If anyone knows the power of wellness, and what a spa can do for a person's soul, it's Kasidy DeWitt, spa director at Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar. The industry pro has worked countless positions within the beauty and hospitality sector, and has taken the time to understand the impact of every spa expert in this field. Starting out as a massage therapist taught her how to create a truly unforgettable client experience, and she has taken this knowledge to elevate customer service and mentor fellow industry pros. DeWitt sat down with WellSpa 360 to discuss why some of the oldest wellness services are her favorite modern treatments, the importance of resetting in nature and more!
Log in to view the full article
If anyone knows the power of wellness, and what a spa can do for a person's soul, it's Kasidy DeWitt, spa director at Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar. The industry pro has worked countless positions within the beauty and hospitality sector, and has taken the time to understand the impact of every spa expert in this field. Starting out as a massage therapist taught her how to create a truly unforgettable client experience, and she has taken this knowledge to elevate customer service and mentor fellow industry pros. DeWitt sat down with WellSpa 360 to discuss why some of the oldest wellness services are her favorite modern treatments, the importance of resetting in nature and more!
What was your first job in the spa wellness industry?
My journey started as an apprentice massage therapist working at Wasatch Therapeutic Massage in Provo, Utah. I gained additional experience double coding as a receptionist at the St. George Day Spa while I was in college. After college, I moved to San Diego and continued massaging at Hotel Del Coronado, before getting my first big break as the spa supervisor at the nearby Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa. There I learned the ropes of managing a large resort spa, and eventually was promoted to manager of the spa and fitness center.
What is your favorite memory in your time working in the industry?
One moment I think about a lot is the first time I was able to promote someone to the level of spa manager. This person started as a massage therapist just like I did, and getting to coach and develop her to the point she was ready to step into a manager role was something I loved being a part of. I’ve had some great mentors throughout my career, and it meant a lot that I could be that for someone else.
What do you love about spa and wellness?
I love curating the perfect experience for my guests. As a massage therapist, I would evaluate someone and get to work fixing their mobility issues, and now as a director, I am able to take note of a guests’ personality and get to work elevating their experience. This can be something as small as spending a few extra moments chatting with someone who seems nervous, or as big as an additional add-on service for a couple celebrating their anniversary.
Related: Nurturing Well-Being with Nature
What new wellness trends do you find most exciting?
There’s a lot of new technology hitting the market right now, but what gets me excited are some of the oldest spa treatments, which take a holistic approach to wellness. Breathwork, massages, communal saunas, and carefully planned out meditative spaces are all treatments that I believe do as much for a person’s body as their soul.
What’s the first thing you do after a long day of work?
I like to clear my head by going outdoors, and Santa Monica’s beaches are possibly the greatest place on earth to do that. After a long shift, you can usually find me walking near the Santa Monica Pier, or on one of the benches, with my feet in the sand looking out over the ocean.
What’s your favorite wellness treatment to receive and why?
I absolutely love facials. My last position was with skin care brand OSEA Malibu running their skin care studio in Venice. Being immersed in solely skin care, I began to truly understand my skin, and how beneficial the right techniques and products could be.
What’s your greatest accomplishment?
Running two beautiful spas inches from the Santa Monica beach has to be my greatest accomplishment so far. I was once just a tourist biking along the boardwalk and dreaming of living in this great city. Now to be here, working at two of the most iconic hotels along that bike route is truly a dream position.
What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the industry?
Don’t be afraid to tell people what your goals are. I think it made people uncomfortable early on in my career when I would ask to double code as reception or be the nightly spa cleaner, but I knew I wanted to learn all aspects of the operation, so I could eventually run a spa. When I started at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort in San Diego, I made it known to my boss and co-workers that I wanted to advance into the management side and most of them supported me. I would also say to take advantage of any opportunity to grow your skillset. I would attend all company provided training courses, even if they were not for my current roles, it’s those little extra things that will give you an edge on your competition down the road. Keep vocalizing your goals and soak up all the knowledge you can.
What’s one thing you can’t leave the house without?
A hair tie. I know this is cliché for a woman to say, but during the pandemic era shutdowns, I spent hours on YouTube learning how to embrace my naturally curly hair from Swavy Curly Courtney. Even with all that online learning, some days the ocean air gets the best of me, and I have to pull my curls back to keep a professional look.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is a little boring, it’s chocolate. Chocolate with sea salt or caramel, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake. There really is no wrong way to chocolate at the end of a long day.
Who or what inspires you?
There are so many, but my boyfriend Chris is my greatest inspiration. We’ve been together for 18 years and since the beginning he has motivated me to go after what I want in life. His impeccable willpower has always had a profound impact on me. He is the one that noticed my strengths and encouraged me to pursue a career in spa management.
How do you practice self-care?
Getting away from the city and into nature is the best way for me to shake off any stress. Hiking around Griffith Park is one of my weekend traditions to get outdoors and raise my heartrate. There are miles of trails that weave around the park, but my favorite hike has nearly 800 feet of climb ascending from the Greek Theatre up to Dantes View. Along with a challenging workout, I get a beautiful 360 view of LA. I also love spending time in the wide-open landscapes of Joshua Tree and drive out there for a three-day weekend a couple times per year. Getting away from the hustle of LA and into nature is my reset.
What is on your bucket list?
My bucket list consists mostly of traveling. After graduating college, I spent a month backpacking around western Europe with my boyfriend visiting all the major tourist attractions in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Holland and caught lifelong wanderlust. Right now, I’m planning a trip to Australia with plans to visit Sweden and Japan on the horizon.
What’s on the horizon for Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar?
There is a lot still being discussed and I would love to incorporate thermotherapy. However, I can tell you we will soon be introducing our hydrotherapy body treatment utilizing our Vichy Showers. Each hotel is unique in design, and I have plans to embrace those within the spa through new treatment, products and decor.
