CELTIC Manor spa trainer Samantha Boyes has been moving quickly up the ranks in the year she has spent working at the five star resort.

Samantha, aged 32, has seen her career progress to helping new starters at the Forum Spa, having only been a starter herself at the resort last year. Samantha says her progress in the past 12 months is all down to the superb training she has received at Celtic Manor.

Putting her special touch into providing an upper body massage, Samantha says: “I studied quite a long time ago. I qualified in 2003 with a level three NVQ in beauty therapy and started my professional career from there.

“There is lots of ongoing training here at the Celtic Manor. We are always learning new things. Even if, like me, you’re 14 years into your career, there is still ample opportunity to learn additional skills.”

Samantha quickly found her feet at Celtic Manor Resort.

“The opportunities available for me to develop my career here at Celtic Manor have been great. I’ve quite quickly moved up from my starting position as a spa therapist, to senior therapist and then I took on the spa trainer role, where I am now and which I really enjoy.

“Within my role there is lots in the way of training, we have the Celtic College here which helps us to improve skills whether it’s helping with hospitality or helping with guest standards. The training is available throughout the year.”

A seasoned, well-trained and experienced beauty therapist, Samantha enjoys guiding the new recruits at Celtic Manor’s two spas – the Forum Spa in the main hotel and the Ocius Treatment Rooms, next to Dylan’s Health Club at the Golf Club.

“There are so many things I enjoy, especially helping the starters fall in love with the products that they are using, helping them to feel comfortable working within a five star resort and also seeing people progress to become even better therapists.

“I would say the biggest challenge of working for a five star resort is ensuring that we are consistently achieving everything that we set out to achieve. Our mission is to uphold the five star experience, to exceed the expectations of guests and to win their loyalty so they can come back and enjoy the other facilities we have on offer here at the spa.

“No day is ever the same which is great. It’s a challenge but a very welcome challenge. Whether it’s the multitude of different guests you get to look after or maybe the training you are offering that day as everyone has different training needs, it’s great fun. It’s a beautiful environment to work in and both our spas offer exceptional treatments and products created by Elemis.”

Celebrities, VIPs, film stars, famous musicians and international performers and sports stars frequently stay at Celtic Manor when they’re in the area.

“I have seen quite a few celebrities during my time at Celtic Manor. It’s always fun seeing them but they are sometimes here on personal or family visits so it is our duty to give them the same privacy as we would any guest.

“It must also be said that we treat all of our guests as VIPs regardless of whether they are actually a ‘celebrity’ or not. We want each and every one of them to experience the wonderful treatment that is on offer here at Celtic Manor Resort.”

Samantha knows exactly what type of people they are looking to recruit for careers at the spa.

“The type of candidates we are looking for could be straight from college and looking to start their career in the spa industry. As long as they have the relevant qualifications, NVQ level three, we can help to develop them as therapists and then to go on to rewarding and exciting careers within the Celtic Manor.

“The main thing I would recommend to anyone considering working here is all the exclusive opportunities we have on offer at the resort.

“When I first started here I thought that I had hit my peak. I’d been in the industry for 14 years but I have learnt so much in the short 12 months that I never expected to learn.

“So to people who are feeling a bit unsure, my advice would be definitely go for it, it really is a wonderful experience and an amazing place to work.”

Spa fact file:

The Celtic Manor Resort has 16 treatment rooms at the Forum Spa and six at Ocius Treatment Rooms. The Resort has two 20-metre swimming pools, both with sauna, steam room and spa bath.

The Celtic Manor Resort employs 38 spa therapists employed within the resort's spas. The resort delivers more than 30,0000 spa treatments every year.

Spa treatments include a wide range of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, nail care, brows and lashes, make-up and tanning treatments.