14 Oct 2014
Golden Door relaunches as 600-acre biodynamic retreat
BY Helen Andrews
The globally-renowned Golden Door wellness resort in Escondido, California, has relaunched following an expansion from 377 acres to 600 acres, making way for gardens and orchards growing ingredients required for its new artisanal product line.
In keeping with the resort's hyper-local food sourcing focus, Golden Door’s land expert Jeff Dawson has brought in 30 chickens to lay fresh eggs each morning and a new computer-controlled 3,000sq ft (278sq m) greenhouse for growing leafy vegetables.
250 olive trees have been planted in the retreat’s olive orchard and grape vines are expected to join the collection of biodynamic garden produce. There are also certified organic citrus orchards on-site.
The spa’s COO, Kathy Van Ness, told Spa Business earlier this year 100 per cent of profits from the spa’s hospitality operation and food sales will go to charity, in line with the company’s mission to put a greater focus on philanthropy.
In April, for example, Golden Door sent its first charitable donations to nearby Escondido’s Forensic Health Services Centre – a centre which helps victims of child abuse and sexual assault 24-hours a day – in a joint effort with the local government to keep the centre’s doors open.
New York-based interior designer Victoria Hagan has carried out a refurbishment of the 40 guestrooms, the dining room, reception lobby, bathhouse spa, guest lounges and yoga gyms. Wood, bamboo, Japanese papers and grasses decorate the interior and exterior gardens. Polished lacquered surfaces contrast with matt traditions Shoji screens inside this destination spa’s walls.
The Japanese inn-themed spa has not been expanded and still includes the Kitatsu water-therapy pool, sand garden meditation room, Japanese hot tub, bathhouse, Koi ponds and a priceless Asian art collection.
Founded in 1958 by Deborah Szekely, The Golden Door first gained fame as a place for Hollywood starlets to shed pounds before a film shoot. The 56-year old spa was sold in 1998 for US$28m (€20m, £16.6m) to Patriot American Hospitality, a real estate investment trust which eventually became Blackstone real estate company.
Joanne Conway, wife of billionaire Bill Conway, visited the spa 22 times before buying it in 2012 for US$24.8m (€17.9m, £14.7m) with the idea of restoring it and changing its business model to become more charitable.
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