Bespoke treatments, bespoke products, bespoke training. Terres d’Afrique custom-designed treatments and training innovation are in a league of their own. Brand innovator Stephan Helary explains.

Q: Why such attention to individualisation?

A: The brand focuses on individualisation to ensure that every guest has the best experience possible. As every spa destination is different, with its own identity and needs, we offer the possibility of assembling bespoke experiences in line with the property and its natural and cultural environment.

We sometime even create bespoke products and design bespoke tools for these unique treatments. Each one tells a story. TDA is now becoming known for this offering. We have designed bespoke treatments for Four Seasons in Mauritius, South Africa and Dubai, and we are currently working on a bespoke menu for Six Senses in the Seychelles.

Q: What makes TDA training so innovative?

A: We want to empower the therapist, enrich their knowledge and keep them motivated and enthused. We don't just ‘teach’ protocols and hammer-in product information. We look at what makes every therapist tick, and adapt teaching methods to individual types. We help therapists think creatively.

Our training is immersive; it builds people up with interactive processes, using video, role-play and even meditation. We often involve therapists in the final stage of design of bespoke protocols to give them a sense of ownership.

Q: And what do clients say?

A: Taffryn Kinsey, spa director at Delaire Graff Spa, put it this way:

“Terres d’Afrique training and education has been exceptional and I love the way they work out rituals unique to your property. Our signature massage is done with the shea butter, face and body scrub, deep cleanse face mask and white body mask.

The guests always comment on the texture of the product and what the skin feels like post- treatment, and for this reason we retail as well with great success. The service and relationship with all the Terres d’Afrique staff is professional, generous and helpful at all times.”

And Hayley Bluett, director of spa at Four Seasons Dubai had this to say about the bespoke treatments that TDA developed for them:

“Terres D’Afrique has created three distinctive treatment selections, tailored to our guest demographic. We have called these The Four Seasons Elements: ‘Recharge, Revitalise and Release.’ By choosing treatments under these selections, the guest will embark on a spa journey tailored to their every need.

TDA also created our Signature Massage, called Blue Tigers Eye Massage, using a combination of warm and cool Blue Tigers eye crystals and a very special signature tool that smoothly and firmly glides over every contour of the body, releasing blocked energy and soothing away aching muscles.

The training was excellent and well thought-out, and the training sessions were very interactive, using videos to further enhance the learning and development of the team. They encouraged interesting and focused discussions and exchanges about various topics.

The follow-up from the training for me was just superb – I have not seen such an in-depth analysis and review from a training that had been conducted at any of our spas before. I was very impressed.”

Terres d'Afrique has created a bespoke Red Nomades treatment for Four Seasons The Westcliff, Johannesburg, SA, inspired by the Himba women of Namibia who supply Terres with the Omumbiri resin. See the treatment HERE.