only like to 

accept the things we like or the situations 

we agree with. A profound life is lived 

in our ability to accept everything as it 

is. Acceptance allows us to receive in an 

open state. Non-acceptance is limiting 

and small and distances us from the 

profoundness of life. 

Happiness is when what you think, 

what you say, and what you do are in 

harmony. 

– Mahatma Gandhi 

Daisy Tepper, Director 

of Spa Operations & 

Development, Landry’s, 

The Post Oak Hotel 

Happiness is a state of emotional 

well-being. Gratefulness, positivity 

and appreciating all we have in life. 

Understanding there’s a lot worse in the 

world. I motivate my team by highlighting 

all the wonderful things we have in our 

lives, the great company we work for, 

appreciating all of their accomplishments, 

especially our Forbes rating for the past six 

years. I challenge the team to always find 

the positive out of the negative and focus 

on that. 

Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, 

Vice President of 

Operations, Wellbeing, 

Auberge Resorts 

Collection 

To me, happiness means enjoying the simple 

moments of awe and celebrating everything! 

It involves leading with an open heart, 

expressing my emotions, and creating deep 

connections with my team members and 

As leaders in spa operations, we have the 

opportunity to set the happiness tone for the 

day. It starts at the top. Showing up, being 

present, supportive and genuinely hospitable 

is key to setting the stage for a happy 

destination for spa guests and our spa team. 


ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THE 

SPA & WELLNESS INDUSTRY & DO 

YOU LOVE TECHNOLOGY? 

COME WORK FOR US. 

Book4Time is the global leader in spa, wellness, and leisure activity management 

software for the hospitality market, operating in more than 85 countries. 

Book4Time is experiencing rapid growth and hiring experienced professionals in a 

number of key roles. We offer: 

• 100% employer-paid premium benefits 

• Wellness/fitness membership program 

• Company match group RRSP program 

• 18 days of paid time off plus corporate holidays 

• Remote-First work environment (Office location: Markham, ON) 

• Free underground parking 

• Budgeted professional development 

• Wellness Stipend 

• Discounts at our customer locations 

Browse open positions here 

We look forward 

to working with you!



& happiness 

Anna Bjurstam is the “Wellness Pioneer” 

at Six Senses. We talked about her role, Six 

Senses’ wellness philosophy, and people’s 

happiness factor. 

Six Senses stands out among luxury brands 

specializing in five-star hotels, resorts, 

and wellness spas offering immersive 

experiences blending local culture, nature, 

and wellness. Six Senses properties are 

located in some of the most picturesque 

and culturally rich environments across 

the globe, including Portugal, Fiji, Vietnam, 

Thailand, and the Maldives. 

Six Senses Spas offer a wide range of 

holistic wellness, rejuvenation, and beauty 

treatments administered under the 

guidance of expert therapists. A key element 

of all Six Senses properties, Six Senses Spas 

are also hosted by prestigious hotels and 

resorts in many other locations. 

Anna Bjurstam is the Wellness Pioneer 

for Six Senses. An industry veteran of 

25 years, Ms. Bjurstam also acts in the 

same capacity for Raison d’Etre, a brand 

she co-founded, and as an independent 

consultant and Global Wellness Summit 

board member. Her expertise extends 

beyond traditional wellness, incorporating 

elements like shamanism, energy medicine, 

and BioGeometry. And her approach 

to wellness is holistic, emphasizing 

sustainability and community. Ms. Bjurstam 

has been instrumental in driving forward the 

concept of wellness in hospitality, promoting 

practices that foster connection to others 

and the environment. 

In 1997, Mrs. Rosamond Freeman Attwood 

founded Raison d’Etre Spas, which Ms. 

Bjurstam was a part of and joined full time 

in 2000. Raison d’Etre became a leader 

in the spa industry and was sold in 2013 

. Ms. Bjurstam’s educational background 

includes a master’s degree in finance, and 

she has a deep interest in quantum physics 

and science, which she integrates into her 

wellness philosophy. 

We spoke with Anna Bjurstam about her 

role, Six Senses’ wellness philosophy, and 

people’s happiness factor. 

Can you please talk about your role 

there and what it entails? 

When I started with Six Senses, I was in 

charge of spas and wellness. After about 

six years, operations were doing very well, 

so I kind of handed it over, and today I have 

made up my own title, which is Wellness 

Pioneer. I love that title as you’re kind of 

pioneering and you can make mistakes, 

and that’s okay, because it is a pioneering 

industry. So, I’m in charge of our wellness 

strategy, the future, where we’re heading, 

and of the club concept that we’re going 

to launch next year, Six Senses Place. The 

first is in London, and then we’re launching 

in Bangkok, Dubai, Tel Aviv, New York, and 

Lisbon. I also work with a lot of start-ups on 

the side. 


Can you talk to me about Six Senses’ 

wellness philosophy? 

