Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has named Emma Darby as its new global vice president of spa & wellness, an appointment aimed at strenghtening the luxury brand’s commitment to holistic wellbeing across its international portfolio. With over 20 years of senior-level experience in wellness and hospitality, Darby will oversee spa operations for 92 Fairmont properties globally, including flagship locations such as Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Fairmont Riyadh.
Prior to joining Fairmont, Darby served as COO at Resense Spas, where she led the global rollout of luxury wellness concepts, spearheading new openings and renovations across diverse markets. She has also held leadership roles at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group.
“Wellness has always been a personal passion of mine, so I’m thrilled to join a brand like Fairmont that shares this commitment to health and wellbeing,” said Darby. “What really excites me is Fairmont’s unique position at the intersection of heritage, innovation, and personalisation. There’s a real opportunity to take wellness beyond the spa and weave it more holistically into the guest experience.”
Fairmont’s global COO, Sami Nasser, added: “Emma’s deep-rooted industry knowledge and experience sets the tone for a dynamic new chapter in the wellness space for Fairmont. I am confident she will drive operational excellence and strategic growth, with a personalised, hands-on approach.”
Darby’s immediate focus will be on assessing wellness offerings across the brand’s global footprint and developing strategies that blend consistency with creativity. The role also supports Fairmont’s broader expansion strategy, with 29 new hotels in the pipeline—including Fairmont Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and Fairmont Hanoi in Vietnam—where wellness will play a central role in guest engagement.
In her leadership approach, Darby aims to focus on clarity, collaboration, and purpose. She plans to foster a strong team culture rooted in curiosity and inclusivity while aligning Fairmont’s wellness agenda with long-term commercial performance and guest satisfaction.
Emma Darby new global vice president of spa & wellness
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