Job search
Job Search

CLAD People: Irene Forte says simplicity is the secret behind her new spa concept

PROJECT: Rocco Forte Spas

Published in CLADbook 2017 issue 1
Irene Forte and her sister Lydia, who helped with the spa’s Nourish offering
Irene Forte and her sister Lydia, who helped with the spa’s Nourish offering

Irene Forte quite literally grew up in the hotel business – her father is the famous hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, her aunt is renowned hotel interior designer Olga Polizzi and her cousin is hotelier Alex Polizzi who also presents UK TV series The Hotel Inspector.

Now, aged 27, Forte has developed the group’s first brand-wide spa concept, Rocco Forte Spas, which has just rolled out across its 10 luxury properties in Europe.

“We had very nice individual spas, but we had no overall unified concept,” says Forte. “And there was no health and fitness aspect. I saw a real gap there.”

She set out to create a concept that would work for existing spas – which include its flagship 4,000sqm spa in Sicily, Brown’s Hotel in London or the Hotel Astoria in St Petersburg. While each spa will incorporate local flavours through decor and nutrition – a crucial part of the concept – the rituals and branded skincare will remain consistent throughout.

The Rocco Forte spa concept combines spa treatments (Rocco Forte Rituals) with food (Rocco Forte Nourish) and in-house beauty products (Forte Organics) as well as Rocco Forte Fitness.

“I really like having a simple and clear concept,” says Forte. “We have four notions, which are easily understandable for guests. We can also continue build upon them.”

While Forte headed up the development of the spa concept, she also benefitted from the insight of her aunt, sister and father – with each family member playing to his or her strengths and interests.

Forte worked with her sister Lydia – just two years older than herself, and the bar and restaurant development manager for Rocco Forte – to create Rocco Forte Nourish. This involves using area chefs and nutritionists for local cuisine, as well as changing the minibar selections and offering a healthy corner at breakfast, with choices like sugar-free almond or soya milk and granola.

“It was the first project we worked on together,” says Forte. “It was quite good to do something together and I think our Nourish element really stands out.”

Sign up for FREE ezines

Company profile

Company profile: Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.
Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in fitness and recreation facility management solutions. Trusted by over 1,500+ sites across 55+ countries, our scalable platform caters to a diverse array of businesses.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Stratford, East London.
Company: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Location: Y Felinheli, LL56 4QN
Company: Newmark
Location: Newhaven, Sussex
Company: EiA Real Estate
Location: Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire
Company: Savills
Location: Oxford
Company: University of Oxford
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

13-13 Jun 2026
Worldwide, Various
21-24 Sep 2026
The Langham Huntington Pasadena , Pasadena, United States
06-08 Oct 2026
Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
22-22 Oct 2026
QEII Conference Centre, London
More diary dates