At Six Senses, our wellness philosophy is 

built upon foundational pillars that form 

the core of our approach to holistic wellbeing. 

These pillars are: mindfulness, eat, 

sleep, move, live naturally, and connect. 

One of the primary pillars is nutrition. We 

prioritize locally sourced, organic, clean 

ingredients, and are 50% plant based. We 

offer comprehensive, from-the-ground-up 

sleep programs aimed at optimizing sleep 

quality and duration for our guests, from 

designing sleep-friendly environments with 

quality bedding to sleep assessments and 

support. Everything has been approved by 

sleep doctors. In every location we have 

our integrated biomarker screening. Our 

educated practitioners have a minimum 

five-year education in health. This can be in 

exercise physiology or as a naturopath, or 

something else. This is a non-invasive, FDA 

approved device that gives us a very good 

understanding of a person’s health and 

wellness status, to guide us in personalizing 

programs to individuals. 

We have a systemized approach across 

all of our properties, including the same 

food system, whether in China, Thailand, or 

Europe — the ingredients change, but the 

system and the parameters are the same. 

We have the same beds in all our locations, 

our integrated wellness is the same. We also 

have a kids program called Grow with Six 

Senses. The framework is the same wherever 

you are but you do different things if you’re 

in Thailand vs Switzerland. We have the same 

base treatment menu in every location. But 

then, in India we do Ayurveda, in Thailand we 

do Thai massage. We try to make everything 

as localized as possible. 

And then of course, sustainability is a big 

thing, and that feeds into wellness. We’re 

probably the most sustainable hotel company 

out there today. We haven’t had plastic 

bottles for 20 years. We are plastic free in 

our locations. We still have plastic computers 

and the AC is built from plastic, but single-use 

plastic is almost completely gone 

Could you discuss how wellness 

trends vary in different locations 

around the world? Like, 

between Asia, Europe, and other 

regions? What are some notable 

developments in these areas? 

Countries are becoming more and more 

proud of their own indigenous wellness 

treasures, such as TCM in China, Ayurveda 

in India, or other healing modalities in South 

America. That’s something in which we’re 

seeing a big surge. We’re also seeing a 

strong trend where guests are seeking out 

native healing traditions. On the complete 

other end of things, longevity is booming 

much more in Europe and the US compared 

to Asia. Asia and that side of the world is 

more spiritual and connected to nature in 

everything they do. They’re smarter than we 

are, because if your connected with nature, 

have community, and feel that you have 

a purpose, you’re happier and healthier, 

and live longer than people who do IVs and 

injections and stem cells while stressing 

about it. But biohacking is obviously still 

something that’s really happening. 

China is also very focused on beauty. Beauty 

is booming and they’re moving through 

beauty trends at super speed. 

They’re really into natural cosmetics and 

cosmetic supplementation. 

Are you seeing a rise in interest 

in wellness travel and interest in 

wellness in general? 

It’s Booming! It’s incredible how big it is. 

Five or so years ago, maybe 25% – 30% 

of our guests were interested in wellness. 

Now, I would say it’s 99%. This is probably 

more the case at Six Senses than at some 

other resorts because we’re now known for 

wellness. We’re not running serious wellness 

retreats but we have more wellness than 

other hotel brands and you can dip your 

toe in if you’re interested. You can do this 

biomarker screening, but you don’t have 

to do a whole detox program, and you can 

learn about how to create your own body 

scrub, deodorant, and face cream at our 

Alchemy Bar. 

So, yes, I’d say that things have completely 

changed. The early adopters, who were 

interested five years ago are now doing 

intermittent fasting and cold dips and blue 

blocking glasses. And then the other 70% 

are getting more and more interested in 

how to eat well, how you sleep better, and 

that sort of thing. 

Why do you think there is this rise 

in interest? 

I think people are tired and overwhelmed. 

When we look at our phone in the morning, 

in that first 30 minutes our brains get as 

much information as we did in a full week 50 

years ago. We’re completely overwhelmed 

with information and people are tired. That’s 

what we’re seeing. People are not sleeping, 

they’re worried, they’re stressed, their 

cortisol levels are too high. They need to 

learn how to stimulate their vagus nerve and 

improve their HRV. And you do that through 

relaxation, being out in nature, and going 

back to basics. 


How does technology fit into 

wellness and hospitality these days? 

Do you find you are using more of it? 

We’re using a lot more technology, but 

we’re trying to be mindful. I’m using 

wearables at the moment because I am in 

the period of measurements, but then I’ll 

go three or four months and do nothing. 

Because the most important thing is to 

listen to your own body and its cues. It’s 

much smarter than any wearable, but 

sometimes we need wearables to learn 

about our bodies, which is interesting. So, 

I think we’re trying to use it mindfully at Six 

Senses in the sense that we use it when it 

serves us and not when it doesn’t. 

