Five Star Specialism

Neil Howard has 27 years of international 5 star hotel experience with Resorts, Clubs and Spas – the last 14 of these years has been leading the Hotel Spa Consultancy business – this unusual degree of specific experience ensures empathy and appropriate experience when connecting with 5* hoteliers around the world.
International assignments include the Far East, Middle East, UK, Spain, USA, Italy, Portugal, Jersey, Guernsey, Jordan, Taiwan, India and Morocco.

Clients incude: St Regis Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, The Savoy Group, Claridge's, The Berkeley, The Dorchester, The Chester Grosvenor, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, TAJ Hotels Resorts & Palaces, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Langham Hotels, Sanctuary Santa Rosa Italy & The Boca Raton Resort, Florida.

Independent Advice

Howard Consulting delivers independent advice and is not tied to any spa brand or designer, providing the freedom for a premier hotel to create a Spa sympathetic to it's core values, character & market level, reinforcing a Spa's unique concept and point of difference in an increasingly competitive market.

The independence of the company has facilitated it as an authority on the creation of Spa's, being commissioned by leading investment companies, owners and operators to conduct the required tailored research to test viability, or assist in providing a scheme and business plan to support submissions for planning or owner approval.
Howard Consulting has also been requested to judge ‘Best Hotel Spa’ on a National level and often asked to contribute to editorial on a range of spa subjects for the most respected spa publications.

Creating Unique Spa Concepts and a Point of Difference

The company assists in the creation of exclusive Spas for prestigious 5 star international hotels, and an increasing number of aspirational 4 star properties.

Howard Consulting works with the designer or architect chosen by the client, not the same designer on each project, ensuring a fresh approach to design and empathy with the hotel, yet assurance of Spa-specific design principles critical to the success of the Spa. Howard Consulting have also assisted with the selection of appropriate designers or architects best suited to adapt to the hotel and Spa's specific needs.

The firm pride's itself on never failing to create a 'point of difference' for the operator/owner, resulting in enriched, notable and successful Spa concepts. Each Spa has a unique personality and addresses a well defined market need, providing a heightening of guest interest and a number of PR and marketing angles for the hotel. We do not copy a concept from one hotel to another, but tailor the Spa concept according to the identified need of each location.

Management Consultancy

The company’s vast experience in pre-opening and operating Spas around the world enables us to provide exceptional support to premier hotels, offering tailored support and solutions, assisting the hotel in optimizing their Spa asset, particularly in the early period of operation when it is absolutely essential to maximize the Spa asset in the most positive manner – both for reputation and financial reasons.

Crucially, we are able to offer training support through our senior associate who possesses 24 years experience in the operation of Spas within 5 red star hotels, nurturing spa personnel to the highest service levels. The resultant refinement of Spa operations and spa specific knowledge is exceptional – something we realize is absolutely key for the hotel operator.
We go to great lengths to ensure that all specific spa training/procedures blend perfectly with the unique style of the hotel’s operation ensuring continuity of the hotel’s operational style.  

Attention to Detail

Howard Consulting is led by Neil Howard who always ensures that he is personally involved with 'the details', providing the client with direct and continuous access to someone who has developed a reputation for his attention to detail.
Formative hoteliers will know there is a great degree of detail in all aspects of a qualitative operation. Isn't this the difference between being ordinary and being able to offer a special experience to the guest, whether it be design or service?