Wellness That Outlives the Stay

By Christian Kiefer CEO and Founder, Spa Wellness Project Management

Looking back at your journey, what inspired you to dedicate your career to redefining wellness in hospitality?

My journey into wellness began almost by chance, though in hindsight, it feels like it was always meant to be.

What inspired me to dedicate my career to wellness in hospitality was the realization that wellness could be more than a treatment or a spa session. It could be a philosophy woven into the very fabric of how we live, travel, and experience the world. When I transitioned to land-based hospitality and later moved to the Middle East in 2010, I saw that while this region was booming with luxury hotels and breathtaking resorts, wellness was often treated as an afterthought. My vision became clear: to redefine wellness not as an amenity, but as an essential pillar of hospitality.

Redefining wellness meant making it accessible, ethical, and deeply integrated into hotel operations—so that guests didn’t just leave with beautiful memories of their stay but with a renewed sense of health, balance, and connection to themselves. That has been my inspiration ever since.

What core philosophy drives Spa Wellness Project Management, and how do you ensure that your projects deliver both commercial value for hotels and genuine wellness for guests?

The core philosophy of Spa Wellness Project Management is rooted in three words: accessibility, authenticity, and sustainability. I founded the company because I saw the gap between what hotels were offering and what guests were truly seeking. Too often, wellness was packaged as luxury but lacked depth, or it was operationally unsustainable and therefore short-lived.

For me, delivering value means creating win-win solutions: hotels must see measurable returns, and guests must experience genuine transformation. That balance is non-negotiable. From the commercial perspective, I focus on building spas and wellness brands that are revenue centers, not cost centers. That involves smart design, efficient operations, rigorous training for therapists, and programs that appeal to both hotel guests and the local community.

On the guest side, authenticity is everything. Guests can immediately sense when wellness is superficial. We design experiences that are rooted in true healing philosophies—whether it’s holistic therapies, sustainable product sourcing, or integrating local cultural practices into treatments. At the same time, we ensure consistency and quality across all locations.

This dual focus on commercial viability and authentic wellness is what has allowed Rayya Wellness and Wellbeings Holistic Healing to thrive.

Rayya Wellness and Wellbeings Holistic Healing have seen impressive growth across the UAE. What do you believe has been the key factor behind their success?

The success of Rayya Wellness and Wellbeings Holistic Healing lies in their adaptability and clarity of purpose. Both brands were created with a strong identity. The key factor, though, has been the consistency of execution. Growth does not come from a glossy brochure or a clever marketing campaign alone. It comes from every guest walking away with the feeling that they have been cared for, that their needs have been understood, and that they’ve experienced something real.

Another crucial element is the long-term partnerships we’ve built with hotels. Operators trust us because we don’t just bring a brand—we bring a strategy, a training framework, a strong operational backbone, and a proven track record of profitability. That trust has fueled our expansion.

How are hotels in the region evolving in their approach to wellness, and what role do you see wellness playing in driving occupancy and guest loyalty?

Hotels in this region are undergoing a fundamental shift. Ten years ago, a spa was often just a line item in a hotel’s brochure, a beautiful space, yes, but not necessarily a strategic driver. Today, wellness is no longer optional. Guests, whether they are millennials, Gen Z, or baby boomers, are prioritizing health and well-being as a core part of their travel experience.

We’re seeing hotels move beyond the traditional spa model into wellness-integrated stays. This means wellness is present not only in treatments but also in dining concepts, fitness facilities, room design, and even meeting packages. Wellness is becoming experiential and holistic, shaping the entire guest journey.

As for occupancy and loyalty, wellness has become a differentiator. In a competitive market like the UAE, a hotel can no longer rely on luxury rooms or prime locations alone. Guests want experiences that enrich them. A strong wellness offering can influence booking decisions and keep guests returning. I believe wellness will increasingly become a key revenue driver and a brand loyalty anchor for hotels.

Sustainability is a growing focus in hospitality. What practical steps can spas and wellness brands take to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining luxury standards?

Sustainability and luxury are not opposites—they can, and must, coexist. For spas and wellness brands, this begins with choosing partners and products that prioritize ethical sourcing, recyclable packaging, and natural ingredients, ensuring that every treatment reflects care for both the guest and the planet. Operational efficiencies also play a major role; from reducing single-use plastics to implementing water-saving fixtures and energy-efficient lighting, even small adjustments can significantly reduce environmental impact. Another important step is local sourcing—whether that’s using regionally made teas, oils, or wellness products—which not only supports the community but also reduces the carbon footprint tied to global shipping. Just as important is educating guests and inviting them into the sustainability journey by making eco-conscious initiatives visible and meaningful, whether through refillable amenities or wellness programs designed with environmental awareness in mind. The key is to integrate these measures seamlessly so that guests never feel that sustainability is a compromise; instead, it becomes part of a more thoughtful, elevated expression of luxury.

Your career began on luxury cruise liners and has since taken you to some of the most prestigious hotel groups. What lessons from your early career still guide you today?

Working on cruise liners taught me two invaluable lessons: the importance of adaptability and the power of human connection. Onboard, you deal with hundreds of guests every week, each with different expectations, needs, and cultural backgrounds. To succeed, you had to be agile—ready to pivot in an instant while still delivering excellence. That adaptability has stayed with me, especially in a dynamic market like the Middle East.

The second lesson is about people. No matter how luxurious the facility, it is the human touch that makes or breaks a guest experience. I learned early on that genuine hospitality comes from empathy—understanding what a guest needs even before they voice it. This belief continues to guide every training session we deliver and every brand we build.

Looking five years ahead, how do you see the intersection of hospitality and wellness evolving in this region—and what role do you want Spa Wellness Project Management to play in shaping that future?

I see the future of hospitality and wellness in this region as one of deep integration. Wellness will no longer be a “department” within a hotel—it will be the essence of the entire experience. Guests will expect wellness to influence everything: the way rooms are designed to promote sleep, the way food is curated for health, the way activities are built around mindfulness and movement.

Technology will play a role too, with personalized wellness journeys supported by data-driven insights and AI. But the heart of it will remain human—the need for authentic, healing, face-to-face experiences.

My goal for Spa Wellness Project Management is to be at the forefront of this transformation. I want us to continue pioneering accessible, ethical, and commercially viable wellness solutions for hotels. More importantly, I want us to shape a wellness culture that is not just about luxury treatments, but about helping people live healthier, more balanced lives—even after they check out.

In five years, I envision a region where every major hotel view wellness not as an amenity, but as a core promise. And I want our team to be the trusted partner making that vision a reality.