Lake Austin Spa Resort’s Janis Clapoff on finding health and happiness in Austin
On her winding path to Austin:
I didn’t start out wanting to be in the hotel business - it was a job while I was getting my MBA. I’m originally from Montreal and I started at the Four Seasons there and then moved to Four Seasons Toronto and later got my first General Manager role in New York City in 1986 working at a boutique Sheraton property (before they were owned by Starwood/Marriott). The spa industry started to grow in the late 80s and I went to a resort called Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont, which was a full-service resort complete with stables and skiing and they were just building a 22,000 sq ft spa, that at the time which was very forward thinking as the spa industry was just budding.
I received an offer to come back to Four Seasons Santa Barbara in 1990 to join the team at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California. I was fortunate to have been Manager of the Biltmore until 1992 and was then recruited to be Managing Partner at the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch, also in Santa Barbara. I remained there until 2002, until the Ranch had been sold. Following the San Ysidro Ranch, I went to assist friends of mine who needed assistance with their 5-diamond B&B in Santa Barbara, The Simpson House. I stayed another three years at this heavenly little property until I was recruited to be the General Manager of the iconic Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, California.
On her favorite restaurants along the way:
Working at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara was one of my most memorable experiences. It’ is a 110--year old iconic property, known as a celebrity hideaway. Santa Barbara is full of great restaurants like the Honor Bar in Montecito and The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch. In Waikiki, Orchids and House without a Key at the Halekulani and Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel & Resort are also favorites. Hotel restaurants are so different now than they were many years ago when they were just hotel restaurants. Now they are stand-alone restaurants that happen to be in a hotel. High end and thoughtfully done.
On what makes Lake Austin Spa Resort unique:
We’re a small “high touch resort” on the water where the focus is on mind-body connections and 360 degree wellness, concentrating on balance, healthful eating and living well - not diets and activity that stress you out!
Stephane Beaucamp, Chef at Lake Austin Spa Resort
We know why our guests are here we and have the opportunity of seeing results happen from the beginning to the end of each guests’ visit. The food experience is enlightening; our philosophy is “conscientious cuisine”- which means a thoughtful preparation of fine products that are organic, natural and enlighten all the senses.
On her ideal day off:
I love to visit hotels and restaurants and travel to small towns to shop for interesting and different things that I can utilize in our resort to delight our guests. I enjoy hiking, kayaking and canoeing. There are fabulous hidden spots in Austin like Hamilton Pool Preserve, the new Surf Park, and quirky stores in little surrounding towns. I also like to stand up paddle board on any of the three lakes surrounding Austin. A day away always makes me refreshed and reenergizes me. The best way to end a hard days work for me is to get into a kayak and paddle for a few miles before calling it a day!
On her downtown Austin favorites:
Lucky Robot is a great Japanese restaurant off South Congress. The crispy brussel sprouts are the best I have ever tasted as is the Chai Cheesecake! Hotel Van Zandt on Rainey Street is a hip Kimpton Hotel and they have a great restaurant called Geraldine's. Eberly is an Austin bistro. Antone’s is iconic blues club that is a must to visit and the Continental Club for jazz on South Congress always has great musicians playing every night of the week. On the weekend, I love to take my New York Times and go for brunch to either the Magnolia Cafe or the French Bakery, Baguette et chocolat in Bee Cave.
On her spa industry comrades:
I admire Golden Door in Escondido and Canyon Ranch in Tuscon. The Ranch at Malibu does an excellent job, it’s very high energy - but you typically go there for a specific reason. Miraval is opening next door soon and we are thrilled for the competition – it will position Austin as a spa destination in addition to everything else that Austin is known for.
On non-spa cuisine:
When not being conscientious about eating right- some point s of Austin interest are: Amy’s Ice Cream on South Congress. On the next corner in a food truck is Hey Cupcake! At Café No Sé on Congress, I get the fried macaroni balls and best naan bread in the world with a fabulous oil and nut dips.
On her most recent vacation:
Stand up paddle boarding at Lake Austin Spa & Resort
In February I did something very fun for me (and a first!) I went on The Jazz Cruise (a Celebrity cruise) that had 20 concerts per day and I was in jazz heaven. I never tired of the fabulous non-stop concerts.
On her favorite hotels:
Three of my favorite hotels with the very best service have been:
The George V in Paris, a very special hotel. The Halekulani in Waikiki is also one of the best-serviced hotels in the world as is Halekulani the Four Seasons Geneva.
On what people don’t know about her:
I love to ride motorcycles and I have been taking boxing lessons
I did MMA at a small studio in Santa Barbara. Back in the 90’s and it was so much fun and fantastic exercise. Boxing is the same, high impact, fun and quite a workout!
Notes:
Interview with Janis Clapoff conducted on April 23. All pictures courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort.
