New employee benefits announced as Barons Eden makes MD appointment

Luxury hotel and spa group Barons Eden has announced a revised benefits package for its employees as part of a new recruitment initiative. 

The group, which owns Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire and Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire, currently employs 85 full-time spa therapists across both its properties and is seeking to recruit 45 more.

Therapist benefits include a complimentary Simply Spa Day after the first six months of service and an additional spa day in every 12 months of service; the opportunity to earn commission from product up-sells; in-house training with brands such as Elemis, Voya, Lava Shell and Jessica Nails, as well as comprehensive induction training; and free products from spa partner brands if external targets are met.

Therapists will also have access to flexible working hours, with part-time, full-time and rolling rotas available, as well as complimentary food options from the Lite Bites menu during their shift. 

Company-wide benefits include shared parental leave, complimentary leisure and spa membership, a 30% discount on all overnight stays and spa days, a 30% discount on food and drink and a 20% discount in the spa shop, parlour and barbers. 

Barons Eden also promises a ‘fun, supportive and inclusive work environment’, as well as ongoing career development training and internal career opportunities.

“Investing in the guest experience begins with the staff,” Barons Eden director Ed Law told European Spa. 

“We put our people first to build a strong and supportive work family. From celebrating each other’s successes to awarding service milestones, we strive to create a culture of positive recognition and reward.” 

Barons Eden has also announced the appointment of Michael Stott as managing director of Hoar Cross Hall. 

The industry veteran joins with more than 30 year’s experience in leisure, travel and hospitality. His previous roles include senior positions at several high-profile properties, including Whittlebury Hall & Spa. 

In his new role, Stott aims to build on Hoar Cross Hall’s reputation for industry-leading customer service and plans to expand the team, as well as support professional development for existing staff.

Stott will also drive the business’s sustainability goals and reduce the property’s environmental impact. 

“Now is the perfect time for me to join the already fantastic team at Hoar Cross Hall,” Stott said. 

 “After the uncertainty of the last two years, customer experience and innovation has never been more important, and I’m looking forward to implementing some exciting new projects across each offering at our incredible destination over the next 12 months,” he added.

Law said: “We have a strong and ambitious strategy for Barons Eden and our hotel and spas, therefore it has been important that we get the right team around us to propel us onto the next phase of the business.” 

“We are absolutely delighted that Michael has joined us at Hoar Cross Hall, as he has a huge amount of experience in the sector that we know will support and positively affect our business,” he added. 

The group’s recent £14m renovation of Hoar Cross Hall was Barons Eden’s largest investment to date. 

The restoration took two years to complete and aimed to update the 150-year-old property in keeping with its luxury offering while maintaining the property’s rich history and heritage.

The retreat’s guest rooms, spa and communal areas all received significant upgrades and the group worked with interior design firm Hip Creative Consulting to create the ‘classic modern’ aesthetic of the bedrooms, as well as the spa’s Nordic Heat & Ice suite and inner sanctum.

Featuring an aspen wood sauna, experience showers, salt inhalation room and lavender aromatherapy room, the Nordic Heat & Ice suite acts as a complete thermal circuit and was one of the first elements of the spa’s renovation to be completed. 

The spa’s facilities include 41 treatments rooms, 10 saunas and steam rooms, five slumber and relaxation spaces, a Hair Parlour and Barber Shop, and a spa restaurant and coffee shop. A state-of-the-art gym outfitted with Technogym equipment, several fitness studios,  a hydrotherapy pool and a saltwater pool complete the offering. 

Suppliers included Anapos, Dale Saunas, Unique Pools, who worked on the water and thermal experiences, while treatment beds were supplied by Ellisons and dressing gowns and slippers were supplied by Ecoknit.

TLJ supplied wristbands that give guests spa access and these are connected to guests’ rooms and can be used to pay for treatments and products in the spa, eliminating the need for guests to carry cards or cash.