Be mindful of digitally detoxing every day 

if you can. We encourage our guests not 

to look at their phones first thing in the 

morning if possible. Because that will 

overstimulate the brain and the brain 

gets tired. You’re supposed to have a slow 

buildup of your brain function. 

Can you address how all of the things 

that you do at Six Senses contribute 

to happiness. Do you think a lot 

about people’s happiness factor? 

Yes, we do. Incredibly much, I would say. 

But not really “happiness” exactly, because 

happiness is a cursed word. It means that 

you have to do something to become 

happy, like buy a new car. If we talk to 

Buddhist monks, they talk instead about 

“contentment.” Contentment is something 

to strive for because happiness implies that 

we always have to be on a high end. 

content. If we are content in life, we have 

joy. Being content brings more fulfillment. 

I believe that, more than anything else, 

spiritual wellbeing and finding awe and 

wonder and curiosity in life is what creates 

what we call happiness. 

That’s why we’re so big on things like 

retreats and festivals. We want to create 

that community. We’ve also been rolling out 

communal tables and conversation cards 

on tables. So, you can put your phone in a 

box and use conversation cards. It’s been 

so successful. Guests are loving it. 

What are you excited about? 

I’m incredibly excited about longevity and 

what you can do to prevent needing to 

go to hospital or getting various diseases. 

Seventy percent of Americans suffer from 

autoimmune disease, and 40% have two. 

The likelihood that I will get cancer is pretty 

big, but if I do the longevity measures, I 

can maybe push that forward five years 

and that’s huge. So, I’m very excited about 

longevity research and also the more 

technical stem cell, exosomes, peptides 

research that’s happening at the moment. 

Female health has been growing and I’ve 

learned so much in the last couple of years 

that I wish I knew before about how my 

body actually works. And then I’m very 

excited about shamanism and energy 

medicine because that’s something very 

close to my heart. 

We’re rolling out a program later this year 

for spiritual wellbeing, which is about 

having purpose and being connected with 

yourself and others. Having a community 

is very important for being happy or being 


Featured property: 

Ash Spa at Bowie House 

Ash Spa at Bowie House in Fort Worth Texas 

is a rustic yet luxurious sanctuary inspired 

by the great outdoors, named for the state’s 

plentiful ash trees and constructed to mirror 

its ubiquitous barns 

Auberge Resorts Collection’s Bowie House is 

a new, luxury, urban retreat on Fort Worth 

Texas’ Camp Bowie Boulevard. The hotel 

embodies the unique character of Fort 

Worth, merging the classic Western charm 

of Texas with a modern touch, creating an 

atmosphere that captures approachable 

sophistication, cultural vibrancy, and the 

equestrian spirit of Fort Worth. Bowie 

house is located in one of the city’s most 

iconic neighborhoods, close to museums, 

restaurants, and the legendary Will Rogers 

Memorial Center. 

Renowned design firm BOKA Powell blends 

the traditional and modern, using brick and 

cast stone reminiscent of cowboy days with 

striking glass features, a lush pool terrace, 

and inviting gathering spaces. Eighty eight 

studios, 12 Lofts, and 6 Suites exude the 

warm spirit of the West. Several feature 

open-air balconies, and all offer beautiful 

views over the city’s Cultural District or lush 

courtyard gardens. 

Three dining and drinking options offer a taste 

of modern Texan cuisine and unique culinary 

experiences, including backyard cookouts and 

multisensory food and spirit tastings. 

Ash Spa at Bowie House 

Ash Spa is a rustic yet luxurious sanctuary 

inspired by the great outdoors, named 

for the state’s plentiful ash trees and 

constructed to mirror its ubiquitous barns. 

The spa features five treatment rooms, a 

sauna and steam room, a fitness center, 

nail studio, boutique, and relaxation lounge. 

An oasis for both locals and travelers, Ash 

boasts a unique menu of skin health and 

bodywork offerings focused on offering 

guests holistic and natural as well as 

cutting-edge treatments. Signatures include 

the full-body Deep West to soothe and 

strengthen every body, scalp and facial 

muscle using acupuncture stretching, 

cupping, and heated pads. The Qi Beauty 

Facial, which stimulates the revitalization 

of skin through the use of carefully 

manipulated magnetic fields and gradients, 

is another highlight. 

Experiences include water dancing, 

synergistic skin treatments, infrared therapy, 

non-sleep deep rest massage, and madeto-measure 

apothecary, while daily fitness 

classes and a program of visiting wellness 

specialists ensure guests and locals alike 

have every opportunity to optimize their 

well-being. Guests not staying at the 

hotel can unwind with the Wellness Pass, 

providing full access to the exclusive terrace 

pool, spa and fitness center. 


FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS 

ADVERTISE WITH US 

CONTACT SAL CAPIZZI FOR MORE INFORMATION 

SCAPIZZI@SPAEXECUTIVE.COM

Spa Executive May 2024

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