Incredible Wellness Destinations: Spa Manager Kim Hinds-Alleyne On Why & How Traveling Can Help Us Heal
An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
Mindful Planning — Align your destinations with your wellness goals. For example, if your upcoming trip is meant to be relaxing, select resorts that embrace relaxation, yoga, and wellness. This ensures your travel itinerary reflects the purpose of your trip.
The pandemic has shaped the way we travel and live, with a growing trend leaning towards health, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle. More than ever, individuals are seeking not just getaways, but immersive wellness retreats that help rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. Destinations that provide a serene environment, unique wellness offerings, and an unparalleled experience are in great demand. In this interview series, we are talking to property owners and hospitality companies who are at the helm of these wellness havens. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Hinds-Alleyne.
Kim Hinds-Alleyne is a distinguished expert in the destination spa industry, boasting over 22 years of dedicated experience. With a robust background in holistic wellness, training and development, spa management, and customer service, Kim’s expertise shines at her current role as spa manager at the five-star O2 Beach Club & Spa’s award-winning Acqua Spa (Barbados). She is a Certified Hospitality Trainer, proficient massage therapist in over ten different therapies, and a skilled esthetician and skin care specialist. Kim’s career trajectory, evolving from a spa therapist to a spa manager, underscores her profound knowledge and leadership within the industry.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Barbados and grew up in the community of Brandons, adjacent to the sea. Interestingly, I was always close to the water as a child, but I cannot swim! As my mother and many older Bajans say “the sea doesn’t have a back door.” So, I would bathe where the water hits the shore and be quite content.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Initially, I wanted to be an accountant, but the two-year course I was supposed to enroll in wasn’t available for another year. To avoid remaining idle at home, I sought after something else to do while I waited.
During a visit to the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute, a technical school, I encountered the field of aesthetics for the first time. The secretary’s description of aesthetics — including massage, facials, and nail care — captivated my interest.
Subsequently, I needed to persuade my parents to support this new direction. I approached my mother first, knowing she would be more receptive and an asset to help persuade my father. He was the hard one to crack as he was adamant on me becoming an accountant.
After several discussions, we eventually won my father’s approval, and I promised that I would still pursue the accounting course, keeping aesthetics as a side skill. That’s how it all began, but I fell in love with the aesthetics field and never looked back. Ultimately, I chose not to follow the accounting path, realizing that my true passion lay in interacting with people rather than working behind a computer.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, of course. In life, it takes just one person who sees your potential and motivates you to be the best version of yourself. For me, that pivotal person was Ms. Green, a former manager.
I will never forget the day we met, her warm smile and caring demeanor were very impactful. I felt a reassuring sense of relief knowing that this manager was there to guide and support us. Within a few weeks, Ms. Green recognized my potential as a leader and committed to helping me sharpen my skills — a promise she honored unwaveringly. She taught me all the back-end processes, and together we opened a spa, from recruitment to ordering stock. I was by her side for every important decision. Under her mentorship, I progressed from Lead Therapist to Supervisor. The problem-solving abilities, customer service skills, and capacity to perform under pressure that I possess today are directly attributable to her guidance and support.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or takeaway did you learn from that?
Oh boy! This is difficult for me to talk about, but it taught me a valuable lesson very early in my career.
I was about 21 years old–working at a resort–when the water supply was abruptly cut off. Many of the staff felt we should have been sent home for the day. One colleague expressed this frustration on Facebook, jokingly suggesting a walk off to sit under a tree. I joined in, agreeing that working without water was unreasonable. As more employees joined the conversation, the thread escalated, ultimately becoming detrimental to the company.
This led to a disciplinary hearing with the Human Resources Department for charges of initiating a strike and negatively portraying the company. It was during this process that I realized the harm caused and disrespect shown to my employer at the time.
This experience taught me to be very mindful of the impact of social media. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to use these platforms positively.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey
This resonates with me deeply, as I used to feel gutted or depleted whenever I made a mistake or faced a poor decision. Over time, I came to understand that mistakes are among the most valuable lessons we can encounter. This realization underscores the transformative power of overcoming adversity and learning from challenging experiences.
