Fairmont Hotels & Resorts names new global VP spa and wellness

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has revealed its new global vice president of spa and wellness is Emma Darby.

With more than two decades of hospitality experience, Darby has held senior roles at Rosewood Hotels as well as Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group.

Darby will assume overall responsibility for all spa and wellness operations across Fairmont’s global portfolio of 92 properties, with a focus on delivering a holistic wellness experience.

Most recently, as COO at Resense Spas, Darby led a global portfolio of luxury spas. She oversaw business expansion, spearheaded new openings and renovations to deliver strategic growth.

As vice president of Fairmont’s spa and wellness portfolio, Darby will champion integrity, inclusivity and curiosity, building the foundation for a strong team structure.

Darby says her leadership is driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of wellness. “Wellness has always been a personal passion of mine.

“I’m thrilled to join a brand like Fairmont that shares this commitment to health and wellbeing and continues to build on such a strong foundation.”

“My leadership philosophy is centred on clarity, collaboration and a guest-first mindset,” continues Darby.

“I believe in giving teams a strong sense of purpose, along with the tools and support they need to thrive. As a leader, I’ll focus on building trust, encouraging innovation and supporting both personal and professional growth.”

Darby’s appointment brings leadership continuity and a unified wellness vision across Fairmont’s growing portfolio.

Her priorities will be to focus on understanding the current wellness landscape, identifying opportunities to elevate the guest experience and implementing strategies that drive innovation and consistency.

Global expansion for the Fairmont brand

Fairmont is in a phase of significant global expansion, with 29 new hotels in the pipeline and a commitment to offering wellness-driven guest experiences.

These include the Fairmont Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and Fairmont Hanoi in Vietnam.

This week, Fairmont also launched a new global brand campaign – ‘Make Special Happen’ – a collection of unique offerings which immerse a guest into their own unforgettable experience.

The huge range of opportunities range from crafting a one-of-a-kind chocolate body scrub at Fairmont Orchid to private access to the spa for a wellness ritual under the stars at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.

“This is an exciting time for spa and wellness at Fairmont,” says darby. “Guests can also look forward to BASIN Glacial Waters opening this year, an all-sensory thermal bathing experience at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.”

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