Todd Hewitt, formerly regional spa director at Four Seasons, based in Toronto, has moved to Hong Kong to head up spa for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Hewitt – an ISPA board member – was placed in his new role by top industry recruiter Lori Hutchinson, who sadly died earlier this year “I was her last placement,” he says.
The new role – corporate director of spa for Shangri-La – will see him responsible for the company’s 90-plus CHI spas and health clubs, as well as having input into the emerging Kerry Sports business.
Hewitt follows Ian Brewis, Shangri-La’s previous head of spa, into the role, but the three year gap between the appointments means the business has been in maintenance mode since.
Hewitt’s brief from Shangri-La CEO Greg Dogan and members of the family-owned business, is to give new momentum to the spa and fitness division. “It’s clear they see greater opportunity for spa within Shangri-La and want leadership for the existing brands and to move forward on new projects,” Hewitt tells Spa Business.
Shangri-La has three main spa, sport and wellness brands including the well-known Asian-themed CHI, The Spa concept in 45 sites and the Health Club brand, which is used in properties which need a boutique operation. There’s also the new Kerry Sports brand – a family-orientated fitness and sports facility which Hewitt says is phenomenal. “I was just in Manilla visiting the latest location,” he says, “and as well as a weight room, cardio room and fitness centre, it has a full-sized NBA basketball court, swimming pool and kid’s zone – an entire floor is dedicated to different children’s activities”.
Hewitt says Shangri-La plans to grow its brand portfolio, with the eventual relaunch of its spas, but that this work won’t be rushed: “You don’t get a second chance to relaunch,” he says. “It has to be done right first time.”
Joining the business at a time of growth, Hewitt’s first job has been to visit flagship locations in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Maldives, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi and Dubai: “We’re expanding,” he says, “in Doha, Sri Lanka, Jeddah, Manilla and the surrounding islands – plus there’s rapid growth in China.”
As a team player, Hewitt is looking forward to working with the team at Shangri-La. “They’re the nicest group of people,” he says, “very down to earth, involved and hard working. Having grown up in a family business, I feel at home.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2016 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Who will own the well-life consumer?
It’s the wild west out there and there’s a land grab going on as interested parties make their play to own the well-life consumer. It’s not clear yet how this will pan out as the industry matures, or where spa stands in the pecking order, but the threats are clear
Spa people: Tyler Gage
Runa’s Tyler Gage working with Channing Tatum on an Amazon healing centre
Spa people: Todd Hewitt
For the first time in four years, Shangri-La appoints a global head of spas. Spa Business talks to Todd Hewitt, the man to fill the role
Spa people: James White
Thermal spa researcher and consultant to head up major overhaul of Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand
Interview: Irene Forte
Daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and niece of designer Olga Polizzi tells Jane Kitchen why the Rocco Forte Hotel’s new spa concept is a family affair
Design: Natural wonderland
Neena Dhillon visits the striking new Keemala resort and spa in Phuket and finds out about its unique design
Science: Skin deep
Modern research is redefining the way we think about skin. Neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre explains what the findings mean for spas
Promotional feature: Clarins
Clarins’ head of Spas, My Blend and Retail, Prisca Courtin-Clarins, talks about the strides the company is making in highly prescriptive skincare, and the development of hotel spa concepts with the My Blend brand
Promotional feature: Massage Heights
There’s a clear gap in the UK spa market for an affordable local offering that places an emphasis on top-quality treatments and services. Is Massage Heights, the successful US franchise chain, the solution?
Promotional feature: Neaumorinc
From a director of spa at Four Seasons to an entrepreneur who introduces exciting new beauty brands to five-star facilities, Shawna Morneau’s experience on both sides of the industry is enabling her consultancy to have an impact worldwide
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Dr Burgener Switzerland to launch Haute Couture, a revolutionary skin treatment that personalises product and treatments to each person’s skin, using cutting-edge technology
Sensory zone: Set adrift
Niamh Madigan talks to researcher Justin Feinstein who thinks floatation could be a shortcut to meditation
Fitness: Defying gravity
The founder of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga tells Niamh Madigan about the technique and a new suspension massage he’s developing for spas
Promotional feature: Gharieni
As Gharieni prepares to celebrate 25 years in the industry, founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni talks about the company’s culture of innovation, and how there will so many more exciting products to come
Todd Hewitt, formerly regional spa director at Four Seasons, based in Toronto, has moved to Hong Kong to head up spa for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Hewitt – an ISPA board member – was placed in his new role by top industry recruiter Lori Hutchinson, who sadly died earlier this year “I was her last placement,” he says.
