Ola! My name is Wendel and I manage the Wellness at Hotel Jakarta. Besides wellness, I enjoy calisthenics and music. With calisthenics, you train your body through strength and balance exercises. I regularly do handstands and try to stay as fit and flexible as possible. In music, I have been active for years as a DJ, producer, and event organizer. I’ve also had the pleasure of performing abroad and getting people to dance.

How did you end up in the wellness industry?

I have a background in physiotherapy, and through this I ended up in the world of massage. This is where my interest in wellness and a more holistic perspective grew. After a period in management within the massage industry, I took the step into management in the wellness world. This eventually brought me to Hotel Jakarta.

What attracted you to this position at Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam?

Sustainability and the freedom to shape the department according to my vision. The future is green, and I have always been involved in sustainability. I was proudly one of the first people in Amsterdam to ride an electric scooter. Today it’s nothing special anymore, but 10 years ago people would stare at you in the street when you were riding an electric vehicle. My fiancée is half Indonesian; she was the one who pointed out the vacancy at Hotel Jakarta to me. Indonesian culture is amazing, and here everything comes together.

What does a typical working day as a wellness manager look like?

My day is very dynamic. I usually start with a round through the department: how are my colleagues doing, is all equipment working properly, are the facilities clean, and are all products in stock? After that comes the ‘morning meeting’, a check-in with all departments about how the past day or days went, any special matters, information about current or upcoming guests, and a brief overview of what to expect for the day per department. Depending on what needs to be done, I work on scheduling, placing orders for stock, answering emails, and preparing wellness events. I also often give a few treatments per day, such as massages or body treatments. I usually end my day at the wellness reception when the hostess goes on break, so I stay involved in all aspects of the wellness and hotel and remain well informed about everything that is going on.

What are the main tasks and responsibilities in your role?

Quality control: ensuring that the spa and treatments are of the highest standard. The goal is always to receive only 5-star reviews; anything less is not acceptable.
The department must always keep running. In case of illness among therapists or hostesses, I step in so that guests hardly notice anything. Hotel service runs 24/7 and must always continue at a high level.

Where do you personally get the most energy from in your work?

Guest experience and building good relationships with colleagues. I also really enjoy it when a new wellness event is successfully created, such as yoga classes in our sky bar or collaborations with great brands like Lululemon. The wellness industry is growing rapidly, and I love that.

Which wellness treatments would you like to develop further in?

There is always a new method, technique, or trend emerging in wellness. The latest developments in collagen and magnesium treatments are very interesting for people’s wellbeing and lifestyle. There is currently a shift from guests tracking all their fitness goals on phones or smartwatches towards a more holistic lifestyle, focusing more on meaningful emotional interaction with their partner. A world where calming the nervous system and digital detox are becoming more important.

What makes working at Hotel Jakarta or within WestCord special for you?

Within this company, I have the freedom to shape wellness the way I envision it. In a city like Amsterdam, the average visitor often wants a ‘quick fix’—a short moment of relaxation in a busy life and city. Thinking along with what fits guests and delivering this within a sustainable concept with an Indonesian background is the reason I enjoy my work so much.

Have you ever experienced a funny, unexpected, or special moment at work that you’d like to share?

It’s hospitality after all; guests come to have a good time in the hotel and the city. That often involves a drink or other substances. A guest under the influence who was convinced they could still receive a proper massage, and having to explain that this is unfortunately not possible, was one of the most hilarious moments in all my years here.

What do you do to relax after a busy workday?

When I get home, I like to go for a walk with my family and our dog through Vondelpark, listen to podcasts by Alan Watts, and work out at least three times a week. Movement, less phone use, and walking in nature help calm the nervous system. I also visit every high-end spa I can think of—of course all spas in the Netherlands, but also abroad during holidays. The first thing I do when I arrive somewhere is check the number one spa nearby, and I always end my trip there. I mainly do it for inspiration :D

Why would you recommend working in the wellness industry?

Wellness is a rapidly growing industry. Just like AI and other digital technologies are evolving quickly, there is an equally strong need to disconnect from them. It is a counter-movement towards digitalization and a return to the essence of our existence. We are not made to sit behind screens or look at our phones for hours. In a world where jobs are disappearing due to AI optimization, new roles are emerging where human connection is valued. A massage can never be replaced by a robot, and a VR headset cannot compete with a sauna experience in nature or a day at the beach.