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Amanda Hardy named Spa Professional of the Year at The Cateys

Spa manager at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall recognised by industry accolade

UK

By Mark Smith

23 November 2021

www.seaham-hall.co.uk
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Amanda Hardy, spa manager at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall, County Durham has been named Spa Professional of the Year at The 2021 Hotel Cateys. The judges described her at a “true spa professional”, who has achieved excellence in both in the spa environment and the wider hotel.”

The winners of the awards, organized by The Caterer magazine were revealed at a ceremony at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Hardy was recognised for her professionalism and innovative response the the pandemic in 2021.

The outdoor pool at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall

Spa manager’s award recognition

The awards highlighted a number of successful programmes that Hardy has implemented during her role as manager. Under her direction, the Serenity Spa at the five-red-AA-star Seaham Hall hotel in Durham has held its luxury status for four years.

Serenity Spa took took Spa Team of the Year in the North East Beauty Awards 2019, and North East Spa of the Year in the Professional Beauty Awards in 2017 and 2018. The team also won the Good Spa Guide’s Best Customer Service award for three consecutive years and achieves consistently high TripAdvisor ratings.

Hardy’s efforts to retain and attract customers throughout the pandemic saw her initiate a programme of video sessions, as well as running competitions through partnerships with local brands. And when the hotel reopened, she created an in-room spa products and services menu for guests.

Amanda Hardy (centre) pictured with the spa team at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall

Award-winning management at Serenity Spa

Serenity Spa has 17 treatment rooms, a swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs, spa garden with immersive infinity pool, a herbal sanarium, a salt sauna and hydrotherapy pool. In the past 18 months, Hardy has added a waterbed relaxation zone and a cosy-corner hideout, pre-empting the interest in holistic health and wellbeing following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hardy has worked at Seaham Hall for over nine years, starting her career as a spa receptionist in 2012, working her way up the management ladder in various roles including assistant spa manager, spa guest relations manager and spa operations manager. She was appointed manager of the award-winning coastal spa in 2019.

"I am immensely proud to have been awarded Spa Professional of the Year at this year’s Hotel Cateys. This year it feels even extra special to be shortlisted following the challenges so many of my fellow colleagues and hoteliers have and are still facing."

Amanda Hardy

Spa manager, Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall

Events at Seaham Hall

Hardy also organised Summer at Seaham Hall, a series of events featuring local artists and performers. During the pandemic, she mobilised a team to support local charity the East Durham Trust and pursued personal development through a world spa and wellness mentorship programme, securing Christine Belnser of the Four Seasons Dubai as her mentor.

She has recently enrolled in a diploma in hotel management and in turn has mentored several members of the Seaham Hall hotel team through to promotion and actively encourages cross departmental training to help with managerial progression across the hotel.

“I am honoured to be surrounded by such positive individuals and passionate teams that have supported and enabled my continued progression.  To win the Spa Professional of the Year award brings me enormous joy,” said Hardy.

The indoor pool at Serenity Spa, Seaham Hall

What the judges said about the Spa Professional of the Year

woman with blonde hair smiling at camera

“Seaham Hall’s spa is a huge business to manage and Amanda is clearly ensuring its continued success. Her progression from spa receptionist to spa director over nine years show her commitment and loyalty.”

Cathy Ball

Founding spa director, Calcot Spa

“In my eyes Amanda is a true spa professional across all areas of her role. She clearly runs a hugely successful business and really stepped up to the recent challenges that Covid-19 threw at her, still coming out on top. She leads by example and is keen not only to develop herself but also her team, growing from within by giving everyone exciting opportunities in their roles.”

Anna Thomas

Spa and health club director, Stoke Park

“Amanda has gone from strength to strength in her career and I love all the work she is doing outside of the spa, to improve her not only her own knowledge but passing that onto others.”

Lucy Mingo

Account manager, ishga

Be inspired...

For more information on Seaham Hall, please click below

WWW.SEAHAM-HALL.CO.UK
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