For many years The Observatory Hotel – located near Sydney's historic Rocks and central business district – has been serving the corporate and leisure traveller alike with a quality product where boutique luxury is assured and personalised service unsurpassed.

Augmenting this high level of guest service is the Observatory Day Spa. As the first five-star day spa in Sydney, the Observatory Day Spa offers guests and visitors an extensive treatment menu delivered by a plethora of qualified therapists.

Using the exclusive La Prairie body treatments, the Observatory Day Spa offers a range of La Prairie facials. From the much sought-after Swiss treatment to the stress release facial using reflexology techniques and the more unique such as the firming caviar facial using real caviar pearls to the microdermabrasian facial using powdered crystals.

Fondly known as the “obs spa” by the pampered, the Observatory Day Spa is renowned for its luxurious treatments. Such luxury is evident in signature treatments such as the ‘diamond body perfection’ involving a full body micro dermabrasion using real diamonds, pearls and gold. Other indulgent treatments include the tasty yet un-edible food wraps such as the chocolate fudge body wrap.

The spa menu features amplitude of massages using different techniques and therapies. From the Swedish neuromuscular technique to promote healthy circulation, to the stone therapy using hot volcanic basalt and cold marble to the Tibetan temple treatment using heated lavender, rose, chamomile and jasmine wrapped in a Muslim bag, there is a therapy for every ailment.

The Observatory Day Spa offers a range of packages to suit everyone from the discerning to the downright pampered but for those looking for a specific program, guests are invited to pick and choose treatments to tailor their own personal package.

From skin care treatments, hydroxy acid skin exfoliation, hydro-active mineral salt scrubs and wraps of various kinds, there is certainly something for everyone. And the mind behind the extensive menu and inner workings is Nik Pappas.

Nik is the regional spa director for Orient-Express Australia. In his position, Nik overseas and manages both the Observatory Day Spa and Lilianfels Day Spa at Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort.

Nik said, “My job is to ensure that the our spas not only reach their respective budget but that they come in with a bottom line of 30% profit. My team consists of spa operations managers, spa coordinators, a plethora of five-star therapists who cater to our clients therapeutic needs plus a spa relations manager.”

The spa relations manager is a position Nik created to ensure every guest who leaves the spa is not only pampered but also blissfully happy and satisfied.

“We perform close to 900 treatments per month and have an average treatment rate of $170. We offer a spa cuisine menu created by our Michelin star rated Masahiko Yomoda and host events such as our upcoming La Prairie Champagne and Caviar Harbour Cruise as well as the La Prairie Girls’ Getaway. Due to all of this we have a lot of clients and we have had to make sure each one is happy with the treatments, get feedback and make sure all spa guests get that little added attention - that is why I created the position of spa relations manager.

The person in this position is in charge of a customer report that is then complied into a spa manifest of who is coming in what previous treatments they’ve had, things they like, things they don’t like so the therapist can read that and more cater their spa service.”