May 31, 2011 (Sausalito, CA) - Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa of Sausalito, California has announced the appointment of Karen McFarlane as Spa Director. A passionate devotee of wellness, healing and beauty therapy, McFarlane is responsible for all operations of the newly renovated Spa at Casa Madrona, which is scheduled to re-open as a full-service spa in June 2011. 

"We're thrilled to have Karen on board to launch our newly renovated spa," said Ryan Schoen, General Manager of Casa Madrona, which is part of the Terra Resort Group. "Karen brings exceptional spa and hospitality experience, and we're delighted to hand her a big opportunity to oversee what is sure to become one of the best spas in the area."

Among the first items on McFarlane's list was securing new product lines for the Spa at Casa Madrona. She selected products from both Body Bliss Pino Spa Therapies, and Thalgo skin care, which are derived from ocean elements and rely on natural or organic ingredients. In addition McFarlane is working with a local botanist to develop products for massage and body treatments that include organically sourced herbs and plants.

McFarlane arrived at Casa Madrona following a yearlong engagement as Spa Director of Spa Aiyana at the Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California. Before that she spent five years as Managing Director of her own consulting firm, Annaren Spa Consulting, in Phoenix, Arizona, including contracting as a Senior Spa Consultant at Blu Spas Consulting.

Previously, McFarlane held management positions at top-end resort and hotel spas throughout the American West, including Spa Director of Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole (2003-2005), Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North in Scottsdale (1999-2003), and The Mist Spa at the Radisson Resort and Spa (1998-1999) also in Scottsdale.

Born and raised in Dundee, Scotland, McFarlane studied Beauty Therapy at Dundee College in Scotland and Spa Management at the PGA National Resort and Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida. She currently resides in Sausalito, CA.

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa in Sausalito, California brings the past and present together following an extensive renovation, debuting on June 15, 2011. Set on a lush hillside in the heart of Sausalito's village center, overlooking the serene Richardson Bay and the lush marine headlands, the newest address in the Terra Resort Group portfolio first welcomed guests in 1885. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property offers 63 guest accommodations including 22 "hillside cottages," (15 completely renovated) many with private decks, fireplaces and water views, 10 "Victorian rooms" located atop the property, within the historic William Barrett Mansion, and 31 "contemporary rooms" in a newly renovated wing designed with contemporary bayside décor. The hotel's 3,000 square-foot Spa at Casa Madrona focuses on the restorative and life-giving power of water therapy through an extensive treatment menu and nourishing products from the bay. With 5,000 square feet of flexible event space, Casa Madrona is a splendid destination for meetings and events - especially weddings and corporate retreats against the backdrop of the world's most romantic cityscape. www.casamadrona.com