Close encounters
Four Greater Houston spas relaunch with extra pampering and precautions
Until recently, “I’m going to Trellis” was one of the most envy-inducing phrases in Houston. To name-drop the spa implied access to the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa — and with it, access to the Memorial-area property’s 27 acres of perks.
It wasn’t uncommon for spa guests to turn their appointments into a daylong, group activity. After a massage, why not invite girlfriends for a dip in Trellis’ plunge pool? Or extend a facial into dinner reservations on hotel grounds, perhaps at Tribute or the Manor House?
In February, when management shuttered Trellis temporarily for a multimillion-dollar facelift, the Houstonian opened Solaya Spa & Salon, a pop-up concept in Highland Village, during the interim.
Loyalists wondered if Trellis’ remote tranquility would translate in the short-term space. Staffers promised an updated experience swathed in crystal accents and French blue — they urged clients to think of Solaya not as something different but as something new.
Then COVID-19 swept through town, and everything changed. The Houstonian’s decadent
Solaya unveiling was put on ice.
A number of locally owned spas and franchises had big plans for 2020. But unlike other businesses, the beauty and wellness industry relies on touch-based interaction to keep clients on the massage table and in treatment chairs. With social distancing considered the No. 1 rule in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, spas faced a number of hurdles before they could safely re-enter such a close-contact game.
“We were the first place that many people went to (after Harris County’s stay-home order was lifted),” said Christine Whitnel, training manager at Trellis and now Solaya. In her adjusted role, she helps staff provide the Houstonian’s signature level of service. “Trellis is an experience, it’s a full day. Guests typically would come early so they can change into their robes and slippers. Now, most aren’t wanting to lounge.”
Before the Highland Village pop-up debuted in mid-May, precautionary measures were implemented. Spa guests were asked to wait in their vehicles before appointments. Upon entering the second-floor space via elevator, a manager took each client’s temperature. Gloves and a health-check questionnaire were mandatory in addition to masks.
It’s a departure from Trellis’ leisurely pace, when spagoers would arrive two hours early to take advantage of the amenities.
Unnecessary extravagances have also been cut from the program. Neck cushions, lavender-scented eye pillows and terrycloth towels (previously used as hand warmers) were deemed potential bacteria carriers and discontinued.
Even without the customary frills, the vibe inside Solaya leans more toward hospitable than clinical. Rosemary-flecked shortbread cookies are presented as welcome-back gifts. Baskets stationed between the salon and reception areas contain takehome lavender spray bottles.
“And, we’re still on target to reopen Trellis for fall,” Whitnel said.
New Friendswood retreat
Evelyn Baldwin became a first-time spa owner earlier this year. She fell in love with Woodhouse Day Spa over a weekend retreat in Austin and decided to bring a piece of the franchise to the Clear Lake area.
“The way I was treated was something different than I’d ever experienced before,” Baldwin said. “Their home office is in Victoria, and I’m Texas proud.
I’m drawn to things like that.”
Friendswood lacked a place where residents could to relax, Baldwin thought. So she seized an opportunity to open a Woodhouse location in Baybrook Mall’s lifestyle center.
The chain’s aesthetic is rusticchic; think exposed beams, wrought-iron chandeliers and wooden fireplaces. Several of the other franchises are built out of historical homes, the kind with white crown molding and clawfoot bathtubs. It’s a challenging décor scheme to nail in an outdoor shopping center — Kendra Scott and Lululemon have neighboring storefronts — and the coronavirus further complicated Baldwin’s vision.
“I want people to go to Woodhouse and feel like they’re on vacation: Escape reality for the day. Get away from the business of life,” she said. “But when you went on vacation before COVID, you weren’t wearing a mask or seeing other people wear masks.”
She was midway through construction when stay-home/worksafe orders went into effect. Baldwin estimates that the setback delayed the spa’s opening by six to eight weeks.