By adopting this mindset, I have developed greater resilience and achieved personal growth. Embracing this life lesson allowed me to find meaning in my struggles and repeatedly emerge stronger and wiser.
Can you share any transformative stories or testimonials from guests who visited your property?
While there are many client testimonials, this is one that stands out in my mind.
I had a repeat client who visited the island twice a year and regularly scheduled massages during his stays. However, one year he and his wife did not come, which was unusual. When they returned the following year, I was deeply shocked to find him — once a fit, strong, and muscular sports teacher — now wheelchair-bound and in a frail condition following a major stroke.
It broke my heart to see him that way, yet he maintained a positive attitude and continued to seek out massages. It was difficult mounting him on the massage table, but thankfully his wife assisted. He shared that the massages were having a significant impact, with sensations returning to his left side shortly after treatments.
He started visiting Barbados more frequently as he believed the massages were accelerating his recovery. Over time, he regained enough strength to mount the massage table with his left hand unaided, although he still required support to walk.
Despite the ongoing physiotherapy and medication he was receiving back home, he credited the care and attention I provided as a key factor in his improvement. Helping someone in such a meaningful way is incredibly rewarding, and it reminds me why I am in this line of work.
Do you think travel enhances our mindfulness, optimism, or sense of gratitude? How? Can you please explain with an example or story?
Travel enhances our mindfulness, optimism and sense of gratitude by exposing us into new perspectives and experiences.
I embarked on a Caribbean cruise with the intention of immersing myself in the diverse cultures of the islands I would visit, and this is how I did it:
Mindfulness
I chose not to book any tours through the cruise line, opting instead for local taxis to take me to local hangout spots and authentic restaurants.
Optimism
On one of the islands, I witnessed a beach clean-up organized by local volunteers. Their dedication and collective effort to enhance the beauty of their beach were inspiring. I listened to them say repeatedly “we want our tourists to see how beautiful our beaches can be.” This made me feel optimistic about humanity and the positive changes we can achieve together.
Sense of Gratitude
On another island, we visited a village where vendors sold merchandise by the roadside and children played without shoes. Despite their modest means, they were still cheerful and welcoming. It was amazing! Witnessing the warmth and happiness of the people brought me a great sense of gratitude, reminding me we don’t need to possess everything in the world to be grateful for what we have.
What are your “5 Habits You Should Develop in Order Make Travel into An Opportunity for Wellness & Personal Growth?”
Here’s 6!
Mindful Planning — Align your destinations with your wellness goals. For example, if your upcoming trip is meant to be relaxing, select resorts that embrace relaxation, yoga, and wellness. This ensures your travel itinerary reflects the purpose of your trip.
Networking — Participate in industry conferences, workshops, and seminars, whether local or overseas. I always attend expos and tradeshows to stay informed about new products and services.
Social Media — Follow travel creators and incorporate their suggestions into your travels. Research the destination, seek out unique activities, and ensure you make the most of your visit by staying informed and engaged with new trends!
Staying Active — Always include physical activity in your travel plans. I prefer to explore new cities or towns on foot or by bike. This keeps me active and allows me to experience the local culture more intimately.
Learning and Exploring — Not only is it great to explore another place, but international education can also set you apart in the competitive spa industry. I’ve enrolled in quite a few overseas courses, which exposed me to diverse techniques and practices, unique learning environments, and broadened my perspective on wellness.
Eating Healthy — Seek out local markets and restaurants that offer nutritious and fresh food options indigenous to the country. This approach allows you to explore national dishes and discover diverse dietary practices from around the world.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them 🙂
Without a shadow of a doubt, it would be Oprah Winfrey.
Sharing a meal with Oprah would be an exciting opportunity to delve into her experiences, learn from her wisdom, and be inspired by her unwavering kindness.
Oprah’s journey to success is a testament to her incredible strength and determination. Although she endured abuse, instability, and a lack of consistent parental support, she excelled in school. She found solace in education and reading, driven by her desire to rise above her circumstances.