The new role – corporate director of spa for Shangri-La – will see him responsible for the company’s 90-plus CHI spas and health clubs, as well as having input into the emerging Kerry Sports business.
Hewitt follows Ian Brewis, Shangri-La’s previous head of spa, into the role, but the three year gap between the appointments means the business has been in maintenance mode since.
Hewitt’s brief from Shangri-La CEO Greg Dogan and members of the family-owned business, is to give new momentum to the spa and fitness division. “It’s clear they see greater opportunity for spa within Shangri-La and want leadership for the existing brands and to move forward on new projects,” Hewitt tells Spa Business.
Shangri-La has three main spa, sport and wellness brands including the well-known Asian-themed CHI, The Spa concept in 45 sites and the Health Club brand, which is used in properties which need a boutique operation. There’s also the new Kerry Sports brand – a family-orientated fitness and sports facility which Hewitt says is phenomenal. “I was just in Manilla visiting the latest location,” he says, “and as well as a weight room, cardio room and fitness centre, it has a full-sized NBA basketball court, swimming pool and kid’s zone – an entire floor is dedicated to different children’s activities”.
Hewitt says Shangri-La plans to grow its brand portfolio, with the eventual relaunch of its spas, but that this work won’t be rushed: “You don’t get a second chance to relaunch,” he says. “It has to be done right first time.”
Joining the business at a time of growth, Hewitt’s first job has been to visit flagship locations in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Maldives, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi and Dubai: “We’re expanding,” he says, “in Doha, Sri Lanka, Jeddah, Manilla and the surrounding islands – plus there’s rapid growth in China.”
As a team player, Hewitt is looking forward to working with the team at Shangri-La. “They’re the nicest group of people,” he says, “very down to earth, involved and hard working. Having grown up in a family business, I feel at home.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2016 issue 2
Editor’s letter: Who will own the well-life consumer?
It’s the wild west out there and there’s a land grab going on as interested parties make their play to own the well-life consumer. It’s not clear yet how this will pan out as the industry matures, or where spa stands in the pecking order, but the threats are clear
Spa people: Tyler Gage
Runa’s Tyler Gage working with Channing Tatum on an Amazon healing centre
Spa people: Todd Hewitt
For the first time in four years, Shangri-La appoints a global head of spas. Spa Business talks to Todd Hewitt, the man to fill the role
Spa people: James White
Thermal spa researcher and consultant to head up major overhaul of Maruia Hot Springs in New Zealand
Interview: Irene Forte
Daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and niece of designer Olga Polizzi tells Jane Kitchen why the Rocco Forte Hotel’s new spa concept is a family affair
Design: Natural wonderland
Neena Dhillon visits the striking new Keemala resort and spa in Phuket and finds out about its unique design
Science: Skin deep
Modern research is redefining the way we think about skin. Neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre explains what the findings mean for spas
Promotional feature: Clarins
Clarins’ head of Spas, My Blend and Retail, Prisca Courtin-Clarins, talks about the strides the company is making in highly prescriptive skincare, and the development of hotel spa concepts with the My Blend brand
Promotional feature: Massage Heights
There’s a clear gap in the UK spa market for an affordable local offering that places an emphasis on top-quality treatments and services. Is Massage Heights, the successful US franchise chain, the solution?
Promotional feature: Neaumorinc
From a director of spa at Four Seasons to an entrepreneur who introduces exciting new beauty brands to five-star facilities, Shawna Morneau’s experience on both sides of the industry is enabling her consultancy to have an impact worldwide
Promotional feature: Dr Burgener Switzerland
Dr Burgener Switzerland to launch Haute Couture, a revolutionary skin treatment that personalises product and treatments to each person’s skin, using cutting-edge technology
Sensory zone: Set adrift
Niamh Madigan talks to researcher Justin Feinstein who thinks floatation could be a shortcut to meditation
Fitness: Defying gravity
The founder of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga tells Niamh Madigan about the technique and a new suspension massage he’s developing for spas
Promotional feature: Gharieni
As Gharieni prepares to celebrate 25 years in the industry, founder and CEO Sammy Gharieni talks about the company’s culture of innovation, and how there will so many more exciting products to come
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
