Frankie Tan grew up in the quiet town of Muar, Malaysia, surrounded by the simplicity of rural life. His passion for creativity led him to study interior design in college, but in 1987, as Malaysia’s economy took a downturn, he found himself at a crossroads. Searching for a career that could sustain him anywhere in the world, he made an unexpected choice—he left his homeland and traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to study the ancient art of Thai massage at the renowned Wat Po Temple.
“It was a skill that had no borders,” he shares.
A Decade of Dedication
Frankie Tan, founder Atasia Spa
By early 1988, Tan arrived in California, determined to carve out a new life. His journey in search of work took him from the sprawling streets of Los Angeles to the glitz of Las Vegas, through the towering skyline of New York City, and finally to the political heart of Washington, D.C. After two months of fruitless job hunting, a small newspaper advertisement in The Washington Post rekindled his hope. The Country Inn in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was looking for a massage therapist. Without hesitation, Tan took a Greyhound bus to the small spa town for an interview. A week later, he was hired.
For the next decade, Tan dedicated himself to the art of healing, performing over 10,000 massages at The Country Inn. His skill and dedication did not go unnoticed. Regular clients began encouraging him to open his own spa, believing in his talent and work ethic. With their support, he finally took the leap and founded Atasia Spa in early 1998.
Establishing Atasia Spa
“It was exciting to use my interior design background again,” Tan recalls. The spa is more than just a business—it is a personal expression of his passion for wellbeing.
Atasia Spa quickly gained a reputation for its therapeutic massages, performed by a carefully selected team of therapists, each with their own unique touch. Techniques like raindrop therapy, reflexology, reiki, and lomi-lomi were incorporated into their offerings. Beyond massage, the spa introduced facials, nail care, sugar and salt scrubs, steam and herbal wraps, and mud treatments. When stone massages became a trend in 1999, Atasia went a step further, infusing essential oils into the therapy. This personalized experience, dubbed the “Aroma Stone Massage,” became a favorite among loyal patrons.
Atasia is more than a day spa—it is a personal expression of Tan’s passion for wellbeing.
The spa also makes use of Berkeley Springs’ famous mineral water in its whirlpools and steam rooms. This pure, odorless water, known for its healing properties, attracted visitors from all over. The town’s unique International Water Tasting—a worldwide competition judging the taste of different waters—brought international journalists to witness the event, further boosting the area’s appeal.
Challenges & Resilience During the Pandemic
Atasia Spa is located in an historic building that once housed “The News.”
However, the biggest challenge came in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced a three-month shutdown. Staffing became a struggle, as many businesses in the service industry faced hiring difficulties. But instead of waiting idly, Tan used the downtime to refurbish the spa after 22 years of operation. The renovations, including fresh paint and remodeling, gave the space a rejuvenated look. “When the employees returned, they were excited to see the transformation,” he said.
Atasia Spa’s success, he believes, is owed to the dedication of its staff. “Everyone here works like a team. We’re known for our cleanliness, professionalism, and peaceful environment.” The spa caters to each client’s individual needs, fostering a loyal customer base that relies on Atasia as a sanctuary for relaxation.
Traditional Techniques
To maintain high-quality services, Atasia carefully selects tried-and-true spa products. Dermalogica is the brand of choice for facials, OPI for nail care, and Biotone oils and creams for massages. Even the mud used in treatments is sourced from the Dead Sea, known for its therapeutic benefits.
Over time, many spas across the country transitioned into med-spas, incorporating medical treatments into their offerings. However, Atasia remained steadfast in its commitment to traditional relaxation techniques. “We wanted to keep our environment warm and inviting—not clinical,” Tan explains, adding that this decision allowed the spa to maintain affordable pricing and a straightforward experience, free from the bureaucracy of insurance claims and medical consultations.
Fostering a Positive Work Environment
A guest enjoys a treatment at the hands of a skilled therapist
“We understand that as a day spa, we have to create a line of services that will satisfy a customer’s need when they arrive,” attests Tan. “We try our best to ensure that every customer will have peace of mind and feel relaxed after getting a spa service.”
Word-of-mouth recommendations and loyal clients have become the backbone of Atasia’s success. To ensure his staff remains motivated and happy, Tan makes it a point to celebrate them—birthday celebrations, beach retreats, group dinners, and cookouts in the spa’s garden are regular events.
In the end, Atasia Spa is more than just a business—it is a reflection of a journey that began in a small Malaysian town and took shape through resilience, passion, and an unwavering belief in the power of healing.
Mary Bemis
A pioneering voice in spa and wellness journalism, Mary Bemis has spent four decades chronicling, championing, and helping shape the modern spa industry. As Founder and Editorial Director of Insider’s Guide to Spas, she brings a distinctive editorial perspective informed by a career that has helped define the language and landscape of spa media. Mary launched American Spa magazine in 1997, co-founded Organic Spa, and helped launch Luxury SpaFinder and NewBeauty. Her industry leadership extends to board service with ISPA, NYSPA, and WSPA, the latter two organizations she helped establish. She has also served as Special Advisor to the Balneology Association of North America. Today, she serves as Special Advisor to Global Wellness Day and sits on the board of the International Sauna Aid Foundation. Recognized among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness, Mary is also a recipient of the prestigious ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award, an inaugural Folio Top Women in Media honoree, and an American Spa Wonder Woman of Wellness. Her mission remains as steadfast as ever: to keep spa culture alive and relevant, honor its roots, challenge its shortcomings, and inspire an industry to live up to its promise.
- Web |
- More Posts(91)