Desirée Santos Masip, Director of Marketing, Communications & PR and Sustainability at Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, represents a property recognized by Luxury Lifestyle Awards as Best Luxury Spa Hotel in Costa Daurada, Spain for 2026. In conversation with Alexander Chetchikov, President of World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, she reflects on Explore Spa by Le Méridien Ra, its Mediterranean setting, thalassotherapy heritage, and the leadership principles behind a contemporary wellness experience.

Alexander Chetchikov: Desirée, congratulations to Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa on being recognized as Best Luxury Spa Hotel in Costa Daurada, Spain for 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards. What does this recognition represent for the property and for the team behind Explore Spa?

Desirée Santos Masip: Thank you very much. This recognition is a great honor for Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa and, above all, for the entire team behind Explore Spa. Being recognized as the ‘Best Luxury Spa Hotel on the Costa Dorada’ by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2026 not only reflects the quality of our facilities and our wellness offering, but also the passion, dedication and perseverance of the people who create the guest experience every day. For us, this award reflects the establishment’s unique identity: our privileged Mediterranean location, the destination’s heritage and our holistic vision of luxury wellbeing. Explore Spa is much more than a spa experience; it is a space designed for guests to reconnect with themselves through the sea, tranquility, personalized care and authentic hospitality. And most importantly, this achievement motivates us to continue evolving whilst remaining true to who we are. It is an accolade shared by all departments and all team members who contribute daily to offering guests a stay.

AC: Explore Spa is closely connected to the Mediterranean Sea and the Costa Daurada coastline. How does this setting shape the guest experience and the identity of the spa?

DSM: The Explore Spa is deeply connected to its Mediterranean surroundings, and this connection is evident throughout the guest experience. The prime seafront location, right on the Costa Dorada, instils an immediate sense of calm, light and well-being that forms part of the spa’s identity. The Mediterranean is not merely a landscape, but a source of inspiration for our treatments, rituals and philosophy of relaxation. The natural light, the sea breeze and the leisurely pace of the coast help to create an authentic sensory experience closely linked to the concept of mindful wellbeing. Furthermore, the historic tradition of water at Le Méridien Ra, combined with the therapeutic value of the marine environment, reinforces our holistic and distinctive approach. We want every guest to feel a genuine sense of disconnection and, at the same time, a deep connection with the destination and the Mediterranean lifestyle.

AC: The spa combines thalassotherapy, holistic wellness, and international treatment traditions. How do you define balance between heritage and contemporary wellness expectations?

DSM: At Explore Spa, we view wellbeing as a blend of traditional knowledge and contemporary needs. On the one hand, we preserve time-honored techniques and therapies, such as thalassotherapy, the therapeutic use of seawater, and rituals inspired by various wellbeing cultures. On the other hand, we adapt these experiences to today’s lifestyle, where guests seek not only relaxation, but also emotional balance, a digital break and holistic wellbeing. The balance lies in offering treatments that are grounded and authentic, yet with a personalized, sensory and modern approach. Today, wellbeing is understood in a much more holistic way, and our guests value experiences that combine science, tradition, sustainability and personal care. In this sense, Explore Spa seeks to create a space where tradition and innovation coexist naturally to meet the expectations of today’s traveler.

AC: Personalization is central to the spa’s positioning. How does the team approach individual guest needs while maintaining consistency across every visit?

DSM: Personalization is one of the core values of the Explore Spa experience. We understand that every guest has different needs, rhythms and expectations, which is why our team takes the time to listen and understand what each person is looking for before designing their wellness experience. The key lies in combining this personalized attention with a shared philosophy based on excellence, genuine care and holistic wellbeing. Our therapists tailor treatments, intensities and recommendations to each guest’s needs, whilst always maintaining the essence of Explore Spa: an atmosphere of calm, professionalism and a connection with the Mediterranean. In this way, we ensure that every experience is unique and personal, without losing the identity and consistency that defines us.

AC: The spa was refurbished in 2025. From a leadership perspective, how does renewal influence service culture, guest perception, and long-term positioning?