“It’s been a challenge, but I had the benefit of watching the other Woodhouses open and seeing what worked for them,” she said.
All spa surfaces were treated with MicroShield 360, a nontoxic coating system that reduces cross-contamination. HydraFacial FaceLife masks were ordered for her staff; the copper-woven fibers reportedly kill germs before they’re inhaled, and adjustable features have proved ideal for extended wear and repeated washing.
Last, splashy grand-opening plans were scrubbed. On June 17, Woodhouse hosted friends and family members for an intimate reveal instead.
“We invited people who were going to love us no matter what, and who would give us strong feedback,” Baldwin said. “We asked about our COVID policies: Do they make you feel safe? Is our
“I feel (guests) sigh with relief to see we’re being so safe.”
Evelyn Baldwin, Woodhouse Day Spa owner
cleanliness up to par?”
She credits the open-air location for introducing new customers organically. “The majority of our guests are seeing us because we’re at the mall. They’re curious who’s open, and after they get a tour, I feel them sigh with relief to see we’re being so safe.”
Upper Kirby clean beauty
Estela Cockrell was three days away from the grand reopening of Switch2Pure when local officials ordered a countywide shutdown.
“It could not have been more a devastating time,” Cockrell said. “For the first few weeks, I was very panicked. How was I supposed to launch a business?”
She founded Switch2Pure in 2017 as a one-stop shop for nontoxic, performance-based skin care formulated from all-natural, organic ingredients. The company, which began as a product-subscription service, formerly occupied a small retail space in River Oaks District. Later, Cockrell realized that she’d need more square footage to make her dream of incorporating spa treatments a reality.
“The Wellery was born as an extension of the brand, How can we be more experiential?” said Cockrell, who has an autoimmune disorder and
Lyme disease. Her client base varies from postsurgical cancer patients to the health-conscious.
“Some come through our doors because they seek our wellness services,” she said. “Here, you can get your food tested or make customized supplements. It’s called ‘Health
Off the Shelf ’ because our approach is very concierge-oriented. You can conquer your own functional wellness.”
In light of the coronavirus, her customers are prioritizing health and detoxification with renewed intensity. And with the extra rooms inside her new Upper Kirby location, she’s able to provide the Wellery’s Ozone Sauna Treatment to rid the body of viruses, bacteria and fungus. Or a session in the Infared Sauna, which raises its internal temperature to 113 degrees in an effort to detoxify the body.
Cockrell encourages her staff to discuss each client’s safety preferences as soon as they walk through the doors. “It immediately puts people at ease. That, and sterilizing everything right in front of them. We disinfect the iPads we use for check-in and every surface down to the faucet handle and individual products right after they’re touched.”
Affordable facials in Rice Village
The founders of Face Haus, a Los Angeles-based company that offers “democratized facials at an affordable price point,” searched for the perfect neighborhood to open a Bayou City outpost.
“They were inspired by DryBar’s open, fresh and no-nonsense air,” said Ann Marie Cilmi, vice president of education and innovation. “Our customer doesn’t always have two hours to get a facial. So we’ve created a service that’s not meant to compete with the spa experience but still delivers expert results.”
The walkability and community feel of Rice Village checked all of Face Haus’ boxes. Offer letters had just been sent to prospective aestheticians when COVID-19 brought hiring to a halt.
“The first thing we did was furlough everyone for tenure and health-care purposes,” Cilmi said. “The next step was to review our guidebook with each and every aesthetician about increased deep-cleaning and booking protocols.”
Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that allows spas to operate at 50 percent capacity, Face Haus has opted to maintain 25 percent occupancy to maximize social distancing. Walk-ins are not accepted, and unlike similar treatment facilities, aestheticians are required to wear gloves when performing facial services.
“The benefit of our open concept is that you can see the sanitation stations and all of our safety protocols with your own eyes,” Cilmi said. “The beauty of that transparency is then you can relax and be in and out of the chair in an hour. Time is the commodity here.”