Spa Chakra Closes at Hilton

The recent departure of Spa Chakra at the Hilton Short Hills has left the hotel's management studying how to approach a spa offering.

The third-party-operated spa stopped doing business at the local Hilton on Jan. 17, causing some confusion from some people who used the spa while hotel officials decide what to do next. Spa Chakra has operated at the Hilton since the hotel spent $7 million to renovate the space. The hotel's indoor pool and fitness center remains open, but the remainder of the spa is closed.

Hilton Short Hills General Manager Peter Webster said the depature of Spa Chakra was not anticipated. Now they are deciding if the Hilton should run the spa themselves or if they should hire another third-party to run it.

"We want to try to let it calm down," he said. "This came out of nowhere. We would like (to have a spa), but it needs to work for us. I think we will."

There have been problems, though, since the spa closed.

Webster said they've received some cancellations at the hotel from people who had booked a spa getaway, most especially for Valentine's Day weekend. Some people didn't receive the message from Spa Chakra that they were closed and their appointments have been canceled.

The biggest issue, however, is gift cards sold at the spa, Webster said. Because the spa sold the gift cards, the Hilton cannot honor them. People need to use them at a Spa Chakra location. "It's a lot of money involved and there are a lot of angry people," Webster said.