We had the chance to speak to Dayleann Vallejo, spa director at The Spa at The Alfond Inn at Rollins (Winter Park, FL), to get an inside look at the 13,500-square-foot state-of-the-art wellness facility, which also includes a new fitness center, hydrotherapy amenities, and a second pool deck.
Please describe the spa’s design.
It’s a breath of fresh air. It is very open, with lots of color and warmth. It invites you, brings you in, and gives you the feeling of wellness. The designers were trying to do something transcendental, and it’s inviting for everyone. They created an experience that alluded to the art and the culture of the hotel. The lights, artwork, and architecture make you feel like you’re in a jewelry box. You feel like a shining piece of jewelry.
It fits in perfectly at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, which is a five-star hotel in Winter Park, known for displaying artwork from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. The hotel is owned by neighboring Rollins College, and hotel profits fund scholarships for deserving Rollins students. Winter Park is one of the oldest cities in the state and has this lovely historic feel. While The Spa is new, a part of the new addition along with 71 new guestrooms, the hotel opened more than 10 years ago and is the social hub of the entire community.
Can you please describe each of the treatment rooms?
There are seven treatment rooms. Some are for standard massages, others for couples' massages, facials, and a wide range of services.
What makes the spa unique and sets it apart from other spas in the area?
The greatest feedback that we’ve received is that the spa feels very intimate. It’s high-quality and high-luxury, but not overwhelming. There is nothing like this in this part of greater Orlando. The look is very unique. It’s bright and light and features original artwork. We’re on the second floor of the Alfond’s new wing, and you can access the new 6,000-square-foot Amenity Deck that features a second swimming pool for the hotel, with a shade canopy and private cabanas. There is nothing like this wellness resort in the rest of Central Florida.
How would you describe your typical clientele?
We have a wide variety of guests because this hotel is so unique. So yes, we get our hotel guests. But since Winter Park is one of the oldest cities in Florida and has a great deal of culture and long-time winter residents, we also get many locals. We also get college students since we are owned by Rollins College, which is a few blocks away.
How are you marketing the spa to your hotel guests?
Our hotel guests learn about The Spa during the reservation process, on the hotel website, on the key card, and through in-room marketing. Our campaigns will be seasonal. Hotel guests pay a resort fee, and that includes a spa incentive.
How are you marketing the spa to local guests or those not staying at the hotel?
We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of walk-in clients. Our local residents have been waiting for a spa to be built for many years, so it’s been word of mouth.
Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of the menu?
We sat outside in the beautiful parks in Winter Park and took in everything about the community. It’s a place that is so loved and historic, so there are treatments like the Temple Orange Facial, which refers to the orange groves that were once here. The Peacock Peel and Facial was named after the wild peacocks that you can see strolling throughout the town.
Did you take any green initiatives when creating the spa/creating the menu/selecting the spa products?
We really take it to heart to be as sustainable as possible. We use sunscreen that is certified safe, for example, and most everything in the spa has some sustainable background. In our Sanctuary area, we use recycled bamboo and reusable items.
What product lines do you carry at the spa and why did you select them?
We have Osmosis MD. We’re looking for products that have flexibility and are oncology-safe. We also have Privai, which is very clean, and our guests love it. The brand is philanthropic, donating some of its profits to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. That aligns with philanthropy here at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, which donates profits to scholarships for deserving students at Rollins College.
What sort of retail offerings do you offer?
We offer sunscreen, aromatherapy products, fashion clothing, and jewelry. The guests walk through the boutique area as they come and go. We offer a special discount on any retail skin or body product if they’ve just had that service.
What do you find your biggest challenge to be, and how do you meet that challenge?
Our biggest challenge has been getting things perfected. The hotel and the community have never had a spa before, so we’re educating our team, hotel, and guests. It comes down to me, so I try to be fluid and understanding.
What plans do you have for the future?
To make this a wellness destination for Central Florida with the latest technologies, seminars, and education and not just get a service. I want it to be an all-encompassing experience. We opened in November 2023 and have exceeded our monthly revenue by 25% since then.