DIRECTOR OF SPA & WELLNESS
Mandarin Oriental, Doha
Anna Jarinova has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years with a deep expertise in the area of spa & wellness. Anna has just returned to the Group to take on a brand-new challenge at the Mandarin Oriental, Doha.
You have just assumed the Director of Spa position at Mandarin Oriental, Doha. What are you looking forward to in this role and how does it differ from your other roles?
At Mandarin Oriental, I met interesting, inspiring business professionals and guests from different countries. Through MO, I gained experience and exposure in the USA, Mexico and Europe - now in Doha, I am excited to experience and learn a new culture, get to know its people, their habits, fascinating history… and maybe even a little bit their language.
I look forward to working with my colleagues from all over the world - this is what I was missing in Slovakia. I look forward to being able to share and discuss new spa and wellness trends, to exchange our experiences and opinions, to be challenged and bring achievement through focus and dedicated work. I just loved our regular Spa Directors conferences, where we could share best practices from all properties and even with different departments. This sense of togetherness brought us new energy, inspiration and motivation.
I truly hope that I can bring to the team my passion and experience to enrich this amazing spa and build up on everything that already exists. My goal is to create a strong, confident and engaged team that will share their passion for wellness with our guests and fellow Colleagues.
You have worked for different brands in various industries but you have decided to return to Mandarin Oriental, why is that?
I realized that I need to broaden my horizons and where better than with Mandarin Oriental - that, in my opinion, is undoubtedly the world's leading hotel spa brand.
One very important factor that helped me make my decision, though it may sound cliché, was that at Mandarin Oriental I always felt like I was part of the family. As Colleagues, we cared for each other and even in very difficult situations we stand by each other. I always felt like I have been taken care of no matter what.
And last, but not least - what I really admire about MO is that as a brand, we are living up to the promise, acting daily in accordance with our core values to achieve the vision. MO does not lose the direction.
What is your most memorable career moment with Mandarin Oriental?
One memorable career moment was when we gained the prestigious 2009 Crystal Award for Europe in Readers' Choice Award by Spa Finder. Imagine being the best spa in the continent selected by our guests, guest who frequented different luxury spas around the world and who chose us. Everyone in the Spa and hotel felt very proud and honored.
I treasure many memorable moments with Mandarin Oriental, moments that were not only important in my professional career but also my personal life. Mandarin Oriental brought me real friends for life.
