Meet Clifford Bañagale, director of spa and wellness at Asaya Spa at Rosewood Sand Hill (Menlo Park, CA), who has 19 years of experience in the spa and hospitality industry. Prior to joining Asaya Spa, Bañagale most recently served as general manager at Milk + Honey (Brentwood, CA). His past spa and wellness experience also includes roles at Sunset Marquis (West Hollywood, CA), Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotels (West Hollywood, CA), Pendry and Montage Hotels, and Equinox Fitness Clubs and Spas across Southern California. Learn more about Bañagale, his path to where he is today, and his thoughts on the future of spa and wellness.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
I came to wellness through an unconventional door: film and television. My background as a producer and on-screen talent taught me to look at experiences holistically, considering not just how something functions, but how it looks, feels, flows, and lands emotionally. I see a spa not simply as a facility, but as a carefully orchestrated journey where the guest is the protagonist—and every detail is intentionally produced. That storytelling mindset allows me to design experiences that are immersive, intentional, and memorable. To me, wellness is another form of purposeful entertainment—one that nourishes both body and mind.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of being in the spa industry?
The challenge lies in the precision required to deliver luxury consistently, every single day. Much of that work happens behind the scenes—logistics, systems, and forward-thinking questions, like how technology and AI can support and strengthen the wellness workforce rather than replace it. The true magic of a spa lives in its people—leadership sets the tone and the vibe, and the team brings the experience to life. The most rewarding part is mentorship. Helping talented practitioners grow into confident, multifaceted professionals is deeply fulfilling. My role extends beyond operations; it’s about coaching, guiding, and helping individuals build meaningful, long-term careers. Impact is who you help build. Legacy is how far that impact reaches.
What has surprised you most about working in the spa industry?
What has surprised me is the rapid shift toward longevity and performance science. Wellness today is no longer purely aesthetic—it’s increasingly rooted in optimization, recovery, and measurable outcomes. Guests are more informed than ever, which challenges us to honor traditional integrating wellness modern, practices while science-backed innovation. When done thoughtfully, the intersection of ritual and technology, including the rise of biohacking, creates a lifestyle that feels both timeless and forward-looking.
Where do you think the industry is heading?
We are entering an era defined by social wellness and bio-optimization. The spa is evolving from a place of quiet retreat into a space for connection, community, and culture. We’ll continue to see deeper integration between medical technology and the emotional intelligence of traditional spa experiences. The modern spa is becoming a high-vibration ecosystem where recovery, connection, and wellbeing are the social currency. We’re evolving beyond the silent retreat to create spaces where deep wellness and human connection can truly coexist.
What’s your favorite skincare ingredient?
I’m focused on adaptogenic complexes and peptides. As a former high-performance athlete, I view skincare through the lens of functional resilience. In our high-velocity world, the skin needs armor, active ingredients that help it adapt to oxidative stress. My philosophy is utilitarian luxury: science-backed, high-performance results that are attainable and effective, without the fuss.
Was there a time you had to make a decision in your career that ended up changing your destiny?
Yes, when I started to integrate my creative, behind-the-scenes production mindset into executive spa leadership. Once I stopped separating creativity from business strategy, everything shifted. Approaching leadership like a creative director allowed me to drive stronger guest engagement, brand loyalty, and financial performance. Experience design lives just as much in feeling as it does in execution.
If you could work in any other profession in the world, what would you be?
I’d work in entertainment production, leading teams, shaping narratives, and delivering moments that resonate. The parallels between entertainment and hospitality are strong: both are about people, timing, and creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.
How would you sum up your personal philosophy?
"Celebrate others” is more than a mantra—it’s how I lead. I don’t just manage budgets or chase multimillion-dollar outcomes; I invest in my team, mentor them to embrace their full potential, and watch as their growth fuels the business. When you win friends, you influence people and a warm smile is contagious.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
I’m a movement thrillist and art enthusiast, constantly chasing experiences that push my physical and creative limits. I share these adventures with Winnie, my miniature PomChi —imagine a tiny husky with a permanent smile—who has a way of stealing hearts wherever we go. She reminds me that we are both experiencing life for the first time.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Know your audience. If you can’t see what people truly need, you can’t serve them. Connection isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of everything we do.