The Art of Elevated Wellness at The Landmark London with Spa Manager Hida Shuleta

When Hida Shuleta first began her career as a therapist, her focus was on helping guests relax, recover, and care for their skin. What she didn’t yet realise was that she was only just beginning to understand what wellbeing truly means.

Today, as Spa Manager at The Landmark London, she leads the vision behind the hotel’s newly transformed Spa at The Landmark London (set to open on July 6), a space designed not just for treatments, but for deeper restoration, emotional balance, and modern rituals of self-care. Her journey from treatment room to leadership has shaped a philosophy of wellness that extends far beyond the individual guest experience, placing equal importance on the wellbeing of the team who bring it to life.

In this exclusive interview, Hida reflects on how her understanding of wellness has evolved, the growing demand for more holistic and personalised experiences, and how the new spa embodies a shift in luxury, from something purely indulgent to something more intentional, human and restorative.

You began your career as a therapist and now lead one of London's most iconic luxury wellness destinations. Looking back, what have been the most important lessons you've learned about wellbeing, both professionally and personally?

As a therapist, my focus was on helping people relax, recover and take care of their skin. Over time I realised that wellbeing goes much deeper than that. It doesn’t just make you feel better physically but can have a real impact on how you feel emotionally too. As I progressed into leadership roles, one of the biggest lessons I learned was that creating an environment where the team feels supported and cared for is just as important as the experiences we create for our guests. I believe when people feel valued, supported and motivated, that positive energy naturally carries through to the guest experience. On a personal level, I’ve learned that no matter how busy life becomes, it’s important to make time to reconnect with yourself and do something that brings you joy. For me that’s yoga, it allows me to switch off and reconnect with myself. It also brings back memories of my childhood having practised gymnastics from a young age. Looking back, I feel incredibly proud of my journey from Spa Therapist to Spa Manager. It’s given me a deeper understanding of wellbeing from both a personal and professional perspective. I feel privileged to help create experiences that support wellbeing in a luxury setting such as The Landmark London, where we have the opportunity to make a positive difference to our guests’ lives every day.

How has your definition of wellness evolved over the past decade, and how is that reflected in the new Spa at The Landmark London?

My definition of wellness has changed over the past decade. Earlier on in my career, I associated wellness mainly with treatments, skincare and physical health. While those things are still very important, wellness has evolved into something much broader. It’s about finding balance, managing stress, making time for yourself and doing things that help you feel good both physically and emotionally. This is reflected in the new Spa. We have created a space where guests can step away from the pace of everyday life and take time for themselves. Our treatment menu has been designed to support a variety of wellbeing needs, improve sleep, navigating hormonal changes, enjoying quality time together through couples and a parent and a child experience. Wellness is about helping people feel calmer, more balanced and refreshed and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver through every experience at the spa.

You have played a central role in the spa's multi-million-pound refurbishment and project. What was your vision for the space, and what did you want guests to feel the moment they walk through the doors?

Having been involved in the project from the beginning, my vision was to transform the spa into a more welcoming and complete wellbeing destination. More than anything, I wanted the space to feel calm, warm, beautiful and inviting, while reflecting the luxury and elegance of The Landmark London. The moment guests walk through the doors, I hope they feel a sense of calmness, as though they can leave the stresses of everyday life behind and simply focus on themselves for a while.

The new spa combines thermal experiences, advanced skincare, sound healing, fitness and family wellness. What trends are shaping the future of luxury wellness, and how have they influenced the new offering?

One of the biggest trends I’ve seen is that wellness has become much more personal and holistic. Guests are no longer looking just for a facial or a massage, they want experiences that support their overall wellbeing and fit their individual needs and lifestyles. I also think people are becoming much more aware of selfcare from a younger age. Wellness is no longer seen as something you focus on later in life or only when you feel stressed. More people are recognising the importance of looking after their wellbeing as part of their everyday routine. We are also seeing a growing focus on sleep, stress management, recovery and meaningful connections.

Many of the new treatments focus on sleep, stress reduction and nervous system regulation rather than purely aesthetic outcomes. Why do you think this shift is happening and what are guests prioritising today?

I think the shift is happening because people are living increasingly busy and demanding lives. We’re constantly connected, juggling work, family and personal commitments, and many people are feeling the effects of that through stress, poor sleep and burnout.

The spa introduces partners such as Ashmira Botanica, OSKIA and QMS Medicosmetics, each bringing a unique philosophy to wellbeing. What role do rituals play in helping guests disconnect from daily pressures and reconnect with themselves?

I think rituals play a very important role in wellbeing. For me a ritual is a way of transporting yourself into a calmer and more peaceful state of mind. In the spa environment, it gives guests permission to slow down, switch off from the outside world and focus on themselves for a while, creating a deeper connection with yourself, leaving you feeling more grounded, balanced and relaxed.

As wellness becomes increasingly mainstream, how do luxury hotels maintain a sense of exclusivity while ensuring wellbeing feels welcoming and accessible rather than intimidating?

I think luxury today is about creating exceptional experiences that feel personal and genuine. While guests appreciate beautiful facilities and high-end quality treatments, what often makes a difference is how welcome and comfortable they feel. The key is creating an environment that feels warm, inclusive and approachable while still delivering the high standards and personalised service that guests expect from a luxury hotel.

With the reopening of the spa marking a significant milestone, what are your ambitions for The Landmark London within the wellness space over the next five years?

The reopening of the Spa at The Landmark London is an exciting milestone, it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Over the next five years my ambition is the spa becomes a recognised destination for wellbeing, not only for hotel residents but also for Londoners looking to prioritise their health and wellbeing. I would like us to continue evolving our offering to reflect the changing needs of our guests, introducing new experiences, treatments and wellness initiatives that support both physical and emotional wellbeing. I want us to be known for delivering exceptional service and creating memorable experiences. Wellness is a very personal journey, and my goal is for every guest to leave feeling cared for, refreshed and eager to return.