Reid's Palace, Madeira

‘Reid’s is a remarkable and romantic place, a proper palace hotel with an atmosphere that manages to be both glamorous and relaxed’ – The Sunday Telegraph

Overview

A property operated and owned by the renowned Orient-Express Hotels, set on the cliff tops overlooking the Bay of Funchal and the Atlantic, Reid's Palace has, for over 100 years, been a standard-bearer for excellence on Madeira and beyond. Reid’s is set in ten acres of lush semi tropical gardens – the rich variety of the brilliant flowers that have earned Madeira its title as the ‘Garden of the Atlantic’.

In bygone days a walk in the garden would bring you upon Sir Winston Churchill reflecting on his memoirs, or Sir George Bernard Shaw mastering the finer points of the tango on the lawns. When Howard Consulting were recommended as Spa Consultants in 2005 the hotel had already agreed to the Spa layout and interior finishes.

Objective

Recognizing that the management required the expertise of a spa consultant to ensure the Spa’s future success, Howard Consulting was engaged to review, critique and improve the architect’s initial layouts, fixed furniture designs and interior finishes…..and assist with the Spa’s pre-opening.

Achievements

A number of issues were addressed and changes made to the Spa layout to accommodate operational issues that were not fully functional in the initial design concept. Furthermore, the revised layout improved the benefit of the views to the Bay of Funchal. We also introduced an indoor/outdoor double treatment suite enhancing the facility & revenue potential of the Spa.'

Howard Consulting assisted with the selection of spa brands securing agreements with 4 premier brands that would be exclusive to Reid’s Palace within Madeira, both raising the profile of the Spa and guaranteeing the marketing advantage for a pre-agreed term.

Other services included, a competitor survey; refining the spa menu; in-room treatment selection; equipment selection; submitting design specifications for all rooms; critiquing all finishes; equipment layouts; personnel structure, appraisal & selection and training program; financial projections; and the writing of Spa collateral.

Client Satisfaction

‘When the decision was made to build a Spa and Fitness Center at Reid’s Palace, it was suggested that we contacted Neil Howard to help us with the development and concept. Mr Howard has been instrumental in the refinement of the overall Spa project including the selection of our Spa products such as: La Prairie, Ytsara, La Stone and Aromatherapy Associates.’

Bruno Brunner - General Manager, Reid’s Palace Hotel Madeira

Opened: Summer 2006