DSM:  The refurbishment of Explore Spa in 2025 represents much more than a mere update of the facilities; it is an evolution of our vision of wellbeing and the experience we wish to offer our guests. From a leadership perspective, this process has been an opportunity to reinforce our culture of service, inspiring the team to continue raising the standards of care, personalization and excellence. The refurbishment allows the environment to better reflect the contemporary philosophy of wellbeing: spaces that are more sensory, light-filled and connected to the Mediterranean, designed to foster an authentic and sophisticated experience of relaxation. This directly influences the guest’s perception, as they increasingly value holistic and coherent experiences where design, service and emotional wellbeing go hand in hand. In the long term, this evolution strengthens Explore Spa’s positioning as a benchmark for luxury wellness in Spain. Our aim is to continue offering a timeless experience, capable of combining innovation, authenticity and the venue’s historical heritage, whilst always maintaining a genuine connection with the destination and the expectations of today’s traveler.

AC: Sustainability forms part of your professional responsibility. How do you see sustainability fitting into the future of luxury hospitality and wellness?

DSM: Sustainability will increasingly become an essential—rather than optional—part of the luxury hospitality and wellness sectors. Today, luxury is no longer defined solely by exclusivity or comfort, but also by the ability to offer responsible, authentic experiences that resonate with the values of today’s guests. At Explore Spa, we believe that sustainability must be seamlessly integrated into the entire experience, without compromising on quality, comfort or the sense of luxury. In our case, we have initiatives that are very much in line with this vision, such as the seawater circuit, which highlights the natural benefits of the Mediterranean and thalassotherapy in an authentic and responsible way. Furthermore, we have solar panels that enable us to reduce the hotel’s energy consumption by around 18%, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable management of our facilities. We have also incorporated small gestures with a big impact, such as washable and reusable spa slippers, which help to reduce waste without compromising on the comfort and premium experience our guests expect. The challenge and opportunity for the luxury hospitality sector lies precisely here: to demonstrate that sustainability, well-being and sophistication can coexist harmoniously. The establishments that manage to integrate this philosophy in a genuine way will be the ones that define the future of luxury wellness.

AC: Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa serves domestic guests as well as travelers from the United States and key European markets. How do you maintain a coherent brand experience across such diverse audiences?

DSM: Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa welcomes guests from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, yet they all share the same quest: well-being, exclusivity and an authentic experience. We ensure a consistent brand experience by combining high standards of service with deeply personalized attention. The essence of Le Méridien Ra, the connection to the Mediterranean, holistic well-being, relaxed elegance and genuine hospitality, remains constant in every interaction and every guest experience, regardless of where they come from. At the same time, our team is highly focused on understanding the cultural expectations and individual preferences of each market, something that is particularly important when working with local, European and international guests.

AC: Looking ahead, what standards will continue to guide Explore Spa as it strengthens its role within Spain’s luxury wellness landscape?

DSM: Looking ahead, Explore Spa will continue to be guided by a vision of well-being rooted in authenticity, excellence and a connection with the Mediterranean environment. Our aim is not merely to offer high-quality treatments and facilities, but to create transformative and memorable experiences that meet the evolving expectations of the luxury traveler. Personalization will remain one of our cornerstones. We will seek to continue developing experiences tailored to the physical and emotional needs of each guest, combining innovation, a human touch and a strong commitment to service. At the same time, sustainability will play an increasingly important role in our development. We want to continue incorporating responsible initiatives that reduce our environmental impact without compromising the comfort and sophistication that define the Le Méridien Ra experience. Another key criterion will be maintaining the balance between tradition and innovation. The history and therapeutic identity of the venue are part of our DNA, but at the same time we must constantly evolve to remain relevant within the international luxury wellness landscape. Ultimately, we want to establish Explore Spa as a benchmark for luxury wellness in Spain, recognized not only for its facilities and treatments, but also for its ability to offer an authentic, emotional experience deeply connected to the Mediterranean.

Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa occupies a distinctive position within Costa Daurada’s wellness sector through its combination of Mediterranean thalassotherapy, beachfront hospitality, and a renewed spa concept. This interview offers an editorial perspective on how leadership, place, and service consistency contribute to the evolving standards of luxury spa hospitality in Spain.

Discover more about Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa: Explore Spa by Le Méridien Ra | Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa