Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness

June 1, 2022 | by Kimberly Bobson Feldman

Creating a calming mind-body connection

Nestled deep in nature on one of the highest points in San Antonio, Texas, Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness is an ideal setting for the ultimate immersive experience. With its subtle color palette and expansive Hill Country views, this calming oasis sits centrally in the Lone Star state, making it the perfect escape for locals and travelers alike. Loma de Vida opened in September 2017 following a major renovation of the La Cantera Resort, bringing the vision of an intentional space for gathering, connecting, and rejuvenating to life.

The spa is vibrant and sizable, with a combined 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and 15 treatment rooms where guests can unwind. A highlight is two Sky Loft suites, perched on the edge of a hill with incredible views and private decks, cowboy tubs, gardens, and space for three to six treatments. Saline baths, herbal steam, and a Himalayan salt sauna make up the wet areas, and The Grotto boasts an intimate saline pool and garden that can be reserved as a private or semi-private space. Outdoor treatments always elevate the senses, which guests can enjoy in three private garden cabanas. For a truly authentic experience, guests congregate at The Gathering Place to socialize amid a fireplace, breathtaking scenery, and local art and music. Rounding out the offerings is an infinity pool, juice bar, boutique, fitness studio, and full service salon with an outdoor deck for small private parties.

“For a truly authentic experience, guests congregate at The Gathering Place to socialize amid a fireplace, breathtaking scenery, and local art and music.”

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With a passion for wellness and more than 20 years in the industry, Spa Director Laura Krohn, MPH, shares how she keeps Loma de Vida at the top of the “best spa” lists, from local San Antonio press to national and even international publications, including USA Today, Wine Spectator, Conde Nast Traveler, Style Blueprint, and Luxury Travel Advisor.

Signature Treatment

As the saying goes, everything’s bigger in Texas! Loma de Vida’s signature treatment is the two-hour Absolute Texas ritual, which uses locally crafted bees- wax, honey, and a touch of lavender, reminiscent of Texas Hill Country. The treatment includes a full body scrub, wrap, and massage, for an exfoliating, nourishing, and hydrating escape.

“Guests begin face down for the scrub and polish. After hot towels warm and infuse topical nutrients into the feet and body, a warm shower washes away the stress of the day and leaves the skin smooth and prepped for the naturally microbiome-supporting Honey Drizzle,” explains Krohn. “Applied to the whole body, the Honey Drizzle is rich in Vitamin B, antioxidants, and micronutrients. It is massaged into the skin before the guest is wrapped for 30 minutes to allow the magic to happen.”

Marketing

“Loma de Vida is unique in that we have a stand-alone website and are also integrated with the La Cantera Resort marketing initiatives,” notes Krohn. The overarching marketing plan includes working cohesively with the resort group sales team, events and banquet team, and Wellness Group Sales Coordinators for both local and resort guests. “Additionally, we work with an amazing PR firm and use social media, community networking, and innovative programming to draw new guests and inspire our regulars to continue to return,” Krohn adds. Of course, happy clients are key to any successful spa, and strong word-of-mouth has provided Loma de Vida a growing loyal following.

Training

“Training is essential to creating consistency in elite delivery of service and guest interactions,” says Krohn. The spa holds monthly departmental “touch bases,” a bi-annual all-staff meeting, and comprehensive refresh training using an annual training calendar driven by reviewing where staff need additional knowledge.

Attendants participate in side-by-side training with leadership. Starting this year, the spa will launch a Personal and Career Development Program, designed to support individual goals and expand career opportunities. The staff also relishes time to gather and connect as a team, with a potluck meal or fun activity. Bowling is a favorite!

Special Events and Promotions

A notably unique feature, in 2021 Loma de Vida expanded its wellness programming by launching the WellYou Lecture Series in partnership with University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Public Health. This wellness series covers a variety of self-care topics to improve total health outcomes through an integrative wellbeing model encompassing psychosocial, mental, physical, spiritual, and sexuality components. With new topics monthly, and past webinars available to view on its website, Loma de Vida aims to open more community dialogue and provide access to resources for living your best life.

Revenue and Retail

At Loma de Vida, massage is the main driver for revenue at approximately 75 percent. The spa has a growing facial business that is tracking in the 20 percent range, followed by rituals and salon services. Retail is led by the spa’s treatment product lines, so guests can continue the benefits and experience with home care. According to Krohn, the focus is on finding the sweet spot for guests’ needs, as well as educating them on how enhance their treatment impact over time.

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