Spa cuisine to elevate the client experience
Spa cuisine provides the opportunity to integrate a wellness element into food and beverage offerings. It’s a natural progression for the spa experience.
Marie Adele has seen amazing results but also examples of where it hasn’t worked well. “We definitely do not mean cucumber sandwiches by the thermal pool! We’re talking about presenting carefully considered and curated spa cuisine experiences that are original and imaginative.”
Adding, “It’s important to complement spa services with a story that elevates the experience from treatment to nourishment. Your cuisine philosophy should be an extension of your spa philosophy. There’s no doubt that a huge thank you extends to innovative and talented chefs who create magic using fresh, nourishing ingredients both for dining and spa.”
Spa Clients Value Good Food
A number of leading spas and retreats in Australia have their carefully tended wellness gardens to draw from, for both spa treatment and cuisine. Fresh, hand-picked greens, micro-herbs and edible flowers can be added to tailored spa treatment recipes to help deliver the natural connection that so many spa clients desire.
When it comes to the cuisine, fresh and local holds high value for spa clients. Local produce sourced from local farms can be crafted into nutritious and healthy spa cuisine with sustainability in mind. Knowing your clientele and what they value, what their nutritional needs are, and any allergies is where to begin in curating a menu that delivers an exceptional experience. Delight with flavours, textures and colours that imbue an emotional response.
From small bites featuring fresh wholefoods to grazing boards or fine dining, there are opportunities for enhancing all of the senses in a spa experience. If your spa delivers indulgence, consider some delectable desserts featuring sought-after ingredients, flavours and joy.
Plate Up Something Bespoke For Your Spa
Continue the story. Pair the Spa’s signature treatment or its origins with connections to the sourcing of ingredients or cultural flavours.
Pair food offerings to the clientele. For couples or groups sharing a spa day, shorter spa services like manicures and pedicures could feature bite-sized canapes and herbal cocktails. For longer treatments, consider a grazing board or dedicated break for a private dining experience.
Post-treatment nourishment When clients feel relaxed, and renewed and wish the experience wasn’t over, provide nourishing food that continues to feed their self-care. It might be local seafood and freshly picked garden greens as a post-treatment picnic basket on the terrace.
An all-inclusive spa and cuisine package of extravagant small plates, iconic desserts, and VIP cocktails or mocktails is an offering that will cater to those wanting the ultimate indulgence. This provides your spa with the chance to showcase both your chef ‘screations and attention to personalised service.
Marie Adele recalls the simple touches at one of her projects in Fiji “ Handpicked lime leaves and ginger made a wonderful infusion. The spa’s milk bath was crafted from genuine coconut milk while body scrubs fused locally sourced sugar with the medicinal oil from the seeds of the Dilo tree.” This weaved the region's food and flavours into the spa experience, adding to the memories created for clients.
Trending Ingredients To Consider In Spa Cuisine 2025
Wholefoods
Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Plant food proteins
Gut-friendly fermented foods
Ethically sourced seafood
Botanicals
Pistachios
Dubai chocolate
(source: top-food-trends-2025)
Featuring food on your spa promotional materials and social media will have clients excited for both their treatment and the cuisine that’s expertly paired with it.
Finally, Marie Adele notes that, “While labour and import costs differ by location, my experiences have taught me the value of personalised treatments and cuisine to both the client and spa business growth, whether as a limited-edition offering or a simple, fresh, organic treatment using ingredients rich in natural properties.”
By integrating wellness cuisine and natural treatments, you not only enhance the guest experience but also position your hotel as a destination for well-being.”
Speak to us about the opportunities for your spa to integrate beautiful food and wellness with your spa philosophy and region.