Generic Rock Lady

I recently made the grave mistake of including a generic picture in a presentation for my masters about a hotel. We all know the picture...

You've seen it on most hotel websites that have a spa facility on the premises. A discussion had developed before the presentation had started about the generic rock lady's over use in the spa realm.I felt that overwhelming "D'oh!" feeling. One conclusion was that whoever took this picture must be making a fortune, because at a quick glance at a number of hotels were culprits in using this image. I wanted to investigate this more and see how many top spas have this picture or a derivation of it. These are my results.

During my online travels I found a number of variations to generic rock lady. This is what I found.

Generic rock man....













Generic rock less lady....













The new "generic rock lady" has become "the generic pondering couple". But once upon a time, before they became the "generic pondering couple", there was a "generic pondering lady"











...and naturally the generic couple

Although outdoor infinity pools are not that common, I believe this could be the new trend in the well being sector. A bandwagon effect is sure to ensue.

A definite pattern arises when looking online for spa's and health clubs. Where one nearly expects to see these pictures of a generic lady with rocks on her back or a couple looking into space. Photographers, web designers and any manager near top level should start to be innovative with their online picture presence. Yes, the odd arty picture of a steaming cup of tea or suggestive view of a woman de-gowning will catch my eye, but I want to see what makes this property different from the next.

Showing me the different types of bedrooms is standard, but I would like to see the idiosyncrasies that make me want to stay in that hotel or go to that spa. I'm sorry the pondering couple in an outdoor swimming pool just doesn't suffice anymore.

Show me something different!

In the interest of being done for copyright, here are the links to the respective pictures:
http://www.irishspahotels.ie/spahotelsirelandmap.htm
http://www.parkkenmare.com/
http://www.farnhamestate.ie/gallery/health_spa
http://www.spa-ireland.com/Aghadoe-Heights-Hotel-and-Spa-Overview-Spa-Ireland.aspx
http://www.lyrath.com/spa-hotel-kilkenny/
http://www.irishspahotels.ie/
http://www.flynnhotels.com/Newpark_Hotel/index.html

Putting the sea in SeaSpa

So, this is my first blog entry. I thought that while doing the interviews for my dissertation I would blog about it. So, here goes.

My first stop on my interview itinerary was Kelly's of Rosslare in wexford. The first thing that hits you when you get in the door is the art. It's like the hotel was built around the art and apparently there is a VanGough and an Andy Warhol floating around in a midst the art forest. One of the first pieces of art to hit you is the 8foot horse made from stone standing guard outside.

After the interview was completed Mr. Kelly (or Billy, as everyone calls him) offered to show me around the hotel. First we went through to the leisure centre on the left side of the hotel. There are two areas for children to play in, one for toddlers and one for the older kids (this section contains a wii I think). The pools are huge and look extremely fun. We moved from here to the far side of the hotel with a pit stop in the "Baby room". This room really caught my attention as all I expected was a nappy changing area. A full kitchen with three fridges, three sterilisers, kettles and a cupboard full of baby food open 24 hours a day. The baby food particularly caught my eye as there was every flavour under the sun and it was free. From here we moved to the other extreme of the hotel, where instead of kids running around having fun, I was met with calm and serenity in the form of Kelly's Seaspa. The name I thought nothing of it at the time. The pool goes from indoor to outdoor with the majority indoor. Billy then informed me that the water in the pool is sea water treated by the hotel and offers regenerative powers that normal water doesn't. The hotel is complimented by five tennis courts, two indoor and three outdoor.

The main selling point of this hotel in my mind is how customer orientated it is. Everything revolves around the guest. From the guest entertainment in the evenings, the baby room to the amenities. It really is a family hotel and couldn't be run by a better person than Billy Kelly. I know I sound like an advertisement but honestly it's hard to find fault. If you’re holidaying in Ireland with a family, I would say this has something for everybody.