The Mandarin Oriental, Boston has appointed Virginia Lara as Director of Spa. Lara is an 18-year veteran of the luxury spa industry and will oversee the 16,000 square-foot Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston; the only Forbes Five-Star awarded spa in Massachusetts.
Lara comes to Boston from the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, which she helped launch in 2009. Under her supervision, the Spa was recognized in 2013 by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 30 Reasons Why to Love Barcelona and received European Health and Spa’s Award for Best Spa Manager and Best Hotel Spa in Europe.
In addition, she was also awarded with the 2011 Black Diamond Award for Best Spa Manager in Europe. “The Spas at Mandarin Oriental focus on a holistic approach that rebalances mind, body and spirit to achieve an overall state of well-being,” stated Lara. “We draw inspiration from our Oriental heritage and unique authenticity to each locale, while personalizing every treatment for each guest.”
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Lara began her career in public relations and soon after realized her passion for wellness and massage therapy. Her extensive experience includes work in London with Elizabeth Arden The Red Door, overseas with Celebrity Cruises and in the Bahamas with Mandara Spa and Ocean Club at One&Only. Lara has studied many modalities of massage therapy, including Anatomy Physiology and Body Massage, Sport Therapy and Deep Tissue Massage and Reflexology. She received advanced certification in Thai massage and is certified in Aromatherapy, Stress Management, Nutrition and Diet Theory, Body Treatments, Indian Scalp Massage, and Hot Stones.
