Galway's g Hotel is no stranger to awards and this month it added yet another feather to its cap when ESPA Manager Dolores Mooney was named Best Spa Manager at the prestigious IBPA Irish Beauty Industry Awards 2008, which took place in Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel in Killiney on Sunday 6 April. Marie Madden reports on the secret behind the five star spa's success

The IBPA Irish Beauty Industry Awards, now in their sixth year, are firmly established as the premier showcase for the best of the professional Irish beauty sector. They recognise and reward skill, professionalism and excellence in the beauty industry.

Dolores Mooney, a native of the UK but living in Westport for the past 15 years, has been with the g Hotel for almost a year. With over ten years experience in the industry, she is delighted to have achieved 'Best Spa Manager of the Year' at this year's IBPA Awards.

"The awards are very well regarded in the industry, so it is absolutely brilliant for the hotel. We have a great staff here that work very hard and this award recognises that. I would like to say a big thank you to the entire staff, the whole team are a cohesive unit and make the ESPA a lovely place to work," she says.

The ESPA at the g Hotel is currently Ireland's only five star ESPA consultancy, specialising in luxury products tailored to your skin type. This programme of luxurious treatments, deluxe accommodation and sumptuous cuisine has meant that the hotel has been included in the coveted 'Hot List' by Condé Nast Traveller in 2006 and the Travel and Leisure Magazine for Best Hotel Design.

According to Ms Mooney, the focus of the ESPA is on creating a holistic relaxing experience for the client, through the use of naturally formulated luxury products.

"At the ESPA, we strive to be an affordable luxury. People are working long hours and are so busy these days, so we offer a service that gets you away from the stress and bustle of the city. The ESPA is designed so that you don't feel like you are in Galway City anymore; you feel like you are in another world.

"We try to make it a very personal experience as well. We have a consultation with the client when they come into the ESPA and talk about their lifestyle and what they hope to achieve from their visit. Many people automatically book in for a massage when they are feeling stressed but there are so many other options as well. With such a wide range of treatments, we can tailor a package to suit the client's needs and make sure they are getting the most benefit possible out of their visit," she says.

One of the most interesting elements of ESPA at the g Hotel is its range of Ayurvedic Rituals. These treatments offer a traditional, yet sophisticated holistic approach to healing in which the whole mind, body and spirit are balanced, offering rich cumulative health benefits. One of the most popular is the Advanced Ayurvedic Hot Stone Massage and Body Wrap, which is adapted to the client's specific Dosha type.

During the treatment, foot cleansing ritual and salt and oil body exfoliation is performed to enhance circulation. Warm oils blended with Ayurvedic herbal concentrates are poured onto the body to target any areas of imbalance. Hot and cold stones are then used for the Dosha specific massage, which is followed by a specifically blended body wrap and luxurious Indian Head Massage. To finish, facial Ayurvedic pressure points are stimulated to revitalise the skin.

As well as the Ayurvedic treatments, the ESPA also offers a number of intensive facials and therapeutic massages. In the future, Dolores hopes to extend the range of treatments offered at the spa and encourage more local residents to take advantage of the facilities at the ESPA.

"Our emphasis is on giving the same high standard of treatment all the time; consistency is so important. A lot of our clients would come in for the weekend and stay in the hotel but all of our treatments are open to non-residents as well. We are hoping to see more of the local people visiting the ESPA in the future, as well as more corporate business, such as team-building exercises. And hopefully, we will be in line for award number two come next year!"

For more information on ESPA at the g Hotel, log on to www.ghotel.ie or call 091-865200.

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