Amanda Jayne Jennings is the Spa Manager at Seaham Hall – one of the region’s premier hotels.
Nestled in a striking clifftop location on the Durham Coast, the Georgian country house hotel is rich in heritage, contemporary in style, and has been named among the best places to stay, dine, and celebrate in the North East. In the latest series of our What’s Trending Now features, we chat to Amanda Jayne Jennings, Spa Manager of the hotel’s award-winning Serenity Spa.
EDB: Firstly, Amanda, tell us more about the award-winning facilities at the Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall Hotel? AJJ: Our spa has all the facilities you’d expect from a 5* venue and more. Drawing influence from Far Eastern healing and wellness rituals, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind, whether that’s relaxing by our indoor pool or taking in some fresh air soaking up the bubbles in our outdoor infinity pool, there’s no better way to recharge the batteries. Alongside our water features the spa includes a sauna, steam, an ice-cold plunge pool which well and truly awaken the senses plus indoor and outdoor hot tubs, which provide the perfect space to drift away and switch the mind off completely. On the lower level our treatment rooms offer a perfect place for moment of escape. From intensely relaxing and energising therapies that target the whole body to our selection of hand and nail treatments. When you’re ready for a bite to eat, the Ozone restaurant offers a delicious choice of Asian fusion treats, while the bar serves a wide selection of alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and superfood juices depending on your mood. The Serenity Spa is an inspiring space which really does invigorate and nurture the mind, body, and soul.
EDB: How important are spas and preventative practices supporting overall health and happiness? AJJ: Spas, for the first time, are now being recognised as part of ‘essential’ services that can support the NHS and propel prevention. Partnering with the local experts, the Serenity Spa continues to expand its portfolio of holistic health. Retreats focusing on resetting the mind, body and soul introducing new techniques such as sound therapy, breath work and EFT tapping workshops are just some of the key focuses for 2022 and beyond.
EDB: How does the use of dynamic technology enhance the services offered at the spa? AJJ: The need for technology that puts our health first and can be used in a positive way rather than simply another element of screen time. My wellness continues to be our chosen member app, supporting how technology can help improve overall health. We have since launched our seamlessly integrated One Journey booking platform allowing guests not only to reserve but personalise their spa journey with us feeding direct live availability with the additions of spa retail, skincare classes to name a few.
EDB: The team at the spa are big advocates for community partnerships, aren’t you? AJJ: Yes absolutely. Community remains at the heart of everything we do, and we try to support and engage with our local communities as much as possible. Partnerships with local and national brands, businesses and organisations allow us to soundproof our competitive edge whilst expanding upon an already vast but meaningful portfolio of experiences. One of our key partnerships is with the East Durham Business Network. For us, being tuned into the challenges and opportunities within our business community is vital – we know many of the area’s employers are actively expanding their health and wellbeing offering and are keen to partner with us to offer their staff incentives such as vouchers, spa experiences and team-building sessions.
EDB: The Serenity Spa puts nature at its very heart. Tell us more about that? AJJ: Our appreciation of nature continues to blossom. Encouraging experiences in nature allows us to nurture the mind, relax the body and connect the soul. Less is often more and there is a new appreciation for simplicity after a complicated and conflicting pandemic. Whether it be a brisk walk in woodland, breathing the sea air or pondering in the park nature continues to be a comfort to us all. We are very fortunate at Seaham Hall to embrace our many acres of space across both the Spa and the Hotel, including beach meditation, onsite bike hire, a moment of reflection by pond or switch of time in the Spa Garden.
EDB: Finally, you were big winners at the recent Global Spa Awards, weren’t you? AJJ: We were – we were named Hotel Spa of the Year, Western Europe & Scandinavia, which was a huge honour for us. To be recognised on such a prestigious stage really is fantastic and testament to the hard work put in by every member of the team in what’s been a hugely challenging time. seaham-hall.co.uk <LF