Sara Codner, Area Director of Spa & Wellness, Middle East at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai has over 28 years’ experience in the Spa and Wellness Industry. She began her wellness journey as a spa therapist and then moved into consultancy, working on developmental projects throughout the world, Ms. Codner brings both business acumen as well as a passion for and deep insight into the spa industry to her role.
As Area Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai Sara is responsible for setting and implementing the spa’s business strategy, developing signature spa and wellness programmes as well as tailored nutrition and healing therapies, overseeing the spa operations and ensuring successful performance. Sara joined the Dubai team from her role as Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, this is Ms. Codner’s fourth role within the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Prior to that she was part of the pre-opening team for Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou, the group’s first urban hotel in China and in the earlier stages of her career she worked as Spa Manager for The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London.
Before re-joining the Mandarin Oriental family in Tokyo, Sara spent an impressive six years as the Spa Development Manager at The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos, a luxury resort in the heart of Grace Bay. She also previously held the position of Sports and Leisure Manager for London’s private member’s club, The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall. Her impressive CV also includes consultancy work for the Whitbread Group and being part of the pre-opening team for The Spa at Pennyhill Park in Surrey, UK. Fluent in English and French, Sara studied at Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education and has qualifications in hairdressing and beauty therapy from City and Guilds of London Institute.
SUSTAINABILITY
Having grown up in Mauritius and surrounded by animals, Sara developed a natural affinity with nature and the environment from a very early age. Vegetarian for as long as she can remember and switched to a vegan lifestyle over 6 years ago not only for compassionate reasons but for a healthier and fitter lifestyle.
She was appointed the official Sustainability Champion for Mandarin Oriental Tokyo in 2016 during her time there and was appointed the same at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai just before the opening of the hotel. Some major milestones over the past 3 years have been achieved and despite the challenges during Covid, the hotel is single use plastic free, the hotel implemented a waste management system, focused on responsible procurement, donated discarded linens to an animal shelter, and worked on some wonderful community projects.
