Avalon Lionheart joins HSLP as Spa Director, opening fall 2008

Highly experienced Lionheart guides HSLP into new era

Already on board, Lionheart’s responsibilities include operations management, spearheading the Spa’s pre-opening development, and choosing the treatments and spa packages befitting the famous Hot Springs Lodge & Pool in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

“We selected Avalon not only because of her incredible experience but because she has a serious commitment to wellness and healing, which is a natural fit for our historic Spa,” noted Kjell Mitchell, HSLP COO & General Manager. “Avalon is a great addition to our team.”

Lionheart has tremendous understanding of upscale and highly rated destination and day spas. She spent over nine years with Elizabeth Arden’s industry leading Red Door Salons, during which time she held the position of Spa Director/ General Manager at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, Tyson’s Corner in Vienna, Virginia, and the Red Door Spa in Darien, Connecticut.

Avalon’s professional awards include: General Manager of the Year, the Award of Excellence in Management, and Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List Award. In addition, Avalon has contributed to industry related articles in Cognoscenti Magazine and American Spa. She is certified in Massage Therapy, Core Centered Healing, Life Success Consulting, Peer Mediation and is a Reiki Therapist as well.

“Based on the history of this property, it makes perfect sense to establish a wellness spa,” said Lionheart. “I am thrilled to help write a new chapter in the story of the Hot Springs.”

The 17,000 square-foot Spa of the Rockies, housed in the original 1888 sandstone building, will comprise nine facial/massage rooms (including two couple’s suites), five hydrotherapy tubs, and one Vichy shower wet room. The Spa menu will introduce unique mineral and botanical treatments that promote wellness, vitality and natural health practices to complement the thermal mineral waters of the Hot Springs Pool.

In tribute to the Ute Indians, these treatments will be infused with the natural healing properties of native plants and herbs and integrated into Baths, Body Polishes, Body Masks, Facials, Massages, Pedicures, and Manicures. Distinctive treatments include the Spa of the Rockies Mountain Spirit Purification Ritual, utilizing detoxifying juniper and sage essences, and Kneipp Baths, which incorporate spruce, wildflowers, valerian, juniper, melissa, and linden blossom.

Media Contact:
Barbara Clarke, Director of Sales & Marketing
Hot Springs Lodge and Pool
970 945-3324
bclarke@hotspringspool.com