With a strong foundation in the luxury spa and wellness industry, Jill Haidler’s passion lies in delivering exceptional wellness experiences and leading teams to excellence. Since 2012, Haidler has served as spa director for the Waldorf Astoria Spa at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, playing an active role in the hotel’s strategic planning process. She has full responsibility for all spa, wellness, health, and fitness operations, including membership budgeting, cost analysis, learning and development, organizational design, and employee engagement. Prior, she began her career in sales at the Neill Corporation, representing Aveda products, and ultimately transitioned into spa management, overseeing operations at Paris Parker Salons and Spas owned by the Neill Corporation. Her hands-on expertise grew as a nail technician and manager at The Beauty Spa (Harrisonburg, VA) before moving into a leadership role at The Roosevelt New Orleans. Here, Haidler shares her favorite self-care routine along with some of her favorite wellness offerings.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness to me is a balance of physical health, mental wellbeing, and emotional fulfillment. It means taking care of my body through nutrition, exercise, and rest while also nurturing my mind and relationships. Ultimately, wellness is about feeling my best and living with a sense of purpose and balance.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
Eating nourishing foods that make me feel good, yoga, walking my dog, and I always try to get enough sleep and maintain a healthy routine.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
A good fitness activity is one that you enjoy and can stick with consistently. I enjoy being in nature and walking or hiking. I also really enjoy yoga as it is an amazing practice for both body and mind. It improves flexibility, strength and balance while also reducing stress and promoting mindfulness.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
I love all food and living in New Orleans, there is no shortage of amazing fresh seafood. One of my favorite things to do is to grill oysters and fish.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I love to make fresh juice. My favorite recipe is kale, cucumber, lemon, and ginger. I also love to make celery juice. You need a juicer to prepare these drinks, but there are so many good options today for juicing.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
My greatest wellness achievement has been starting my journey at the Waldorf Astoria Spa. This transformative experience opened countless doors to learning about diverse wellness practices and allowed me to develop a deep, holistic understanding of health. Working with Hilton—a company renowned for its commitment to supporting wellness—has further empowered me to excel in the industry and continuously grow both personally and professionally.
We also just launched The Recovery Lounge at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, incorporating contrast therapy, compression therapy, harmonic meditation, and more, providing the perfect balance of recovery and rejuvenation. The space includes infrared saunas and a cold plunge, as well as four MindSync anti-gravity loungers with compression boots and vibroacoustic sound therapy with optional enhancements like SmartGoggles, Therabody red light therapy, and energizing Knesko collagen face and eye masks. We are so proud to bring these treatments, which merge cutting-edge technology with restorative practices, and offer the perfect antidote to the vibrant energy of New Orleans.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
I admire my boss Jessica Shea, vice president of wellness, retail, and leisure operations at Hilton, for her visionary leadership and deep expertise in transforming the wellness landscape within Hilton and the hospitality industry. Jessica and her team have consistently integrated innovative, holistic practices that elevate guest experiences, and she truly inspires those around her.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
I was fortunate to see Dr. Deepak Chopra speak many years ago at a conference, and one of the key pieces of advice I took away was: “Take time to nourish your body and mind. Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.” I have never forgotten his words, and I implement his advice into my daily life.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
The Aescape table. It’s an AI-powered robot massage table that uses robotic arms to offer customized massages. I had the opportunity to try it at the last ISPA conference, and it’s truly amazing.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
One simple, yet effective wellness tip is to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. Even setting aside just five to 10 minutes a day to focus on your breathwork, whether through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or a quiet moment of reflection can significantly reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall mental clarity.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
I love a good beach vacation and find it soothing to the soul.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
Pure Fiji truly captivates me with its exquisite blend of traditional Fijian botanical wisdom and modern sustainable innovation. I was also able to go to their factory in Suva, Fiji, and see firsthand how the product is made, as well as meet the fabulous people who work there. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
Taking baths on Sunday! I call it my Sunday spa day, and for me, there is not a better way to relax than soaking in a nice warm bath. I recently discovered a brand call Bathorium and love its innovative approach to transforming everyday bathing into a luxurious, rejuvenating wellness experience.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Going into nature.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Being consistent with my practices
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
There are so many authors and books I have enjoyed, but a few of my favorites are: Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life by Mark Hyman, M.D., The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness and How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life by Frank Lipman, M.D., and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Love Your Mind and Create a New One and Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Joe Dispenza, D.C.
How do you celebrate small victories?
A glass of wine with friends.
What brings you joy?
My family and my little dog, Sparty.
