Anita Atanasova - SPA manager in Grifid Encanto Beach Hotel
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  1. Home
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  3. Portraits: The people of Varna
  4. Anita Atanasova - SPA manager in Grifid Encanto Beach Hotel

Portraits: The people of Varna

Anita Atanasova - SPA manager in Grifid Encanto Beach Hotel

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The sea reminds us of the natural human ability to renew ourselves.

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your professional journey and how your interest in health and wellness tourism began. What motivates you to develop this segment within GRIFID hotels?

My name is Anita Atanasova, and I am the SPA Manager at GRIFID Encanto Beach Hotel. From an early age, I have been involved in sports, which taught me discipline, determination,  organizational skills, teamwork, and adaptability. Through sport, I also faced challenges such as injuries, which influenced my professional path and interest in rehabilitation and wellness.

I completed my high school education in the field of tourism, "Restaurant Management" speciality, which gave me a solid foundation in nutrition and the gastronomic aspects of SPA and wellness experiences. I countinued my education with a Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation and later on with two Master's degrees in Rehabilitation, Thalassotherapy, Wellness and SPA and Health Management. During this period I also qualified as a certified yoga instructor. These qualifications allow me to combine medical expertise, management skills and wellness approaches that I apply in the creation and management of complex programs. 

During my years of study at the Medical University of Varna, I actively participated in scientific conferences and academic sessions, where I presented a number of papers and research projects on cupping therapy, zonе therapy, peloidotherapy, kinesiotherapy and therapeutic possibilities of essential oils. For these engagements, I received European research grants and certificates of contribution, as well as the opportunity to build practical skills with a science-based approach.

My professional experience in tourism, wellness and healthcare spans over 7 years, having held a variety of positions - from rehabilitation therapist to salon manager and SPA center manager. Over the years, I've worked to develop and implement innovative SPA and wellness programs, integrating medical expertise, personalized therapies, nutrition, and physical practices such as yoga.

My philosophy is that a successful SPA is built through the synergy of teamwork, professionalism and attention to details. I strive guests to be able to experience true harmony between body, mind and soul, to get motivated and inspired to care for themselves in a mindful and effortless way. My academic training, practical skills and participation in international SPA exhibitions enable me to create programs that combine knowledge, innovation and pleasure.

Tell us more about the MediSPA center at GRIFID Encanto Beach - what does it offer, how is it organized, and what distinguishes your approach to the wellness experience?

The MediSPA center at GRIFID Encanto Beach Hotel was created with the idea of combining medical expertise and wellness philosophy into one holistic experience for the body and mind. Our concept is focused on prevention, recovery, and harmony, with an emphasis on the individual approach to each guest.

We offer a wide range of health and SPA tourism faacilities, designed to provide clients with the opportunity to relax, prevent, and recover in a luxurious setting with panoramic sea views. The centre covers an area of 2,300 sq m across four themed floors and features 32 treatment rooms, a healthy restaurant with a focus on local cuisine, and a variety of sport programmes.

What distinguishes our approach is the attention to detail and the integration of medical expertise with wellness therapies. Each guest receives a qualified consultation and a personalised programme to their individual needs - whether the goal is relaxation, recovery, or a deeper, long-term lifestyle change.

How does the MediSPA center at GRIFID Encanto Beach integrate medical expertise with the experience of wellness and hospitality? How do you succeed in combining medicine and pleasure in harmony?

We believe that true well-being is achieved when medicine and pleasure go hand in hand. Our mission is to combine a scientific and therapeutic approach with a wellness experience that brings enjoyment, peace and inspiration.

We work in a team of nurse, rehabilitators, kinesiotherapists, wellness therapists and in close collaboration with qualified specialists - doctor and nutritionist to ensure a holistic approach - from the initial medical consultation to the selection of therapies that nourish both body and mind. Each programme is tailored to the individual's health, lifestyle and needs.

GRIFID Hotels won the top distinction of the European SPA Association. What does this award mean to you and to the entire team? In your opinion, what was the key factor that led the jury to grant the programme the highest scores in this category?

Recognition from ESPA is a significant award of high importance, which not only confirms the success of our work but also serves as inspiration for future achievements. This recognition shows that we are on the right path and that our vision and efforts are valued by leading experts in the industry. In my view, the main factor that contributed to GRIFID Hotels being honoured in the "Innovative SPA Concept" category was our approach to integrating new technologies with personalised treatments and sustainability.

Of course, innovation in the wellness and SPA field, specialised therapies enhanced by environmentally friendly, natural practices and products, the combination of traditional methods with modern scientific approaches, together with a focus on clients’ well-being and health, are key to the successful performance of the programme.