Breakfast or lunch with Oprah would be more than a meal; it would be a masterclass in resilience and empathy. I would love to discuss how she remains grounded and humble amidst fame and success, and how she balances self-care and wellness with her responsibilities.
Through our conversation, I hope to gain insights that will help me navigate my own challenges with grace and use my strengths to uplift others, just as Oprah has done throughout her remarkable life.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
One of our most recent projects has been elevating and prioritizing women’s wellness. Massage therapy is a safe and effective way for women to manage the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. Our Vagus Nerve Meditative Massage is an aromatherapeutic massage that targets the vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve. The massage involves light strokes along the vagus nerve, particularly in the neck area, stimulating a relaxation response. Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are used to further enhance relaxation, improve sleep quality, and reduce anxiety.
Stimulating the vagus nerve lowers the stress response and enhances the parasympathetic response, promoting relaxation. This alleviates symptoms by promoting relaxation, reducing hot flashes and night sweats, relieving muscle tension, and improving mood and emotional well-being.
Based on your research or personal experience, why do you think travel can lead to better wellness? Can you share a story?
Travel provides a vital opportunity to step out of one’s usual environment, offering a fresh start and the chance to focus on well-being in a way that’s often hard to achieve amidst day-to-day scenery. I’ve treated numerous guests whose primary desire at the spa was just to experience peace and quiet. For these individuals, destination spas offer a setting where they can truly unplug. Barbados in particular is a great destination for a wellness getaway. Aside from rejuvenation at the Acqua Spa, O2 Beach Club & Spa immerses guests in the island’s rich culture, providing mental stimulation through authentic experiences such as “how-to” classes on local traditions, including blowing a conch shell and playing dominoes like a local.
What are a few things that distinguish your property from thousands of wellness properties around the world?
Our property stands out as one of only two OSEA Spas in the Caribbean, emphasizing a unique focus on healing through water. We offer the island’s only hammam experience and use OSEA’s luxurious product line, which features nutrient-rich seaweed from Patagonia and pure organic botanicals. At Acqua Spa, our signature body rituals are crafted to provide exceptional multi-sensory experiences, seamlessly blending exfoliation, hydration, and relaxation to deliver transformative wellness results.
What type of experience do you want your visitors to have when they visit?
We aim to provide everything our guests need to truly rejuvenate. We encourage guests to openly share their specific wellness goals so we can tailor treatments to meet their individual needs. Whether it’s the soothing effects of our hammam, or the restorative benefits of our one-of-a-kind treatments, we are dedicated to ensuring that each guest leaves feeling refreshed, balanced, and completely satisfied with their personalized experience.
What makes your property a beautiful escape for a body and mind recharge?
The Acqua Spa is the ideal place to recharge as the expansive view of the sea promotes a sense of tranquility and connection to nature, which can enhance the relaxation experience. This peaceful setting, paired with the light, luxe, and minimal interior design helps to lower stress levels and quiet the mind, enhancing the overall spa experience. The combination of these elements with our luxurious therapies ensures a holistic recharge, leaving guests feeling completely refreshed and revitalized.
Why do you think the experience you offer is so needed nowadays?
Acqua Spa offers a much-needed escape from the daily demands of life, providing a space where guests can truly unwind. Wellness retreats in general offer dedicated time and space to recharge, promoting relaxation and overall health.
Based on your experience, where do you see the future of wellness travel heading in the next 5–10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, wellness travel will likely focus more on personalized and holistic approaches, aligning perfectly with the direction Acqua Spa is already taking. We anticipate women’s health to be a continued top growth market, and demand for treatments that support healthy aging and longevity. Additionally, sustainability will become increasingly important, and Acqua Spa’s commitment to using OSEA’s eco-friendly products will resonate with future travelers, especially Gen Z, who are spending more time, money, and energy on wellness.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Keep up with me by following @acquaspabarbados on Instagram!
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
Incredible Wellness Destinations: Spa Manager Kim Hinds-Alleyne On Why & How Traveling Can Help Us… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.