Crossbasket Castle appoints new director of spa and wellness at Four Angels Spa

Five-star Scottish hotel Crossbasket Castle has appointed Zoe Douglas as director of spa and wellness ahead of the opening of its Four Angels Spa this autumn.

Douglas brings 25 years’ experience exclusively within five-star hotels and luxury wellness destinations. Her international career has spanned Europe, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.

European Spa has previously reported on the new destination spa, which forms part of the next phase of the multi-million-pound transformation on the estate.

Douglas joins as the historic castle enters the next chapter of its transformation, following the opening of its 40 bedroom hotel and entertainment-led restaurant, Trocadero’s last year.

Leadership excellence

Douglas originally trained at the Scottish School of Massage in sports and remedial massage. She then worked aboard Seabourn Yachts and with Six Senses resorts in the Maldives and the Dominican Republic.

Her career continued with W Hotels in Barcelona and Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh, before leading the pre-opening launch of House Spa at Dormy House Hotel in the Cotswolds. She spent more than five years at this award-winning property as spa and wellness manager.

Later, Douglas became spa director at Fletcher’s Cottage Spa, Archerfield. Most recently, she was spa business development manager for the UK and Ireland at Natura Bissé.

In 2017, she was named Black Diamond Spa Professional of the Year at the Forum HOTel &Spa Awards in Paris.

“Spa and wellness for me is about intuitive connection, ensuring an intentional bespoke journey to heighten the experience between therapist and guest,” said Douglas. “The key is nurturing the staff from the inside out, so they can truly embody.”

Spa partnerships

Four Angels Spa will offer a ritual-led wellness sanctuary with four treatment rooms, inspired by the estate’s natural surroundings. The team will use bespoke Hebridean spa products, crafted using organic ingredients from the Isle of Harris by Amanda Saurin, founder of AS Apothecary. All products will be developed exclusively for Crossbasket Castle.

The treatment rituals are being curated by Beata Aleksandrowicz, an internationally renowned specialist in massage, facials and spa treatments and founder of Beata Digital Academy.

Aleksandrowicz is known for her unique approach to the power of touch and her commitment to advanced training for therapists.