At the heart of this distinction lies your DETOX programme. How did the idea originate, and what makes it different from other detox programmes?

Our DETOX programme was created out of the desire to offer a space where guests can step away from everyday life and naturally recharge throughout all seasons. It is different because it is not just a diet or a spa package, but a whole ritual of renewal - combining clean nutrition, movement, breathing practices, and therapeutic treatments. At GRIFID, we believe that true detox begins from within, and that is what sets us apart.

Whether guests choose our exclusive Detox programme, which includes a personalised consultation with an expert nutritionist, nutritious meals served in a dedicated healthy dining area, and daily detoxification treatments, or opt for specialised physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes suitable for conditions of musculoskeletal, nervous system, and various skin conditions, we guarantee that our team of specialists will ensure each guest receives a personalised and holistic experience.

The sea, the body and the soul are often associated with the idea of purification. What does the word "detox" mean to you personally - beyond programs and therapies? 

To me, the word "detox" carries a much deeper meaning than physical cleansing. It is a state of awareness and inner balance - a moment when we release both the body and the mind from accumulated tension and recharge with positive emotions.
The sea, an integral part of the atmosphere at GRIFID Encanto Beach Hotel, reminds us of this natural human ability to renew and restore ourselves.

When we allow ourselves to slow down, to breathe deeply and to be truly "here and now", that's when true detox begins - the release of everything that no longer serve us. I believe that detox starts from within, with the way we think, feel, and treat ourselves. Therapies and programs simply support this process. True cleansing comes from our inner willingness to make space for a new beginning.

Nutrition is at the center of your philosophy. Tell us more about the concept behind the DETOX menu - how is it built and how do you balance health and pleasure? 

Eating is one of the finest forms of self-care. We believe that every meal can be a therapy - a source of energy, balance and pleasure at the same time.

Our detox menu has been developed in three different variations, allowing our team of specialists to select the most suitable option for each guest, according to their goals and individual needs. Each variation is carefully crafted to balance taste and nutritional value, using fresh, seasonal, and local products selected to support the body’s natural cleansing processes. We strive to ensure that every dish also delights the senses - because we believe that healthy eating should never be without flavor.

The philosophy of our Detox programme is similar to that of people living in the so-called "Blue Zones" - regions around the world known for their longevity and health. In these areas, life flows in harmony with nature, food is seasonal and minimally processed, and every meal is an act of gratitude and conscious choice. It is this philosophy that inspires us - to offer our guests not just a menu, but a way of life in which nutrition is an expression of respect for the body and a celebration of life.   

Every success comes with its challenges. What were the greatest difficulties in developing this innovative SPA concept, and how did you overcome them?

Every innovation requires courage - to take a path that few have taken before. The greatest challenge in developing our concept was precisely this - to combine medical expertise and wellness philosophy in a way that is both scientifically grounded and emotionally inspiring.

Success came when we realized that the true strength of the team lies in a shared vision and persistence. We worked step by step, with attention to detail and keeping the guest in mind - the person who comes not just for a service, but for an experience.

We embrace these challenges as a necessary part of the journey, because they taught us flexibility, patience, and the belief that when something is done with mission and heart, it finds its audience and recognition.

The team is the key to every successful SPA centre. Tell us about the people behind the programmes - who are the specialists you work with, and how do you achieve synergy between medical expertise, therapists, and nutritionists?

As we all know, people are the most valuable asset of any company. Our team of specialists is the heart of every programme and the guarantee of a high-quality experience. We work with doctors, rehabilitators, kinesiotherapists, physiotherapists, wellness and massage therapists, as well as a nutritionist - each an expert in their field, yet all dedicated to a shared mission: to provide a holistic experience for both body and mind.

Synergy is achieved through constant communication and an individual approach to each guest. Before a program begins, our specialists conduct a consultation, discuss the guest's needs, and work together to create a personalized program. During treatments, the team monitors results, share observations and adapts methods so that medical expertise is naturally combined with wellness therapies and nutritional recommendations.

I believe it's the combination of professionalism, team dedication and attention to detail that makes the center unique. Each member of the team is not only an expert, but also a partner in creating an experience that leaves a lasting impact on the quest's health and self-esteem.

If you had to describe in one sentence the feeling you want guests to take with them after their stay at GRIFID Encanto Beach - what would it be?

I want our guests to leave with a sense of achieved harmony between body, mind, and soul, inspired to care for themselves with care, ease, and joy, and with a desire to return to us again.

The questions were asked by Yulia Bahovski, founder of MyRo.Biz, an online media portal for Bulgarians and Bulgarian businesses in Romania.
 

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