30 min

Episode 1:3 Michael Tompkins on the Merger of Health & Hospitality Glowing Older

    • Health & Fitness

A renowned expert on the intersection of health and hospitality, Michael Tompkins shares his opinions on senior living from his perspective as partner in Hutchinson Consulting, a leading recruitment and consulting firm in hospitality and wellness. Michael discusses opportunities for hospitality professionals to move into the senior living space to create new programming and deliver a high level of service.

About Michael

A visionary leader in the luxury hospitality, wellness, and spa industries, Michael G. Tompkins has led celebrated brands to success for more than two decades. He is a partner with St. Louis based Hutchinson Consulting, where he helps build leading teams for luxury hospitality and spa brands. In 2018 Tompkins led the recruitment company into Senior Living, bringing experts from hospitality and wellness as a product differentiator into this industry, where bringing hospitality to care is a desirable new trend.

He transitioned from healthcare as a registered nurse manager in long term care to hospitality with Canyon Ranch Health Resorts as part of their executive management team. Then as Vice President of Hotels and Spas for Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Tompkins led their team to be the first property in US history east of the Mississippi to have two Four Diamond AAA Hotels, garnering Best New US Spa for Skana Spa, and earning New York State Hospitality Association’s Hotel Executive of the Year.

From there Tompkins helped reposition Miraval Resorts in Tucson, AZ starting as General Manager then promoted to President/ CEO of Miraval Resorts. During his seven-year tenure at Miraval, Tompkins led the brand to an unprecedented 46 industry awards in one year, building one of the most successful hotel real estate projects in the country, the Villas at Miraval, and creating strategic partnerships with National Geographic, Dr. Andrew Weil Integrative Wellness Center, and the Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins.

After assisting in the successful majority sale of the Miraval brand, Tompkins repositioned Hilton Head Health in 2014 and 2015 building Indigo Spa, 2015’s Best New US Spa and topped lists as Best Weight Loss Resort in the US.

In 2014 and 2015, Tompkins helped raise capital to build and launch a new hybrid of concierge medicine blended with spa, fitness, and nutrition in a community center at PALM Health in St. Louis, Mo.

Tompkins is a Past Chairman of the International Spa Association (ISPA) where he served on its board for seven years. He is an author or contributing author to four books on health and wellness, and is a sought-after global keynote. Considered a leading expert in his field, he has appeared on Fox Business News, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal Television, and the celebrity reality show Giuliana and Bill.

Key Takeaways:


The consumerism surrounding aging services is going to be Paramount. This new consumer has substantially higher discretionary income and they are looking for a lifestyle that encourages wellness.
Hospitality intersects with senior living because wealthy boomers are used to the good life and are looking for the luxury amenities found in a resort environment, along with 5-star customer service.
The senior living industry needs a new market identity that strips the negativity surrounding a nursing home and educates prospective residents on new opportunities.
Community-based, whole life models, where people are thriving and cohabitating intergenerationally, keep the mind and body young.
Creating a program-driven model and marketing it properly is challenging. Facilities will have to deliver on their promises.

A renowned expert on the intersection of health and hospitality, Michael Tompkins shares his opinions on senior living from his perspective as partner in Hutchinson Consulting, a leading recruitment and consulting firm in hospitality and wellness. Michael discusses opportunities for hospitality professionals to move into the senior living space to create new programming and deliver a high level of service.

About Michael

A visionary leader in the luxury hospitality, wellness, and spa industries, Michael G. Tompkins has led celebrated brands to success for more than two decades. He is a partner with St. Louis based Hutchinson Consulting, where he helps build leading teams for luxury hospitality and spa brands. In 2018 Tompkins led the recruitment company into Senior Living, bringing experts from hospitality and wellness as a product differentiator into this industry, where bringing hospitality to care is a desirable new trend.

He transitioned from healthcare as a registered nurse manager in long term care to hospitality with Canyon Ranch Health Resorts as part of their executive management team. Then as Vice President of Hotels and Spas for Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Tompkins led their team to be the first property in US history east of the Mississippi to have two Four Diamond AAA Hotels, garnering Best New US Spa for Skana Spa, and earning New York State Hospitality Association’s Hotel Executive of the Year.

From there Tompkins helped reposition Miraval Resorts in Tucson, AZ starting as General Manager then promoted to President/ CEO of Miraval Resorts. During his seven-year tenure at Miraval, Tompkins led the brand to an unprecedented 46 industry awards in one year, building one of the most successful hotel real estate projects in the country, the Villas at Miraval, and creating strategic partnerships with National Geographic, Dr. Andrew Weil Integrative Wellness Center, and the Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins.

After assisting in the successful majority sale of the Miraval brand, Tompkins repositioned Hilton Head Health in 2014 and 2015 building Indigo Spa, 2015’s Best New US Spa and topped lists as Best Weight Loss Resort in the US.

In 2014 and 2015, Tompkins helped raise capital to build and launch a new hybrid of concierge medicine blended with spa, fitness, and nutrition in a community center at PALM Health in St. Louis, Mo.

Tompkins is a Past Chairman of the International Spa Association (ISPA) where he served on its board for seven years. He is an author or contributing author to four books on health and wellness, and is a sought-after global keynote. Considered a leading expert in his field, he has appeared on Fox Business News, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal Television, and the celebrity reality show Giuliana and Bill.

Key Takeaways:


The consumerism surrounding aging services is going to be Paramount. This new consumer has substantially higher discretionary income and they are looking for a lifestyle that encourages wellness.
Hospitality intersects with senior living because wealthy boomers are used to the good life and are looking for the luxury amenities found in a resort environment, along with 5-star customer service.
The senior living industry needs a new market identity that strips the negativity surrounding a nursing home and educates prospective residents on new opportunities.
Community-based, whole life models, where people are thriving and cohabitating intergenerationally, keep the mind and body young.
Creating a program-driven model and marketing it properly is challenging. Facilities will have to deliver on their promises.

30 min

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