Marissa Krems, executive director of spa, wellness, and guest experience at The Elms Hotel and Spa Excelsior Springs at Kansas City Spa Resort, is a wellness and hospitality leader focused on creating meaningful, memorable guest experiences centered around relaxation, connection, and time to reset. She first fell in love with hospitality while working at Pebble Beach Resorts, where she saw firsthand how powerful great service, genuine connection, and thoughtful details can be in shaping the guest experience. That early experience shaped the path she’s followed in spa, wellness, and guest experience leadership.
With a background in spa operations, wellness programming, and luxury hospitality, Krems enjoys designing retreats and experiences where guests can step away from their day-to-day routines, slow down, and reconnect with themselves. She believes the most impactful wellness experiences often come down to the small details that make people feel cared for and at ease.
Krems is also passionate about leadership and team development. She enjoys building supportive, service-driven teams where people feel valued, confident, and inspired in their work. Her approach to leadership is grounded in authenticity, collaboration, and leading with care while consistently elevating both the guest and team experience. Here, she shares her thoughts on health, wellness, and wellbeing.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, is about feeling balanced in your mind, body, and emotions. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about feeling grounded, having energy, and making choices that help you feel good long term.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
I try to move my body every day and get outside as much as I can, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. That time really helps me reset. I also focus on sleep, staying hydrated, and carving out small moments of quiet when life gets busy.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
I really love hiking and biking. Being outside while moving just clears my head in a way nothing else does. It helps me feel more present and recharged.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
I keep it pretty simple: grilled chicken with roasted vegetables is a go to. I usually use olive oil, garlic, lemon, and whatever veggies are in season.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
Sparkling water with cucumber, mint, and citrus is my favorite. It feels refreshing and a little elevated, especially when everything is really fresh and cold.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
Learning not to aim for perfection. Once I focused on consistency and small habits instead of doing everything “perfectly,” everything felt more sustainable.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
I really admire people who keep wellness real and approachable, the ones who remind you it doesn’t have to be extreme or complicated to work.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
A mentor once told me that rest is part of the work. That really stuck with me and changed how I think about slowing down.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
I’m interested in how much focus there is now on sleep, recovery, and nervous system health. It feels like wellness is finally becoming more personalized and realistic.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
For me, it’s feeling good most of the time but also giving yourself grace when things are off. It’s not about strict balance. It’s more about flexibility.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
Probably “balance.” It means different things to everyone, and it’s not always something you can perfectly achieve every day.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
Small habits matter more than big overhauls. Even 30 minutes of movement or fresh air can completely shift your day.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
Anywhere in nature—mountains, water, hiking trails. I just like being somewhere I can unplug and slow down.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
Miraval Resorts stands out to me for its focus on mindfulness, self-discovery, and emotional wellbeing. I appreciate how they create space for guests to slow down and truly reconnect with themselves through intentional programming and experiences.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
My evenings are my reset time. I like to unwind with a steam shower and eucalyptus mist, then my crazy long skincare routine, sometimes using a LED mask. I’ll make a cup of mint tea, put on music, and just take time to slow down and reset.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Getting outside. A walk, a hike, or even just sitting somewhere quiet always helps me reset.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Probably slowing down more consistently, especially during busy work periods. It’s something I’m always working on.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
I really appreciate the work of Brené Brown, especially books like Dare To Lead. Her focus on vulnerability, courage, and authenticity ties directly into both personal wellbeing and leadership.
How do you celebrate small victories?
I try to acknowledge them instead of rushing past them, whether that’s taking a break, doing something I enjoy, or just appreciating the moment.
